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Re: Leaking capacitor tutorial update

Posted: Tue Oct 02, 2012 9:28 am
by Starunit10
[quote="Starunit10"]I am doing caps in my outlaw and bandit , I noticed the m50 side and the bandit only have 3 caps in , but room for 4. Jammer750 pics show 4 installed. Can anyone explain this ? Does it help/ hurt ?[/quo

Anyone?

Re: Leaking capacitor tutorial update

Posted: Fri Nov 02, 2012 6:54 pm
by leftywhat
Hey Guys,

I have a PG M50 amp and for some reason its not amplifying anymore.

Basically it was a bit intermittent, it was working sometimes, then sometimes it wasn't. Now its just no amplifying anymore (unless its my sub, but I doubt it). The Green LED light is on etc.

I have a funny feeling that 6 main transistors (triple Darlington setup) are not switching on/off anymore due to age.

What are peoples thoughts? Does anyone have the circuit diagram, or where I could check certain points using an oscilloscope/dmm etc? I have all the equipment at work and a mint JBC soldering station/iron (way better than our Weller ones). I feel a bit silly since I should be able to know how to fix this (I studied electronics engineering), but any help would be great :)

Also, for the cap's, I assume you guys are discharging them before replacing them using a 500 ohm resistor or similar? Also, since I'm going to replace the 3 caps on the right, I might as well change every other capacitor on the board while I'm at it correct?

Cheers
Chris.

Edit:
If I wanted to just get someone to repair it and sent it to PG, would they do the repair, or would they forward it to Altser, the prices seem the same? Or should I get someone on these forums to do it :P

http://www.phoenixgold.com/support/Repa ... celist.php
http://www.altser.com/

Re: Leaking capacitor tutorial update

Posted: Thu Nov 22, 2012 8:47 pm
by finbar
Valeks services PG gear

Re: Leaking capacitor tutorial update

Posted: Fri Nov 23, 2012 2:09 am
by Starunit10
pg repair/alster/valeks1, are all the same person, so yes they would be similar.

Re: Leaking capacitor tutorial update

Posted: Tue Apr 02, 2013 4:15 pm
by 94civiceg
I need to replace the caps on my m100 I have the new input caps but need the rail caps so can any of u guys help me with the part number for the Panasonic rail caps that replaces my rail caps...would really appreciate the help

Re: Leaking capacitor tutorial update

Posted: Mon Jun 24, 2013 8:02 pm
by Derekdahms
Hello everyone ! Derek from Idaho , new to this site and I am learning a lot. I recently acquired a MS 2125 off E-bay ! Well it looks like I need to re- cap this thing ! I took a look inside and could see a little seepage from the caps and then did the paper test and yes they are leaking. I'm not very good at that kind of work. ( soldering and all ) tried to find someone in Boise to do it , got ahold of the best guy in town according to the local shops. This guy sounded scared to even work on it !!!! So back to square one , is there someone around my area that could do this work ??? Any help would be appreciated !!!!! I also have a MS250 that I have owned since new some 20 years ago! This one has no leaks whatsoever !!! Iknow if I tear into these amps I will fuck something up , I always do!! I plan on building another system with these amps but its going to take awhile , so I have some time !! I can send a pic of the capacitors , but it's the same as you have all seen , board is in great shape !!!

Re: Leaking capacitor tutorial update

Posted: Fri Jun 28, 2013 6:09 am
by Derekdahms
I guess I'll reply to myself ! I'm sending my amp to Alster LLC in Portland , OR , he used to work at PG when they built these amps. Don't know if anyone heard of this guy , but sounds like he is legit on all PG stuff.

Re: Leaking capacitor tutorial update

Posted: Fri Jun 28, 2013 8:40 am
by dvnt88
^^^^ You won't find anyone better :shock: ...with the exception of EricD 8) to work on ur amp. Alek is a helluva repair tech and knows the PG stuff inside and out :twisted: ...what do you expect from a guy that worked on PG gear at PG the last 20 years and still does to this day locally :shock: ...plus you get a 90 day warranty included in the repair price. :clap:

Re: Leaking capacitor tutorial update

Posted: Sat Jun 29, 2013 4:41 am
by Derekdahms
That's very reassuring to know that , thanks for the reply
My car was stolen a out 14 years ago and they got whole phoenix gold system! Didn't get any of it back, so I'm trying to rebuild my PG arsenal. Had two kids and have been out of the game for awhile... All my stuff was new back then, it's just hard to find some clean equip now. I'm picking sme stuff up here and there though


( no head unit yet )
MS 2125
MS 250 ( gray )
AX 204A
Alpine R series( coming soon )
Haven't decided on high end speakers yet
Used MB quart in the past because they were clean.
Suggestions appreciated !!!

Re: Leaking capacitor tutorial update

Posted: Mon Dec 01, 2014 1:42 pm
by Alfaholic
Hi guys, i am wondering what amplifiers that have the leaking caps is it all the old ones or is it just some of the PG that have this problem.
Is there a list over models that are affected?
I realy wanted a ZX475 i had one many years ago but when i read about the leaking caps i did not want to risk as im not skilled enough to change caps i would most likley destroy the board.

Re: Leaking capacitor tutorial update

Posted: Mon Dec 01, 2014 2:13 pm
by trickyricky
Any capacitor that had the "HF" or "HFZ" series....usually dark blue with either gold or silver strip.

Re: Leaking capacitor tutorial update

Posted: Mon Dec 01, 2014 2:18 pm
by Alfaholic
trickyricky wrote:Any capacitor that had the "HF" or "HFZ" series....usually dark blue with either gold or silver strip.
But where these capacitors used in all amps like ZX,TI,M and MPS?

Re: Leaking capacitor tutorial update

Posted: Mon Dec 01, 2014 2:36 pm
by ByBlaZeD
I've heard that after the zxti series they were ok. Not 100% but that what I've heard.

Re: Leaking capacitor tutorial update

Posted: Tue Dec 02, 2014 3:49 pm
by Alfaholic
I see there are two MS2125 on ebay i realy want one of them does these have the leaking amps?
Here is a link to ebay, the pictures of the caps are good:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Phoenix-Gold-MS ... 29&vxp=mtr

Re: Leaking capacitor tutorial update

Posted: Tue Dec 02, 2014 4:26 pm
by knightrider358
Alfaholic wrote:I see there are two MS2125 on ebay i realy want one of them does these have the leaking amps?
Here is a link to ebay, the pictures of the caps are good:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Phoenix-Gold-MS ... 29&vxp=mtr

Im not expert in thise area but that dark blue bank closest to the end plate is what they are refering too. I just got a MPS2500 and it "looks" safe but upon closer looking you can see a very thin clear film in the area of the caps and see dust collecting on the film. Im 99% they are leaking on mine.

But GOLDEN RULE of thumb with all M, MS, MPS, ZX & ZXTI amps is too get all the large caps replaced unless you know for sure they have been replaced.

If you arent experienced in doing it, get someone who is. Youll spend $50-$150 to do these including upgrading most of them to larger sizes. But, the long term and overall investment will payoff in great long lasting quality amps!!!!

Hope this helps

Re: Leaking capacitor tutorial update

Posted: Tue Dec 02, 2014 5:28 pm
by trickyricky
ByBlaZeD wrote:I've heard that after the zxti series they were ok. Not 100% but that what I've heard.

The ones I've removed that didn't leak had the 97HF date code on them. I believe some of them came out of the nib ZX400ti I just traded to a member here, they looked like new and didn't leak, again they had the same 97HF date code as the other caps I've saved that didn't leak. These have a silver strip instead of the gold.


The caps are the dark blue ones with either gold or silver stripe and are usually rated 2200uf 16v. Its 12 of them in the big MS/MPS/ZPA...the M series also had these leaky caps.

Re: Leaking capacitor tutorial update

Posted: Tue Dec 02, 2014 5:28 pm
by trickyricky
ByBlaZeD wrote:I've heard that after the zxti series they were ok. Not 100% but that what I've heard.

The ones I've removed that didn't leak had the 97HF date code on them. I believe some of them came out of the nib ZX400ti I just traded to a member here, they looked like new and didn't leak, again they had the same 97HF date code as the other caps I've saved that didn't leak. These have a silver strip instead of the gold.


The caps are the dark blue ones with either gold or silver stripe and are usually rated 2200uf 16v. Its 12 of them in the big MS/MPS/ZPA...the M series also had these leaky caps.

Re: Leaking capacitor tutorial update

Posted: Tue Dec 02, 2014 10:16 pm
by Alfaholic
Ok thanks for the help, i think i will buy some used cheap amplifieres and try to learn how to soldier in caps to see if i can do it.

Re: Leaking capacitor tutorial update

Posted: Tue Dec 02, 2014 10:33 pm
by nico boom
Simply replace all capacitors from that age even when they look good, period.

I save this picture, taken by Eric, to proove my point everytime this conversation starts again..... :wink:
Nico

Re: Leaking capacitor tutorial update

Posted: Wed Dec 03, 2014 4:52 am
by knightrider358
nico boom wrote:Simply replace all capacitors from that age even when they look good, period.

I save this picture, taken by Eric, to proove my point everytime this conversation starts again..... :wink:
Nico
I second that!!!!!

Re: Leaking capacitor tutorial update

Posted: Wed Jan 14, 2015 12:43 am
by vwdude
I back that statement up as well. I replace all PS caps in all of my amps,, whether PG, PPI, Orion, or whatever. Capacitors are just components that go bad over time, and you can extend the life of the electronics by replacing them. Some are much more at risk of damage due to premature leaking like the Panasonic HF and HFZ caps used in the PG M, MS, MPS, ZPA, ZX, and ZXti series amps.

Re: Leaking capacitor tutorial update

Posted: Fri Jan 16, 2015 3:31 pm
by Mobile_audio_concept
Ive got a zx400.2ti bnib never seen power since the factory, do i need to do this cap swap in this?

Re: Leaking capacitor tutorial update

Posted: Fri Jan 16, 2015 3:42 pm
by trickyricky
Perhaps not....I've notice that the HF caps (with the silver stripe on the negative side...NOT GOLD) with a date code of "97FH" did not leak. I replace them in three zxti amps and all with the same date code did not leak. Not if you want to be on the safe side then replace them and you won't have to worry about them, always a good idea to do so.

Re: Leaking capacitor tutorial update

Posted: Fri Jan 16, 2015 4:09 pm
by Mobile_audio_concept
Ya ive also got a 500.4ti and another zx400.2ti (used) and a 600.2ti...funny the board on the 600ti says zero point but the graphics dont have zx anywhere on the amp...thanx tho

Re: Leaking capacitor tutorial update

Posted: Sat Jan 17, 2015 7:38 am
by knightrider358
Zeropoint on the boards are the earliest ti line. Those boards are left overs from the zxti. I would still check the caps and see what caps it has