Powercore 20....

[ttocs]

I saw caps about that size explode in tech school, and I will use the term explode... Dialectric fuzz and smoke and if you are lucky that little metal cap in the top can even become stuck in drop in ceiling tiles.

I thought we had some members here that were experinceing electrical issues in their vehicles that we really couldn't explain but went away when it was disconnected? I have heard 2 different stories at another site as well.

It just seems to me the moral of the story is that a cap on a weak electrical system is just a band aid no matter how big?

[gbody805]

The age of the unit is the problem.

The caps may start to leak from age.
The cap fluid is acidic which may start to eat at the board which could cause a short.
Leaking fluid might collect enough to cause a short.

Best case scenario there is a little smoke.
Worst case the unit starts a fire.
Another problem with it, you don't even have to be there.
This could happen while you're away from the car.

Myself, I would think twice about using it.
With all the time and money invested.

Would I use a $200 part that just might destroy thousands of dollars worth of time and material.

[onecrazy95civic]

Well I guess I khow where I'll relocate the Ti DD10...it will go where the Powercore is... After reading all of this and hearing the horror stories, one thing for sure I'll not enclose the Powercore anymore. Just got to descide what to do with the Powercore. Thanks for all the info.

[Eric D]

PG has changed ownership at least 3 times since these were made. Going back on PG for issues with them is not going to happen.

The problem with these is the caps will leak without warning. Then they will short out and catch fire, just like older PG amps do. Your Reactors will catch fire if you don't replace the caps in them (I think you already replaced the caps in them). It is not a matter of IF, it is WHEN.

I am guessing the PC20 is "live" all the time. If so, they may short out and catch fire while the car is not being used and in storage. They are that random.

[onecrazy95civic]

Nope never change the caps in any of my 3 Reactors... took a quick look and they all seem to look ok will check again tomorrow just to confirm. With all those stories of leaking caps I might just get a case of a leaking cap...the headaches!!!

[The Golden One]

since they no long service the power core i would first discharge it the way it says on the back. take the cover off and look for any caps with raised tops on them even with slightly raised tops they can be going bad. also just smell it if it smells kinda funny chances are some thing may be bad. if everything passes charge it up very slowly with a 12-13.8 power source with low amps 3-5 amps. or if your power source has more amps put a very long 18 gauge wire on it to give the resistance for lower amp draw until the voltage is 12-13.8 volts. then remove the power source then over a period of time keep checking the voltage level with a volt meter if it drops below 11 volts then keep checking it if it keeps dropping down you may have problems.

[Eric D]

The last 6 amps I replaced the caps on showed no signs what-so-ever, but when I removed the caps, all 6 of the amps had leaking caps, some of which were starting to short and eat away the PCB.

[onecrazy95civic]

The last 6 amps I replaced the caps on showed no signs what-so-ever, but when I removed the caps, all 6 of the amps had leaking caps, some of which were starting to short and eat away the PCB.

Were they all Reactor amps? I remember you, I think, told me about that problem with the caps and Reactor amp.

[ttocs]

I just ordered all the caps to redo my octane le(20 something) and have just been waiting till I feel better to try and tackle that project but it has been in regular use for the last 4 yrs now. The reactor was obviously right before that and would be do as well, I recomend doing it before you install it or you will end up like not wanting to take it back apart again....

[onecrazy95civic]

Just spoke with a Phoenix Gold rep (tech support) on the phone and was told that I’ll be find with the Powercore 20. He told me that these rare instance where the Powercore had leaking caps, etc. Were isolated cases and were due to combining different equipments, electrical issues (improper hook ups, etc.) and drawing too much power out of the Powercore, basically abusing the Powercore ended up making the caps leak. Because my system is 100% PG from the alternator to the isolator, wiring, etc... I’ll be find and can use it. So, after much consideration, etc. the Powercore 20 stays. Thank you for all your concerns and recommendation about the Powercore. But he did add that I shouldn’t have it totally box in, let it have some air to bread, that it does warm up but nothing crazy.

[Eric D]

The last 6 amps I replaced the caps on showed no signs what-so-ever, but when I removed the caps, all 6 of the amps had leaking caps, some of which were starting to short and eat away the PCB.

Were they all Reactor amps? I remember you, I think, told me about that problem with the caps and Reactor amp.

No, they were not Reactor's. Two of them were ZX500s, another was a ZX450, one was MS2250, and two of them were Route 66s.

[longboard]

Just spoke with a Phoenix Gold rep (tech support) on the phone and was told that I’ll be find with the Powercore 20. He told me that these rare instance where the Powercore had leaking caps, etc. Were isolated cases and were due to combining different equipments, electrical issues (improper hook ups, etc.) and drawing too much power out of the Powercore, basically abusing the Powercore ended up making the caps leak. Because my system is 100% PG from the alternator to the isolator, wiring, etc... I’ll be find and can use it. So, after much consideration, etc. the Powercore 20 stays. Thank you for all your concerns and recommendation about the Powercore. But he did add that I shouldn’t have it totally box in, let it have some air to bread, that it does warm up but nothing crazy.

seriously dude dont do it that power core is bad!! i dont care what the pg rep has said he hasent seen it and the power core 20 was withdrew from sale and the 15 replaced it because of these faults i compete with team source at shefield and newth one of the long standing members had one of these go in his car pg replaced it withg a 15 that was early to mid 2000

[gridracer]

Well good luck with that!

[jbob0124]

I've had my eye on the PC 15/20 since it came out. Always told myself that when I actually get an install together I will definitely have one. After all those years of wanting it, a few threads here have changed my mind. To me its not worth the risk.

[onecrazy95civic]

This is what I got today from PG:

Hi Erick,

I have no knowledge of the TI Powercore 20 having the issues you mentioned. It can get warm depending on how you are running the system and I would recommend some kind of ventilation. I would have to have more details on the other users issues and if you have that information please forward it to me at clifton.brown@pac-audio.com . Nice system pics. when you are done would be nice as well.

Regards

[12voltjunky]

I've had my eye on the PC 15/20 since it came out. Always told myself that when I actually get an install together I will definitely have one. After all those years of wanting it, a few threads here have changed my mind. To me its not worth the risk.

x2

[ttocs]

pg also says that the return rate on the octane, ryval and well any of the amps they have built recently to be much much better then the stuff of old that we all love. I do not blame them but I would not expect them to tell you that something they made is not operating the way they would like it too, or even doing damage.

[onecrazy95civic]

Just spoke with a Phoenix Gold rep (tech support) on the phone and was told that I’ll be find with the Powercore 20. He told me that these rare instance where the Powercore had leaking caps, etc. Were isolated cases and were due to combining different equipments, electrical issues (improper hook ups, etc.) and drawing too much power out of the Powercore, basically abusing the Powercore ended up making the caps leak. Because my system is 100% PG from the alternator to the isolator, wiring, etc... I’ll be find and can use it. So, after much consideration, etc. the Powercore 20 stays. Thank you for all your concerns and recommendation about the Powercore. But he did add that I shouldn’t have it totally box in, let it have some air to bread, that it does warm up but nothing crazy.

seriously dude dont do it that power core is bad!! i dont care what the pg rep has said he hasent seen it and the power core 20 was withdrew from sale and the 15 replaced it because of these faults i compete with team source at shefield and newth one of the long standing members had one of these go in his car pg replaced it withg a 15 that was early to mid 2000

I always thought that the 20 came after the 15 not before. So is the 15 better than the 20? Less risk, etc... or regardless of the Powercore both are bad.

[eulogious]

I believe I read that the PC 20 has the super caps like you have, but the PC 15 has the alumipro "normal" cap. That being the difference. I think the super cap idea failed, so they defaulted to what they knew would be good after seeing all the problems running a ton of small caps together.

It would make sense. I think the alumipro/pc15 is "one" solid piece where as the other one as a bunch of little components. The less pieces, the less to fail, so no wonder they dumped the super caps With that said, I would guess the 15 is better than the 20.

[stipud]

The 15 superceded the 20, because of the cap issue. The 20F Powercore and 10F Powergrid were both canceled, and only a 15F Alumapro Powercore was made to replace them.

Also keep in mind the "PG tech support" you are getting is from AAMP, who only bought PG a few months ago. They are probably not be experienced with all the PG issues just yet, especially regarding the older gear.

[onecrazy95civic]

Well I guess I'll be on the market for a Powercore 15...but who will want to buy a Powercore 20 with all that history!!!

[Eric D]

Well I guess I'll be on the market for a Powercore 15...but who will want to buy a Powercore 20 with all that history!!!

A collector...

I personally would prefer to own a PC20 over a PC15, but I would never put either of them in an installation. I would just add it too my collection. Since the PC20 seems more rare, I bet it would be more desirable to a collector.

[onecrazy95civic]

Well I guess I'll be on the market for a Powercore 15...but who will want to buy a Powercore 20 with all that history!!!

A collector...

I personally would prefer to own a PC20 over a PC15, but I would never put either of them in an installation. I would just add it too my collection. Since the PC20 seems more rare, I bet it would be more desirable to a collector.

And it'a brand new!!! Man this situation really piss me off.

[kg1961]

you can just buy another style of cap and use the case
I also have a 15f case you can have it has a little rust but you pay shipping i will send it

[stipud]

Pretty sure the 15F and 20F cases are different and don't fit each other unfortunately. Plus there are lots of guts to swap... relays, etc.

You should probably just sell it on eBay. I don't think anyone will think twice about it.