-=> JIM HOLSONBACK wrote to ALL <=-

 JH> Hello, ALL.
 JH> Got this email from my friend.  I've interim written to him that AFAIK
 JH> those bulging top caps are likely a sign of impending death, but told
 JH> him I would ask here.  Please advise. And, what does cause those
 JH> bulging tops?

 JH> Date: Mon, 8 Sep 2003 19:18
 JH> Subject: Re: question
 JH> Jim,
 JH> I was swapping some memory around the boards in my office and found a
 JH> couple of boards with  bulging capacitors, but they appear to work
 JH> fine. Am I about ready to have problems with these or will they limp
 JH> along fine for the indefinite future? What causes the bulging anyway?
 JH> Bob

 JH> Thanks - - -  JimH.

Cheap under rated caps.
When they blow they have a tendency to scrag traces on the motherboard
yielding one with a paperweight. Best to spend a few bucks more on the
motherboard and get tantalums with a couple of volts of leeway.


Download the motherboard PDF files and read the details.

Electrolytics stink when they blow but reverse connect a tantalum and
you'll never forget the smell.

--- BBBS/LiI v4.01 Flag-5