Spectra Consolette and bad caps...

[Rayjk110]

Has anyone using a Spectra Consolette with an analog unit inside ever experience bad caps from leaving the radio on 24/7? Also, I'm under the impression that it was made to have the unit on 24/7. I'm running 2 with an A7 head - would it be better to leave the head "off" (ie just dim it down all the way to where it's all off but the radio is on) when I'm not using it?

Thanks,

Rayjk110

[Will]

YES... Even Spectras in Consoletes have bad caps. And the caps in the power supply do go bad over time too.

The control head has a vacuum florescent display powered by a filament. So the display will age with time just as a light bulb filament does.

[Rayjk110]

Ah ok. Well, I've had the caps replaced *twice* on this thing, and it's starting to go bad again (the caps). I'm not sure if it's another issue or what. Seems like I opened a can of worms with this thing. At least it was free...

[bellersley]

Twice? How long have you had it for? I've got a VHF Spectra that is at least 15 years old and it's never had to go in for surgery so to speak. I guess some last forever and others don't.

[jackhackett]

Some just take a little longer to show symptoms, if you've got a 15 year old one that's never been recapped you're well into borrowed time, the ones I've been seeing start failing around 12-14 years old, and even if there are no operational problems with a radio that old I've found that the caps still show signs of leakage.

They shouldn't have to be recapped twice though, unless the first time it was done with Motorola replacements, which may have been the same type as the originals and sitting in Moto's warehouse for 10 years. If replaced with good new caps, say Nichicon, Xicon, Panasonic for example, they'll probably outlast the radio's usefulness.

So what symptoms is the radio showing that made you suspect the caps?

[Rayjk110]

Well, sometimes RX sounds a little windy (kinda like a Jedi with the noise TX problem), then it will start to fade and I can't even RX anything on the radio, not even if I bring an XTS next to it and key on frequency. Dead. But if I let it sit for a bit and use it again, it will work fine for a few hours - and sometimes there will be no problems at all.

The first time I had them replaced from an astro spectra donor board I had laying around at the time. (hrn6020)

[Will]

Sounds like the serious dammage is allready done..

I will reserve a spot on my list for your Spectra chassis.


BTW, the ASSTRO Spectras have the same caps... and the same problems...............

[jackhackett]

The first time I had them replaced from an astro spectra donor board I had laying around at the time. (hrn6020)

Well there's a posibility I didn't think of.. probably about the only worse option would have been to take the bad caps out, and then put them right back in.

And since there are caps that need to be replaced on 4 different boards and you only mention 1 donor board, I'd guess you missed a few the first time.

A proper recapping should get you working again for a good long time, good luck with it.

[Rayjk110]

I should mention this, too - all of the caps were replaced (on all different boards, too). Got a source for *new* caps? I guess donor cap sparing is a lame idea...

[jackhackett]

I've been using Nichicon 7mm radial lead caps (USR series) from http://www.mouser.com
The radial leads are a bit easier to solder on than surface mount caps, and the 7mm ones give you more clearance so they can stand up on the board without hitting the shields.

[kc7gr]

For the sake of durability, I greatly prefer the Panasonic HD series caps over anything that Nichicon turns out. The HD's are rated for 5,000 hour life at 105 degrees C (hotter than boiling water, for those who don't speak Celsius). If your radio is running in that kind of heat, you've got other problems!

Anyway... The HD's are available from DigiKey. Just match the uF and voltage values needed, and you'll find them easily enough.

Happy tweaking.

[Max-trac]

Is the 47uf one on the RF board not used on the 900MHz unit?
I cannot find it.
The service manual does not have a schematic or parts layout!