 bichiPremium
join:2000-08-18
Denver, CO
4 edits | Re: Leaking Capacitors - ANTEC Truepower 430 signmeuptoo,
"...They run tests and have ways to know how well the material that makes their caps..."
"...I don't consider Antec supplies to be the best made..."
If you read some of the "leaky cap" data on the web, a significant number of "quality" makers
were affected. To name a few, IBM, DELL, ABIT, ASUS, SONY, etc. My guess is a "chemical manufacturer,"
who formulated the capacitor electrolyte, did a "questionable" job, and supplied it to capacitor makers.
I am also guessing most makers have corrected the issue, since most have switched electrolytes
and or suppliers.
As far as testing, I doubt that "extended tests" would have indicated a probable failure, since
failure mode is gassing/pressure build-up, due to electrolyte missing a key ingredient, and appears
after many months of operation. Note only "LOW-ESR" capacitors, with values +1000uf, and used in
switching power applications, were affected. The issue has been well documented now, (2003 end),
and chemical makeup of electrolyte can be tested.
ANTEC, or any other maker should take responsibilty and perform some sort of corrective action,
regardeless of warranty status, similar to what ABIT did for their motherboards. In my opinion,
the capacitor issue is not indicative of products "quality," but more the "quality" of the company
in supporting/protecting their user/buyer base.
Now, if what catseyenu and NgtFlyer are indicating, then, makers who continue to use
know faulty capacitors, (possibly old inventory?) should have their safety certs pulled, be punished
and sued...
I, for one, would most likely purchase from a company that's experienced this issue and clearly
corrected for it, or have clearly stated "avoidance" practices, as opposed to a company who's
not gone thru the above dungpile... yet.....
[Mod Note: Flame removed]
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 IllIlIlllIllEliteDataPremium
join:2003-07-06
Lindenhurst, NY
kudos:7 | reply to bichi
i find it easier to replace the cheap caps they use with better rated ones. |
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bichiPremium
join:2000-08-18
Denver, CO | Update: Aug 20, 2005
No reply yet......
Email with attachements, sent Aug 12, 05, to:
- ANTEC, USA
- FUHJYYU ELECTRONIC INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD. |
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star882
join:2005-01-08
Sugar Land, TX | reply to bichi
I modded my Antec to run the fans at full power at all times. It's heat that causes the problem. Without the mod, the PSU has a "hot varnish" smell. |
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bichiPremium
join:2000-08-18
Denver, CO
1 edit | star882,
Agreed.
Never did believe in "silent stuff." (read: thermally controlled fans = higher temps) Modded mine, about 4 months after purchase and wired the PSU fans to an external Zalman speed controller. Set it to run about twice as much airflow, as thermal control, but still relatively quiet...
Also note the caps are rated for 105C/221F temp range, which is typical for low-ESR capacitors. The issue may be thermally related, but tend to blame "bad electrolyte/chemistry" as the main problem.....
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| reply to bichi
»forums.anandtech.com/messageview···P=Linear
go there, my antec failed on me! |
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| reply to bichi
I had an issue a while back with a 2 year old Antec True 430 PSU causing voltage spikes on shutdown or power up that killed 3 hard drives.
Someone on Anand's told me that it appears that Antec bought a bad batch of capacitors from a supplier and they've been having problems with leaking caps.
This guy suggested I do a google search for "antec capacitors leaking". I did and I came up with a lot of interesting links, including one to this thread.
I still have my old Antec 430 PSU sitting on the floor here waiting to get thrown out. So I opened it up tonight and guess what I found? LEAKING CAPS!!!!!! EXACTLY the same 4 caps in the photo in the beginning of this thread. Brown goo oozing out the top of all four.
Glad I replaced both my Antec PSUs (Main workstation and LAN rig) with new Enermax NoiseTakers at the time.
I'm going to open the TruPower 480 that was in my LAN rig and see if there's any leaking caps (that PSU was causing no problems but I changed it anyway to play safe and put it on the shelf for now).
I was going to toss this True 430 in the trash, but since Antec has a 3 year warranty I'm going to file for an RMA. |
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 TA63ST215WPremium,MVM
join:2000-11-23
there
kudos:2 | Let us know how they respond. |
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