Module capacitor replacing

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GRIMland
Posts: 12
Joined: Thu Jan 17, 2019 3:47 pm

Module capacitor replacing

Post by GRIMland »

I'm planning on changing all the electrolytic capacitors in all my rockmodules. I opened up all the units and made a list of values in each unit. Some caps I couldn't get a value from the casing because of their orientation. Didn't want to unsolder any yet since I like to have everything in hand if possible. If anyone could provide values for those with ?? after that I would very much appreciate that. I'll list everything I wrote to help others on the same hunt:

numbers in () are cap date codes

Sustainor 200 (double IC) S/N SP21021. Rev? No date, only says May ...
2x 1000mf 16v (8922)
1x 3.3mf 50v (8914) axial
4x 10mf 35v (8826 and 8817) - 2x axial? (need to check this)
1x ?? 50v?? axial on smart gate board (8643)
1x ?? ??v?? axial on front left of main board (8840)

EQ 8522 Rev3 (1990)
2x 1000mf 16v (9005 & 8926)
1x 3.3mf 50v (8808)

EQ 05407 Rev2 (1989)
2x 1000mf 25v (8717)
1x 3.3mf 50v (8808)

Stereo Chorus SC03914 Rev2 (1988)
2x 1000mf 25v (8717)
1x 220mf 16v (8742)
8x 10mf 35v (8751) axial
1x 22mf?? (could be 2.2mf??) 16v?? (8512) axial

Midi Octopus MO 05776 Rev2 (1991+)
1x 1000mf 25v (9126)
1x 220mf 16v (9014)
2x 10mf 50v (9140) axial

Stereo Echo SE 04125 Rev3 (1989)
2x 1000mf 25v (8717)
1x 220mf 16v (8830)
12x 10mf 35v (8751 & 8814) axial
1x 22mf 16v (can't read) axial

Distortion Generator DG 08039 Rev4 (1988) - large board
2x 1000mf 25v (8717)
2x 10mf 50v (8712) axial
mikegiovannucci
Posts: 55
Joined: Fri Nov 16, 2018 5:35 am

Re: Module capacitor replacing

Post by mikegiovannucci »

I can't answer all of them for you but can help you out a bit. I noticed on the Sustainor schematic the 2 in the power supply C51 & C5 were marked as 1000mf @ 25v and not 16v like you have. I would suggest using the 25v for a little more voltage headroom in the PS. If you look at all you other modules, you will notice they are all 1000mf @ 25v. That's what I did to mine, but really up to you and 16v is 2x higher than the power supplies output at + & - 8v.

The one on the main board looks like C7 and runs parallel with the faceplate. Behind it is TL072. This is in the compressor ciruit. If that is the one, then I show it as a 10mf. It is going to be 35v or 50v based on what is used in the other modules. Unfortunately the schematic did not list the voltage.

I will look in my collection to see if I have any other schematic to help you out more.

Hope this helps.
Mike G.
X100Ver10
Posts: 143
Joined: Mon Sep 18, 2017 2:49 pm

Re: Module capacitor replacing

Post by X100Ver10 »

Sustainor 200 (double IC) S/N SP21021. Rev? No date, only says May ...

1x ?? 50v?? axial on smart gate board (8643) 1uf 50v

1x ?? ??v?? axial on front left of main board (8840) 10uf 35v


Stereo Chorus SC03914 Rev2 (1988)

1x 22mf?? (could be 2.2mf??) 16v?? (8512) axial 22uf 16v
Last edited by X100Ver10 on Fri Mar 29, 2019 4:13 am, edited 1 time in total.
GRIMland
Posts: 12
Joined: Thu Jan 17, 2019 3:47 pm

Re: Module capacitor replacing

Post by GRIMland »

Great thanks guys, I planned on going 25v on all the 1000uf power caps. I thought it was interesting how two modules used 16v though. Small money savings maybe.

It's been a LONG time since I've bought electrolytic caps. I planned on using digikey, maybe mouser. I was thinking Nichicon, maybe Panasonic. There are a ton of options for some of these caps.

Series? Lots of options here.
Bulk vs cut tape vs tape & reel?
Audio vs general purpose?
Any suggestions?
mikegiovannucci
Posts: 55
Joined: Fri Nov 16, 2018 5:35 am

Re: Module capacitor replacing

Post by mikegiovannucci »

Yes! I use http://www.arrow.com for parts. I have not needed anything in a while, so not sure what brands they carry. Any of the following below are top quality.

Rubycon
United Chemi-Con (or Nippon Chemi-Con)
Nichicon
Sanyo/Suncon
Panasonic
Hitachi
FPCAP
Cornell Dubilier (USA)
Illinois Capacitor (Currently owned my Cornell Dubilier)
Kemet Corporation (USA)
Vishay (USA)
EPCOS (TDK company, Germany)
Würth Elektronik (Germany)

I am not sure how they do it but, everthing is inexpensive and they ship free overnight. :o

Love that site. Let me know what you think if you chech them out.

Mike G
X100Ver10
Posts: 143
Joined: Mon Sep 18, 2017 2:49 pm

Re: Module capacitor replacing

Post by X100Ver10 »

GRIMland wrote: Fri Feb 08, 2019 6:00 am Great thanks guys, I planned on going 25v on all the 1000uf power caps. I thought it was interesting how two modules used 16v though. Small money savings maybe.

It's been a LONG time since I've bought electrolytic caps. I planned on using digikey, maybe mouser. I was thinking Nichicon, maybe Panasonic. There are a ton of options for some of these caps.

Series? Lots of options here.
Bulk vs cut tape vs tape & reel?
Audio vs general purpose?
Any suggestions?
I like bulk. Cut tape is a pain in the arse peeling the cardboard/tape off of each capacitor, especially if it is older stock.

I use Nichicon for 99% of the caps I buy. I use Elna for the 22mf 16v. Audio for everything except the power caps.

I agree with Mike. If Arrow has it, it will almost always be cheaper and free overnight shipping. Otherwise, Mouser & Digi-Key.
GRIMland
Posts: 12
Joined: Thu Jan 17, 2019 3:47 pm

Re: Module capacitor replacing

Post by GRIMland »

Thanks again guys, I looked at arrow, they also have a code for 15% off with first purchase, fingers crossed they have everything I need.

Any chance you guys have an invoice list with the part numbers you bought you could share? Even if for just one or two modules.

I'm having a hard time finding audio grade caps in the axial config, looks like only Illinois and Vishay make them. For example, I need twenty three 10uf 35v caps and digikey doesn't show any in axial audio grade. Nichicon has the TVX axial series, +-20%, -40 to 85C, 2000 hr. How much difference would I hear between audio and general purpose. Would it still be an improvement over the 30+ year old existing caps? I don't have schematics to tell what caps are audio path vs. non.

Originally, I was thinking these types:
http://nichicon-us.com/english/products/pdfs/e-tvx.pdf
http://nichicon-us.com/english/products/pdfs/e-uvr.pdf

Maybe this series for power caps:
http://nichicon-us.com/english/products/pdfs/e-upm.pdf
Or
http://nichicon-us.com/english/products/pdfs/e-upw.pdf (just smaller sized than PM)
X100Ver10
Posts: 143
Joined: Mon Sep 18, 2017 2:49 pm

Re: Module capacitor replacing

Post by X100Ver10 »

GRIMland wrote: Sat Feb 09, 2019 3:24 pm Thanks again guys, I looked at arrow, they also have a code for 15% off with first purchase, fingers crossed they have everything I need.

Any chance you guys have an invoice list with the part numbers you bought you could share? Even if for just one or two modules.

I'm having a hard time finding audio grade caps in the axial config, looks like only Illinois and Vishay make them. For example, I need twenty three 10uf 35v caps and digikey doesn't show any in axial audio grade. Nichicon has the TVX axial series, +-20%, -40 to 85C, 2000 hr. How much difference would I hear between audio and general purpose. Would it still be an improvement over the 30+ year old existing caps? I don't have schematics to tell what caps are audio path vs. non.

Originally, I was thinking these types:
http://nichicon-us.com/english/products/pdfs/e-tvx.pdf
http://nichicon-us.com/english/products/pdfs/e-uvr.pdf

Maybe this series for power caps:
http://nichicon-us.com/english/products/pdfs/e-upm.pdf
Or
http://nichicon-us.com/english/products/pdfs/e-upw.pdf (just smaller sized than PM)
I wouldn't even bother with axial caps. They are difficult to find and are more expensive. I get radial caps and bend the leads to fit.

Give me until tomorrow and I will provide part numbers for you. I just noticed your post and it will take a little while to gather that info.
GRIMland
Posts: 12
Joined: Thu Jan 17, 2019 3:47 pm

Re: Module capacitor replacing

Post by GRIMland »

No worries, I'm not in a rush. That's what I was thinking too, going radial on everything since there's enough room for that. The power caps are my priority, but I'll order everything at the same time and eventually swap out the more tedious electrolytic caps too.
X100Ver10
Posts: 143
Joined: Mon Sep 18, 2017 2:49 pm

Re: Module capacitor replacing

Post by X100Ver10 »

UKW1H010MDD - 1uf 50v - Nichicon - Audio - Radial
UKW1H3R3MDD - 3.3uf 50v - Nichicon - Audio - Radial
UKW1H100MDD - 10uf 50v - Nichicon - Audio - Radial
RFS-16V220MF3#5 - 22uf 16v - Elna - Audio - Radial
UKW1C221MED - 220uf 16v - Nichicon - Audio - Radial
UVR1E102MPD - 1000uf 25v - Nichicon - General Purpose - Radial

Those should cover you for any of the Rockman rockmodules. I don't bother with buying 10uf 35v caps anymore. Some of the later rockmodules and headphone amps have 10uf 50v caps so I just went with the higher volt caps. If you want the 35v caps, here is the part number I used to use:

RFS-35V100ME3#5 - 10uf 35v - Elna - Audio - Radial

Some of the above sizes (3.3uf, 10uf, & 220uf) I buy 500 at a time to get a better price. If you don't need a lot, I can sell you the caps you need for my cost plus whatever shipping would be. If Arrow has everything you need, it may be cheaper to go with their 15% discount and free overnight shipping though. Send me a PM, if you want any caps from me.