Re: How do you test a capacitor?


"Ross Herbert" <rherber1@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:ri8is21dc12ck7e6dr0co8fdmd9mupgjku@xxxxxxxxxx
On Tue, 06 Feb 2007 19:56:32 GMT, "Wayne Lundberg"
<Waynelund@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:

Just bought a generator and it failed within two hours of usage. Mfg. say
maybe capacitor and will ship a new one. But am not sure. I have a
voltmeter
with capacitor readings. Know how to test for resistance and voltage but
never tried to test a capacitor. I know the circuit should be open, and
this
one is open, but don't know if it is being charged nor how to do that
procedure.

Help!

Wayne



If you have a capacitance range on your meter then simply connect the
probes across the capacitor terminals (make sure all other leads are
disconnected from the cap). Since you know the cap should be 24uF then
.look to see if the meter reads very close to this value (22.8uF -
25.2uF). This is not necessarily an indication that the cap is "good"
- you need other test equipment to determine this, it is a indicator
that it may not be faulty. The cap can measure the right value on your
meter but it may break down when subjected to the much higher voltage
it sees in normal operation. For the general public who can't carry
out full testing the best option is to try a new cap and if the fault
is still evident then the likelihood that your original cap is faulty
is nil. Once this is established then return your generator for a new
one.

The only problem with the self fix route on brand new products is that
the supplier/distributor may void the warranty because you have
"played around with it" when you are not an authorised repairer. It is
generally safer to simply not do anything and take it back and say
"fix it or replace it " under warranty.

My son took it back and asked the manager to replace it or fix it. They
refused, saying the unit had to go to the manufacturer's repair shop, which
he did and was told two week minimum. I'm suggesting he get his credit card
company to help him get a refund and return the unit.

I've never heard of such terrible service as buying a new machine and the
vendor not exchanging it if it does not work after one day and only a few
hours of use. Don't know how Pep Boys stay in business!

Wayne


.

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