Why and When to Replace RIFA, Safety Filter, and Electrolytic Capacitors

RIFA Capacitors, Safety Filter Capacitors, and Electrolytic Capacitors. Why and When to replace them.
Capacitor replacement is always a hot topic and it seems everyone has a different opinion.... here are my two cents.
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[@Kboyer36]

I definitely agree with your logic on this one and follow very similar policies. I don't like recapping computers just for the sake of recapping them but if there are already signs of multiple capacitors failing, I usually go with the policy of "If I am in here and doing these ones, I might as well replace the rest of them".
I just ran into a similar situation restoring an old NCR PC4. There were visibly bad capacitors on the CRT's analog board and the power supply had two X filter caps on it that were starting to crack. Given how much of a chore it was to get that thing apart, There was no sense in putting it back together with old caps especially with the fact that the ones that were not visibly bad were still quickly approaching 40 years old.

[@baker.marafat1750]

I would only replace the failure part but I will make sure that none of the surrounding parts are affected by that failure.

[@briang.7206]

There's a capacitor in S.M.P.S. its connected between the primary and secondary side. Safety capacitors are used there to isolate the hot side of the AC line from the secondary side and prevent shock.

[@realchef_tom]

I always recap as much as I can. My VIC-20 was recapped before I even tried to turn it on. My C16 and Plus/4 work now, but they're on the docket for new caps in the near future.

[@RetroTechorDie]

It makes sense to knock all prevenmtive maintenance out so you don't have issues later.

[@RacerX-]

Nice video! It was easy to follow and explained things well without being too complicated. While I don't typically re-cap old computers, except ones like Amiga AGA or 68k to early PPC macs that use SMD caps or ones that are leaking, I don't see the harm in doing so if you have the skills and proper tools and, especially in old 8-bit computers where you try to get a similar series of cap. This can be very confusing because when you go to source replacements from, say, Digi-Key, there many different series. Some made for switching some not, some for audio, etc... Most of my C64s used Nichicon caps from the factory which still seem to be in spec on the ones I have tested. Amazing really. Keep up the good work!

[@RetroTechorDie]

Thanks for watching! Yea sourcing caps can be complicated, I could talk a lot on the specific uses and series......but that will probably another video. I wanted to keep this one simple.

[@petermakieg4921]

Hi
A very interesting video.
I just replaced one PME271M and one PME265 MB RIFA capacitors on my old 41 years old Yamaha Electone B805 getting an extra life time ❤😊

[@RetroTechorDie]

Excellent work!