Capacitors popped on me mid-repair in a humid workshop last Tuesday

Was diagnosing a power supply board at my bench in Nashville when three electrolytic caps blew in sequence, smoke and electrolyte everywhere. I killed the mains fast but the smell stuck around for hours. Has anyone dealt with recurring capacitor failures tied to high humidity where you work?

2 comments

2 Comments

troy_palmer7616d ago

Have you ever tried sealing the vent holes on the caps with a tiny dab of silicone before installing them in a humid shop? I started doing that after my third blowout and it's kept the moisture out way better than a dehumidifier alone.

the_robin16d ago

Oh man, that's rough! Honestly, I've had caps blow in my face during a humid summer here in Atlanta and it's like a tiny fireworks show you never asked for. Tbh, I think the moisture just gets into those electrolytics and weakens the seals over time, especially if your bench isn't climate controlled. I've started keeping a dehumidifier running nonstop near my work area, and it's helped a ton with random failures. Ngl, I still get paranoid every time I hear a soft pop or hiss now, like I'm waiting for round two. It's such a pain when your workspace decides to fight back, but at least you didn't get hit in the eye with shrapnel, small victories right?