replace electrolytic capacitors with solid state, Do i need to replace capacitors on a like for like basis? Options

[john11]

Hi and thanks for reading this post.

Do you think it would be a good idea to replace the usual aluminium electrolytic capacitors on a Zero dac board for the better specs of a solid state (polymer) type capacitor.

I have a Zero dac which reproduces digital sound signals from my pc's usb port and it has 4 aluminium electrolytic's around the dac chip (47uf 35v) which are swollen and leaking and 4x 10uf 63v output coupling caps in the analog section, so 8 caps to replace in all, do you think a like for like replacement of the stock aluminium electrolytics for solid state polymer type caps would be okay in this situation.

I have done a google search and people have performed this on pc motherboards but there is not much on other types of equipment.

Many thanks in advance. John.

[john11]

Hi. Thanks for the replies.

You are absolutely right concerning the panasonic fm series. I placed a few in a power supply last year and they were brilliant. The only problem is that they only go up to 50v.

About the panasonic fp and fk series i have found a few on mouser and farnel, in the values i need the esr is 0.18 ohms and cost 50 pence each. The nichicon rhu1h470mdn1ph is $2.50, okay a little more expensive but the esr is 0.02 ohms which is about a tenth of the panasonics. The panasonics do sound a little high in esr to me for a solid state capacitor so i am torn between the two deciding which to buy.

Talking about things to buy can anyone recomend a good desoldering iron for this job. I purchased this:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2-In-1-Welding-E...=item46019b4760

Thing is it melts the solder but the suction is very weak and it does not pick up any of the solder at all, can anyone recommend a 2-in-1 tool like this but with better suction. I don't want to spend a lot of money on a desoldering station for a one off job.

Many thanks. John.