How do you test a capacitor?

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

Reply to
Wayne Lundberg
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Does the meter show any reading when you test the cap?

Reply to
Homer J Simpson

say

I tested for continuity and it showed no short circuitry evident. I then just connected the probes to both terminals and swithce the voltmeter from high to low.... all indications fell to zero after only a short time... which tells me that my VM may have charged, then masured as power dissipated... but I'm just guessing.

I think I need to charge the cap with a battery and then measure... but don't want to blow my VM... so... advice?

The readings on the cap is 24 microfarads plus minus 5% 400 VAC 50/60 Hz

Wayne

Reply to
Wayne Lundberg

I would put the meter on ohms and connect it to the cap. Then switch the leads over where they are connected and see what happens. If the cap is OK the meter will deflect up and then go down. When reversed the meter will go below zero come up and go down. This indicates possibly a good cap.

Is this a gas power generator? How did it fail - symptoms?

Reply to
Homer J Simpson

One way to test it is to charge it up to 100 VDC (carefully), and then discharge it through a 100K resistor. The time constant should be 24 x 0.1 = 2.4 seconds to reach 37 VDC. An even more thorough test would require charging it to 600 VDC and making sure it is not breaking down or leaking. Such testing can be dangerous or even lethal, but will be more conclusive than a simple ohmmeter check.

Paul

Reply to
Paul E. Schoen

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.

Reply to
Ross Herbert

from

go

OK, I'll try that. This is a brand new 13HP four stroke driving a 5,500 Watt generator. It started with a single pull and reved up showing full power and my son started welding. It worked for a couple of hours then simply stopped producing juice. Motor running fine, no other indication except no output.

He took it back to Pep Boys who refused to exchange it ( after one day!) and is now saddled with the problem of facing one month service waiting time... so much for other than Wal-Mart vendors! ( I bought a HDTV from Wal-Mart, it did not live up to the advertised standards, and they simply gave me a new one... I think I'm spoiled by their kind of service.)

So son is running around getting replacement capacitors and fuses even though they may not be needed. And can't get a straight answer from Pep Boys or the Power Pro 5500 people.

>
Reply to
Wayne Lundberg

No fuses or circuit breakers?

Yes, Costco or Wal-Mart are clearly better than Crap-Boys.

Did it come with a wiring diagram?

Reply to
Homer J Simpson

Simplest things first - did you attempt to reset the circuit breakers? (Sometimes overlooked because it can be hard to see they're tripped.)

Ed

Reply to
ehsjr

then

OK

Watt

and

stopped

output.

and

time...

Wal-Mart, it

new

Boys

We removed the fuse and tested and is ok. Circuit breaker also.

During the last pull he got a trickle of juice, but then quit producing anything.

Don't know if he has a circuit diagram. he's out looking for help now.

Reply to
Wayne Lundberg

voltmeter

this

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

Reply to
Wayne Lundberg

Thanks!

Reply to
Wayne Lundberg

OK. I just wouldn't suspect a capacitor right off unless it's a known problem. Can't he just return it for his money back?

Reply to
Homer J Simpson

He tried to return it in exchange of a working unit. He was told he had to take it to the factory authorized facility. Two week delay in just getting an appointment.

Have written to the retailer's HQ and they are asking for more info. So... I'm hoping for a quick solution but who knows?

Reply to
Wayne Lundberg

--
Read the thread, moron.
Reply to
John Fields

What a scum sucking company.

Reply to
Homer J Simpson

It may be worthwhile to contact the local Better Business Bureau and Consumer Protection Agency. Also, see if a local TV station would like to make this one of their little investigative reporting segments (especially if they do not have Poop Boys as a sponsor). Maybe talk to a local competitor and give them a write-up of your problems with an assurance that they would not treat their customers so callously. Make a big sign for your car saying "Pep Boys Sucks", with an explanation that people can read. Write an editorial for the local paper. Make sure Poop Boys gets enough negative publicity to make them realize they will only lose business by acting this way. They have now lost mine.

Paul

Reply to
Paul E. Schoen

That is really surprising, the bad treatment at Pep Boys. It makes bad business sense too. I wonder if it's a local management problem because I've never had a problem returning something to Pep Boys. The credit card company may work out really well. Twice I've had a complaint with a business and notified the CC company. Both times the CC company was very helpful and I didn't lose any money. ERS

Reply to
Eric R Snow

Speaking of Pep Boys, had car in shop for heater core replacement, quoted over the phone $630 to repair and upon picking up the bill was $890.00 and I refused to pay, after about an hour of them trying to get me to pay they gave it to me for $630 their quoted price! Take the thing back and leave it there and call the credit card company and have them reverse the charges!

Reply to
Jim Douglas

I don't know where this is, but I would double check it with state law. Even if the credit card company will reverse the charges, it could still leave someone responsable by law, and perhaps the defendant in a small claims action that you would probably loose. It happend to me.

It doesn't seem right, because we have all gotten real cozy with most no fault return policys, but it is not required by law. Just make sure to review the return policy EVERYWHERE you shop. After getting bit on this one time myself, I did, and it sure changed my buying habits.

Reply to
Maxwell

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