Cobra 148 caps

[NightProwler]

I have started to re-cap a few of my radios. MK2 Cobra 148 and a SS360FM. Anyway I replaced the two biggest caps at the back of the board which are 1000uf 25V. The ones in the radios looked a bit bloated. Anyway the radios work the same so I was wondering what those two caps are for?

Cheers all...Rich

[ch25]

If you try to "fix" good working radio what did you expect after changing 2 caps?

[NightProwler]

I wasnt really expecting anyghing but I am wondering what those caps are for.

[ch25]

No idea since you didn't say it's number nor chassis markings

[astradyne]

I really don't see how recapping a radio will provide any real benefit unless the radio has noticeable faults. Plus the recapping kits sold on ebay are vastly overpriced for what they are. Components worth pence sold for pounds.

I believe the two large 1000uf electrolytics at the back are smoothing capacitors for the DC input. So, as CH25 suggests, unless they have gone out of spec or are actually causing issues changing them will be of no benefit whatsoever. An obvious sign of a bad electrolytic cap is when they begin to bulge. That's when I'd change them straight away.

[NightProwler]

I only changed those 2 caps as they looked like they were bulging a bit. Im not changing healthy caps. DC smoothing caps sounds about right. Cheers.

[cb4ever104]

I don't see any reason why you don't change them all . At the end of the day these caps are 40+ years old . I always change them on radios that I use habitually . It gives me piece of mind .

[The Collector]

Don't tell my wife that you recommend that things which are bloated or bulging should be changed...she'll be wanting a divorce!

[astradyne]

Don't tell my wife that you recommend that things which are bloated or bulging should be changed...she'll be wanting a divorce!

That or she'll explode making a right mess of wherever she happens to be!

[Transwarp]

I only changed those 2 caps as they looked like they were bulging a bit. Im not changing healthy caps. DC smoothing caps sounds about right. Cheers.

I recapped a 360FM many years, no idea what they all did or were for but did it because I changed a couple that were in a poor state and just carried on as I found it therapeutic, changed the lot. It didn't need doing like that but I knew it had been done and made me happy