[NLRS] SMD 10mfd LEAKY

[Bill K0AWU]

GM Guys

   My 10Ghz tower system is built around a Kuhne 10G transverter that I 
bought used about 2 years ago. (10mw)

  Ever since I purchased the unit it has had a -5V DC buss problem. 
However the unit worked well none the less, heard well and I still had to use 
a pad between it and the diver amplifier.

  Consulting the prints, the previous owner had observed the same problem 
and bias had been readjusted for operation.

  Friday I started scraping off blackpaint that had covered all components on 
the -5V board, that is separate from the main board. That allowed me for the 
first time to identify the parts involved. Having the parts values/idenity 
allowed me to trouble shoot the board removed from the transverter.  I had 
discovered earlier that one SMD was temp sensitive. That device ended up 
being a 10Mfd 16V SMD.

  The cap was/ is VERY LEAKY ... it was replaced and all is well.

  My question.... how common is this kind of failure?? This is "nasty" .. This 
device on the bench PS leaks 700ma at 5VDC .... HAD the -5V buss been 
more robust the "burn marks on the board" would point to the failure!!

Bill  K0AWU  EN37ed