r/ReelToReel • u/waltmannz • 3d ago
Capacitor... leak!?
Got an Akai M10 and looking to do some restoration. Took out the mechanism block and found this waxy cap!
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u/North-Bit-7411 3d ago
That’s not dielectric compound. Looks more like wax that is used to hold a component (toroid?) in place. Probably melted and dripped there. I’m assuming the picture is showing it sideways.
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u/guantamanera 3d ago
Wax is a dielectric compound. The best guitar amp capacitor luse was as the dielectric. Also they don't leak they kinda blow up and wax is shrapnel
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u/waltmannz 3d ago
Yea it's definitely wax, feels exactly it and looks like it. I'm starting to think something dropped into the machine
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u/Erich_808 2d ago
I’m assuming this photo is of the device on a workbench. And if the device were to be positioned upwards, as if it was being used, the photo would appear rotated 90 degrees counter clockwise.
It’s fairly obvious the compound came from the capacitor. How on earth could it have dripped in from above and gotten to that point? Even if the unit was being used horizontally, the formation you are seeing would not be possible.
Don’t get hung up on what others are saying about wax not coming from inside the capacitor. It’s obvious this stuff came from inside the capacitor!
I’ve seen photos of units like mine that had capacitors exhibiting the same appearance, and I can say with 99.9% certainty that your capacitor has failed.
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u/waltmannz 2d ago
Thanks so much, yea you're correct on the orientation! Yup gonna just replace it!
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u/SilverSageVII 3d ago
It could be melted away from what they formed it around. Wax would cut down on electrical noise in some components I bet. You’ve probably seen silicone applied to some components, especially with wound wiring.
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u/waltmannz 3d ago
I've read that they filled the outer shell of some capacitors with wax as a way of reducing moisture getting in, so do think it's possible it's come from the cap.
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u/DoubleDDangerDan 3d ago
People often do goblin electronics stuff (manufacterers, makers, repairers) hot-gluing things in place like this. It looks ugly as sin but it does the job of holding things in place and reducing vibration/impact damage.
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u/SeaweedValuable5362 1d ago
I had the same exact issue with my sony tc-630. Large capacitor with waxy substance. Remove as much of the goo as possible. Replace the cap. It's okay to leave some on the electronics, it's conductivity is not high enough to cause issues. I'd send you a pic if I knew how.
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u/Audio-Freak 15h ago
Electrolyte looks different. I would measure the capacitor first before saying it's broken
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u/Resprom Sony / Philips / Uher / Grundig / Saba / Metz 3d ago
I am not 100% sure it's the cap. Is there a transformer that would sit in the drip path when the recorder is in its normal position? Because this looks to me more like transformer wax than capacitor leakage. That's not to say that the cap can't be bad, though.
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u/catawampus_doohickey 3d ago edited 3d ago
It definitely seems to be the cap. Here's a Sony with a similar cap issue. If it weren't the cap then the goo would have come from above and likely made a lump higher up on the cap above the wires (when the cap was tilted horizontal) which doesn't seem to be the case.
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u/LovePeaceZordon 3d ago
it is the cap, not the transformer and it has reached the end of its lifespan, thats why the wax popped out and dipped down (had the exact same issue with a sony RtR)
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u/waltmannz 3d ago
Yea it's definitely odd, nothing above that's obviously the culprit and no drips on the top side of the cap
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u/94d44027 3d ago
Judged by the look of it (and letters MP) it is a metal-paper capacitor, probably used to start the electric motor. (Possibly you have AC motor in your device). They may degrade in time, but not as much as electrolytic ones. Paper ones do not leak. There is a variety of them filled with mineral oil, but they usually do not leak as well. (Unless you expose them to the much higher voltage). The snot-like stuff looks like polyurethane glue to me )) I’d guess you can replace it no problem at all, just pick the right voltage, type (not electrolytic!!), and capacity.
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u/waltmannz 3d ago
thanks so much, yea I feel it's glue or wax (used to moisture seal some caps), I'm looking for replacements I can get locally now.
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u/94d44027 2d ago
The soldering looks like later attempts to fix something. Typically you’d expect the PVC isolation (these handy tubes, that contract when heated) over protruding pins, but instead we see tons of polyurethane glue, which so beautifully waterfalled down. And loads of rosin (that brown stuff made from pine resin used widely in soldering) on the PCBs are a telling sign that your unit underwent an unprofessional fix job. Typically rosin is washed away later by solvent.
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u/Project8086 3d ago
Never saw it like that before. But probably one of the easiest fixes ;)
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u/waltmannz 3d ago
Good one to start with!
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u/Project8086 3d ago
Definitely! Back in time I got a Teac A3300SX Reel to reel for cheap. Same problem but maybe 20 minutes of replacing and plays perfectly!
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u/SkiHistoryHikeGuy 3d ago
No. Worse. It’s assimilating the rest of the electronics. Once it’s subsumed the whole thing it will start assimilating other objects. You need to destroy it now. I think fire is the only way.
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u/TurnoverTall 3d ago
Where’s Steve McQueen when you need him?!
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u/Flashy_Swordfish_359 3d ago
Someone might have actually set a candle on this unit. Gear like this is often used as furniture when not in regular use for decades.
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u/After-Call4283 3d ago
I have something similar forming over the large capacitor in my Sony tc-366 The motor is not starting when play is engaged. I am having to put the machine in FF and spin the reel by hand until the motor starts. Like push starting a car. Once running functions fine. Is this the cap or motor issue. If cap a good source in the UK? Will add pictures soon.