default wrote:
On Thu, 28 Dec 2006 12:34:23 -0500, default
wrote:


The capacitor is open circuit so that's an obvious problem


I would also question that . . . oil filled caps don't incorporate
fuses, real oil filled caps are "self-healing" and damn near
indestructible. It is possible, but not likely.

And all caps are open with a DC ohm meter - except lossy electrolytic
types.

Electrolytic caps can also be used in induction alternators and they
can and do fail - the caps have to withstand a high circulating
current - uses no power (ideally) but the current has to flow through
the cap and the cap has to be able to handle that current.



Question it all you like, but the ESR meter shows this 35uF 370VAC
capacitor as open, and a similarly constructed 50uF 370VAC capacitor as
less than one ohm. Using the capacitance range on the DMM the 35 uF cap
reads 15 nF, while the 50 uF cap reads 50.2 uF. I can't imagine any
circumstances beyond an open connection, whether it be a fuse or just a
broken wire inside the capacitor can that would cause this.