More capacitor

[bancika]

I may be the victim of this crap too. I built a SLO using mostly those ELON caps I got from Weber. Since I built it I had problems with sound suddenly changing and recently it started motorboating when I hit the strings which probably means that cap can't provide the current when there's signal.

[img768]http://diy-fever.com/wordpress/wp-conte ... ring_1.jpg[/img]

When I have a chance I'll replace all of them and open them to see what's inside.

Cheers,
Bane

[tedweber]

A few months before Ted passed away; he hired a 'whiz-bang' engineer from Delphi (Gene). I am thankful, everyday, that Gene came to the fold of Weber. Here is an update that I was given this morning from Gene and Mark ( "the parts guy" )

***************************************************************
At 10:45 AM 3/4/2010, you wrote:
TA,

Gene has investigated all our caps and the following have a hidden cap inside:

EC166-450 Elon
EC206-450-L Elon
EC506-450 Elon
EC206-500 Elon
EC406-450-L WEBER

None of the other values you mention here have hidden caps as Gene has torn apart an example of every value and brand we have in stock.

We have also measured the value of the caps he tore apart and all are within the tolerance expectations, so from our examples we found no danger even though the caps are not what we want to represent.

Mark

****************************************************************************

So there are 5 values that are 'suspicious' looking; but they test "OK'. I am looking into why or supplier provided us with parts that could, ultimately, cause customers to question our products. I have been buying from this company from years.... and have never had an issue prior to this revelation.

They took 'radial' caps and looped around one of the leads to make them axial..

I am looking for a new source for these 5 values listed; if you feel that you cannot 'take a chance' on these particular values, I completely understand. We will continue to run these through their paces and see what happens.

If anyone is bored today and hitting several forums/sites; I would be very grateful if you copy and paste this note, as I am aware that we are taking a beating.

Thank you for your patience
TA Weber

[tedweber]

And to think that so many people gave me grief for calling out Ted about that Copper Crap being dangerous. Ted was a complete asshole and his products reflect that. This newest revelation does not surprise me at all. Let's hope this is a trend that sticks around and grows teeth.
BTW, please post some additional pictures of this item, would you?

Wow - really nice; you kiss your Mother with that mouth..? I am sure you did something else to tick off my Father. I am not going to get in a battle with you on this issue. I am sure there are plenty of guys who would disagree that Ted was, in fact, not an a&*^#, and provided good products. The fact that we have been in business for 14yrs would also back that argument up. This is an isolated issue and I am addressing it quickly.
TA Weber

[ampman1961]

Ted...
No, I don't kiss my Mother, she is dead. She died from Lung Cancer.
Real classy. I see the apple doesn't fall very far from the tree.
I speak of facts pertaining to experiences that are real. There are many that feel the same way besides me. And just so you know, this is an open forum and I am exercising my right to express myself and my opinions.
On topic, it's good to see you are doing something to address this
unfortunate problem with a product you sell.

[mlp-mx6]

Sorry, I decided I don't want to get in the middle of this.

[ampman1961]

Call it what you want. My Mother isn't a part of the conversation nor was she in the amp/speaker business. I'll stand by my words. Ted has every right to defend his Father. I can respect that. We just disagree.

[Richie]

I helped a friend with an amp a few weeks ago. I asked him to send a pic of the amp. As i was looking,and thinking of what could cause the problem, i saw the cap. And asked about where he got them etc.. I think this was a rubycon. The thing is, it had a crimp at each end like a non-polar cap,but had the marking of a reg cap. Once the cap was changed, the problem went away. Just saying, i never seen caps with a crimp on each end like that,except non-polar caps.

[rfgordon]

All this hash over sketchy caps has me thinking about alternatives.

After I finish my current project, I'm gonna build a Pocket Rocket--a 15 watt Rocket in a very small head. I'm thinking of trying a bunch of the MKP Audiophiler caps now sold at CEDist (maybe AES, too). The biggest one is 10 mF @ 400 VDC. They don't cost too much. If I wanted a 30/20/20/20 filter chain, that'd be 9 of them, which would be less than $15.00. And, since they're not elytics, they'll go forever.

As to their effect on tone, only trying it will determine the answer there.

[FYL]

I'm thinking of trying a bunch of the MKP Audiophiler caps

Cheap Chinese MKP's, not rated for pulsed DC and ripple - I wouldn't use them in the first nodes of a power supply.

[Cliff Schecht]

Agreed. Electrolytics are designed to be able to handle the AC ripple from a rectifier whereas cheaper caps will break down quickly because even though they have a large rating, they probably have a high esr as well which overheats the caps quickly. Use the right parts for the right job, don't try to make them up as you go to save some money (this can bite you in the ass later).

[tedweber]

Hey guys, here is the latest from my contact. Ted and I have been doing business with her for 6+ years and she has always done right by her word. She has sent us incorrect parts in the past; but those parts were 'obvious' and not hidden to simple visual inspection.

**************************************
Dear TA,

We have checked with the supplier. They said the caps are the combined caps.
I am very sad for the supplier. Pls dont send pictures to us.

Could you pls check how many the bad caps in stock now? And check the shipping charge to us.
We will return the bad caps to the supplier. They just refund us the return caps.

And we are preparing correct caps to you. Each 1000pcs, right?

Thank you.
Best regards!

Tammie
***************************************************************

I replied to Tammie telling her that we had many out in the hands of our customers.. that I needed 1200pcs of each value to correct the ones that have been already sold.

Here is her reply:

***************************************************************
Dear TA,

Could you pls check amount quantity and shipping charge to us? We will check whether it is cost-efficient to return or not. Pls check cheapest shipment. I need to pay so much for it. And the supplier doesnt take any charge. I am very angry for him. And so sorry for you, bring you much problem.

Can I replace 1200pcs each to you? It takes me much money this time.

Sorry. I dont need the pictures now. It doesnt need to take photo again.

Thank you.
Best regards!

Tammie
***********************************************************************

I told her to find a source, quickly, that make 'good' parts and Air express them to me, as I have many angry customers.

To open the values before she send them to me and test them...

I hope that we have this resolved.

If any of you have old parts that wish to be replaced ( I can double check with QB program ) , please email me directly ( taweber@webervst.com ) and I will make it good once the correct parts arrive here at the shop.

I appreciate all of the patience you guys have shown us !

TA Weber

[Allynmey]

I'd like to ask everyone to take this over to Ted's site.

While I have no love for Ted's business and pretty sure I'm still banned from all things Weber, a problem was defined and responded to.

I would just rather the pissing contest be in TA's backyard.

[67plexi]

A few years ago I was scammed on the counterfeit capacitors
First it was the new Sprague Atom 20 & 40uf 5 to 10 min of burn in time flame on
Next the fake rubycon just for kicks I tested the caps I thought my tester was bad
Not so, to think I almost installed this china junk in my Marshall Park 75
At this point I have been buying all the NOS I can get my hands on
Allied Electronics turned me on to the codes on the new china slave made Sprague Atoms
No more made in USA stamp but the same high price.
The F & T are good the NOS Philips outstanding if you can find them now and the mallorys
Are top notch but high price, xicon are good so far at a fair price.
My sympathy goes out to the custom amp builders that have to deal with this issue.

Best regards, Steve.

[Zippy]

I'd like to ask everyone to take this over to Ted's site.

I would just rather the pissing contest be in TA's backyard.

Looks like we're past the pissing contest. I'd like to see it stay here, FWIW, because now it is providing a warning/service to all builders.

If parts fraud is out there - and it is, no doubt - there is no reason to believe that all the bad product is being funneled only to/through Weber. A global "attack" requires global awareness. Please reconsider closing or deleting this thread.

[Andy Le Blanc]

That not a bad idea, and the justification is well founded.

Relationships in general improve with maturity.