Schwabe retro strip light capacitor help - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

tracypaper · 22nd Jan 2017, 11:39 pm

Hi all.
Been asked to look at a German made Schwabe portable strip light that had been knocked over and now does not work.
On opening to investigate found a 0.01uf capacitor with some brown powdering on one end and on the chassis it was touching (looked like it had spilled out from the cap).
I did test the cap on a cheap cap tester set to 10nf and it was flickering between 14 and 17nf so not sure if it is ok.
I typed the number (60.0711.013) on the cap into the internet and it came up with only one result, a forum in German which was of little help finding replacements.
The cap is 0.01uf 250v condensing cap I believe and I would like to know what I could replace it with? Will any non electrolytic cap do?
The transformer type power unit does hum slightly when turned on.
Cheers.
Gaz.

Cobaltblue · 23rd Jan 2017, 6:51 am

As far as I can see its just a 10nF 250VAC X rated capacitor.

see this link

https://electrosome.com/x-and-y-rated-capacitors/

Cheers

Mike T

broadgage · 23rd Jan 2017, 10:07 am

A capacitor that small is most unlikely to be anything directly related to correct operation of a fluorescent lamp and the light should work without it, if all else is in order.
The small capacitor is probably for radio interference suppression and it would therefore be good practice to replace it before regular use of the light, but no need for testing or locating other faults.

Tractorfan · 23rd Jan 2017, 11:10 am

Hi,
Daft question, but have you tried another tube?
The knock may have rendered one or both heating filaments open circuit.
Cheers, Pete.

tracypaper · 24th Jan 2017, 1:23 am

The tube I am using is supposed to be a new one, but I will get some more to try just in case.
Where can I get an X rated cap from?
Cheers.
Gaz.

60 oldjohn · 24th Jan 2017, 11:53 am

Hi Gaz, I have one you can have, if it will fit. Please remind me of your address by Pmail and I will get it sent.

John.

tracypaper · 25th Jan 2017, 1:13 am

Cheers.
PM sent.

Hunts smoothing bomb · 28th Jan 2017, 8:58 am

Before getting a new tube you should test the heating filaments at each end of the tube for continuity, should be in the low ohms range.

Cheers

Zelandeth · 1st Feb 2017, 7:27 pm

Any chance we could get some more details on the light and possibly a photo of the ballast?

If it's an SRS setup there will be a cap in there which is critical to starting, though what value I don't know off the top of my head.

If it's a conventional switch-start setup (dead giveaway is that there should be a separate starter), the cap should be none-critical, and there's not a huge amount to go wrong. Dead starter, wiring fault, dead lamp or faulty ballast. You should be able to check for continuity with a meter, no need for any live measurements.

If it uses an electronic ballast things are a bit more complex as they are basically small switch mode power supplies and there's more to go wrong.

tracypaper · 4th Feb 2017, 1:38 pm

Hi
It is an SRS set up as Zelandeth suggests (no seperate starter). I have replaced the Ballast thing and all work now.
Thanks for the advice everone.
Gaz.

22nd Jan 2017, 11:39 pm	#1
tracypaper Octode Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Beeston, Leeds, West Yorkshire, UK. Posts: 1,234	Schwabe retro strip light capacitor help Hi all. Been asked to look at a German made Schwabe portable strip light that had been knocked over and now does not work. On opening to investigate found a 0.01uf capacitor with some brown powdering on one end and on the chassis it was touching (looked like it had spilled out from the cap). I did test the cap on a cheap cap tester set to 10nf and it was flickering between 14 and 17nf so not sure if it is ok. I typed the number (60.0711.013) on the cap into the internet and it came up with only one result, a forum in German which was of little help finding replacements. The cap is 0.01uf 250v condensing cap I believe and I would like to know what I could replace it with? Will any non electrolytic cap do? The transformer type power unit does hum slightly when turned on. Cheers. Gaz. Attached Thumbnails Last edited by tracypaper; 22nd Jan 2017 at 11:44 pm. Reason: added extra info

23rd Jan 2017, 6:51 am	#2
Cobaltblue Moderator Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Exeter, Devon and Poole, Dorset UK. Posts: 6,880	Re: Schwabe retro strip light capacitor help As far as I can see its just a 10nF 250VAC X rated capacitor. see this link https://electrosome.com/x-and-y-rated-capacitors/ Cheers Mike T __________________ Invisible airwaves crackle with life or at least they used to Mike T BVWS member. www.cossor.co.uk

23rd Jan 2017, 10:07 am	#3
broadgage Nonode Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: North Somerset, UK. Posts: 2,130	Re: Schwabe retro strip light capacitor help A capacitor that small is most unlikely to be anything directly related to correct operation of a fluorescent lamp and the light should work without it, if all else is in order. The small capacitor is probably for radio interference suppression and it would therefore be good practice to replace it before regular use of the light, but no need for testing or locating other faults.

23rd Jan 2017, 11:10 am	#4
Tractorfan Dekatron Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: St. Frajou, l'Isle en Dodon, Haute Garonne, France.(Previously: Ellesmere Port, Cheshire, UK.) Posts: 3,184	Re: Schwabe retro strip light capacitor help Hi, Daft question, but have you tried another tube? The knock may have rendered one or both heating filaments open circuit. Cheers, Pete. __________________ "Hello?, Yes, I'm on the train, I might lose the signal soon as we're just going into a tunn..."

24th Jan 2017, 1:23 am	#5
tracypaper Octode Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Beeston, Leeds, West Yorkshire, UK. Posts: 1,234	Re: Schwabe retro strip light capacitor help The tube I am using is supposed to be a new one, but I will get some more to try just in case. Where can I get an X rated cap from? Cheers. Gaz.

24th Jan 2017, 11:53 am	#6
60 oldjohn Dekatron Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: East Yorkshire, UK. Posts: 3,990	Re: Schwabe retro strip light capacitor help Hi Gaz, I have one you can have, if it will fit. Please remind me of your address by Pmail and I will get it sent. John. Attached Thumbnails

25th Jan 2017, 1:13 am	#7
tracypaper Octode Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Beeston, Leeds, West Yorkshire, UK. Posts: 1,234	Re: Schwabe retro strip light capacitor help Cheers. PM sent.

28th Jan 2017, 8:58 am	#8
Hunts smoothing bomb Octode Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Wimborne, Dorset, UK. Posts: 1,407	Re: Schwabe retro strip light capacitor help Before getting a new tube you should test the heating filaments at each end of the tube for continuity, should be in the low ohms range. Cheers __________________ Lee

1st Feb 2017, 7:27 pm	#9
Zelandeth Heptode Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire, UK. Posts: 931	Re: Schwabe retro strip light capacitor help Any chance we could get some more details on the light and possibly a photo of the ballast? If it's an SRS setup there will be a cap in there which is critical to starting, though what value I don't know off the top of my head. If it's a conventional switch-start setup (dead giveaway is that there should be a separate starter), the cap should be none-critical, and there's not a huge amount to go wrong. Dead starter, wiring fault, dead lamp or faulty ballast. You should be able to check for continuity with a meter, no need for any live measurements. If it uses an electronic ballast things are a bit more complex as they are basically small switch mode power supplies and there's more to go wrong. __________________ Zel's Lair - A random bag of vintage tech, lighting information and other assorted geekery

4th Feb 2017, 1:38 pm	#10
tracypaper Octode Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Beeston, Leeds, West Yorkshire, UK. Posts: 1,234	Re: Schwabe retro strip light capacitor help Hi It is an SRS set up as Zelandeth suggests (no seperate starter). I have replaced the Ballast thing and all work now. Thanks for the advice everone. Gaz.