[sdiy] Prophet 5 power supply issues solved - fuse resistorfrying now

[Mike]

>
> So what seemed to solve the crazy voltage problems and
> tantalum shorts, was simply using higher voltage
> tantalum caps !
>
> Although the ones I initially used are rated 25v,
> it seems they still could not hold the 15v rails
> efficiently, and simply got fried !
>
I haven't re-read the whole  thread, but have you checked the ripple level
on these supplies. Excessive ripple will blow many tantalums. The prime
cause of this could be the initial power supplt electrolytics having dried
out. A ats check is to fit a known good new cap in parallel. If the problem
goes away, change them out.

I have a quite nifty capacitor ESR meter from Peak Electronics. It will try
and read ESR in circuit, (power off!), and is useful for checking suspect
caps from the parts bin.

http://www.peakelec.co.uk/

Their other little test instruments are good too.

HTH

Mike