Capacitors can be purchased from any of several on-line electronic
component suppliers. I typically use Digi-Key
<http://www.digikey.com>, Mouser <http://www.mouser.com> or JDR
<http://www.jdr.com>.
Digi-Key probably has the largest selection, and in my opinion their
website has the best user interface on their search engine.
However, they have a $25 minimum. If you don't meet the minimum they
charge a $5 surcharge. Digi-Key will ship by USPS Priority Mail and
for most assortments of electronic components, that means $3.85 for
shipping. That's a nice change from $7 - $10 that other places
charge. Digi-Key will ship internationally for a $6 surcharge.
Mouser is probably a better choice if they have it in stock. Their
prices on components seem to be lower (have been on the items I've
sampled) and I don't think that they have a minimum. Their shipping
will run a bit more.
I haven't actually used JDR in a while, but felt compelled to include
three choices.
Desoldering the surface mount capacitors is actually one of the
easiest soldering jobs there is. The trick is to use two soldering
pencils simultaneously. Heat both sides of the capacitor and it will
gently lift off. Radio Shack has grounded 15W soldering pencils for
under $10 each.
To solder a new cap in place, first clean the pads of left over
solder with a soldering pencil and desoldering braid. I prefer the
Chemtronics braid to the stuff they sell at RS (Easy Braid?). It
seems to work better, but maybe I'm weird. Digi-Key has the
Chemtronics braid.
At this point in the procedure is a good time to clean your circuit
board using a mild solvent. 95% isopropyl alcohol or even 70%
(rubbing alcohol) will work pretty well. Just don't leave little
cotton fibers behind, if you use cotton balls. You can also buy
Flux-Off at Fry's and some other stores. This is a fairly noxious
aerosol flux remover that works great for cleaning circuit boards.
This is also a good time to carefully inspect you board and determine
if the corrosive leaked by the caps ate anything important.
To solder a SM cap in place, tin one pad. Then use one hand to
place the cap on the board and use the other hand to wield the
soldering pencil and melt the solder on the tinned pad. Once the cap
is positioned, remove the pencil and hold the cap in place for a few
seconds while the solder hardens. Now solder the other side.
You'll probably want to use tweezers or some such to maneuver the
small SM caps.
Jeff Walther
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