SuperMicro Backplane Capacitor

[StevenDTX]

What does this capacitor do? I ask because I was replacing a dead fan when I accidentally knocked one of these off of the backplane. The hard drive in the slot still functions OK.

So, I'm just a bit curious. Thanks!

 

[mstone]

 

[StevenDTX]

Eh..its not that bad.

1) It still works! Strangely enough.
2) I could buy a new backplane off ebay for $35.
3) I could replace the capacitor for $1
4) I have been thinking about getting a new chassis anyway

 

[yu130960]

Just replace the capacitor with the same spec capacitor.

 

[Tom5051]

Capacitors are generally used to smooth voltage, perhaps in this case for when all the drives spin-up at once. I would just de-solder the cap and replace it. They cost 10 cents or so.

 

[Diavuno]

Capacitors are generally used to smooth voltage, perhaps in this case for when all the drives spin-up at once. I would just de-solder the cap and replace it. They cost 10 cents or so.

my thoughts exactly

 

[T_Minus]

For $35 I would sit at my desk and press 'buy now' and then take out the 2? 3? screws and slide the new one in

This way I'm not wasting time soldering or better yet not risking an even bigger failure because I accidentally shorted something by mistake

 

[StevenDTX]

Im not going to do anything right now. I still have five unoccupied slots on that server, with really only plans to use two of them.

I was just more curious as to what its for if the slot still seems to work just fine.

 

[Diavuno]

I have too many old supermicro boxes with perfectly good capacitors to not solder it.

Or make one of my techs do it, half of them need the experience anyway.

 

[Patriot]

So when you slam a drive into a slot hot it causes back EMF that can damage components... that probably absorbs that... It could also be voltage smoothing for spin up.