Leaked Capacitors Caused Dim Display And ‘Low Battery’ Indication In PEAK ATLAS DCA55
This is my handy tool and when it showed ‘low battery’, I opened it for replacement and found that the battery had leaked and corroded the contacts. This was a few months back. I had cleaned the board thoroughly and connected it to a 12V adapter to avoid repetition of such battery leakages. It was working very well until now, when it started showing same error, added to it was the dim display.
First I checked and ensured that the adaptor was ok and delivering 12V. Then opened the unit and found to my dismay that two of the aluminium 22uF/35V caps had leaked and corroded! Perhaps the aftermath of the leaked battery! By gently shaking the caps on to its sides using a nose plier, without pulling, and holding it tightly to its base, as described by me in my previous articles, I removed both.
Cleaned the board thoroughly and replaced the caps using a regular one and making it seat snugly. I had to use a 43 SWG copper wire to link a track, which had got corroded. My recently acquired microscope came very handy again.
Then when I applied power, the DIM display was still there, though the ‘Low battery’ error had gone. On inspection I found a lot of dry solder. So, I applied liquid flux on all the components, and retouched all with fresh solder.
Then cleaned the board thoroughly using IPA, taking care not to spoil the LCD display. I repeated it until the board was as clean as it could be. Then, when I applied power, the display was as good as it was new! Mission accomplished with double satisfaction getting added to its collection bag!
This article was prepared for you by Parasuraman Subramanian from India. He is 72 years old and has more than 30 years’ experience in handling antique equipment like Valve Radio, Amps, Reel Tape Recorders and currently studying latest tech-classes conducted by Kerala State Electronics Technicians’ Association. He has done graduation in BBA degree, private diploma in Radio Engineering and retired as MD of a USA company. Presently working as Consultant to Hospital and other institutions.
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You may check on his previous repair article below:
https://jestineyong.com/bad-smd-capacitor-caused-no-display-in-haier-led-tv-model-le32b9000/
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Waleed Rishmawi
May 10, 2021 at 3:45 pm
someday I will get one of these nice cool testers. is it china made one? I would like to buy the not china made..I think more expensive but worth it.
Parasuraman S
May 11, 2021 at 8:13 am
Great! Many thanks for your comments!
Albert van Bemmelen
May 10, 2021 at 4:08 pm
I wouldn't want that to happen to any of my Peak Atlas measuring devices! I have the SCR100 and DCA75. And I always repeatedly must check if my battery containing devices are still okay. And I also several times checked on the 2 AA batteries in my bluetooth 'Mooshimeter' multimeter. Apparently at least 2 times already it happened that the batteries were already empty within a year although they claim that the multimeter should easily work over 2 years on a set of 2 AA's when the meter is set into sleepmode. But that claim is a big lie because the meter somehow sets itself in working mode or still discharges the batteries unexpectedly before they should be completely used up. So I removed the batteries and never use the sleep mode again on that meter. Still having more and more devices with integrated Lithium ion rechargable batteries I wonder if so many fires are caused and are started by those powerful cells nowadays?
Parasuraman S
May 11, 2021 at 8:15 am
Adequate caution and experience shared! Many thanks for your comments!
Tayo
May 21, 2021 at 11:01 am
Timely article. Just today I was reaching for my trusty Peak Atlas ESR meter and the battery was dead. I keep promising myself that I will remove the batteries from these instruments whenever I'm not using them continually. At worst it'll save me from replacing those specialty batteries so often...at best it'll save my instrument from leaky batteries! I like Para's idea of adding a 12v plug-in adapter to these devices. I might just do that myself on day.
Anwar Y Shiekh
May 10, 2021 at 7:57 pm
I have the Peak capacitor ESR meter; very disappointing that test equipment cant hold up.
Parasuraman S
May 11, 2021 at 8:15 am
Many thanks for your comments!
Silvio Regis Silva
May 11, 2021 at 3:33 am
Eu tenho o Atlas ESR60 e nunca deu problema. Eu achei melhor ligar ele com uma pequena fonte externa para evitar ficar trocando a a bateria.
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I have the Atlas ESR60 and it never gave a problem. I thought it best to connect it with a small external source to avoid changing the battery.
Parasuraman S
May 11, 2021 at 9:10 pm
Many thanks for your comments!
Yogesh Panchal
May 12, 2021 at 3:28 pm
Good Job! Sir,
you have revived very useful tool.
Parasuraman Subramanian
May 16, 2021 at 10:08 am
Many thanks for your comments!
David Bone
July 16, 2023 at 10:36 pm
Interesting, here in the UK, there is very limited information on these Peak Atlas devices.
I have the same problem with my LCR40, I've been over the caps with another ESR meter, there are 4 on mine 220uf 16V, it has a buck/boost circuit which seems to be the cause if my Low battery message, anyway 2 of the caps were reading bad esr, hopefully changing them will fix it, interesting that you have a similar fault.
Grant
January 20, 2024 at 1:06 am
Exactly the reason I switched to Energizer ultimate lithium batteries in all of my test equipment. I've had many expensive pieces of gear and test equipment get damaged because of leaky alkaline batteries. The Energizer ultimate lithiums absolutely will not leak, are more energy dense, and better in every way. (For clarity...These aren't the
rechargeable type). They cost a bit more than standard alkalines but last much much longer and will never leak