Capacitor Replacement
(Recapping)
Electrolytic capacitors fail with age — and when they do, they take your hardware with them. We replace every cap with quality Nichicon/Panasonic parts and send your board back better than new.
1000+
Boards recapped
And counting
24–48h
Burn-in period
Every single board
99%
Success rate
On cap-related faults
$0
If it can't be fixed
No fix, no charge
What does it cost?
Typical price range
$80 – $300
Depending on board size and cap count
Final quote confirmed after inspection — no surprises
How it works
Receive
Your board arrives safely packaged. We log it in and send a confirmation.
Inspect & Log
Full visual inspection under magnification. Every issue is documented before we touch a thing.
Remove Old Caps
All electrolytic capacitors removed using proper desoldering equipment — no pad damage.
Install New Caps
Quality Nichicon or Panasonic brand caps installed, matched to original specs or better.
ESR Test
Every new cap tested in-circuit for correct ESR and capacitance values.
Burn-in 24–48h
Board runs under load for 24–48 hours to catch any early-life failures.
Final Check
Full functionality test, cleaning, and a written report prepared.
Return
Safely packaged and posted back to you with tracking and a full service report.
Receive
Your board arrives safely packaged. We log it in and send a confirmation.
Inspect & Log
Full visual inspection under magnification. Every issue is documented before we touch a thing.
Remove Old Caps
All electrolytic capacitors removed using proper desoldering equipment — no pad damage.
Install New Caps
Quality Nichicon or Panasonic brand caps installed, matched to original specs or better.
ESR Test
Every new cap tested in-circuit for correct ESR and capacitance values.
Burn-in 24–48h
Board runs under load for 24–48 hours to catch any early-life failures.
Final Check
Full functionality test, cleaning, and a written report prepared.
Return
Safely packaged and posted back to you with tracking and a full service report.
Is this service right for you?
If you recognise any of these symptoms, your board almost certainly needs recapping.
Audio distortion or buzz
Classic cap failure in audio circuits — very common on Amiga and Mega Drive
Random crashes or freezes
Failing caps cause voltage instability — the board literally browns out
Won't POST or boot
Power supply or reset circuit caps can cause complete boot failure
Bulging or brown-topped caps visible
Visually failed caps — replace immediately before electrolyte leaks
Chemical smell (vinegar or fishy)
Electrolyte is venting — the cap is failing. Don't leave it in.
Intermittent faults — works sometimes
Marginal caps that pass at cold temperatures but fail when warm
What's included in the service
What we service
Don't see your hardware? Get in touch — if it has electrolytic caps, we can probably help.
💡 Pro tip: Don't wait
Common questions
How do I know if my board needs recapping?
Any board from the late 1980s to early 2000s is a candidate — especially if it uses surface-mount electrolytic caps (common on Amigas, Sega consoles, and Mac motherboards). If you're experiencing any of the symptoms above, recapping is almost certainly involved.
Do you use quality capacitors?
Always. We use Nichicon and Panasonic brand electrolytic capacitors — Japanese-made, long-life grades. We never use no-brand or bulk caps from unknown sources. Your vintage hardware deserves proper parts.
Will recapping fix my audio issues?
In most cases, yes. Audio distortion (particularly bass-heavy or buzzing sound) on Amiga and Mega Drive is almost always capacitor-related. We cannot guarantee it covers all faults, but cap replacement resolves audio in the overwhelming majority of cases.
How long does it take?
Most recapping jobs are completed within 5–10 business days of receiving your board. Complex boards or those with additional faults may take longer. We'll keep you updated throughout.
Ready to get started?
Submit a repair request and we'll confirm pricing after inspection. No hidden fees, no surprises.