Common items you passed up that turned rare when you wanted them

[J.C. Wren]

    An ESR meter is a handy device.  <URL: 
http://clientes.netvisao.pt/greenpal/evb1.htm >.  In addition to this, 
you should still use a VOM to check for a shorted cap, and a capacitance 
meter to verify the value.  The ESR meter is nice because it works 
in-circuit.

    --jc

Richard wrote:
> In article <200601311445.58666.rtellason at blazenet.net>,
>     "Roy J. Tellason" <rtellason at blazenet.net>  writes:
>
>   
>> On Tuesday 31 January 2006 01:55 pm, Richard wrote:
>>     
>>> I do have one monitor.  I haven't tried to power it up, but written on the
>>> case is the word "DIM", presumably identifying a failure in the monitor
>>> somewhere.  I've never repaired monitors, so I'm not sure what a dim image
>>> is suppose to indicate. Failing HV drive circuitry?
>>>       
>> Power supply problems more likely than anything else.  Maybe caused by weak 
>> capacitors,  as those will age more than any other part.  Other failure modes
>> will all (mostly) cause an outright failure.
>>     
>
> Other than checking for obvious shorts and opens, what's a good way to
> check a (safely discharged) capacitor for such problems?
>