Hacker News new | past | comments | ask | show | jobs | submit login

I think he means that this is a high-voltage circuit, the same as found in xenon strobes and camera flashes. The 350V rating on the cap definitely confirms that.



If it is a flash type circuit, the capacitor will be connected directly across the xenon tube, and a separate trigger circuit will generate a much higher voltage to start the xenon conducting, and allow the capacitor to discharge it's energy and trigger the flash.

So, it might be the 350v capacitor has failed and is not storing enough charge to generate a meaningful flash, or the trigger circuit which is not generating the initial >5kV to get the xenon conducting.

Either way, i'd check the circuit before the xenon tube.




Guidelines | FAQ | Lists | API | Security | Legal | Apply to YC | Contact

Search: