294MC Pro USB3 circuity exploded

amoncayo

Hello,

I had not used my 294 camera in many months due to weather and mount limitations. Yesterday, while connecting it to my system, once I connected the USB3 plug to the camera I began to detect a burning smell. A few seconds later I heard a pop and saw smoke. So I quickly disconnected everything. I decided to remove the rear shell and PCB since the smoke originated from the back of the camera. I discovered that capacitor reference designator C20 was cracked and burned.

Can any ZWO folks explain to me the purpose of C20 in the schematic? It is just behind the USB3 jack and the burning and pop occurred immediately after connecting the USB3 cable to the camera. I'm hoping that was all the damage to the PCB and that I can simply replace the capacitor. What is the type and value of the capacitor?

If you'd like to reach me offline via email directly, please do.

Thank you,

Tech@ZWO

amoncayo Yesterday, while connecting it to my system,

Hello, can you explain your system including what? If there is any abnormal voltage or misuse?

amoncayo

I have a USB3 cable running through my CEM40 (through the mount wiring) directly to a Minix PC that serves as my imaging controller. I doubt that the Minix USB3 ports can produce an over voltage condition that would damage a tantalum capacitor. My guess is that it was a defective capacitor that simply failed long before it’s typical life expectancy.

Please tell me which type of capacitor is used so that I may acquire one and replace it.

Thank you

Tech@ZWO

amoncayo
Sorry, we don't sell components on board.
Please submit this in https://support.astronomy-imaging-camera.com/ for repair.
Or if you want the quickest way, send a mail to info@zwoptical.com say you want to buy a mainboard of 294MC Pro, we will send you the board right away.