Macintosh Performa 5200CD Capacitor Replacement Guide

Replacing electrolytic capacitors (recapping) in your Macintosh Performa 5200CD is essential for long-term reliability. This guide covers the 5200CD and all related variants including the Performa 5200, 5210CD, 5215CD, 5220CD, and Power Macintosh 5200/75 LC.

Note: The Performa 5200 series uses predominantly through-hole electrolytic capacitors. Apple released two board revisions (Revision A and Revision B) with different analog boards; verify your specific board configuration before ordering parts.

Capacitor Inspection

• Bulging Tops – A domed or bulging top indicates internal pressure from electrolyte breakdown; the capacitor has failed or is failing
• Leaking Electrolyte – Brown or rust-colored residue around the base or leads indicates leakage; replace immediately
• Corrosion or PCB Staining – Discoloration of the PCB around a capacitor indicates past or ongoing leakage; clean and inspect traces
• Visual Damage – Cracked cases, burn marks, or physical damage require immediate replacement

Macintosh Performa 5200CD Capacitor Information

Important: Exact capacitor positions and values may vary between board revisions. The following information is representative; always verify against your specific board.

Analog Board Capacitors

The analog board contains the power supply and CRT deflection circuits. Capacitors in this section are subject to high heat and stress.

Analog Board Capacitor Specifications (Typical)

Function	Capacitance	Voltage	Type	Quantity
Primary filter	220µF	200V	Electrolytic	1×
Secondary filter (+5V)	2200µF	16V	Electrolytic	1–2×
Secondary filter (+12V)	1000µF	25V	Electrolytic	1×
Secondary filter (-12V)	470µF	25V	Electrolytic	1×
Deflection circuits	Various	25–50V	Electrolytic	4–6×

Note: Analog board configurations differ between Revision A and Revision B. Parts are not interchangeable between revisions.

Logic Board Capacitors

The Performa 5200 logic board uses primarily through-hole capacitors. These are less prone to catastrophic leakage than surface-mount types but still degrade over time.

Logic Board Capacitor Specifications (Typical)

Function	Capacitance	Voltage	Type	Quantity
Power filtering	100µF	16V	Electrolytic	2–4×
Power filtering	47µF	16V	Electrolytic	2–4×
Audio output	100µF	16V	Electrolytic	2×
Decoupling	10µF	16V	Electrolytic	2–4×

Capacitor Replacement Procedure

1. Discharge CRT – Follow the CRT Discharge Procedure before working inside the unit
2. Remove the rear housing – Release the clips and slide the rear cover off
3. Disconnect cables – Note cable positions before disconnecting; photograph if needed
4. Remove the analog board – Unplug connectors, remove mounting screws, carefully lift board
5. Remove the logic board – Disconnect all cables, remove screws, slide board out
6. Photograph and document – Record capacitor positions, polarity, and values before removal
7. Desolder old capacitors – Use a temperature-controlled iron and desoldering pump or braid
8. Clean pads – Remove old solder and any corrosion with isopropyl alcohol
9. Insert replacements – Observe correct polarity; the stripe indicates negative
10. Solder securely – Use quality leaded solder, ensure good wetting on both pad and lead
11. Trim leads – Cut leads flush with the solder joint
12. Inspect for shorts – Check for solder bridges or loose clippings
13. Clean flux residue – Use isopropyl alcohol to remove flux
14. Reassemble – Reverse disassembly order, verify all connections

Recommended Capacitor Types

• Panasonic FR series – Low ESR, high ripple current, long life
• Nichicon UHE/UPW series – General purpose, high quality
• Rubycon YXF/YXG series – Good for audio circuits
• United Chemi-Con KZE series – Low impedance, long life

For the high-voltage primary filter capacitor, use a quality 105°C rated capacitor from a reputable manufacturer.

Recommended Tools

• Temperature-controlled soldering iron (60W recommended for through-hole work)
• Desoldering pump (solder sucker) or desoldering braid
• Quality leaded solder (63/37 or 60/40, 0.5–0.8 mm diameter)
• Isopropyl alcohol (90% or higher) and ESD-safe brushes
• Multimeter with capacitance measurement
• Safety glasses and heat-resistant gloves
• CRT discharge tool
• Fiberglass pen for cleaning corroded traces

Voltage Adjustment After Recap

After replacing capacitors, verify and adjust power supply voltages:

• +5V rail: 4.85V – 5.15V (target 5.00V)
• +12V rail: 11.9V – 12.7V (target 12.00V)

Measure with the system under load (booted to desktop). Adjustment potentiometers are located on the analog board if adjustment is needed.

Additional Tips

• Test capacitors before removal – An ESR meter can identify failed capacitors without desoldering
• Work in sections – Replace capacitors in one area at a time to maintain orientation
• Use a capacitor kit – Several vendors sell pre-selected kits for specific Macintosh models
• Photograph everything – Document before, during, and after for reference
• Check for cold solder joints – Reflow suspicious joints while the board is accessible
• Inspect flyback connections – Cracked solder joints around the flyback are common failure points
• Replace the PRAM battery – While disassembled, replace the battery if not recently done

Safety Warnings

Warning: The analog board and CRT contain lethal voltages even when unpowered.

• Always discharge the CRT before working inside the unit
• Do not touch analog board components while powered
• Use an isolation transformer if testing with power applied
• Keep one hand behind your back when probing live circuits
• If uncertain, have the unit serviced by a qualified technician

Related Maintenance Pages

• Macintosh Performa 5200CD Troubleshooting
• Macintosh Performa 5200CD General Maintenance
• CRT Discharge Procedure