Retroleum.co.uk

Spare parts for Commodore 64, ZX Spectrum and more!

Capacitors for the ZX Spectrum

Old electrolytic capacitors can dry out and fail so it's a good idea to replace them before damage occurs. For 128 cap packs, see the Spectrum 128 section.

Products:

Click on the product thumbnail for an enlarged view.

Blue axial capacitors For Spectrum 16/48 and Composite Mod Kit

Blue Axial Capacitors For ZX Spectrum & Composite Video Mod Kit

A set of new blue coloured axial type electrolytic capacitors for the Spectrum 16 / 48 / 48+ made by Dubilier, a long established brand. (Axial caps have a wire at each end, ie: the same form as those originally fitted to the Spectrum PCB.)
This kit also includes components to modify the Spectrum's video output to give a composite video signal from the existing phono connector and parts for the DC-DC improvement mod for issue 2 boards.
Brief fitting instructions included, with full details here.
Unfortunately, the cheaper black axial caps are no longer available.

A 100uf Radial Electrolytic Capacitor

A capacitor suitable for making the composite video mod on ZX Spectrums

Please see this article for details.

Caps to reduce Jail bars effect Spectrum16K and 48K

"Jail bars" reduction caps.

A set of 4 x 220nf ceramic, axial capacitors to replace C5-C8 on the Spectrum 16/48 PCB (issue 2-6A) which can help reduce the "jail bar" effect in the display as described here.
These capacitors can be fitted either way around as (unlike electrolytic types) they are not polarized.

Ceramic 100nf (0.1uf) Axial Capacitor

As used at locations C31, C32, C43, C75*, C77* on the Spectrum motherboard
*Issue 3+

Ceramic 100pf Axial Capacitor

As used at location C64, C67* on the Spectrum motherboard
(* Issue 2 mod and issue 3+)

Ceramic 10nf Axial Capacitor ie: 0.01uf or 10,000pf

Ceramic 10nf (0.01uf or 10,000pf) Axial Capacitor

As used at locations C35,C39 on the Spectrum motherboard

Ceramic 150pf Axial Capacitor

As used at locations C52, C53 on the Spectrum motherboard

Ceramic 15pf Axial Capacitor

As used at locations C72,C73 on the Spectrum motherboard (issue 3+)
Note: The service manual lists the actual value as 16pf - these are no longer available. Given that the original tolerance is given as 10% and these are 15pf with 5% tolerance, they are fine (confirmed by testing in my own board).

Ceramic 220nf Axial Capacitor ie: 0.22uf

Ceramic 220nf (0.22uf) Axial Capacitor

Can be used at C5-C8 on the original Spectrum16/48 to lessen the "Jailbar" effect

Ceramic 22nf Axial Capacitor ie: 0.022uf

Ceramic 22nf (0.022uf) Axial Capacitor

As various locations on the Spectrum motherboard (decoupling for RAM at C1-C8 and C55-C62, though these can be 47nf instead)

Ceramic 33pf Axial Capacitor

As used at C37,C38 locations on the Spectrum motherboard and on other micros

Ceramic 47nf Axial Capacitor ie: 0.047uf

Ceramic 47nf (0.047uf) Axial Capacitor

As used at locations C1-C8, C26, C33, C36*, C40, C42, C48, C49*, C55-C62, C66, C76** on the Spectrum motherboard
* Issue 2 only
** Issue 3+

Ceramic 47pf Axial Capacitor

As used at location C63 on the Spectrum motherboard

Ceramic 560pf Axial Capacitor

As used at location C49 on the Spectrum motherboard (issue3B+)

Ceramic disc capacitors 10 x 100nf (0.1uf)

Ten 100nf (0.1uf) ceramic disc capacitors

As used in various locations the PCB (usually marked "104" on the body of the cap) of the Commodore 64, Spectrum and other micros
Ceramic capacitors do not age in the same way as electrolytics so usually don't need to be replaced, but they are quite fragile and sometimes found physically damaged.

Ceramic disc capacitors 10 x 10nf (0.01uf)

Ten 10nf (0.01uf) ceramic disc capacitors

As used in various locations the PCB (usually marked "103" on the body of the cap) of the Commodore 64, Spectrum and other micros
Ceramic capacitors do not age in the same way as electrolytics so usually don't need to be replaced, but they are quite fragile and sometimes found physically damaged.

Ten 22nf ceramic disc capacitors

As used in various locations the PCB (usually marked "223" on the body of the cap) of the Commodore 64, Spectrum and other micros
Ceramic capacitors do not age in the same way as electrolytics so usually don't need to be replaced, but they are quite fragile and easily damaged.

Ten 4.7nf ceramic disc capacitors

As used in various locations the PCB (usually marked "472" on the body of the cap) of the Commodore 64, Spectrum and other micros
Ceramic capacitors do not age in the same way as electrolytics so usually don't need to be replaced, but they are quite fragile and sometimes found physically damaged.

Ten 47nf ceramic disc capacitors

As used in various locations the PCB (usually marked "473" on the body of the cap) of the Commodore 64, Spectrum and other micros
Ceramic capacitors do not age in the same way as electrolytics so usually don't need to be replaced, but they are quite fragile and easily damaged.