Microfarads in capacitors

They are filters for rectified AC and as such they do store charge (voltage). They would help by being charged to peak AC and the resistor would see a higher voltage than if they were not there. In that case, the smoke resistor has to remove the charge slower than the rectified AC provides the charge so that the capacitor stays charged up near peak.

By the way one microfarad is a millionth of a farad. A Farad is a unit of capacitance named after and honoring Michael Faraday.

So, if that cap was not there and I bypass that connection with a wire, more voltage would be supplied to the resistor, hence making the resistor run hotter, hence more smoke? 

No, if the cap were not there, the average voltage would be lower, not higher.

Ted Bertiger posted:

So, if that cap was not there and I bypass that connection with a wire, more voltage would be supplied to the resistor, hence making the resistor run hotter, hence more smoke? 

If by "bypass" you mean remove the cap and run a wire between the two capacitor holes, don't do that!  

Is the 35V 100uF capacitor as shown in this photo?

As it turns out this capacitor helps to regulate (smooth) the DC voltage to the fan motor.  It does not affect the amount of heat the smoke-resistor generates.

Yes, that is the cap that fell off the board when I opened the top board to get at the resistor and wicking which was charred. Chopped off the charred part and put the rest back in which was enough to soak the fluid.

I was able to add a small wire to each end of the cap and to re-attach it to the board. I have plenty of units that don't work for different reasons so I have ample parts when needed.

Thank you for the replies. This is what makes this forum tops above the rest.