Who fixes bad PSU's ??

[ThePCDoctor]

After having a great time replacing bad caps on two different motherboards, I've decided to try my luck at PSU's.

I'm refurbishing a little eMachine and as a part of the process, I opened up the PSU to see if there were any bulging cap's. Sure nuff, one '1000uf x 16v' cap was bulging, but the PSU was still working.
So I decided to just replace that one bad cap, before the PSU quit working all together.

I got the bad cap out of the board and I've ordered a replacement from
www.badcaps.net (like, where else?)

So now I'm wondering if anyone else is repairing PSU's. ???

It's cheaper to repair them, BEFORE they blow their brains out. Eh?

Cheers Mates
The Doctor

[gerg]

Re: Who fixes bad PSU's ??

If I can purchase a new one I will unless it's a damn oddball dell compaq propietary power supply that I have to fix.

[c_hegge]

Re: Who fixes bad PSU's ??

I do it all the time, although it the problem is any more serious than bad caps or a failed fan, I usually just replace the whole PSU.

[Toasty]

Re: Who fixes bad PSU's ??

What's the PSU in the eMachine? If that's the known mobo killer by Bestec, make sure to do it right. One (1) cap ain't gonna do it.

[Evil Lurker]

Re: Who fixes bad PSU's ??

What's the PSU in the eMachine? If that's the known mobo killer by Bestec, make sure to do it right. One (1) cap ain't gonna do it.

Yup the ATX250-12E's are best taken to the scrap metal recycling center... just too much of a PITA to screw with IMO. The 12Z's on the other hand can be got up and running fairly easily. I just take an old TO-220 package schottkey diode, mount a heatsink on it, snip off a leg and solder it into the place near C36 where that SB560 diode used to be.

[everell]

Re: Who fixes bad PSU's ??

Bestec ATX-250 12E was the first power supply I fixed. And I fixed it for good! That two transistor 5vsb circuit in that model was terrible. Never could get it to work. So I added a DM311 pwm circuit and problems are now solved. Works great, no more problems with 5vsb. I also added a indicator LED circuit that works just like the Bestec ATX-250 12Z, and a second fan. The added fan runs when 5vsb is on, but main power is off. When main power comes on, the main fan comes on and the added fan stops.

The main power supply circuitry is stable, well built, and will do the power. So once the 5vsb circuit is fixed, it is a great power supply, and an excellent project to learn on. Trash it???? No way. Even a "fixed" and "modified" L&C can't perform as well as a properly fixed Bestec "12 E".

[yyonline]

Re: Who fixes bad PSU's ??

On my own stuff, I'll repair them. For a customer, I usually advise replacement. The exception to this is small and custom form factor power supplies for which replacements aren't easily or cheaply found.

[Th3_uN1Qu3]

Re: Who fixes bad PSU's ??

I don't fix 'em... I turn them into something else.

[ThePCDoctor]

Re: Who fixes bad PSU's ??

Well, sure enough, the PSU I'm working on is a Bestec 12E.
It was actually still working just fine and causing no problems in Windows.

But just out of curiosity I opened it up to see if there were any bulging caps.
There was only ONE bulging cap. It was a 1000uf X 16v, which I had very little problem getting out of the board. I've actually replaced the PSU in the eMachine with an Antec 350, so I could get on with the refurbishment of that little PC. The Bestec has only a single 12v rail and the Antec has two.

I may be adding an extra HD to that PC, so a little extra power will be welcomed.

Some time back, I cleaned out my junk bin and I scrapped out 14 bad PSU's. Most were the Bestec brand and every one had more than one bulging and leaking capacitors. I can only assume that if Bestec had put good quality parts in those supplies, they would still be running. Eh?

Cheers Mates!

[Toasty]

Re: Who fixes bad PSU's ??

>>I've actually replaced the PSU in the eMachine with an Antec 350<<

You recapped it first, correct? They'll kill mobo's too if not done right.

>>I can only assume that if Bestec had put good quality parts in those supplies, they would still be running. Eh?<<

Not necessarily. The entire electronics industry got it in the 'back alley' by some low-life cap manufacturer's. Hence, this website.

Toast

[Topcat]

Re: Who fixes bad PSU's ??

Occasionally....I try to avoid them, unless its a very high end one. I dont bother with low end garbage. I still tangle with iMac PSU's from time to time....but a well known member here just got my stash of parts imac PSU's...