Ultra X-Connect 500W Modular PS Limping Along

[TheCyberDude]

Ultra X-Connect 500W Titanium Power Supply

The 3.3v Rail was going high to 3.62v and sounding MSI Core Cell Alarm.
Replaced power supply with Ultra X-Connect 500W Black Power Supply.

Open Power Supply and found 6 leaking capacitors.
3300uf 16v [2]
3300uf 10v [2]
2200uf 10v [1]
1000uf 10v [1]
All Fuhjyyu Cap's.

The P.S. was running OK, no problems booting up Windows and running Windows - just getting Alarm for OverVoltage on 3.3v Rail.

If anybody would like to repair this P.S., I'll sell it for $10.00 + S&H.
Probably will cost about $9.00 to ship, depending on Zip Code. [8lbs 1oz]

This P.S. ran 24HR (365 Day) for 2YR and 2MTH before developing 3.3v rail
problem. All other voltages are solid.

The modular cables are Brown (I Smoke), tried to clean - but wrong type
of plastic coating. Comes with 20PIN TO 24 PIN Cable, since this is an ATX and not ATX12V P.S..

You could buy the Ultra Flex Force Upgrade Cable Kit for X-Connect Power Supplies, that's what I'm going to do for new one.

REF: Flex Cables

REF: Cables Included in Upgrade Kit

P.S. The new Ultra X-Connect 500W Black Power Supply, top fan was not
turning. Since all the voltages where OK, I decided to open it - thus
voiding Warranty. Found wire on top fan broken off, replaced it with
an CoolerMaster [Double Ball Bearing] fan. Left one screw out of fan
& grill and ran Fan 3-PIN to SYS(3-PIN) on MB so I could monitor it.

Cheapo Jee Cap's in this one, will have to buy another P.S. in 2Yr's.

TheCyberDude

[999999999]

Re: Ultra X-Connect 500W Modular PS Limping Along

This is not a for sale forum? If it were, I wouldn't state the following because it would be crapping on the sale thread, but since it is a forum about PSU issues and frequently, self-repair topics instead:

Due to the known problems with bad caps and fans in these, the asking price may be too high. Fry's and Radio Shack have sold the V-Series 500W for under $20 after rebate. They're not as pretty but equivalent guts.

I'm suggesting that if you feel it is worth $20 still, it's worthwhile for you to recap it, and either replace the fans or periodically relube them. While you're at it, if you recap the new one to replace those JEEs, you should get longer life out of it too. Just a thought, you could still come out ahead even if you had to pay $12 for a cheap 30-40W soldering iron (cheaper it is, more likely it should be 40W) and a roll of solder. I'm not fond of Ultra PSU but if both have good new caps and quality fans, they'll be worth more to you than the cost to replace the new one later when it too fails (w/o a recap).

As for the discoloration of the wiring, if the exterior surface residue is cleaned off, try painting them with spray-on vinyl dye, available at many auto parts stores for about $6. Plasti-Kote "Vinyl Color" is one brand, not to be confused with "Fusion" or other plastic paints, the dye bonds with the plastic and is more flexible. Recoloring the cables might not be worth $6, but you'd have the rest of the can to paint other (plastic only) parts.