My Favorite Things

[everell]

This thread is from the song These are a few of my favorite things in the movie Sound of Music.

I was at the Disabled American Veterans thrift store a few days ago, and found a EMachines T2865 for $9.98. The case looked like brand new, clean shiny paint and no dents. I figured the case was worth that much. When I opened the case, I found a Bestec ATX-250 12E power supply. My first thought was 5vsb overvolt problem and complete destruction of everything inside. Since the very first power supply I worked on was the Bestec 12E, I opened it up to take a look see. No blasted capacitors and nothing looked burned. So I applied power to measure the 5vsb with no load. To my surprise, it was 5 volts. To be on the safe side, I installed a different power supply and fired up the EMachines computer. It displayed an error message, black screen with white letters, this computer cannot run 64 bit application program, use 32 bit application program. Someone probably tried to load a 64 bit Windows program. So I put a Ubuntu 10.04 disk in the CD reader and loaded Ubuntu. Now everything works fine. AMD 2800 cpu, 160 gig hard drive, and NVidia chipset. Not bad for ten bucks.

As for the title of the thread, The Bestec 12E is now one of my favorites. I spent lots of time studying it and modifying my first one. So I decided to fix this one up also. Dug out all my old drawings and notes. Replaced all of the capacitors with Nichicon PW except the two input capacitors. Gutted the two transistor 5vsb circuit and replaced it with a DM311 chip circuit. Added a circuit for the LED indicator on the back of the case. Also added the extra fan which runs when the 5vsb is on but the computer is off. It ran fine when powered up for the first time.

I am sure many of you have a favorite power supply. So here is the thread to tell us about it.

[momaka]

Re: My Favorite Things

As always, nice work everell. Man, I really have to try your DM311 mod. I bought two chips a way while back... like over 5 years ago and still have not built it. Then again, I do have more power supplies than I can use right now. So the one PSU I wanted to try the DM311 mod on is on the back burner.

Now as far as favorite PSUs... I can think of two from the top of my head:
HiPro HP-P2507F3P (the unstoppable 250W tank)
Macron MPT-301 or MPT-401

The HiPro above really is overbuilt and under-rated, and rarely ever breaks. Even with its original crappy caps, it will still deliver many years of service. Probably my favorite PSU when it comes to "install it and forget it".

The Macron I like for a different reason. The caps in them are terrible and always bulge or go bad... but the PSU itself is extremely simple, yet wonderfully engineered . Everything is put together nicely, so that it can be easily taken apart if it ever needs servicing (which it always does due to those caps): AC connector on the board, fan connector, and fuse with fuse holder.
But it gets better than this. First off, this PSU is a great performer. Rock-stable voltages, quiet operation, and the PSU runs fairly cool. Oh, and have a look at this (especially you, everell ): the 5VSB is a "dreaded" 2-transistor design. Yet, it is 100% stable and never seems to be the demise of these PSUs. No "critical" cap either. Moreover, 5VSB has its own output rectifier mounted on the secondary heatsink (usually a TO-220 part), along with two 2200 uF caps for filtering.
This PSU is pretty much a tie now with the HiPro above, and probably my most favorite PSU in terms of servicing.

[mockingbird]

Re: My Favorite Things

Yes, me too. I am now in a place where I would be very comfortable trying your mod.

Great job, btw. What is that blue Nichicon 16V 1000uF on the secondary?

[everell]

Re: My Favorite Things

What is that blue Nichicon 16V 1000uF on the secondary?

A few of the small capacitors were replaced with some Panasonic FC capacitors I had on hand. All of the larger ones are Nichicon PW. The 1000uF/16 volt is a Nichicon PW, but the lighting in the picture came out somewhat blue.

[TechGeek]

Re: My Favorite Things

Most favorite PSU: The one in my main computer.

[everell]

Re: My Favorite Things

.....I do have more power supplies than I can use right now......

You should see what is in my attic now!

Had a stroke last Tuesday and am still in the hospital. Still don't know all of effects yet, but still having vision difficulties. Don't know when I will be able to work on power supplies.

[mockingbird]

Re: My Favorite Things

Sorry to hear about that everell.

I hope you have a complete recovery.

[Wester547]

Re: My Favorite Things



That's dejecting news! Here's hoping your recovery is very swift!

[kaboom]

Re: My Favorite Things

I'm sorry, Everell...

Too much bad news on BCN- first Junk Parts, now you.

Don't know when I will be able to work on power supplies.

I'm sure you already realize this, but try not to focus on this and turn it into a "loss" that you beat yourself up over.
Every day's a new one, and you're still here with us!


Here's to a full and speedy recovery.

[everell]

Re: My Favorite Things

Thanks guys. It hit my left hand and leg, but they are recovering nicely. Physical therapy already has me up and walking. It also hit my eyes causing double vision. This is the problem that is most frustrating. I am told that recovery may happen but will be very slow. I am thankful that I have had NO pain throughout the ordeal, and had NO bleeding in the brain. Cognitive tests indicate that the cognitive area was not hit and is OK.

I still think age 66 is too young for a stroke.

Sorry for the distraction on the thread title.....this was supposed to be for favorite things.....favorite power supplies.

[c_hegge]

Re: My Favorite Things

Well, that's some good news at least. Glad to hear.

My favourite PSU in terms of it's indestructible-ness is the Delta DPS-600MB. I also quite like the Hipro HP-D3057F3H, as they are fairly easy to work on, and also seem to be a pretty reliable PSU after a recap and re-lube of the fan.

[Pentium4]

Re: My Favorite Things

Sorry to hear that everell I wish you the best. Nice to hear that you're recovering!

I too am a big fan of those older Bestec PSUs but unfortunately the brown glue drives me so insane that I unfortunately pass on most of them nowadays.

I'll probably get some flack for this, but I'm a huge fan of simple and reliable. I really like the beefy versions of the Sun Pro AT-2005B platform. They're super easy to work on, easy to acquire, have good ripple, are very quiet, and can output adequate power for most systems, like this one: https://www.badcaps.net/forum/showpo...postcount=1792

and I also LOVE Macron power supplies, such as https://www.badcaps.net/forum/showpo...postcount=1786
and
https://www.badcaps.net/forum/showpo...66&postcount=1

I'd say my favorite PSU I own is identical to this one that momaka posted: https://www.badcaps.net/forum/showpo...postcount=2352

I have a few of these running, they're great units.

In summary:

[RJARRRPCGP]

Re: My Favorite Things

This thread is from the song These are a few of my favorite things in the movie Sound of Music.

I was at the Disabled American Veterans thrift store a few days ago, and found a EMachines T2865 for $9.98. The case looked like brand new, clean shiny paint and no dents. I figured the case was worth that much. When I opened the case, I found a Bestec ATX-250 12E power supply. My first thought was 5vsb overvolt problem and complete destruction of everything inside. Since the very first power supply I worked on was the Bestec 12E, I opened it up to take a look see. No blasted capacitors and nothing looked burned. So I applied power to measure the 5vsb with no load. To my surprise, it was 5 volts. To be on the safe side, I installed a different power supply and fired up the EMachines computer. It displayed an error message, black screen with white letters, this computer cannot run 64 bit application program, use 32 bit application program. Someone probably tried to load a 64 bit Windows program. So I put a Ubuntu 10.04 disk in the CD reader and loaded Ubuntu. Now everything works fine. AMD 2800 cpu, 160 gig hard drive, and NVidia chipset. Not bad for ten bucks.

As for the title of the thread, The Bestec 12E is now one of my favorites. I spent lots of time studying it and modifying my first one. So I decided to fix this one up also. Dug out all my old drawings and notes. Replaced all of the capacitors with Nichicon PW except the two input capacitors. Gutted the two transistor 5vsb circuit and replaced it with a DM311 chip circuit. Added a circuit for the LED indicator on the back of the case. Also added the extra fan which runs when the 5vsb is on but the computer is off. It ran fine when powered up for the first time.

I am sure many of you have a favorite power supply. So here is the thread to tell us about it.

I was given a Dell Dimension 2400 with a Pentium 4 Northwood 2.6 Ghz.
It has a 200 W Delta PSU with guts that look like a tank!

[TechGeek]

Re: My Favorite Things

^I think I have the EXACT same Dell you have!!!

[momaka]

Re: My Favorite Things

You should see what is in my attic now!

Last I checked, it was this:
https://www.badcaps.net/forum/showpo...6&postcount=22

And you say you have more now?

Had a stroke last Tuesday and am still in the hospital. Still don't know all of effects yet, but still having vision difficulties.

That is terrible. I wish you a quick and painless recovery.

Well, maybe you can't work on PSUs now... but at least it is summer and the weather is nice. Perhaps take the time to enjoy some good outdoor air .

[everell]

Re: My Favorite Things

I am back from the hospital. hand, leg, and foot about 90% recovered and up and walking. Eye doctor put a special prism on my eyeglasses - right side - which corrects the double vision. He says it will probably improve within the next 3 to 6 months. I hope so! Went back to work, Tuesday half a day, and full day Wednesday thru Friday.

Took a quick look in my attic and found a HiPro HP-D3057F3R, which is c_hegge favorite. Guess I will make it my next project. Opened it and found only one bulging capacitor so far. I will have to remove it completely from the case to get a good look at it. It looks so much better than those IMicro power supplies!

[TechGeek]

Re: My Favorite Things

Good to hear!

[LDSisHere]

Re: My Favorite Things

Hello, it has been quite some time since I posted on here on BadCaps, too many things to do and not enough time to do them. I was sad to hear about Everell's stroke but very glad he is making a strong recovery.

My favorite power supply is one that works really good for a long time. That being said, it would seem my favorite ones to tinker with are the old Antec Smart Powers that always seemed to be stuffed with those Fuhjyyu capacitors. I am not sure why I like them other than they seem like decent units in need of good capacitors and they are not especially hard to work on as long as you are careful not to lift the tracks.

[mockingbird]

Re: My Favorite Things

LDisHere -

I thought about you while you were away. How have you been?

[LDSisHere]

Re: My Favorite Things

Hello Mockingbird,

I have been doing OK, and yourself? I am actually surprised anyone noticed my absence. I am going to try to get back to reading and posting here again on a regular basis or at least as much as I can. I have a few power supply projects I want to work on but I have a few other projects in front of those. I usually spend most of my spare time working on family and friend projects so that leaves little time for my own.