Is Seasonic SS-660KM PSU ErP Ready

[Behemot]

Re: Is Seasonic SS-660KM PSU ErP Ready

The problem has nothing to do with capacitors and whether semi-fanless mode has anything with it is questionable. Lot of Seasonic X and later units suffer from this so it is likely some common problem. According to my brief experience the stand-by rail was always working, the main supply was just not turning on. My unit actually was even shutting down after a while of operation when it sometimes started. All the time the stand-by rail was outputing steady +5 V. There have been some indications it is actually +5V SB rail problem but my observation contradicts it.

It's sometimes interesting how ppl can talk 5 pages about theories with close to none probability. How many bad Rubycons YXG or Chemi-Cons KY have ALL the ppl in this thread seen in their WHOLE life? One hand would be enough to count that I pressume. Yet you send this poor guy to god knows where to shop for your ill-favourite Panasonic FR series to spend a third of value of another similar (used) unit and who knows what time doing all that when there is no chance it will get fixed.

As stated this is common problem, nobody nowhere found the solution yet, Seasonic always replaces the unit with new ones (or factory refurbished). Just disassemble it for parts (incl. the good caps), keep modular cables and get something else. BTW they have later increased the warranty to 7 and I think now even 10 years for comparable current series.

Also as stated, that ErP is just bullshit, turn all that crap off and don't think about it.

[UserXP]

Re: Is Seasonic SS-660KM PSU ErP Ready

Yup, it is quite possible. I am gathering the required parts. I will try to find, or salvage, the plug of the same type from some broken PSU and us it to make that "extension".

I still have one question, though. Does anybody know how this PSU's fan controller kicks in? Does it engage the fan when the PSU reaches certain load, or does it kick in when it detects the inner temperature? If latter is the case, maybe we could hook up something to that sensor, e.g. to attach its probe to one of the radiators. That way, the warmth of the radiator would keep the circuit on, and I would be spared from additional soldering and disassembling. Is something like this feasible?

[momaka]

Re: Is Seasonic SS-660KM PSU ErP Ready

Yeah, you can still do that. Just remove the fan connector on the PSU side (not the connector on the fan) and build the circuit on a small PCB (or alternatively, you can have components "up in the air", as long as their leads are insulated well). Then connect the PSU's fan connector to that circuit and the fan to it. Now the fan will still be removable and you will have the circuit you need.

[UserXP]

Re: Is Seasonic SS-660KM PSU ErP Ready

@momaka

Thank you! I think I'll be able to make that. I may already have the required parts, but I would like to make that as an "extension cord" so that the fan could be unplugged when I open the unit for cleaning (I'll try to avoid a permanent connection.

[momaka]

Re: Is Seasonic SS-660KM PSU ErP Ready

... could you provide me with some ideas on how to modify its fan controller? It would be good to somehow make the fan run at low speed all the time upon startup, and let the circuitry increase its speed only when required. Would something like that be possible, and simple to do?

Yes, should be doable. Most likely, you will just need two 0.5-2 Amp rated diodes (anything rated between 0.5 Amps and 2 Amps will do, and even better if it's a Schottky type).

First check if the fan's negative/black (-) wire is connected straight to ground. If it is, then simply disconnect the positive/red (+) wire and connect it to both diodes' Cathode ends. Then, for one diode, connect the Anode to where the controller's output / fan's positive/red (+) wire was connected. The other diode, connect its anode to the 5V rail. This way, the fan will always be getting about 4.5V going to it from the 5V rail. But, if the fan controller decides to run the fan faster, it will send a higher voltage to it through the other diode. (Hence why you need two diodes). Actually, I already suggested that in post #40, but here I am giving you all the details how/why.

[UserXP]

Re: Is Seasonic SS-660KM PSU ErP Ready

Guys, hi.

There is no new development regarding this PSU. It has been working and powering on normally for the past few weeks. Until I gather money for a new one and in order to prevent further damage to its caps or any other component thereof, could you provide me with some ideas on how to modify its fan controller? It would be good to somehow make the fan run at low speed all the time upon startup, and let the circuitry increase its speed only when required. Would something like that be possible, and simple to do?

[UserXP]

Re: Is Seasonic SS-660KM PSU ErP Ready

I just love your comments, guys. Thanks for making them funny in the situation with pending troubleshooting. ;-)

[TELVM]

Re: Is Seasonic SS-660KM PSU ErP Ready

... I'll just say that I am glad that my car doesn't have this "feature". (My car is old enough to still have a throttle cable, thankfully )

Lucky you! I'll just say this about the throttle-by-wire "advanced feature" in mine:

(Apologies for the off-topic).

[momaka]

Re: Is Seasonic SS-660KM PSU ErP Ready

Hmmm... Thanks, but no. No. To be honest, that device looks like somebody took it apart . How it works with so much exposed solder joints and electronic components without interference is beyond me.

It's just a tester without a case. No problems whatsoever. I still haven't built a case for mine, and I've had it for close to a year now. I'm pretty diligent about storing it in its box when not in use, though.

I'll get a multimeter WITH housing. I am also a railway hobbist and a multimeter with probes will prove more useful for various tests other than capacitors.

In that case, you're indeed better off by getting a multimeter first.
In fact, if you do or intend to do any kind of electronic repair / troubleshooting / designing, a multimeter is probably one of the first tools you should have. The transistor tester mentioned above is probably most useful if you plan to do a lot of PC, power supply, and amplifier repairs, as you will often encounter electrolytic caps on those that may need testing.

Anyway:
If you want a capacitor tester, there is an eBay Offering that was also mentioned by EEVBlog...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Br3L1B80ow

The Accuracy is shit and it can only be used as a digital thing, meaning: Component is somewhat OKish, component is garbage.
No more can be said with that device...

No, the accuracy is not bad at all, especially for ESR and capacitance testing. Only the Vloss for capacitors is not accurate... but who cares about that parameter anyways? I use mine (a GM328 green PCB) almost exclusively for testing electrolytic capacitors, and so far it's been tremendously helpful in finding which are bad and which aren't.

When it comes to transistor testing, I still use the oldschool diode check on my multimeter, as I find it a more reliable test method and also able to check the transistor in circuit in most cases (only when able to account for any parallel components, of course).

I concur, IMHO semi-fanless is as stupid as start-stop in automobile engines.

Don't even get me started on that topic. I'll just say that I am glad that my car doesn't have this "feature". (My car is old enough to still have a throttle cable, thankfully )

[stj]

Re: Is Seasonic SS-660KM PSU ErP Ready

the acuracy is not shit, only the statement.
there are other threads about these component testers that put them against the expensive stuff and they stand up well.

[UserXP]

Re: Is Seasonic SS-660KM PSU ErP Ready

Hmmm... Thanks, but no. No. To be honest, that device looks like somebody took it apart . How it works with so much exposed solder joints and electronic components without interference is beyond me. I also don't like the looks of it.
I'll get a multimeter WITH housing. I am also a railway hobbist and a multimeter with probes will prove more useful for various tests other than capacitors.

[Stefan Payne]

Re: Is Seasonic SS-660KM PSU ErP Ready

Hi again. I am in the process of acquiring a multimeter that can display capacitance in a range usually found in the PSU application.

Wouldn't it be cheaper to just order the Capacitors and replace them??

Anyway:
If you want a capacitor tester, there is an eBay Offering that was also mentioned by EEVBlog...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Br3L1B80ow

The Accuracy is shit and it can only be used as a digital thing, meaning: Component is somewhat OKish, component is garbage.
No more can be said with that device...

But there's also a thread about that device here in this Forum somewhere. The People there should be able to tell you wich offerings are good and wich to avoid...

[Per Hansson]

Re: Is Seasonic SS-660KM PSU ErP Ready

No you can't measure in circuit without knowing the circuit very well.
The reason is because there might be components in parallell.
So you have a "good" reading but it's because there is a ceramic cap in parallel with the electrolytic, just to give an example.

Further the capacitance of a capacitor is a pretty unimportant specification in most cases.
What matters is it's ESR and if you are dead set on having a multimeter with ESR functionality there exist just this one AFAIK:
DER EE DE-5004 LCR Meter
https://www.deree.com.tw/lcr-meter.htm

If you want to test capacitors it's much better to buy one of the cheap "Transistor testers" that I linked in my previous posts.

[UserXP]

Re: Is Seasonic SS-660KM PSU ErP Ready

Hi again. I am in the process of acquiring a multimeter that can display capacitance in a range usually found in the PSU application. I hope it will come handy in determining the state of the caps in my PSU.
Now, I know that the answer to the question I'm going to ask is probably a negative one, but please give more insights: can I use the multimeter's probe to measure/check the caps without desoldering them from the PCB first (of course, with the PSU completely unplugged and discharged first)? Can it damage the PSU circuitry and how much would the gathered readings be off/inaccurate?

[TELVM]

Re: Is Seasonic SS-660KM PSU ErP Ready

... The thing is that the PSU has a semi fanless mode. And that means that the heat of the +12V Rectifiers cooks the +5VSB caps.
With active fan Operation the temperature in this area would be much much cooler - loke 20-30K, maybe even more...

... Yup, that's true, unfortunately. Semi-fanless mode is such a bullshit feature ...

I concur, IMHO semi-fanless is as stupid as start-stop in automobile engines.

[stj]

Re: Is Seasonic SS-660KM PSU ErP Ready

this is probably the bargain of the year:
https://www.banggood.com/ANENG-AN800...p-1157985.html

[UserXP]

Re: Is Seasonic SS-660KM PSU ErP Ready

Around 30-40$ Anything expensive is of no practical use to me just to test and possibly repair one PSU. It would be better to then ad more money, buy a new PSU and be done with this. I am considering to place an order for the new caps from Farnell - but so far, I feel like I'm just waisting money, especially after the failed recapping and fixing of the wireless headphones in my other topic. I am scared that the next cap order might be in vain, too.

[stj]

Re: Is Seasonic SS-660KM PSU ErP Ready

what's your price-range??

[UserXP]

Re: Is Seasonic SS-660KM PSU ErP Ready

Yeah... I kind of figured that out myself as there was no marking on it related to F. I got this one as a tryout, I guess I'll be returning it now.
So when one says "multimeter", what should it include on its dial, and how to know if it can measure capacitors of ANY capacitance?

[stj]

Re: Is Seasonic SS-660KM PSU ErP Ready

very few if any multimeters can test esr.
you can test capacitance on most meters,
but yours seems to lack it.
http://www.uni-trend.com/productsdet...1107_1107.html

the voltage is not something you test, it's simply the maximum the cap is designed to withstand.