I was going to open up my Amiga's brick power supply to see if the capacitors have any problems. I don't generally open up computer power supplies. Is there any special care I need to take to avoid shocks, such as with CRT monitors?
Safely opening Amiga Brick Power supplies?
- Thread starter Jumping Anaconda
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Yes! As with anything that takes current directly from the wall, the capacitors in there can hold potentially lethal charges and you'd be better off being extremely careful and learning how to properly discarge all the capacitors first.
I recommend practicing on some smaller caps before hand.
May sound over the top, but trust me, none of us want you hurt. You'd be better off testing it with a multimeter. It will save you opening it up and its probably a better test than a visual anyway. Caps dont always show signs of dying when they do.
Opening PSUs isnt a job I'd recommend to anyone with little experience.
I recommend practicing on some smaller caps before hand.
May sound over the top, but trust me, none of us want you hurt. You'd be better off testing it with a multimeter. It will save you opening it up and its probably a better test than a visual anyway. Caps dont always show signs of dying when they do.
Opening PSUs isnt a job I'd recommend to anyone with little experience.
Justin
Active member
i just crack the cases open, then give the caps a quick lick, if not dead carry on with project
Justin
Active member
Lol... hmmm, that explains a few things :roll:
indeed it does, some people are over cautious
Taken from wikipedia:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Capacitor
(rkauer told me a while a go there is a safety resistor to discharge. My caps in the A4000 were empty after a week or so please test it at least)
I would not use the psu and then replace caps.
Hazards and safety
Capacitors may retain a charge long after power is removed from a circuit; this charge can cause dangerous or even potentially fatal shocks or damage connected equipment. For example, even a seemingly innocuous device such as a disposable camera flash unit powered by a 1.5 volt AA battery contains a capacitor which may be charged to over 300 volts. This is easily capable of delivering a shock. Service procedures for electronic devices usually include instructions to discharge large or high-voltage capacitors. Capacitors may also have built-in discharge resistors to dissipate stored energy to a safe level within a few seconds after power is removed. High-voltage capacitors are stored with the terminals shorted, as protection from potentially dangerous voltages due to dielectric absorption.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Capacitor
(rkauer told me a while a go there is a safety resistor to discharge. My caps in the A4000 were empty after a week or so please test it at least)
I would not use the psu and then replace caps.
Hazards and safety
Capacitors may retain a charge long after power is removed from a circuit; this charge can cause dangerous or even potentially fatal shocks or damage connected equipment. For example, even a seemingly innocuous device such as a disposable camera flash unit powered by a 1.5 volt AA battery contains a capacitor which may be charged to over 300 volts. This is easily capable of delivering a shock. Service procedures for electronic devices usually include instructions to discharge large or high-voltage capacitors. Capacitors may also have built-in discharge resistors to dissipate stored energy to a safe level within a few seconds after power is removed. High-voltage capacitors are stored with the terminals shorted, as protection from potentially dangerous voltages due to dielectric absorption.
Justin
Active member
heaven is full of fully working pristine Amigas that have all the speed in the world!
Justin
Active member
i just crack the cases open, then give the caps a quick lick, if not dead carry on with project
Why not take a P*** on it while you're at it and leave it plugged in while you do! :dry: :nuts: lol.
Justin
Active member
i just crack the cases open, then give the caps a quick lick, if not dead carry on with project
Why not take a P*** on it while you're at it and leave it plugged in while you do! :dry: :nuts: lol.
uurrgghh!! that's disgusting, licking p***
Gentlemen, we appear to be way off-topic. Let's try and keep it clean.
I'd advise caution when fiddling around with the innards of a PSU, it's quite possible that some capacitors will still hold charge and give you a nasty belt if you're not careful. It costs you very little to discharge them properly before you do any fiddling about with the unit. At the very least, leave the unit unplugged for a couple of days before you go inside.
If you choose to take a more cavalier approach to the problem, that's your call. In that case I will wish you good luck, since you might need it.
I'd advise caution when fiddling around with the innards of a PSU, it's quite possible that some capacitors will still hold charge and give you a nasty belt if you're not careful. It costs you very little to discharge them properly before you do any fiddling about with the unit. At the very least, leave the unit unplugged for a couple of days before you go inside.
If you choose to take a more cavalier approach to the problem, that's your call. In that case I will wish you good luck, since you might need it.
Personally don't see why anyone would want to use an ancient C= PSU brick anymore. For today's Amiga user (and probably past) they are underpowered, aging parts (not only the caps). Get a decent ATX PSU which is probably a lot safer and have fun... although if you do get zapped you may have a nice time in hospital having a bed bath by a male nurse 
PSU's and CRT monitors I respect, if they break I leave well alone. Not worth the hassle unless you do repairs like that for a living or have experience in such things.
PSU's and CRT monitors I respect, if they break I leave well alone. Not worth the hassle unless you do repairs like that for a living or have experience in such things.
Thank you for the responses.
I've not used the supply for about 10 days, should that be long enough for it to lose charge? I am fine to leave it longer, I do not actually use my Amiga much at all, mainly to recover my data from old projects and test items for sale on here.
The only reason I wanted to open it up was to gain a bit of insight on whether the PSU is causing problems with my ram expansion in my A1200.
I've not used the supply for about 10 days, should that be long enough for it to lose charge? I am fine to leave it longer, I do not actually use my Amiga much at all, mainly to recover my data from old projects and test items for sale on here.
The only reason I wanted to open it up was to gain a bit of insight on whether the PSU is causing problems with my ram expansion in my A1200.
Justin
Active member
disclaimer!
if anyone here believed my remark about licking PSU caps, then i'm sorry but you deserve to die! it's natural selection or just plain old Darwinian!
if anyone here believed my remark about licking PSU caps, then i'm sorry but you deserve to die! it's natural selection or just plain old Darwinian!
With knowledge on how electronics work, you would know enough on how to avoid accidental shocks, uncontrolled discharges and/or explosions. (Or if you like - damage to you or the equipment you are working with.)
While working with PSU's and monitors you have to carefully think through every step you make, and always double check what your tools will do, unless you are perfectly familiar with them.
You can cause explosions just by measuring something with a multimeter in a wrong way, touching live trace with soldering iron that was left grounded, accidently slip the screwdriver and make a short circuit, etc, etc...
Damage from accidental uncontrolled discharge is often unrepairable, so...
... if you have to ask, you should not to do it!
While working with PSU's and monitors you have to carefully think through every step you make, and always double check what your tools will do, unless you are perfectly familiar with them.
You can cause explosions just by measuring something with a multimeter in a wrong way, touching live trace with soldering iron that was left grounded, accidently slip the screwdriver and make a short circuit, etc, etc...
Damage from accidental uncontrolled discharge is often unrepairable, so...
... if you have to ask, you should not to do it!
