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Author Topic: Amiga PSUs - Recap or replace  (Read 1360 times)

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Offline sheepzTopic starter

Amiga PSUs - Recap or replace
« on: August 04, 2022, 11:12:28 AM »
Hi

As my collection of amigas has grown I have been recapping all my olds PSU's. Now I have acquired a A2000 and A4000 the question is. Should I just re-cap or should I replace with a modern ATX supplying the original case, I like to re-cap as its quick and easy but maybe the new PSUs are just 'better'?

I have also replaced my A1200 PSU with a Meanwell in the original power brick, so maybe a Meanwell unit if its powerful enough?

Regards

Barry

Aberdeen Scotland

A1260 - TF1260
A4000 - A3660, Freeway pro USB, Big ram and ZZ9000
 

Offline sheepzTopic starter

Re: Amiga PSUs - Recap or replace
« Reply #1 on: August 04, 2022, 01:32:21 PM »
First off, Meanwell is out as its not got enough POWER, so that narrows it down to ATX or recap. Although I will start by first recapping the A2000 and A4000 PSUs.
Aberdeen Scotland

A1260 - TF1260
A4000 - A3660, Freeway pro USB, Big ram and ZZ9000
 

Offline mechy

Re: Amiga PSUs - Recap or replace
« Reply #2 on: August 06, 2022, 05:10:55 AM »
Nothing wrong with recapping these power supplies,they were fairly robust(the proof is most made it 30 years+).
Although not quite as efficient as modern ones,they are in some cases made better.
 

Offline sheepzTopic starter

Re: Amiga PSUs - Recap or replace
« Reply #3 on: August 08, 2022, 08:59:15 AM »
Thanks, although I just spent £30 on new caps for my A4000 PSU, it almost makes sent to replace with a modern unit!

Regards

Barry
Aberdeen Scotland

A1260 - TF1260
A4000 - A3660, Freeway pro USB, Big ram and ZZ9000
 

Offline matt3k

Re: Amiga PSUs - Recap or replace
« Reply #4 on: August 08, 2022, 08:07:08 PM »
I had a bunch of 3000 power supplies recapped and they all failed.  One even blacked the pin connector on the mother board.  Make sure the caps are the highest quality, I have a feeling the person used junk caps, but maybe there is more to it than that.

Do yourself a huge favor and get a plan b to get a modern replacement.  A long time ago someone in the interwebs was offering a service to mount guts into the original case, you want want to look into that, or just buy the adapter and work around the cosmetics.
« Last Edit: August 08, 2022, 08:42:32 PM by matt3k »
 

Offline sheepzTopic starter

Re: Amiga PSUs - Recap or replace
« Reply #5 on: August 09, 2022, 08:03:12 AM »
I had a bunch of 3000 power supplies recapped and they all failed.  One even blacked the pin connector on the mother board.  Make sure the caps are the highest quality, I have a feeling the person used junk caps, but maybe there is more to it than that.

Do yourself a huge favor and get a plan b to get a modern replacement.  A long time ago someone in the interwebs was offering a service to mount guts into the original case, you want want to look into that, or just buy the adapter and work around the cosmetics.

Hi Matt

I was thinking maybe the other components might let me down, but out of the 3 A500/A1200 PSUs I have recapped they are still going strong. (I have a gutted PSU with a meanwell inside ready encase ).

I am still making baby steps with electronics and soldering but now with my more expensive big box amigas I am a bit more worried!

So, the plan is to Re-cap, test, then test under load then fit to the computer and hope the electricity stays inside. (might get a spare ATX PSU and adapter just encase)  ;D

Regards

Barry
Aberdeen Scotland

A1260 - TF1260
A4000 - A3660, Freeway pro USB, Big ram and ZZ9000
 

Offline Vstech

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Re: Amiga PSUs - Recap or replace
« Reply #6 on: August 19, 2022, 04:19:32 PM »
My big 3 big box amigas all use their original psu’s… however, I have not powered up the a4000 as of yet. I am going to fully clean and recap my psu once I have all the varta damage repaired in my main board.
My 2000, and 3000 psu’s have never let me down, but the 2000 does have a few video artifacts I need to remedy, so I suppose a recap there (much easier since it’s all through hole) is in order, and I might as well go through the psu while it is down.


Everything I read about recapping seems to be with the aga boards and their surface mount caps leaking. I’ve recapped my 1200’s but have not touched my 3000 or 2000 yet.
 

Offline sheepzTopic starter

Re: Amiga PSUs - Recap or replace
« Reply #7 on: August 19, 2022, 04:52:38 PM »
Hi

When I recently recapped my A4000 that's the first PSU I have re-capped that's had obviously damaged caps so I would re-cap your A4000 PSU, I can give you the list of the caps I needed.

Regards

Barry
Aberdeen Scotland

A1260 - TF1260
A4000 - A3660, Freeway pro USB, Big ram and ZZ9000
 

Offline Vstech

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Re: Amiga PSUs - Recap or replace
« Reply #8 on: August 28, 2022, 01:39:24 AM »
Thanks! I likely will just order a kit of caps for the psu.
Any words of wisdom prior to me opening the 4000psu?
 

Offline BozzerBigD

Re: Amiga PSUs - Recap or replace
« Reply #9 on: August 28, 2022, 10:10:03 AM »
Thanks! I likely will just order a kit of caps for the psu.
Any words of wisdom prior to me opening the 4000psu?

Don't electrocute yourself! Decharging caps is important.
"Art challenges technology. Technology inspires the art."

John Lasseter, Co-Founder of Pixar Animation Studios
 

Offline sheepzTopic starter

Re: Amiga PSUs - Recap or replace
« Reply #10 on: August 30, 2022, 09:30:14 AM »
Hi

Once of the screws that hold the board to the casing is hard to get to, I had too us a 6in flexible shaft driver to get it.

I also changed my fan for a quite (artic) unit, size is 80mm x 80mm x 25mm.

Also, make sure you take good notes and pictures!

Regards

Barry
Aberdeen Scotland

A1260 - TF1260
A4000 - A3660, Freeway pro USB, Big ram and ZZ9000