Does "magic pack" Amiga 1200 need recap?

[sm3]

I picked up one of those new old stock "magic pack" Amiga's from Amiga Technologies. It seems to work fine, but I was wondering if these also need to be recapped? Or is it just the older "Commodore" Amiga 1200's?

Thanks.

[Djole]

Sure, those machines are also 20 years old.

[sm3]

Sure, those machines are also 20 years old.

Well, I thought the reason was because of the type/brand of capacitors they used. The Amiga 500 is older but it doesn't need a recap.

Anyway, it seems to be working fine currently. If I start having any strange issues, I can always send it off to AmigaKit for recap. I've done through hole stuff, but have no clue about the surface mount. I think it's best to let someone with experience perform the work.

[giZmo350]

I have not recapped my AT "Magic Pack" unit but this mod was required on my AT unit when using an Indivision AGA scandoubler. My video would constantly blank in and out until the unit warmed up after about 2 hours. This did the trick....

http://www.amibay.com/showthread.php?8386-Indivision-Resistor-Hack

[sm3]

I have not recapped my AT "Magic Pack" unit but this mod was required on my AT unit when using an Indivision AGA scandoubler. My video would constantly blank in and out until the unit warmed up after about 2 hours. This did the trick....

http://www.amibay.com/showthread.php?8386-Indivision-Resistor-Hack

Cool, OK. I was thinking about getting one of those scan doublers for my 1200 as well.

I suppose I will just install it and see how it looks before making that modification though as it seems it's just a fix for picture quality.

[Oldsmobile_Mike]

Well, I thought the reason was because of the type/brand of capacitors they used. The Amiga 500 is older but it doesn't need a recap.

A500/A2000 use different types of caps.  AFAIK they're much less prone to leaking than those used in A1200/A4000/CD32, at least as far as I know.  Of course would like to hear more about if people have been replacing them on these other systems, what problems they can cause and what they can fix, etc., but that's probably a question for another thread or something I could figure out with a little googling.  

At least we don't have that bad caps problem that plagued Dell motherboards about 10 years ago.  I must've replaced hundreds of motherboards in OptiPlex 270/280-class systems back then!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Capacitor_plague

[giZmo350]

At least we don't have that bad caps problem that plagued Dell motherboards about 10 years ago. I must've replaced hundreds of motherboards in OptiPlex 270/280-class systems back then!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Capacitor_plague

I just replace the caps! (LOL - Hundreds of them - capacitors that is) Still an ongoing problem with Dell MB's though.
Replacing Dell MoBo caps is a cinch and cures all the "my Dell won't boot" problems! Good money too!

[ferrellsl]

I picked up one of those new old stock "magic pack" Amiga's from Amiga Technologies. It seems to work fine, but I was wondering if these also need to be recapped? Or is it just the older "Commodore" Amiga 1200's?

Thanks.

Follow the old adage of, "It's it isn't broken, don't fix it!"

Until it starts acting  up, don't do anything as you risk creating other problems by having someone fiddling around with the innards.

[Oldsmobile_Mike]

Until it starts acting up, don't do anything as you risk creating other problems by having someone fiddling around with the innards.

At which point the capacitors will have leaked to the point of causing significantly more damage to the board than if you'd just replaced them outright.

With all due respect sir, this is terrible advice.  

Besides... it's an A1200.  It's a circuit board in a plastic case.  Hardly "rocket science" type of innards.  

[ferrellsl]

At which point the capacitors will have leaked to the point of causing significantly more damage to the board than if you'd just replaced them outright.

With all due respect sir, this is terrible advice.  

Besides... it's an A1200.  It's a circuit board in a plastic case.  Hardly "rocket science" type of innards.  

If the system is running fine and the caps haven't leaked or the tops popped up, then it's absurd to have someone open the system and have the board re-worked, unless you have more time and money than common sense. And board replacement is probably cheaper than having the caps replaced anyway, not to mention the down time waiting for someone with the solder skills to do the job.  A replacement board from AmigaKit is only $64USD.  If you can find someone who will recap an entire board for less, then be my guest, but you better also ask them to guarantee their work hope they don't fudge up anything else on your existing board.

[giZmo350]

If the system is running fine and the caps haven't leaked or the tops popped up, then it's absurd to have someone open the system and have the board re-worked, unless you have more time and money than common sense. And board replacement is probably cheaper than having the caps replaced anyway, not to mention the down time waiting for someone with the solder skills to do the job.

Well, inspection is the key, of course, with electrolytic caps... If you see bulges or leaks... Capacitor Man says:
"Replace as necessary!"

[ferrellsl]

Well, inspection is the key, of course, with electrolytic caps... If you see bulges or leaks... Capacitor Man says:
"Replace as necessary!"

Absolutely spot on!  Still probably cheaper to just replace the entire board via AmigaKit unless you're a real skinflint who also has some decent soldering skills!

[sm3]

Well, inspection is the key, of course, with electrolytic caps... If you see bulges or leaks... Capacitor Man says:
"Replace as necessary!"

Yep, no leaks or bulges that I can see, and no strange behavior with it so hopefully I will be good for some time.

[sm3]

...  A replacement board from AmigaKit is only $64USD.  If you can find someone who will recap an entire board for less, then be my guest, but you better also ask them to guarantee their work hope they don't fudge up anything else on your existing board.

AmigaKit sells replacement A1200 boards? I don't recall seeing those for sale on the site. I know they used to have "made-to-order" A1200's but that hasn't been for a long time. Seems they may be out.

[ferrellsl]

AmigaKit sells replacement A1200 boards? I don't recall seeing those for sale on the site. I know they used to have "made-to-order" A1200's but that hasn't been for a long time. Seems they may be out.

Yes.  See this:  http://amigakit.leamancomputing.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=82
Might be out of stock at AmigaKit at the moment but they always seem to quickly re-stock most items if there's a demand.