Amiga 1200 service blog (accel stability)

Blogs & guides and tales of woo by forum members.
Post Reply
Steve
Posts: 2570
Joined: Fri Sep 15, 2017 11:49 am

Amiga 1200 service blog (accel stability)

Post by Steve »

Hi all,

Here is an Amiga 1200 that was sent to me for a re-cap due to instability issues when using the ACA1233n accelerator. In this blog we re-cap the motherboard, remove two ceramic capacitors on the rear and perform a general tidy up.

Photos before service:

motherboard_original_overview.jpg
motherboard_original_overview.jpg (582.51 KiB) Viewed 4539 times
top_left_corner_overview.jpg
top_left_corner_overview.jpg (515.05 KiB) Viewed 4539 times
middle_overview.jpg
middle_overview.jpg (473.63 KiB) Viewed 4539 times

Capacitors on top of board replacement, many had leaked and emitted a very strong fishy smell:

top_left_caps_removed.jpg
top_left_caps_removed.jpg (523.98 KiB) Viewed 4539 times
top_left_caps_new.jpg
top_left_caps_new.jpg (478.71 KiB) Viewed 4539 times
middle_caps_removed.jpg
middle_caps_removed.jpg (479.13 KiB) Viewed 4539 times
middle_caps_replaced.jpg
middle_caps_replaced.jpg (477.24 KiB) Viewed 4539 times
back_caps_replaced.jpg
back_caps_replaced.jpg (487.89 KiB) Viewed 4539 times

Rear capacitors needed to be removed as per aca1233n wiki, link: http://wiki.icomp.de/wiki/ACA1233n#poss ... ifications
rear_caps.jpg
rear_caps.jpg (530.7 KiB) Viewed 4539 times
rear_caps_removed1.jpg
rear_caps_removed1.jpg (344.11 KiB) Viewed 4499 times
Rust on case and shielding removed with sand paper, case cleaning in the sink:
shielding_rust1.jpg
shielding_rust1.jpg (202.96 KiB) Viewed 4539 times
shielding_rust2.jpg
shielding_rust2.jpg (248.17 KiB) Viewed 4539 times
base_case_rust.jpg
base_case_rust.jpg (177.92 KiB) Viewed 4539 times
rust_removed1.jpg
rust_removed1.jpg (268.52 KiB) Viewed 4539 times
rust_removed2.jpg
rust_removed2.jpg (263.86 KiB) Viewed 4539 times
sink_wash_case.jpg
sink_wash_case.jpg (348.51 KiB) Viewed 4539 times
case_clean.jpg
case_clean.jpg (275.04 KiB) Viewed 4539 times

Put back together and finishing touches, HDD cable was very long so removed and replaced with new smaller cable, rear of cf adaptor covered with kapton tape and secured with velcro:

new_velcro_under.jpg
new_velcro_under.jpg (439.31 KiB) Viewed 4539 times
new_velcro_top.jpg
new_velcro_top.jpg (420.11 KiB) Viewed 4539 times
Steve
Posts: 2570
Joined: Fri Sep 15, 2017 11:49 am

Re: Amiga 1200 service blog (accel stability)

Post by Steve »

Keyboard cleaned and everything wrapped up:
vacuum_keyb.jpg
vacuum_keyb.jpg (302.85 KiB) Viewed 4538 times
finished.jpg
finished.jpg (317.49 KiB) Viewed 4538 times
fininished_wrapped.jpg
fininished_wrapped.jpg (410.49 KiB) Viewed 4538 times
Customer will hopefully leave a review. Just wanted to illustrate the extra care I take when doing a basic re-cap service for customers
Maximilian
Posts: 290
Joined: Thu Feb 28, 2019 5:02 pm

Re: Amiga 1200 service blog (accel stability)

Post by Maximilian »

Hello Steve,

Thanks for sharing :)

Did you replace the two capacitors near the audio jacks?
And did you remove the keyboard connector to do so?

Thanks!
Steve
Posts: 2570
Joined: Fri Sep 15, 2017 11:49 am

Re: Amiga 1200 service blog (accel stability)

Post by Steve »

Yes they were replaced too, I didn't need to remove the keyboard connector as I have a very fine soldering tip which fits between ok. Got to be very careful with a1200 mobos as the pads are very delicate.
Pjeff18
Posts: 4
Joined: Mon Jan 28, 2019 9:36 am

Re: Amiga 1200 service blog (accel stability)

Post by Pjeff18 »

Great write up Steve!

For those reading this blog I can’t wait to receive my A1200 back. When I do I will write a mini review here but in the meantime I must say that Steve is highly competent and something that sets him apart from other gurus is his superb communication. Every step of the way he kept me informed, from the moment the Amiga arrived to the final cleaning process. I will now get it collected and get back to hopefully playing my classics .

Review to follow 👍🏻
Pjeff18
Posts: 4
Joined: Mon Jan 28, 2019 9:36 am

Re: Amiga 1200 service blog (accel stability)

Post by Pjeff18 »

Just an update following many hours of use. I forgot just how good Speedball 2 was!

The A1200 is super stable and running like a dream, I cannot thank Steve enough for his work and attention to detail.

If you want your Amiga recapped, Steve provide a cost effective yet first class service. He will keep you informed every step of the way. Would highly recommend.
User avatar
rubber_jonnie
Site Admin
Site Admin
Posts: 10462
Joined: Thu Aug 17, 2017 7:40 pm
Location: Essex
Contact:

Re: Amiga 1200 service blog (accel stability)

Post by rubber_jonnie »

@Pjeff18 FYI I deleted your post that had the text 'Test' in it. I presume this was because you hadn't seen your previous test appear. This is simply because your posts still need approval.

Once you've posted enough, your posts will no longer require approval.
Collector of many retro things!
800XL and 65XE both with Ultimate1MB,VBXL/XE & PokeyMax, SIDE3, SDrive Max, 2x 1010 cassette, 2x 1050 one with Happy mod, 3x 2600 Jr, 7800 and Lynx II
Approx 20 STs, including a 520 STM, 520 STFMs, 3x Mega ST, MSTE & 2x 32 Mhz boosted STEs
Plus the rest, totalling around 50 machines including a QL, 3x BBC Model B, Electron, Spectrums, ZX81 etc...
Steve
Posts: 2570
Joined: Fri Sep 15, 2017 11:49 am

Re: Amiga 1200 service blog (accel stability)

Post by Steve »

@Pjeff18 Really glad it all fixed the instability issues, now your a1200 will last another 30 years :) Thanks for the review!
User avatar
HigashiJun
Posts: 1195
Joined: Fri Jun 19, 2020 7:21 am
Location: Tokyo

Re: Amiga 1200 service blog (accel stability)

Post by HigashiJun »

Nice and clean job Steve !

I really like when people take care of their (or others') retro stuff.

Never thought I will post an Amiga related topic on Exxos forum, but just the once will not hurt...

Here is a picture of my own Amiga 1200 (NTSC):

Amiga1200.jpeg
Amiga1200.jpeg (323.86 KiB) Viewed 4286 times

The following have been done to enhance the beast:

- Full polymer recap
- Timing fixes
- Indivision AGA MK3
- 4-way Clockport Expander
- Elbox FastATA A1200 MK-V
- RapidRoad (double USB)
- ACA1233n@55Mhz and 55Mhz FPU
- 32GB SSD
- 3.9 Kickstart ROMS
- Chinon FZ-357A
- New A1200.NET case

Everything is rock solid and runs perfectly under Amiga OS 3.9.

I am still waiting for the new A1200.NET keycaps to arrive and to get a 68060 based accelerator board, such as Terriblefire's TF1260 (my MC68060 would be grateful). :D

Cheers.
User avatar
HigashiJun
Posts: 1195
Joined: Fri Jun 19, 2020 7:21 am
Location: Tokyo

Re: Amiga 1200 service blog (accel stability)

Post by HigashiJun »

and forgot to mention the RTC...

:oops:
Post Reply

Return to “MEMBER BLOGS”