MSTE PSU RE-CAP FAIL

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exxos
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MSTE PSU RE-CAP FAIL

Post by exxos »

I had this power supply sent in for repair as after it was recapped , it failed to function correctly.

Upon arrival I saw that the capacitor legs were not particularly cut short enough and was sticking out a few millimetres. They did not short out on the metalwork case, but it is something to bear in mind for the people who are doing this work.

The power supply would turn on the 5 V would intermittently drop to 3 V or 0 V, and a couple of seconds later jump up to around 4.5 V.

I checked all the joints with a magnifier and basically seemed okay, I did not see any short-circuits.. However it wasn't long before I found the problem..
IMG_1918.JPG
IMG_1918.JPG (138.8 KiB) Viewed 3862 times

On the top of the board it becomes obvious why this happened..

IMG_1919.JPG
IMG_1919.JPG (133.57 KiB) Viewed 3862 times
Something sticking up on a little bit of a heatsink, very easily to get knocked and as there is no upper support for this part slight knock and it rips up the PCB pads..

So a wire link later...

IMG_1920.JPG
IMG_1920.JPG (159.04 KiB) Viewed 3862 times

And....

IMG_1922.JPG
IMG_1922.JPG (234.32 KiB) Viewed 3862 times
8-)


As a side note, power supply I had, had a cut track. I'm not sure what I was by design or just something which happened my mistake...

Though someone else posted some images here, the same power supply, which do not have the cut track..

https://www.exxosforum.co.uk/forum/viewt ... 2086#p2086

So bit of a mystery if this was a factory mod or just got damaged at some point..
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Icky
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Re: MSTE PSU RE-CAP FAIL

Post by Icky »

exxos wrote: Fri Oct 20, 2017 1:57 pm As a side note, power supply I had, had a cut track. I'm not sure what I was by design or just something which happened my mistake...

Though someone else posted some images here, the same power supply, which do not have the cut track..

https://www.exxosforum.co.uk/forum/viewt ... 2086#p2086

So bit of a mystery if this was a factory mod or just got damaged at some point..
I have come across these two versions of PHIHONGS PSUs:

One is a REV-A1 which has the cut track and the centre post is isolated with cloth tape. This one the opto isolator is a CNY17-3Z and it is from an Atari TT REV H.

The other a REV-02 which does not have the cut track and the centre post is not isolated. This one has the PC111 opto isolator and is from and Atari MegaSTE.

I'll add pictures shortly as I am in the process of re-capping the REV-A1, the REV-02 is already recapped
damanloox
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Re: MSTE PSU RE-CAP FAIL

Post by damanloox »

If you look closely on the other revision you'll see that track is not there (ie. exact same result as track cut on older revision).
I suspect the track needs to be cut to prevent ground loop...
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Re: MSTE PSU RE-CAP FAIL

Post by exxos »

damanloox wrote: Mon Apr 16, 2018 7:15 pm If you look closely on the other revision you'll see that track is not there (ie. exact same result as track cut on older revision).
I suspect the track needs to be cut to prevent ground loop...
I've only ever had that one power supply personally so I don't know about any other revisions..

I suspect it was done to improve regulation or something. Feedback should always be done on the main output wires, I have not traced or looked at the circuit board much. it is possible it could cause some regulation issues of some kind. Or add some noise.

I guess if someone was bored enough, scope the outputs, re-solder over the cut, and try the outputs again and see what the difference is..
https://www.exxosforum.co.uk/atari/ All my hardware guides - mods - games - STOS
https://www.exxosforum.co.uk/atari/store2/ - All my hardware mods for sale - Please help support by making a purchase.
viewtopic.php?f=17&t=1585 Have you done the Mandatory Fixes ?
Just because a lot of people agree on something, doesn't make it a fact. ~exxos ~
People should find solutions to problems, not find problems with solutions.
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