How unsafe is it to mod a PSU?

jadams · 08-07-02, 12:00 PM

Do you guys think it would be save to open up a powersupply in order to put in a second fan? Is it even possible? If I was to put in a second fan, would it blow into the psu or out into the case?

Thanks,
Jeff.

Mysphyt · 08-07-02, 12:04 PM

Yes, it's possible, and yes, it's a little bit dangerous. There are capacitors inside the PSU that hold a lot of charge, so you have to be careful what you touch in there. If you decide to do it, unplug the PSU and let it sit for a good long while, so it loses the charge. If you add a second fan, it should suck air out of your system. If you put it blowing in, then it only fights the original fan and blows hot air from the PSU onto the CPU.

Penguin4x4 · 08-07-02, 12:09 PM

Linkage

Quote:

Originally posted by Ridenow
One of the things I do is to plug the power cord into the PSU, then put a screwdriver across the contacts where it plugs into the wall. This should discharge the caps. It is possible that it will not discharge all of them, so you still need to be careful.

Quote:

Originally posted by Penguin4x4

MAKE SURE THE POWER SUPPLY SWITCH IS ON WHEN YOU DO THIS, OTHER WISE THE CAP'S WON'T DISCHARGE!

Christoph · 08-07-02, 12:11 PM

It all depends on how much experience and knowledge you have. I've taken apart a couple PSUs and have never been shocked, but there are people around here who have been.
If you know enough about electronics to discharge a capacitor, you'll probably be OK. Just make sure that you leave the PSU off for at least a minute before diving in.
If you don't know what a capacitor is, then you should either do some more research or find another mod.

Starfoxer · 08-07-02, 12:44 PM

i just took mine apart and it was easy.

i got a lot of help from another thread in general hardware,
you should check that out.

i discharged the caps, but sure as hell never touched em,
just to be safe

just be careful and not careless, and it shouldbe fine!

roYal · 08-07-02, 12:46 PM

just to tell you, if you do something wrong, and you touch the capacitors while they're still charged, IT HAS ENOUGH VOLTAGE TO KILL YOU.

garwain · 08-07-02, 01:09 PM

Power supplies are one of the things that I'm a bit nervous with, and I had an electrician work with me yesterday to check out a dead one that I had. After seeing the inside of a PSU, I'm confident enough to work with them in the futur, but just be careful not to touch the capacitors, even if you think they've been discharged. I've set off a few smaller ones in a few of my "toys" when I thought I had discharged everything, and there was still enough of a shock to feel it.

As I read elsewhere, if you don't know what a capacitor is, you are probably best off leaving the power supply sealed, otherwise just be careful and you should be fine.

If you insist on trying to set off the capacitors with your hand, I would suggest having paramedics on hand first

SiGmA_X · 08-07-02, 01:48 PM

I re-wired the fans in my PSU, and didn't have a problem. I don't know too much about electronics and didn't know if there was a large charge left in it, so I just didn't touch anything that I didn't need to.

Can some one explain how to discharge the charge from the capacitors so that it is safe to work in the PSU?

roYal · 08-07-02, 01:50 PM

sigma, who's that in your avatar? Is that carmen electra?

Penguin4x4 · 08-07-02, 01:52 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Penguin4x4
Linkage

quote:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Originally posted by Ridenow
One of the things I do is to plug the power cord into the PSU, then put a screwdriver across the contacts where it plugs into the wall. This should discharge the caps. It is possible that it will not discharge all of them, so you still need to be careful.

quote:

Originally posted by Penguin4x4

MAKE SURE THE POWER SUPPLY SWITCH IS ON WHEN YOU DO THIS, OTHER WISE THE CAP'S WON'T DISCHARGE!

Quote:

Originally posted by SiGmA_X
Can some one explain how to discharge the charge from the capacitors so that it is safe to work in the PSU?

SiGmA_X · 08-07-02, 02:05 PM

Thx

roYal · 08-07-02, 02:25 PM

sigma? IS that carmen electra in your avatar?

Penguin4x4 · 08-07-02, 02:36 PM

yup.

jadams · 08-07-02, 03:32 PM

So when I put the screwdriver across the contacts where the cord plugs into the wall, do I touch it to all three prongs? Also, do I leave the screwdriver on them while I work, or is just touching them enough? I suppose anything that is metal would work to discharge them? Will it spark or anything when I do this?

Thanks for all the info everyone! So if I discharge the capasitors, it should be safe to remove the insides so that I can cut a hole in the side of the psu casing?

Penguin4x4 · 08-07-02, 03:46 PM

Touch all three of them at once. Doing this will ground the capacitors and in effect discharging them. There will STILL be charge in them, though.

SiGmA_X · 08-07-02, 04:26 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Royal
sigma? IS that carmen electra in your avatar?

Yup

I'm going to put a new logo there tonight...

the_poche · 08-08-02, 01:44 AM

Well I guess I can consider myself lucky! I thought that leaving a PSU unplugged overnight was enuff then I would just handle them like any other piece of hardware. I'll be more cautious from now on , and put those old PSU parts in safer place then on my desk

LiGhTBoY · 08-08-02, 02:47 AM

The safest way to discharge the caps, is to connect a light bulb to the PSU "pins" (the three at the back, actually 2 ;-) ) and wait to discharge them. If you connect all three of them , you run the risk of *zapping* yourself rather than emptying them. The charge will NOT be grounded since there is no Earth wire connected ;-).

Hint to keep you safe : Keep one of your hands in your pocket. trust me , I know about getting *ZAPPED* by AC %-).

08-07-02, 12:00 PM	Thread Starter #1
jadams Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Burnaby, BC, Canada	How unsafe is it to mod a PSU? Do you guys think it would be save to open up a powersupply in order to put in a second fan? Is it even possible? If I was to put in a second fan, would it blow into the psu or out into the case? Thanks, Jeff. __________________ Main System: AthlonXP 2500+ Abit AN7 3x Crucial 256MB DDR PC2100 24xLiteOn Burner, 16xPioneerDVD, 5caseFans, home made 2-40mmFan HD cooler 128mbDDR Radeon 9700Pro Tiny Wood System VIA EPIA-800 (800MHz,Vid,Lan,Snd) 256MB PC133 RAM, 16x DVD My Heatware
	QUOTE Thanks

08-07-02, 12:04 PM	#2
Mysphyt Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Elsewhere	Yes, it's possible, and yes, it's a little bit dangerous. There are capacitors inside the PSU that hold a lot of charge, so you have to be careful what you touch in there. If you decide to do it, unplug the PSU and let it sit for a good long while, so it loses the charge. If you add a second fan, it should suck air out of your system. If you put it blowing in, then it only fights the original fan and blows hot air from the PSU onto the CPU.
	QUOTE Thanks

08-07-02, 12:11 PM	#4
Christoph JAPH Senior Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Redmond, WA	It all depends on how much experience and knowledge you have. I've taken apart a couple PSUs and have never been shocked, but there are people around here who have been. If you know enough about electronics to discharge a capacitor, you'll probably be OK. Just make sure that you leave the PSU off for at least a minute before diving in. If you don't know what a capacitor is, then you should either do some more research or find another mod. __________________ FoldSig \| Heatware \| Alt OS FAQWiki \| JAPH \| ADO "Coming onto the forums after you've had a concussion is prolly not a good idea, but I'm doin' it anyways!" -dark_15
	QUOTE Thanks

08-07-02, 12:44 PM	#5
Starfoxer World's Biggest E-Thug Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: USA	i just took mine apart and it was easy. i got a lot of help from another thread in general hardware, you should check that out. i discharged the caps, but sure as hell never touched em, just to be safe just be careful and not careless, and it shouldbe fine! __________________ ************************* *********************** *********************** *********************** *********************** *********************** *********************** *************************
	QUOTE Thanks

08-07-02, 12:46 PM	#6
roYal Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Chicago, IL	just to tell you, if you do something wrong, and you touch the capacitors while they're still charged, IT HAS ENOUGH VOLTAGE TO KILL YOU. __________________ Cpu: Intel Core i7 920 @ 3.5ghz Motherboard: Gigabyte EX58-UD3R Memory: 6GB (3x2GB) OCZ Gold DDR3 1600 @ 533 mhz (8-8-8-24) Hard Drives: 1 x 120gb Intel 320 ssd (System) / 1TB WD (Storage) Cooling: TRUE w/Nexus 120mm Video: EVGA GTX 580 SC Monitor: 2x 24" Dell U2401 (1900x1200) Sound: Sound Blaster X-Fi ExtremeGamer / Sennheiser HD595 Headphones Power: Corsair HX620W OS: Windows 7 Ultimate 64-bit
	QUOTE Thanks

How unsafe is it to mod a PSU?

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08-07-02, 01:09 PM	#7
garwain Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Quebec, Canada	Power supplies are one of the things that I'm a bit nervous with, and I had an electrician work with me yesterday to check out a dead one that I had. After seeing the inside of a PSU, I'm confident enough to work with them in the futur, but just be careful not to touch the capacitors, even if you think they've been discharged. I've set off a few smaller ones in a few of my "toys" when I thought I had discharged everything, and there was still enough of a shock to feel it. As I read elsewhere, if you don't know what a capacitor is, you are probably best off leaving the power supply sealed, otherwise just be careful and you should be fine. If you insist on trying to set off the capacitors with your hand, I would suggest having paramedics on hand first
	QUOTE Thanks

08-07-02, 01:48 PM	#8
SiGmA_X Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Portland, Or, USA	I re-wired the fans in my PSU, and didn't have a problem. I don't know too much about electronics and didn't know if there was a large charge left in it, so I just didn't touch anything that I didn't need to. Can some one explain how to discharge the charge from the capacitors so that it is safe to work in the PSU?
	QUOTE Thanks

08-07-02, 01:50 PM	#9
roYal Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Chicago, IL	sigma, who's that in your avatar? Is that carmen electra? __________________ Cpu: Intel Core i7 920 @ 3.5ghz Motherboard: Gigabyte EX58-UD3R Memory: 6GB (3x2GB) OCZ Gold DDR3 1600 @ 533 mhz (8-8-8-24) Hard Drives: 1 x 120gb Intel 320 ssd (System) / 1TB WD (Storage) Cooling: TRUE w/Nexus 120mm Video: EVGA GTX 580 SC Monitor: 2x 24" Dell U2401 (1900x1200) Sound: Sound Blaster X-Fi ExtremeGamer / Sennheiser HD595 Headphones Power: Corsair HX620W OS: Windows 7 Ultimate 64-bit
	QUOTE Thanks

08-07-02, 02:05 PM	#11
SiGmA_X Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Portland, Or, USA	Thx
	QUOTE Thanks

08-07-02, 02:25 PM	#12
roYal Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Chicago, IL	sigma? IS that carmen electra in your avatar? __________________ Cpu: Intel Core i7 920 @ 3.5ghz Motherboard: Gigabyte EX58-UD3R Memory: 6GB (3x2GB) OCZ Gold DDR3 1600 @ 533 mhz (8-8-8-24) Hard Drives: 1 x 120gb Intel 320 ssd (System) / 1TB WD (Storage) Cooling: TRUE w/Nexus 120mm Video: EVGA GTX 580 SC Monitor: 2x 24" Dell U2401 (1900x1200) Sound: Sound Blaster X-Fi ExtremeGamer / Sennheiser HD595 Headphones Power: Corsair HX620W OS: Windows 7 Ultimate 64-bit
	QUOTE Thanks

08-07-02, 02:36 PM	#13
Penguin4x4 Are you my Daddy? ♫ ♪ ♫ ♪ Senior Member ♫ ♪ ♫ ♪ Join Date: May 2002 Location: Sector 7G	yup. __________________ ~Yasashiku Onegaishimasu~ OCForums Metal Club member #39 Need To Contact Me? Use E-Mail or Instant Messenger
	QUOTE Thanks

08-07-02, 03:32 PM	Thread Starter #14
jadams Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Burnaby, BC, Canada	So when I put the screwdriver across the contacts where the cord plugs into the wall, do I touch it to all three prongs? Also, do I leave the screwdriver on them while I work, or is just touching them enough? I suppose anything that is metal would work to discharge them? Will it spark or anything when I do this? Thanks for all the info everyone! So if I discharge the capasitors, it should be safe to remove the insides so that I can cut a hole in the side of the psu casing? __________________ Main System: AthlonXP 2500+ Abit AN7 3x Crucial 256MB DDR PC2100 24xLiteOn Burner, 16xPioneerDVD, 5caseFans, home made 2-40mmFan HD cooler 128mbDDR Radeon 9700Pro Tiny Wood System VIA EPIA-800 (800MHz,Vid,Lan,Snd) 256MB PC133 RAM, 16x DVD My Heatware
	QUOTE Thanks

08-07-02, 03:46 PM	#15
Penguin4x4 Are you my Daddy? ♫ ♪ ♫ ♪ Senior Member ♫ ♪ ♫ ♪ Join Date: May 2002 Location: Sector 7G	Touch all three of them at once. Doing this will ground the capacitors and in effect discharging them. There will STILL be charge in them, though. __________________ ~Yasashiku Onegaishimasu~ OCForums Metal Club member #39 Need To Contact Me? Use E-Mail or Instant Messenger
	QUOTE Thanks

08-08-02, 01:44 AM	#17
the_poche Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Canada	Well I guess I can consider myself lucky! I thought that leaving a PSU unplugged overnight was enuff then I would just handle them like any other piece of hardware. I'll be more cautious from now on , and put those old PSU parts in safer place then on my desk
	QUOTE Thanks

08-08-02, 02:47 AM	#18
LiGhTBoY Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Lost in time	The safest way to discharge the caps, is to connect a light bulb to the PSU "pins" (the three at the back, actually 2 ;-) ) and wait to discharge them. If you connect all three of them , you run the risk of zapping yourself rather than emptying them. The charge will NOT be grounded since there is no Earth wire connected ;-). Hint to keep you safe : Keep one of your hands in your pocket. trust me , I know about getting ZAPPED by AC %-). __________________ "The most difficult thing in the world is to know how to do a thing and to watch someone else do it wrong without comment." - Theodore H. White
	QUOTE Thanks

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