[torin3]

Well, I've been having some good luck repairing LCD monitors and PSUs, so I've asked around for some more to repair. I was able to get one from g0dM@n, so I figured I'd post the pictures.

Originally Posted by g0dM@n

Here's the PSU I have:
Thermaltake W0093RU 500W

It may be still under warranty but I don't have the original receipt so I never tried to RMA. Anyway, it turns on and voltages seem fine, but it won't POST a system. I've tried it on 2 different boards... everything powers up, but no POST with it.

It looks in great condition. I didn't throw it out b/c I wanted to see if I can fix it myself, but if you want to give it a try for your stated offering, I'm willing to accept.

It didn't catch fire... I know you asked for 600W, so no big deal if you're not interested... just figured you might want it since it does actually turn on.

Well, it arrived yesterday. I opened it up and blew it out. It looks like a decent PSU at first glance.



However, on closer inspection, I did see two capacitors that had slightly domed tops to them. So I went ahead a desoldered them. I also had to desolder some other components jut to get to them too. I know the picture doesn't show it that well, but here it is:



They were both 1000μF 10V capacitors. The cans were 8mm x 15mm. Which is pretty small. I can get Panasonics in 8mm x 20mm, but that is the smallest size can from Digi-key. I was going to wait until I realized I had a motherboard that I'd just put in 5 capacitors that size. So I pulled 2 off of the board and put them in.



They are at locations 1 and 2 in the picture. I was able to fit them in, even though they are taller than the ones they replaced.

Also, the filter coil shown at A looked like one of the leads coming off of it was just about touching the exposed copper of another component, so I bent the lead to be further away.

It turned back on when I put it all back together. Voltages are:
12V = 12.18V
5V = 5.04V
3.3V = 3.33V

I know g0dM@n said that the voltages seemed fine before (and I admit I forgot to check them before taking it apart), and I've got a board I'm going to try it with...but it was the one that I just pulled the 2 capacitors from. So I'll have to wait until Wednesday or Thursday when the replacment capacitors come in to test it.

[Adragontattoo]

I need to get a huge box together of stuff for you to test with.

PC&C 510 that let the magic smoke out but somehow still powers on (its apart right now), another Antec that had a nice fire yesterday (didnt like the pump that was on it I guess), etc.

[madhatter256]

You should build yourself a PSU loading device. Instead of taking a chance of a possibly bad PSU with a working motherboard, just hook it up to this device..

[torin3]

Originally Posted by Adragontattoo

I need to get a huge box together of stuff for you to test with.

PC&C 510 that let the magic smoke out but somehow still powers on (its apart right now), another Antec that had a nice fire yesterday (didnt like the pump that was on it I guess), etc.

I'm not sure I'm up to repairing something that caught fire, but I'll give it a try.

I'm really having a lot of fun figuring out what is wrong and how to fix it.

[torin3]

Originally Posted by madhatter256

You should build yourself a PSU loading device. Instead of taking a chance of a possibly bad PSU with a working motherboard, just hook it up to this device..

Definately, from what I've seen, they are kind of spendy, even to build.

But if you know where I could find plans, I'd appreciate it.

[g0dM@n]

You could always just keep a old parts around... I often could have my hands on a pII or pIII for free... if I was you, torin3, I'd just rack up some old barebones and keep them just to test PSUs.

But personally... I would JUMP the PSU (green and ground wire shorted) and use a DMM to test the voltage on each rail. If they're all within spec, I wouldn't be afraid to hook it up to any machine... but hey that's me!!

[g0dM@n]

You could always just keep a old parts around... I often could have my hands on a pII or pIII for free... if I was you, torin3, I'd just rack up some old barebones and keep them just to test PSUs.

But personally... I would JUMP the PSU (green and ground wire shorted) and use a DMM to test the voltage on each rail. If they're all within spec, I wouldn't be afraid to hook it up to any machine... but hey that's me!!

[torin3]

Originally Posted by g0dM@n

You could always just keep a old parts around... I often could have my hands on a pII or pIII for free... if I was you, torin3, I'd just rack up some old barebones and keep them just to test PSUs.

Yeah, I'm planning on that, just haven't gotten there yet.

But personally... I would JUMP the PSU (green and ground wire shorted) and use a DMM to test the voltage on each rail. If they're all within spec, I wouldn't be afraid to hook it up to any machine... but hey that's me!!

Well, I did do that:

Originally Posted by torin3

It turned back on when I put it all back together. Voltages are:
12V = 12.18V
5V = 5.04V
3.3V = 3.33V

I just need to wait for the capacitors to come in to replace the ones I took out of the motherboard.

I have plenty at work I can use, but they pulled me off of IT work and put me on the shop floor a couple of weeks ago. The sales are picking up and they need every hand they have to get stuff out the door, but they aren't quite ready to pull people back from layoffs.

[torin3]

Btw, it has booted up 2 computers now. And has been powering my primary folding rig for the last 12 hours. Admittedly it has another PSU powering the 2 GTX 295 cards, but it seems to be running fine now.

[g0dM@n]

So you fixed my PSU?

Did you test the PSU before trying to repair it? I'm guessing not...

[torin3]

Originally Posted by g0dM@n

So you fixed my PSU?

Apparently

Did you test the PSU before trying to repair it? I'm guessing not...

Nope. I realized I should have, at least to check the voltages, if nothing else. But there were at least 2 bad capacitors in it.

Do you want it back?

[torin3]

Correction, I went to take it out of my computer and after I turned it off, I realized the CPU fan was still running! I went to turn it off, and got a slight shock from the back of the case. I unplugged it and and could still feel some voltage for a bit.

More troubleshooting!

When I put the original PSU back in, it didn't run the fan when the computer was off, and didn't give me a shock, so it isn't something in the case.

[g0dM@n]

Originally Posted by torin3

Correction, I went to take it out of my computer and after I turned it off, I realized the CPU fan was still running! I went to turn it off, and got a slight shock from the back of the case. I unplugged it and and could still feel some voltage for a bit.

More troubleshooting!

When I put the original PSU back in, it didn't run the fan when the computer was off, and didn't give me a shock, so it isn't something in the case.

Ouch!!

And no I don't want the PSU back. I sold it dead and you did your work reviving it. I have enough PSUs anyway.