ATX PSU capacitors

[DIYspanner]

My PC kept crashing and I eventually tracked the fault down to a leaking capacitor or two in the PSU - hard to tell if its one or two as they've next to each other but I can see dried brown paste at the base which I assume is leaked electrolyte.


Is it practical to replace the capacitors without damage to the rest of the PCB due to soldering heat?

 

[Monkeh]

Are you sure it's the caps? They're often glued down, which may be what you're seeing.

It's certainly possible to replace them if you know how to solder. The pads on single-sided boards are extremely delicate, so it's not for a first timer.

 

[DIYspanner]

It may well be glue I can see but it easily scraped of the board?

With the suspect PSU in -
the IDE HDD was clicking with PC crashing/rebooting on initial boot
and the PC was suddenly crashing/rebooting when running.

Have presently got a spare 250W PSU plugged in and the problem has disappeared.

I'm experienced hand with solder, just concerned about heat damage and having looked on ebay, capacitors are 33% the price on new 500W PSUs so I think a new PSU is the wise path.

Many thanks

 

[Monkeh]

I'm experienced hand with solder, just concerned about heat damage and having looked on ebay, capacitors are 33% the price on new 500W PSUs so I think a new PSU is the wise path.

Many thanks

If heat damage concerns you, you are not experienced enough

And if you mean caps are £3.30 vs the £10 wonder-PSUs, yeah..

Don't buy a PSU unless you buy a decent one.

 

[DIYspanner]

If I soldered, I'd be using a needle nose soldering iron with a pair of pliers to heat sink - any suggestions to improve on this?

 

[Monkeh]

If I soldered, I'd be using a needle nose soldering iron with a pair of pliers to heat sink - any suggestions to improve on this?

Yes, dump the pliers (you don't need a heat sink) and get a 50W+ iron with a chisel tip. Preferably temperature controlled.

 

[DIYspanner]

I'm going to scrap the PSU and get a new one.

£7 + P&P for two capacitors of ebay - PSU is £12

 

[Monkeh]

I'm going to scrap the PSU and get a new one.

£7 + P&P for two capacitors of ebay - PSU is £12

And you really think that PSU is worth buying?

This is crap, and is why you're in this situation. This however, is not crap.

And which caps are gone that they cost £7, the main filter caps?

 

[DIYspanner]

I accept your valid point on

you get what you pay for.

Having said that the PSU I've condemned was £20 from a local PC shop and has lasted 6 years.

Presently running my 2500+ Barton PC with a 235W mesh PSU until I can get a new 400W unit sorted out.

 

[Monkeh]

And if you'd spent £40 to begin with..

Some people never learn.

 

[mattylad]

And if you'd spent £40 to begin with..

A £40 psu is equally likely to fail after 6 years as a £10 one.

£30 does not make a lot of difference.

Replacing the caps should only cost a couple of quid at most.

 

[Monkeh]

And if you'd spent £40 to begin with..

A £40 psu is equally likely to fail after 6 years as a £10 one.

£30 does not make a lot of difference.

Replacing the caps should only cost a couple of quid at most.

Yes, £30 does make a lot of difference. An awful lot of difference.

 

[freddiemercurystwin]

How much?

 

[DIYspanner]

I bought a £20 ACE brand 550W PSU, which looks to be a quality unit, at a local PC shop so even if I haven't learnt, if I get same length of service as my last PSU, I'll be content.




I assume with a Corsair PSU, the capacitors are a better quality.


Thanks for the discussion folks.

 

[Monkeh]

I bought a £20 ACE brand 550W PSU, which looks to be a quality unit, at a local PC shop so even if I haven't learnt, if I get same length of service as my last PSU, I'll be content.

Open it up, take some decent photos.

I assume with a Corsair PSU, the capacitors are a better quality.

The capacitors, the fan, the soldering, the components are branded, not no-name clones, the entire design is better, too.