28 Aug
2019
28 Aug
'19
1:34 a.m.
On 28/08/2019 09:15, Marvin Johnston via cctalk wrote:
I'm just curious how many people have powered up
their TRS-80
computers, and ended up with a bang and a room filled with smoke?
So far, I've gotten the fireworks in two out of two TRS-80s (model 3
and 4) when they were powered up. In both cases, the problem was with
the main line filter capacitor mounted on one of the power supplies.
The computers continued to work which was my first clue the problem
was not serious :).
Is this a normal problem with these older computers? I'm used to
seeing the electrolytics give problems, but this is the first time
I've seen one of the X type line filter caps blow.
This is very common for these paper line filters. I've had the same
failure with an Osborne 1, DECserver 200, DELNI and PDP-11/73. There are
many more devices that have them; generally anything with an Astec brand
power supply. I replace them before even powering up these days.
Matt