28 Aug
2019
28 Aug
'19
4:35 a.m.
On Aug 28, 2019, at 4:15 AM, Marvin Johnston via
cctalk <cctalk at classiccmp.org> 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 well known issue on all Models of TRS-80, except the Model I. In fact, it is
almost guaranteed that your power supply main Rifa filter capacitor will blow within a few
minutes of when you first power up one of these TRS-80s after sitting for years if you
have the original caps. So much so that I was able to record one fail in spectacular
fashion.
https://youtu.be/njbwdbcfXjc <https://youtu.be/njbwdbcfXjc>