Quite normal - the capacitors dry out after about 30 or 40 years - there's lots of
info around on replacing them with a polymer capacitor. I have over 20 TRS-80's with a
large contingent of Model 3, 4, 4Ps, 12 and 16s - all had the same issue so if I acquire
one now I do a pre-emptive strike before powering up.
Kevin Parker
0418 815 527
-----Original Message-----
From: cctalk <cctalk-bounces at classiccmp.org> On Behalf Of Marvin Johnston via
cctalk
Sent: Wednesday, 28 August 2019 6:16 PM
To: ClassicCmp <cctalk at classiccmp.org>
Subject: TRS-80 Fireworks
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.