Recap Epson SMD-400/SMD480L

[DoG]

Values and sizes:

C3 = THT 56uF, ⌀6,3mmx7mm, 2,54mm pitch 16V
C4 = THT 10uF, ⌀4mmx7mm, 1,5mm pitch, 16V
C05 = THT 10uF, ⌀4mmx7mm, 1,5mm pitch, 16V
C08 = SMD 10uF, 4,5x5mm, 16V
C09 = SMD 10uF, 4,5x5mm, 16V
C10 = SMD 10uF, 4,5x5mm, 16V
C11 = SMD 10uF, 4,5x5mm, 16V

You can use higher values on voltage if you want and physical sizes on the caps can differ a little. The pitch are the dimension between the legs on the cap. Capacitor C05 needs to have the legs bent a bit to get it in the correct location. I used a tweezer that clamp when you not holding it and placed that in a helping hand. You can also use blue tack. But you don't need to be that neat about it to get all working. It's just for your own satisfaction (and to get great picture for a tutorial). You can also use through hole for all the SMD capacitors if you lay them flat and bend the legs down on the SMD pads. Be careful to get the + on the capacitor on the correct pad.

Clean the contacts under the springy blue pins by spraying some contact cleaner. It's the write enable and disc detect unit. You can take the white bit off if you are having problems with this bit. I didn't bother since mine worked fine. Also clean top and bottom read/write header with a lent free swab while you have the case opened. It's under the copper plate in the middle. Gently lift up the plate and don't bend it to much.

EPSON SMD-400_cap_placement.jpg

EPSON SMD-400_cap_placement2.jpg

EPSON SMD-400_cap_close_up.jpg

Here is some reference pics:

old_C08_C09_C10.jpg

old_C4.jpg

old_C3.jpg

sled_and_springs.jpg

detect_write_and_disc .jpg

[exxos]

Very good article! :thumbup:

[JezC]

:coolpics: :goodpost: :thumbup:
Excellent info!

[lilwashu]

This is a great article (and would have been very useful when I recently did the same thing!), info on these drives was really hard to find and the recap fixed my issue with the motor sounding too fast and disks not reading.

When doing mine a very tiny spring fell out of the drive when turned upside down with the case off - about 3mm long, not either of the sled springs but similar style. I didn't put it back in as I don't know what it's for, but the drive seems to work fine.

Did you encounter anything like this on the drive when taking it apart - I can't see anything that looks similar on your photos?

[DoG]

...When doing mine a very tiny spring fell out of the drive when turned upside down with the case off - about 3mm long, not either of the sled springs but similar style. I didn't put it back in as I don't know what it's for, but the drive seems to work fine...

Yes, I lost mine during the reassembly so I had to make a new one. So mine is slightly larger then original spring. Picture below is the new spring I made. Spring hooks is on the left side, towards the back corner of the drive if you have the floppy input hole in front of you. It's attached to the top sled/carriage so the floppy pulls down to the bottom read head I guess. Maybe if you mount the drive in a vertical position the spring is more in use. Otherwise gravity will do the job for you. I'm just guessing here since I don't actually know.

Spring and sled.jpg

Small spring attached.jpg

[lilwashu]

Great, thanks for that - I have reattached it and finally have no spare bits left over from my ST!

[Methanoid]

Great guide.,.. would love similar for SMD-380 ;) ;)

[Konan1976]

I know this may be off topic, but I’ll take the risk. I am wondering what this metal element next to the heads is used for:

EPSON SMD-400_cap_close_up.jpg

[DoG]

I know this may be off topic, but I’ll take the risk. I am wondering what this metal element next to the heads is used for: EPSON SMD-

It's been a while, but if I remember correctly it looks like the guide fin to hold up the top read head. It lays on top of the big metal plate that you can see in this pic underneath the pcbs to the bottom left. That whole plate lifts up when you eject a floppy disk. It also sinks down on top of the floppy disk to hold it in place when it's inserted in the drive as well as open the metal shutter on the floppy disk to expose the magnetic-coated plastic platter inside for the read heads (with the help of the spring loaded metal bar at the bottom).

You can see the parts in this video, in this video and in this video. It's not the same drive but all works pretty much the same.

EDIT1: NOPE, THAT ALL SEEMS WRONG! I think it for grounding that bit with the top plate. The guide to lift is the small wings on the left and right of the read head assembly.

EDIT2: Hmm, I think that is wrong as well. It doesn't touch the top plate. I think it's to catch the read head when ejecting the disk.

[Konan1976]

"I am trying to align the upper head with the lower one. I thought that maybe this part could be helpful. But it's probably nonsense. Anyway, thank you for the response."