Can all registered uses please login, even just for a few minutes..
It helps build a picture where our "good traffic" is coming from..
Thanks :)

Issue with asp34-2 ATARI MEGA ST4

Repairs & upgrades.
sviru
Posts: 16
Joined: Tue Aug 16, 2022 10:59 pm

Issue with asp34-2 ATARI MEGA ST4

Post by sviru »

I have an issue where 12V is 10.5 with no load and about 6-7V when connected to PCB. Floppy is not working properly. I have replaced all caps and the issue is still there. Any ideas what can be wrong? Thanks for ideas.
psu.jpg
psu.jpg (199.23 KiB) Viewed 1777 times
User avatar
rubber_jonnie
Site Admin
Site Admin
Posts: 15200
Joined: Thu Aug 17, 2017 7:40 pm
Location: Essex
Contact:

Re: Issue with asp34-2 ATARI MEGA ST4

Post by rubber_jonnie »

I'd suggest possibly Q1 or Q2 is bad if you've recapped and it still has an issue. I'd probably go for Q2 first.

As with any PSU, they can bite you hard, so safety first is always my first piece of advice. Caps, especially the large ones on the input side, can hold a lot of charge and give you a bad or even fatal zap, plus in some cases the heatsinks are live and can do the same.

If you're not sure, just get somebody who is to work on it, and personally I'd just replace with a Meanwell RD50-A like this: Mega ST Meanwell replacement
Collector of many retro things!
800XL and 65XE both with Ultimate1MB,VBXL/XE & PokeyMax, SIDE3, SDrive Max, 2x 1010 cassette, 2x 1050 one with Happy mod, 3x 2600 Jr, 7800 and Lynx II
Approx 20 STs, including a 520 STM, 520 STFMs, 3x Mega ST, MSTE & 2x 32 Mhz boosted STEs
Plus the rest, totalling around 50 machines including a QL, 3x BBC Model B, Electron, Spectrums, ZX81 etc...
User avatar
DoG
Posts: 1303
Joined: Sat Apr 07, 2018 12:26 pm

Re: Issue with asp34-2 ATARI MEGA ST4

Post by DoG »

Are you sure you need 12V for the floppy drive? Only old drives and those with belt needs 12V. Most floppy drives only uses 5V.
User avatar
rubber_jonnie
Site Admin
Site Admin
Posts: 15200
Joined: Thu Aug 17, 2017 7:40 pm
Location: Essex
Contact:

Re: Issue with asp34-2 ATARI MEGA ST4

Post by rubber_jonnie »

DoG wrote: Sat Mar 08, 2025 8:49 am Are you sure you need 12V for the floppy drive? Only old drives and those with belt needs 12V. Most floppy drives only uses 5V.
Yep, agree with this 100%.
Collector of many retro things!
800XL and 65XE both with Ultimate1MB,VBXL/XE & PokeyMax, SIDE3, SDrive Max, 2x 1010 cassette, 2x 1050 one with Happy mod, 3x 2600 Jr, 7800 and Lynx II
Approx 20 STs, including a 520 STM, 520 STFMs, 3x Mega ST, MSTE & 2x 32 Mhz boosted STEs
Plus the rest, totalling around 50 machines including a QL, 3x BBC Model B, Electron, Spectrums, ZX81 etc...
User avatar
exxos
Site Admin
Site Admin
Posts: 28830
Joined: Wed Aug 16, 2017 11:19 pm
Location: UK
Contact:

Re: Issue with asp34-2 ATARI MEGA ST4

Post by exxos »

They are only regulated on the 5v. It would be unusual that only 12v would be low under load.
sviru
Posts: 16
Joined: Tue Aug 16, 2022 10:59 pm

Re: Issue with asp34-2 ATARI MEGA ST4

Post by sviru »

DoG wrote: Sat Mar 08, 2025 8:49 am Are you sure you need 12V for the floppy drive? Only old drives and those with belt needs 12V. Most floppy drives only uses 5V.
Unfortunately yes. It is an old one of the first MEGA ST with the "skew front drive facia".
sviru
Posts: 16
Joined: Tue Aug 16, 2022 10:59 pm

Re: Issue with asp34-2 ATARI MEGA ST4

Post by sviru »

exxos wrote: Sat Mar 08, 2025 9:47 am They are only regulated on the 5v. It would be unusual that only 12v would be low under load.
Well this is the case here. Have no idea what could be the possible cause of this. I was wondering if the original fan could be the issue but not very likely.
User avatar
rubber_jonnie
Site Admin
Site Admin
Posts: 15200
Joined: Thu Aug 17, 2017 7:40 pm
Location: Essex
Contact:

Re: Issue with asp34-2 ATARI MEGA ST4

Post by rubber_jonnie »

sviru wrote: Sat Mar 08, 2025 11:37 am
exxos wrote: Sat Mar 08, 2025 9:47 am They are only regulated on the 5v. It would be unusual that only 12v would be low under load.
Well this is the case here. Have no idea what could be the possible cause of this. I was wondering if the original fan could be the issue but not very likely.
Have you tried disconnecting the fan or FDD? The fan isn't needed for short periods, and I even have some Megas where there is no fan at all.
Collector of many retro things!
800XL and 65XE both with Ultimate1MB,VBXL/XE & PokeyMax, SIDE3, SDrive Max, 2x 1010 cassette, 2x 1050 one with Happy mod, 3x 2600 Jr, 7800 and Lynx II
Approx 20 STs, including a 520 STM, 520 STFMs, 3x Mega ST, MSTE & 2x 32 Mhz boosted STEs
Plus the rest, totalling around 50 machines including a QL, 3x BBC Model B, Electron, Spectrums, ZX81 etc...
Dead_Cat
Posts: 19
Joined: Sat Jun 08, 2024 6:43 pm
Location: Cincinnati

Re: Issue with asp34-2 ATARI MEGA ST4

Post by Dead_Cat »

Yes, I had the same issue, my mega fan was basically a dead short, replaced it with a noktua 40mm fan (it fit perfectly) system up and running
.

I got a meanwell 65 as it also has -12 for the STGA.

Oh I have 2 et4000 1 meg VGA isa cards and just got a mach 32 so if anyone needs one just ask.
sviru
Posts: 16
Joined: Tue Aug 16, 2022 10:59 pm

Re: Issue with asp34-2 ATARI MEGA ST4

Post by sviru »

Dead_Cat wrote: Sat Mar 08, 2025 2:35 pm Yes, I had the same issue, my mega fan was basically a dead short, replaced it with a noktua 40mm fan (it fit perfectly) system up and running
.

I got a meanwell 65 as it also has -12 for the STGA.

Oh I have 2 et4000 1 meg VGA isa cards and just got a mach 32 so if anyone needs one just ask.
I will try this! The fan works fine but indeed maybe this is the issue here since 5v is rock stable.
Post Reply

Return to “PSU (power supplies)”