exxos's Atari, Amiga & retro forum

Hello all,

I'm pretty new to the Falcon. I was in the middle of installing a CF card reader when I noticed the following. I seem to have a leaking 'elco/cap'. The people on the Falcon group at facebook directed me here.
I'm wondering, do I need to completely replace the PSU with an Exxos build? Or is it possible to just change the yellow leaky thingie? What do you recommend? I really don't want any harm to come to the precious Falcon. It seems to be working perfectly as far as I can tell though...
I have added some picture of the problem.

All help is very much appreciated. Thank you.

Maarten

Do you mean the yellow leaking thing aka transformer ? They mostly look like that..

Recapping is however a must as bad PSUs are killing falcons.. I can't keep up with all the repairs.. Which tends to be expensive fixes.

Looking at the type of caps on that PSU - are you certain that this PSU hasn't been recapped already by a previous owner?

Be a good recap if someone went to the trouble of a QC sticker :)

It's the brown 400V I'm thinking about ... I usually see those on recaps ;) But yeah, the Q.C-sticker does look like something from Atari.

Well, there was a label somewhere inside the Falcon that it has been serviced. I will recheck. The caps look ok to me. No bulging at all...
So the yellow transformer seems ok to you?
Should I buy one of your Falcon psu kits Chris? Are these things bold on? Do you need solder experience for them?

The transformers are built cheap, so the varnish splashes and dries how you see it.

Bulging caps mostly happen when they overheat and internal pressure causes them to leak. I've hardly seen that happen.. Mostly they dry up and give poor regulation and let 10/v+ spikes onto the 5/v rail. Aka dead silicon. I've documented it on my site..

Bad caps are the "silent killer" and with the high price of falcons and spares right now, I would strongly suggest safeguarding against PSU issues..

You do need some soldering experience to fit.. Or find someone local to help, or send it to me if needs be.

Chris,

Is there a guide somewhere on your site on what needs to be done to have the new psu's installed? So i have an idea if I can manage it...

Thanks,
Maarten

I only have this page...

http://www.exxosforum.co.uk/atari/last/psu/index.htm

scroll down to falcon psu..

I don't think anyone has done a actual guide on recapping the PSU yet.

Yes but i don't mean the caps, I mean the completr psu you sell for 75pounds. I wonder what needs to be soldered...