SE/30 Power Supply: Recap or ATX?

Just a quick note that using the kit I had already purchased from Console5.com for the Sony recap, I got 10 of the 17 caps I needed for this job (Same capacitance, same/higher voltage). I found the other 7 I needed (primarily 10uF/25V in my spares drawer. So I will take a go at this as time allows and report back. Thanks!

@iamroot

Outstanding job!  I will edit the text description under my SONY PSU Recapping video to include a link to your previous post in this thread since the information you just posted will be of great help to anyone considering a recap of that version power supply.  Thank you for sharing!

JDW said:

@iamroot

Outstanding job!  I will edit the text description under my SONY PSU Recapping video to include a link to your previous post in this thread since the information you just posted will be of great help to anyone considering a recap of that version power supply.  Thank you for sharing!

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Thank you for your service to the community! 

Nice work, iamroot!

I have the same PSU as iamroot.  I ordered my cap kit from console5 as well (sony) and I am weighing my option on wether or not to recap it or install a modern psu.  The seasonic ive seen posted in here is really expensive... I have the desire to put in an ethernet card and grayscale card at some point also, so the modern psu might be a better choice.  Question is, I have some really nice ATX power supplies laying about, it would be nice to be able to use one of them, but I am nervous about frying this machine as I have wanted an SE/30 for a long time and finally was able to pick one up for a good price.   I just recapped the logic board and analog board, but I wasn't expecting the PSU to be different.    I am new to the community thanks for having me!

thxkbye said:

I have some really nice ATX power supplies laying about, it would be nice to be able to use one of them, but I am nervous about frying this machine as I have wanted an SE/30 for a long time and finally was able to pick one up for a good price. 

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The problem I see in a potential recap of your board is that a fair amount of the bottom copper is rusted/rotted underneath the green solder mask.  A recap alone without addressing that problem would not be advisable. The condition would grow worse over time and it also could prevent even a recapped board from working properly.  You would need to try to carefully scrape off the blackened solder mask to examine the copper underneath to determine how much of it is left.

As to use of your existing ATX power supplies, assuming they would physically fit, you will need to tell us the electrical specifications so we can tell you if it would be safe to use.  Also keep in mind that many ATX PSU's have a fan, and whether that noice would be a bother to you is something you would need to decide.

I now see that the only SEASONIC available on Amazon is the SSP-300SUG, selling for a rather high $109. I used the SSP-250SUB which cost about $49+shipping.  The manufacturer's web page doesn't say anything about the product being End of Life, so I sent them an email just now to inquire further.  I told them that their response to me would be presented to the vintage Mac community, and that a price of about $49 is what we are looking for. Let's see what they have to say.

JDW, Thank you so much for your help here.  I really appreciate it.  I watched your Analog board recap video and it was awesome, helped me out a ton and I learned a lot!

@thxkbye

Thank you for your kind words.  I am actually putting the finishing touches on a new Analog Board recapping video right now, which focuses on the Mac 128k~Plus.  It has an interesting section that shows what a bad Flyback transformer looks like in the dark, so stay tuned for that!

Would this work?  https://www.ebay.com/itm/SeaSonic-SS-350M1U-80-PLUS-GOLD-Certified-Active-PFC-Power-Supply-W-FACE-PLATE/283642615690?hash=item420a6ad78a:g:TLEAAOSwy~Jdo6wx

Nevermind, i think it looks too long...

I was able to buy a SSP-250SUB, it ran me $78 with shipping.  Hope to use your video to get it up and running JDW once it arrives!

thxkbye said:

I was able to buy a SSP-250SUB, it ran me $78 with shipping.

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Higher than $49, but much cheaper than $109.  Do you have a link to the seller?  It might prove useful for some people, since I've not yet heard back from Seasonic.  Thanks.

JDW said:

Higher than $49, but much cheaper than $109.  Do you have a link to the seller?  It might prove useful for some people, since I've not yet heard back from Seasonic.  Thanks.

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https://ithardwarehub.com/seasonic-ssp-250sub-250w-80-plus-bronze-flex-atx-power-supply-w-active-pfc-f0-fully-modular/

thxkbye said:

https://ithardwarehub.com/seasonic-ssp-250sub-250w-80-plus-bronze-flex-atx-power-supply-w-active-pfc-f0-fully-modular/

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Thanks.  I see they accept lower price offers too.  Interesting.

This is also available.  https://ithardwarehub.com/seasonic-ssp-300sub-300w-80-plus-bronze-flex-atx-power-supply-w-active-pfc-f0-fully-modular/

Either will work as an SE/30 PSU.  I must say though that is the first vendor I've seen who is selling the 300W at the same price as the 250!  Wow.

Back to square one looking for a PSU.  That ithardwarehub cancled my order, said the PSU was broken then raised the prices to $250.  Avoid!

I am considering my options now and just getting one off ebay...

If it is indeed “broken,“ how then can they write raise the price to $250?

Still no reply yet from Seasonic Taiwan. :-(

I think im going to try to get an SE with a Sony PSU since I already have the cap kit and back burner the ATX until a source becomes available.   I have a feeling ordering a PSU from china right now is going to take a long time.

Would these work? Ship from the USA

https://www.ebay.com/itm/AcBel-FSB009-250W-80-BRONZE-FlexATX-SWITCHING-POWER-SUPPLY-MINI-ATX-DESKTOP-PSU/173436986691?hash=item2861a66543:g:w7UAAOSwkeBbXL1Y

https://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-Flex-ATX-1U-320w-power-supply-PSU-Mini-ITX-SFF-and-rackmount-servers-CN32/400561438327?hash=item5d43527e77:g~QAAOSw-3FZNyvw

Also these pico PSUs are interesting as well.   But they would have to use an external power brick.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/ATX-200W-Pico-ITX-HTPC-Computer-Mainframe-MINI-ATX-Power-Supply-24PIN-GPU-DC-12V/252504381069?hash=item3aca6f168d:g:0rMAAOSwU-pXtV7r

Sorry for all of the posts, but I have been thinking about this issue with sourcing a PSU for the SE line, and thought of something.  I was thinking about other devices that I have used that would likely have a small form factor PSU inside in the range we need.   I thought the original xbox might be worth looking at, they made ALOT of them and that machine likely uses an ATX PSU but it is only a 98w psu.   Working with that idea in mind I was looking at the Playstation 3 PSU fat and slim models, as well as the Playstation 4 and Xbox One console PSUs  These parts are very cheap and readily available. 

Here is the wiki which shows all Playstation 3 PSU specs.   https://www.psdevwiki.com/ps3/Power_Supply#Power_Supply_Unit_.28PSU.29

Also there are a number of mini-itx power supplies out there as well.  What should I be looking for besides at least 250w with a 12v and 5v rail?