PSU Question

DarkFoss · Jan 18, 2003, 08:25 PM

Ok I've posted before about my Antec problems. My current 350 smartpowers running way too hot according to Sandra 82c as I type. I bought a 550 for the new rig I'm building so I took a look at it and compared it to my 350 ..The problem is the morons at the factory put the fan on the bottom in BACKWARDS.. I can see the Antec lable instead of the copper coiling. So the thing has both fans trying to pull the air out instead of through. Here's my question is it safe to pull the casing off and switch the bottom fan or am I most likely to fry myself? I've read that they stay charged even when unplugged.

Chaos · Jan 18, 2003, 08:36 PM

switching the fan should be just a matter of removing the cover and un-mounting the fan ans turning it over

DarkFoss · Jan 18, 2003, 08:44 PM

Thanks that's what I thought ..I've never opened one up and was a bit apprehensive about getting zapped. I wanted to make sure that just removing the cover was safe.

ToshiroOC · Jan 18, 2003, 09:05 PM

Er, its pretty dangerous man if you aren't careful - do NOT touch any of the capacitors inside the PSU, do NOT touch any of the coils inside the PSU, UNPLUG the PSU beforehand, and GROUND the PSU by shorting all of it's leads together with a piece of metal (in the back where the plug goes)... if you follow all of this, it should be somewhat safe, but you will get zapped if you touch the coil-thingies in there (transformers) or the capacitors (power-storing thingies that are big cylinders... but only on the metal leads coming out of the bottom for these), mainly because caps store power for AC->DC conversion and might have some residual power, and the caps might be connected electically to the transformers (the coil-thingies), in which case you still might get shocked... though you would probably be safest if you simply used insulating gloves...

DarkFoss · Jan 18, 2003, 09:21 PM

Hmm Thanks Toshiro, you make alot of sense!
I'm thinkin now since I kinda value my life that I'm just going to wait unit my new rigs finished and reinstall the 303 into this one and fire a nice letter off to antec since it's past Best Buys return policy and see if they will honor their warrenty and fix it.

ToshiroOC · Jan 18, 2003, 09:34 PM

probably a good idea - PSU's are dangerous in general, though taking off the cover to look probably wouldn't do anything

~~DriveEuro~~ · Jan 19, 2003, 03:20 AM

Um, this will most likely void your warranty too. Most PSUs have a sticker on the side that has to be cut or ripped in order to open the PSU. Maybe you don't care. But I thought that it was good to mention it *MIGHT* void your warranty.

krang · Jan 19, 2003, 01:46 PM

Return it to BB. They won't give you any problem. Explain what's wrong.

~~DriveEuro~~ · Jan 19, 2003, 02:34 PM

What is BB? he never mentioned where he bought the PSU.

Vampyromaniac · Jan 19, 2003, 05:48 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by DarkFoss
. . . and fire a nice letter off to antec since it's past Best Buys return policy and see if they will honor their warrenty and fix it.

Quote:

Originally posted by DriveEuro
What is BB? he never mentioned where he bought the PSU

~~DriveEuro~~ · Jan 19, 2003, 06:25 PM

Right over my head.

iCe4LiFE · Apr 30, 2003, 06:51 PM

You should RMA it back to wherever you bought it from. I wouldn't risk opening it if I were you.

Hornizuka · May 1, 2003, 03:29 AM

I would just RMA it. It's just too risking to play around with PSU. If you open it, it's warranty will be void and....there might be a chance that you will get smoked. =)