Dead Power Bricks

[sloan]

Any useful tips for repairing these? I know that replacements can be had, but sure would like to keep from throwing anything branded "Nintendo", "Sega", or "Atari" in the garbage.

Over the years, I have amassed a nice collection of inoperative power adapters. Can they be revived, and how?

[bust3dstr8]

I would check things in this order.

1) Continuity between all components - bad joints, broken leads/wires, fuses
2) Main smoother cap - very likely to be dead
3) rectifying diodes- can often fail
4) additional components - resistors, smaller caps
5) AC transformer - unless this is corroded by caps or damaged it will almost never fail

[APE992]

I've been tempted to take these old power supplies and put in modern circuitry. Would reduce power consumption during standby, be more efficient and generate less heat.

[bust3dstr8]

Nice idea Ape. Can you even buy small 9V switching pcbs....or would you need to cannibalize another PSU?

[APE992]

No idea, I'd probably build them myself or cannibalize a few.

[CRTGAMER]

Any useful tips for repairing these? I know that replacements can be had, but sure would like to keep from throwing anything branded "Nintendo", "Sega", or "Atari" in the garbage.

Over the years, I have amassed a nice collection of inoperative power adapters. Can they be revived, and how?

I would check things in this order.

1) Continuity between all components - bad joints, broken leads/wires, fuses
2) Main smoother cap - very likely to be dead
3) rectifying diodes- can often fail
4) additional components - resistors, smaller caps
5) AC transformer - unless this is corroded by caps or damaged it will almost never fail

Agree, the cord from the brick to the console is likely the problem. Either end might have one of the wires separated under the insulation. Check the end with a volt meter, if no volts then you might have to solder in a new plug. Since you end up destroying a brick when trying to take apart, maybe take a chance first at the small plug that goes into the console. Try lopping off a couple inches and solder in a replacement plug.