If I was this customer, this is a video that would please me. I wouldn't be happy with what was found wrong with the replacement power supply, however I would be very pleased to see this video documenting the quality of the repair service finally being performed by a competent engineer.
I agree. This should be the new standard for customer service. Although not an electronics theme, I have had my roof leaks repaired about 3 times. Never did any of those companies show the before and after BEFORE covering everything up. On the 4th leak repair I used a different company. This company took everything apart, took pictures of all the damage. Then sent them to me. They explained what they believe happened in the previous repairs (poor repair work and concealment of work performed). They then provided the estimate to replace all damaged roofing components. After replacing all the components they took pictures again to show what was replaced and repaired. After this they covered everything up and completed the job. Excellent quality work from beginning to end. That's how Mr. Carlson does his work! The best to his ability and leaving no stone unturned. I once worked with an industrial repair man 20 years my senior when I was about 23. He taught me to work like this! Be thorough in everything you do! Great video as always Mr. Carlson!
You're like Bob Ross of Electronics. I'm just a hobby guy that fixes anything that I own that malfunctions. This was beauty. I've watched some of your other videos as well. I have nothing to do with any professional electronic repairs but just enjoy watching your videos. Thanks dude.
As a recently retired electronics technician and licensed Ham can i say that your videos are really excellent and i wish i could have access to them many years ago,they bring back so many great and challenging memories ,unfortunately a numbers of my troubleshooting had to be carried out in the field and did not have the luxury of the wonderful array of test equipment you have at your disposal! These videos however are are great learning tool and a credit to your professionalism and dedication.
Pete Shulver exactly how I feel. If I was my 8 year old self , these tutorials would have answered so many prayers and questions. Oh well. In the 40s now. Never too late I hope.
Hello Mr. Carlson my name is Don and I have had an active interest in electricity since the age of 4 and at the age of about 10 I started actively studding first vacutube electronics then at about 13 solid state electronics and I am trying to put together a lab on a shoestring budget so most of what I have is used and non working and I have a really good time repairing these items , and yes I like to watch your videos , I've been watching your videos for about 5 months now and I can see you know what you are doing , I am now 54. OH and your lab is most impressive .
as someone who spent many years in electronic/electrical repair it is very refreshing to look at someone with the skillset you have , both theoretical a/academic and practical . A credit to you . I think that in a lot of cases like this the cost of the repair would be a considerable portion of the cost of a new board .albeit that they are still avaliable . 1st class work and logical approach .
Hey Paul, Thank you for all of your switched-mode power supply troubleshooting and repair videos. It helped me a lot to get into repairing SMPS and other circuit boards myself. Sadly, my shack is not as well equipped like yours, but it works for me just fine. A big downside on my end is the required time to test, find, and fix damaged components on complex circuit boards, so kudos for your time and dedication! Please keep it up and post more videos of that subject. Cheers and vy 73!!
Usually when I watch this channel I despair a little because I'll never reach the level of skill usually on display. But this episode is heartening because when I repair things for myself, family or friends, even though I'm just a hobbyist I work to a far higher standard than whoever hacked at that poor power supply in the past. And they charged for it too!
Mr. Carlson, while I have near zero knowledge of electronics, what draws me to your videos is the methodical method and logic you exhibit during your troubleshooting and repair. I believe what you demonstrate here transfers to other fields as well. Thank you for contributing the multitude of extra hours required to document these projects and repairs...it does not go unnoticed by me. Looking forward to your next build, repair, or restoration :)
The owner of these power supplies is now very productive and sleeps well. No mucking around when it comes to being reliable. Love that TDS350, such a solid unit.
I love the collection of equipment that you use for testing and repair. A mixture of new and classic. It's really fun and interesting to learn how how you think through and perform a repair. Great video!
ever heard of single electron theory? There is indeed an object that could interact with all points in space and time from a single point in it's own space and time but struggle to exist in the same point in space and time. And it would be a single electron in a higher order space then our own. A higher dimensional plane. Viewing an object of such dimensionality would also likely create the weird observations we constantly note around freestanding electrons. The way they tunnel quantumly and can become entangled across space and time. The way they seem to blink in and out of physical/waveform existence through mathematical principles of uncertainty. Theres a legitimate possibility there is only ONE electron, and we are simply viewing the results of a SINGLE higher dimensional object intersecting/interacting with our own space time. There is an equal possibility there is only one photon as well. considering the geometry of propagation of photons in relation to phsyical matter in our space time. and time itself being a by product of the propagation of light through the vacuum of space. From the perspective of the photon itslf, existence is timeless, and it left source the same instance it's journey concluded and the process was instantaneous. Instantaneous is a concept a human mind cant even fully comprehend on the same order of the concepts nothingness, or infinity. We still don't even know what electricity even is at a fundamental level. Just how to manipulate it. Most electronics engineers dont even full grasp that the electrons are actually moving negative to positive at like 1 inch per second as an external magnetic field this produces around the insulator transfers energy at nearly the speed of light from [positive to negative polarities. You just have to contact this slow moving electron flow while grounded, or putting load on the circuit of electrons to access the energy in this field and this has a big part to do with why the dielectric insulator of a wire controls the rate of energy flow. The electrostatic capacity, and electromagnetic properties of the insulator are in control of this largely. As far as i understand, The only place in a circuit electron flow is the only energy carrier is the freestanding electrons flowing inside a vacuum tube. And at that point, although far slower then the speed of light, the electrons are still flowing fast enough to amplify oscillations in excess of 500,000khz accurately. This is not the case in a copper wire, you can run faster then the electrons flowing through a copper wire. They have to physically move through physical holes in the crystal lattice of a conductor at the quantum level. In my own mind i perceive the electromagnetic flow of energy, kind of like the wake these electrons produce through the process of finding their way to a positive polarity if there is a way to do so. If theres a way to the positive charge, they will find the path that get's them there, positively charge one end of a circuit through a conductor, and you have given the free electrons a path to positive charge, and their "wake" creates a path for electromagnetic energy to flow. The energy transferred and release through the wake of a boat is carried on much MUCH further and much more quickly then the individual molecules of water are actually moving or transferring energy wise. It's not a great metaphor, just the best one i'v been able to come up with to form an internalized understanding that feel accurate enough. water is something that behaves physically as both waves and particles, and transfers energy incredibly quickly so it tends to be the metaphor i make. Before a tsunami wave hits the continental shelf, it can move at nearly 1000mph and it's not even a centimeter tall, but we all know what happens when it hits the shallow continental shelf (the load on the circuit) Depending on how much energy was released, and the load put on the circuit.... etc etc. etc. The water in between barely moved, didn't do much of anything at all, but in doing so transferred staggering amounts of energy. Electrons react very similarly to water when you try and squish them together with energy (positive charge on a completed circuit with load), they move a tiny little bit, but in doing so transfer staggering amounts of energy down the line to the load, at equally staggering speed. Your electronics are not running on the electrons, they are running on the electromagnetic transfer of energy the electrons provide, and in a DC circuit, there are actually more electrons moving away from the load then towards it. Not trying to be a contrarian, i just felt like pontificating on this after reading your comment lol. You actually do not have to understand this whatsoever at all to be an electrical engineer though. And understanding it makes you no better with electronics either lmfao. If anything it actually makes them more bewildering, even when i successfully implement a circuit, and i know what everything is doing to the energy flow and why, at the fundamental level it's more baffling to me then ever. If i recall correctly, the double slit experiment wasn't a designed and executed experiment originally, it was just something someone noticed on the glass of an old vacuum tube with a focused electron beam in it performing a completely different task that had failed. The double slit was originally a discovery before it was an engineered experiment.
Hi Paul, Not only CNC power supplies come without schematics. My main business is repairing calibration and test gear (incl RF stuff) but a lot of it is from industrial users. They also bring me other industrial stuff for repair. And that is the same problem, no information at all. Often not even user manuals. 95% of my work is without any doc I'm now reverse engineering and more or less rebuilding a machine controller/computer from 1984. That takes a lot of time but the only other option is replacing a very expensive custom build machine. Everything is covered with conformal coating, dozens of in and outputs that are still in the machine, unobtainable/obsolete parts etc. To be short a lot of fun. I always like your repair video's to learn new "tricks". I regular repair secutests and that involves a lot of relay testing. So your video about your relaistester was very handy. I made a fixture for my Tek 576 CT to do that test. The stepper switches the relais. Can you make a video about how you do reverse engineering ? Fred
I really hope that the people who will benefit from this particular job ...appreciate the gift you have presented to them...Gratus And...... hopefully....... it will inspire them to sign up as Patreons of your sight....to keep it active and growing......and enable you to take time more time off your regular work....to produce these elegant and instructive video lessons. They are the best I have ever come across.
A wizard at testing down to individual components! I'm impressed by the way you keep the viewer engaged throughout these long sessions. There was a time when I thought electronics repair was flat dead. However, experts like you have revived my hope. Now I know that with proper test equipments and a pair of keen troubleshooting eyes, I can dig deep down and grab the stelthiest of the culprits by their necks. To be honest, there are quite a few wizards like you around but so far, to my eyes, you're the master of them.
Thank you Mr C. Your lab reminds me of entering my Dad's ham radio room as a child. Your presentations give me lessons to refresh my mind. It is a real pleasure to hold over your shoulder as we walk with your thoughts.
I love watching you troubleshoot. I spend a lot of time in the lab working on one-off gear, and it's great to see how other engineers work an issue. Thanks for taking the time to make such a detailed video of your work. Cheers.
Good afternoon Mr.Paul, my name and José Flávio I am in charge of an Industrial Electronic Maintenance Laboratory of a major metallurgical company in Brazil and his video about the CNC Source helped me a lot thanks for passing us details of his Professionalism and important tips successes for you always. A hug, José Flavio. Minas Gerais Brazil.
Great video and great troubleshooting Mr. Carlson. During my tenure of employment as an Electrical power electronic Technican in aerospace I was provided with great training of the power supplies of CNC equipment. This was around the early 1980’s when switching power supplies became popular. Switching power supplies are very efficient in comparison with their predecessor linear supplies. I take great pride in my ability as a technican and believe in applying my self in studying the equipment down to the finest details. This means understanding the quality and behavior of every single component. You have provided me with additional expertise in your excellent explanation and troubleshooting abilities. Love that desoldering tool you use and the multimeter that seem to have a temperature read out incorporated within the meter. Keep up the good work and keep these excellent videos coming.
There is absolutely NO WAY that I would be tackling a job of this magnitude, but what an absolutely fabulous fix. These are usually found in Mazak machines, probably other makes as well with a similar spindle drive.
Had me laughing when you said " this scr has changed its purpose to a jumper". I never really thought of it that way. Good/ bad, would be my thoughts. Great videos, nice zoom, sound and you explain things well with no repeat phrases.
Wow! What a great hour spent watching this repair and getting all the theory behind it. Thank you for a great lesson. I'll never look at a switching supply the same again.
There is only one thing wrong with your videos, I spend too much time watching them! just can't tear myself away, so informative and full of great content, one never stops learning with electronics, especially from your videos anyway, I remember at Uni some lecturers seemed to speak a different language!!!! you explain things so clearly and precisely, many thanks Paul I just might get on with doing some work after I've watched the next one!?!?! :- GREAT STUFF
Hi Don. I find anger is "thought destructive," and I try not to go there. I'm one of those people that turn lemons into lemonade. Thanks for your comment!
Troubleshooting on complex PC circuits without schematics or voltage expectation on takes some clever methodolody and you demonstrated that very well. I was glued to my screen as you explained what the typical readings should be on some of the components that had to be replaced . The detailed explanations for their function and parameters of each component that was suspect. Your vacumn solder sucker mod was interesting too. Tackling replacement of a surface mount component is not an easy task, it takes the right kind of tools, a steady hand and a good eye with magnification and verification that that no pad are shorted together with a solder bridge. Fantastic demo of the skill and dedication and hours it takes to properly repair a complex board that most wouldn't even dare to tackle!
Hi.I came across your page researching SM psu repairs to understand how they work,and fault finding.Vey impressed with your clarity and presentatation,with excellent explanantions.It is obvious you enjoy the repairs and work which oh so much helps the viewer uderstand and learn.Thank you for sharing your knowledge and experience and make it enjoyable at the same time.With best regards Grahame
Thank you, Paul! I love your videos, you are just a superb teacher! :) God bless you, Sir - I've been polling your channel, daily, for a new video for a month, hehe!
I can't imagine someone so (seemingly) calm, humble, professional and well paced as Paul, falling into the usual trap of putting off viewers by being unable to control his language. It may be "the norm" for many, but that doesn't make it ANY more acceptable, and I just can't imagine "Mr Carlson's Lab" to be the sort of channel that would allow things to slip like that - let *everyone else* swear if they disrespect their audience so much, and channels like Paul's will SHINE as friendly, profanity-free zones :D Cursing is the absolute polar opposite of respecting your viewers, or ANYONE in life, for that matter. It may be deemed "acceptable" by the masses, but when you come across someone who doesn't do it on camera, it's like a HUGE breath of fresh air - so refreshing, and you end up respecting them AND their opinions and work, FAR more, whether anyone has the backbone to admit it or not. ;-)
I have a question though, why didn't you just use the drag soldering technique to solder the SMD IC? And how do you remove the flux though, I never got them off the board using isopropyl alcohol or acetone. Always get a sticky layer of flux left
boulder89984 , Isn't that an amazing trait of someone who doesn't CARE about continuing problems, because he never runs out of ways of FIXING any problems he meets!
Paul, I love the CNC content. As a CNC tech performing maintenance and repair of about 100 CNC machines including 8 Mitsubishi's that use SF-PW's, these CNC power supply video's are awesome! After watching this video, I immediately checked the machines and 5 out of 8 have the original Nichicon PF caps in them. I've been getting intermittent 6B spindle servo alarms on 3 or 4 of them. It's normally as soon as you E-stop them, but I've got one that's started to throw it while it's running. I'm hoping recapping will cure the issue. Incidentally, I didn't see any signs of leakage on either of the 2 SF's I looked at. The MDS SF-PW is a different version so I pulled both versions and got a cap list together so that I can recap all of them. I'm using Nichicon PW series caps for the majority of them. I would be interested to know what part you change out the FET with. I'd love to see some Fanuc drive stuff. Keep up the great work!
Glad these are helping you Mike! If you don't have a test fixture, be careful of your work, you may harm the drive if any Voltages are high. The Mitsubishi supplies are picky with the capacitors, If you find it's "ringing" loudly in or out of the drive, part of the 5 Volt feedback will need modification.
You're an absolute genius and an awesome teacher! I've been watching you for a few years now. Just pulled the trigger on a new scope and sig gen with the confidence you've given me. I'm finally starting to understand circuit design and feel that I can keep up in a meaningful way. Thank you so much!
... I've watched and learned from others all my life, regardless of the age difference... the biggest amusement I get, after I've seen an episode, I look at the numbers of people who've clicked 'dislike' button... I can not fathom why that could be...
Woooaw man I wish I have a smart friend like you. You know so much about electronics I can belive....its like you design the devices and so the testers. Congrats you are a modern genius 👍🏼
Hi Paul, that was just awesome!! I thought I was the only one that gets excited when I get something that doesn't work... darn now we have to troubleshoot more! All your videos are very informative and I have learned so much from them thank you and keep up the great work! Also I have joined your electronics course on patreon and I'm totally stoked!!!
Fantastic video Mr. Carlson. I really enjoyed this look into what you do for a living. I'm not sure if others have checked out your web site or know that this is your bread and butter industry working on these specialized power supplies. At least that's the impression I got from reading your site. I really liked the great lengths you went to describe things and to show us the steps. It wasn't lost on me that you showed us some of your desoldering and soldering! Yeah! It was great. I'm still watching so back to the video. Cheers.
This was one of your best videos Paul. I have worked on switch mode power supplies and most of the time find them difficult to trouble shoot because if broken it is difficult to start somewhere because of the startup circuits. You were very instrumental in how to do that. Looking forward to the FET video and would also like to see a complete series on trouble shooting switch mode power supplies in general, both theory and repairing. As if you have nothing else to do. LOL
Hello, I must have missed the part you were going to explain the difference between the SF and the SE types. Sorry to take up your valuable time. Thanks for another great video as usual.
Paul - You always talk about “Cleaning the board up”. Usually to remove flux or to just clean a dirty board. Could you show us how you do that and what products you use. Thank you. Another great video.
My first dive into repair was a self-build windows style computer based on a copy/modification of a $2500 windows gaming machine out of a computer magazine. I had a tiny bit of experience with assembly, having built a Heathkit a high end AM/FM stereo kit and Heath's color TV while doing a medical internship. Reading the manual, checking off the completed tasks was very relaxing for me. Theory was another matter. The computer was easily assembled and worked flawlessly for 18 months. Then one evening it would not turn on... no POST, so it seemed to me that the power supply was not working. I was surprised as I had spent about $250 for a 600 watt supply. which at that time was PLUNTY. I had no fancy test equipment other than a good VOM. I removed the 8x8x8" cage and wires. When I removed the cage, one of the tall capacitors had a black soot around the base. It was de-soldered and there it was black soot coming out of the base of a lead. It was toast! $2.45 later, a clean up of the board, re-solder of the new Cap and I was back in business. Computer ran great for two more years until it was stolen. I am thinking I need to "enroll in your electronics class. Could you "ball park" cost of second hand test equipment for a fairly decent lab and the cost of a well equipped lab with top quality. (I don't want to waste my hard-earned dollars) on an emblem stuck on piece of equipment. Oh, I got my tech license years ago to give me access to 6 meters so I could fly R/C airplanes. Had to learn code and was right at 15 wpm, but got scared and just took the 5 wpm test. Later got my general. Do not understand much of the electronics on advanced buy I bet I can memorize the q/answers. Love your work. You are young. Long life possible. You will change many lives.
Thank you Paul. I always love your videos. As I understand smps repair is your day job so to say I'd love to see more content on this subject. These things are everywhere and I often face a challenge unraveling the various feedback loops to find the actual fault as the psu often presents as tripping. This is even more difficult with microprocessor controlled units where the control loops include software control. Thanks again for taking the time to produce this content. I know it is loss making but you are providing a valuable educational resource and that is very worthwhile.
Thank you so much for this very instructive video ! I am very surprised that a manufacturer install this kind of crappy capacitors on an industrial power supply. It's a really stupidly CARELESS design. I got a machinist course and visited a few factories. So, I know that CNC machines are working sometimes in a really harsh environment. Fortunately, it as not been installed in an aircraft. :-)
Good Day Paul, Very informative video. Your expertise in the troubleshooting and repair of this power supply was helpful in understanding the do's and don'ts of working on switch mode power supplies. Thanks for taking the time to share your efforts. Don M.
Excellent video. I have a technician friend and never saw him repair a smps. Usually modules for repair are turned away maybe due to lack of available parts.
Nice job with the supply repair, Paul! Thank you for going through all of the various common and not-so-common issues, as well as the ones caused by poor handling by "technicians". Well done as always, please keep up the good work!
Seen this before. A good fainted electrician tried to repair the supply, but failed due to lack of knowledge with electronics pcbs. Most likely he used a steelbrush trying to clean up his own mess. Very nice video keeping the poor repairman anonymous, as he just did was he was told to do.
I was very happy to see that a new video was out and put everything aside to sit and watch it right away. Fantastic video as always Mr. Carlson! Thanks for taking the time and energy to share your knowledge and experience. Switching PS's have always been a bit intimidating since they can be so complex, so every bit of info I can glean about how they work and how to fix them is very appreciated. If you ever feel like putting up more videos on SMPS's, you won't get any complaints from me! ;) -Andy F.
I have become addicted to your channel. You do a great job of explaining everything and have learned a lot even though I have been working with electronics for 40 years. One question that I have is about your replacement supply. I'm assuming that you keep a lot of common caps, ICs and the like. How often do you need to order parts for a specific repair? May be a strange question, but just curious. Keep up the great videos. Tom
¿No new resitor on started circuit? seems the oroginal is no crapy 1w s or less like on comercials psu but they used for dead on long range periods y used for put new for avoid problems like the started circuit cap.
Mr Carlson sir kinda worried about the previous pcb engineer . i have never seen a board with so much damage scratches and bad fluxed joints . you had your work cut out . great videos sir. M0 UK .
Very well done video I enjoyed watching it, I am also surprised when I find old capacitors that are not leaking. While "Electronics" is not our main repair function where I work (we overhaul CNC spindles (bearings, O-rings, dynamic balancing, etc.)) my boss is an old school CNC tech and I will probably find myself repairing these circuit boards as time goes on.
Paul, I like these videos where you show the methodology for troubleshooting without a schematic. Not only will he have a correctly repaired and tested power supply, he will also have a spare. :-) 73 WB3BJU
Very nice, clean repair job. You are being very generous not showing the company that created this mess :) I almost spilled a cup of tea when I saw that board butchered by sandpaper o_0
I couldn't fathom in what universe an "engineer" would think that randomly sanding the underside of a PCB could help in repairing anything. It wasn't even in any logical area... it was just coarse scratches ALL OVER the underside, on one side of the board. Weirddddd.
That's some amazing brain thinking there. Clear thinking, logical, and able to spot what circuits do just by looking at the parts. I'm stuck with a muddled mess. #depressing.
Amazing work; I hardly know of anyone willing to work on SMPS, let alone work on an SMPS that was vandalized by someone else. Not much people would be willing to work on that Yamabishi in that state
Great Video as always. Had the same issues just recently in the company i work. Supposedly repaired Power supply failed again after a short period. They charged 1500€ for replacing 5 out of 25 electrolitics and left the old ones in. At least they send a spare so the machine can run but what a shitty behaviour.
If I was this customer, this is a video that would please me. I wouldn't be happy with what was found wrong with the replacement power supply, however I would be very pleased to see this video documenting the quality of the repair service finally being performed by a competent engineer.
Thanks for your kind words!
I agree. This should be the new standard for customer service. Although not an electronics theme, I have had my roof leaks repaired about 3 times. Never did any of those companies show the before and after BEFORE covering everything up. On the 4th leak repair I used a different company. This company took everything apart, took pictures of all the damage. Then sent them to me. They explained what they believe happened in the previous repairs (poor repair work and concealment of work performed). They then provided the estimate to replace all damaged roofing components. After replacing all the components they took pictures again to show what was replaced and repaired. After this they covered everything up and completed the job. Excellent quality work from beginning to end. That's how Mr. Carlson does his work! The best to his ability and leaving no stone unturned. I once worked with an industrial repair man 20 years my senior when I was about 23. He taught me to work like this! Be thorough in everything you do! Great video as always Mr. Carlson!
You're like Bob Ross of Electronics. I'm just a hobby guy that fixes anything that I own that malfunctions. This was beauty. I've watched some of your other videos as well. I have nothing to do with any professional electronic repairs but just enjoy watching your videos. Thanks dude.
Thanks for your kind comment Justin!
This was like watching a good thriller movie and a novel at the same time! I really enjoyed this video Paul. Very well done. Thanks
Thanks for stopping by Buddy!
The Radio Shop well said. That device is serious looking. Then again justva out everything Paul works on looks extreme.
And the porno all in one
Plus the move where he brings out the second power supply toward the end 🤌
As a recently retired electronics technician and licensed Ham can i say that your videos are really excellent and i wish i could have access to them many years ago,they bring back so many great and challenging memories ,unfortunately a numbers of my troubleshooting had to be carried out in the field and did not have the luxury of the wonderful array of test equipment you have at your disposal! These videos however are are great learning tool and a credit to your professionalism and dedication.
Thank for your kind comment Pete!
Pete Shulver exactly how I feel. If I was my 8 year old self , these tutorials would have answered so many prayers and questions. Oh well. In the 40s now. Never too late I hope.
Ditto!
Hello Mr. Carlson my name is Don and I have had an active interest in electricity since the age of 4 and at the age of about 10 I started actively studding first vacutube electronics then at about 13 solid state electronics and I am trying to put together a lab on a shoestring budget so most of what I have is used and non working and I have a really good time repairing these items , and yes I like to watch your videos , I've been watching your videos for about 5 months now and I can see you know what you are doing , I am now 54. OH and your lab is most impressive .
as someone who spent many years in electronic/electrical repair it is very refreshing to look at someone with the skillset you have , both theoretical a/academic and practical . A credit to you . I think that in a lot of cases like this the cost of the repair would be a considerable portion of the cost of a new board .albeit that they are still avaliable . 1st class work and logical approach .
Hey Paul,
Thank you for all of your switched-mode power supply troubleshooting and repair videos. It helped me a lot to get into repairing SMPS and other circuit boards myself. Sadly, my shack is not as well equipped like yours, but it works for me just fine. A big downside on my end is the required time to test, find, and fix damaged components on complex circuit boards, so kudos for your time and dedication!
Please keep it up and post more videos of that subject.
Cheers and vy 73!!
Thank you for an extremely interesting tour of a SMPS. Your videos are some of the best on the net.
Usually when I watch this channel I despair a little because I'll never reach the level of skill usually on display. But this episode is heartening because when I repair things for myself, family or friends, even though I'm just a hobbyist I work to a far higher standard than whoever hacked at that poor power supply in the past. And they charged for it too!
Mr. Carlson, while I have near zero knowledge of electronics, what draws me to your videos is the methodical method and logic you exhibit during your troubleshooting and repair. I believe what you demonstrate here transfers to other fields as well. Thank you for contributing the multitude of extra hours required to document these projects and repairs...it does not go unnoticed by me. Looking forward to your next build, repair, or restoration :)
Thanks for your kind words!
I wish that every electronic repairman has the skills and knowledge like you...
No more defects...
Excelent video.
Thanks!
The owner of these power supplies is now very productive and sleeps well. No mucking around when it comes to being reliable. Love that TDS350, such a solid unit.
I love the collection of equipment that you use for testing and repair. A mixture of new and classic. It's really fun and interesting to learn how how you think through and perform a repair. Great video!
By now i am convinced! Paul knows electrons by their first name. All. Of. Them.
ever heard of single electron theory? There is indeed an object that could interact with all points in space and time from a single point in it's own space and time but struggle to exist in the same point in space and time. And it would be a single electron in a higher order space then our own. A higher dimensional plane. Viewing an object of such dimensionality would also likely create the weird observations we constantly note around freestanding electrons. The way they tunnel quantumly and can become entangled across space and time. The way they seem to blink in and out of physical/waveform existence through mathematical principles of uncertainty.
Theres a legitimate possibility there is only ONE electron, and we are simply viewing the results of a SINGLE higher dimensional object intersecting/interacting with our own space time. There is an equal possibility there is only one photon as well. considering the geometry of propagation of photons in relation to phsyical matter in our space time. and time itself being a by product of the propagation of light through the vacuum of space. From the perspective of the photon itslf, existence is timeless, and it left source the same instance it's journey concluded and the process was instantaneous. Instantaneous is a concept a human mind cant even fully comprehend on the same order of the concepts nothingness, or infinity.
We still don't even know what electricity even is at a fundamental level. Just how to manipulate it. Most electronics engineers dont even full grasp that the electrons are actually moving negative to positive at like 1 inch per second as an external magnetic field this produces around the insulator transfers energy at nearly the speed of light from [positive to negative polarities. You just have to contact this slow moving electron flow while grounded, or putting load on the circuit of electrons to access the energy in this field and this has a big part to do with why the dielectric insulator of a wire controls the rate of energy flow. The electrostatic capacity, and electromagnetic properties of the insulator are in control of this largely.
As far as i understand, The only place in a circuit electron flow is the only energy carrier is the freestanding electrons flowing inside a vacuum tube. And at that point, although far slower then the speed of light, the electrons are still flowing fast enough to amplify oscillations in excess of 500,000khz accurately. This is not the case in a copper wire, you can run faster then the electrons flowing through a copper wire. They have to physically move through physical holes in the crystal lattice of a conductor at the quantum level. In my own mind i perceive the electromagnetic flow of energy, kind of like the wake these electrons produce through the process of finding their way to a positive polarity if there is a way to do so. If theres a way to the positive charge, they will find the path that get's them there, positively charge one end of a circuit through a conductor, and you have given the free electrons a path to positive charge, and their "wake" creates a path for electromagnetic energy to flow.
The energy transferred and release through the wake of a boat is carried on much MUCH further and much more quickly then the individual molecules of water are actually moving or transferring energy wise. It's not a great metaphor, just the best one i'v been able to come up with to form an internalized understanding that feel accurate enough. water is something that behaves physically as both waves and particles, and transfers energy incredibly quickly so it tends to be the metaphor i make. Before a tsunami wave hits the continental shelf, it can move at nearly 1000mph and it's not even a centimeter tall, but we all know what happens when it hits the shallow continental shelf (the load on the circuit) Depending on how much energy was released, and the load put on the circuit.... etc etc. etc. The water in between barely moved, didn't do much of anything at all, but in doing so transferred staggering amounts of energy. Electrons react very similarly to water when you try and squish them together with energy (positive charge on a completed circuit with load), they move a tiny little bit, but in doing so transfer staggering amounts of energy down the line to the load, at equally staggering speed.
Your electronics are not running on the electrons, they are running on the electromagnetic transfer of energy the electrons provide, and in a DC circuit, there are actually more electrons moving away from the load then towards it.
Not trying to be a contrarian, i just felt like pontificating on this after reading your comment lol. You actually do not have to understand this whatsoever at all to be an electrical engineer though. And understanding it makes you no better with electronics either lmfao. If anything it actually makes them more bewildering, even when i successfully implement a circuit, and i know what everything is doing to the energy flow and why, at the fundamental level it's more baffling to me then ever.
If i recall correctly, the double slit experiment wasn't a designed and executed experiment originally, it was just something someone noticed on the glass of an old vacuum tube with a focused electron beam in it performing a completely different task that had failed. The double slit was originally a discovery before it was an engineered experiment.
Hi Paul, Not only CNC power supplies come without schematics. My main business is repairing calibration and test gear (incl RF stuff) but a lot of it is from industrial users. They also bring me other industrial stuff for repair. And that is the same problem, no information at all. Often not even user manuals. 95% of my work is without any doc
I'm now reverse engineering and more or less rebuilding a machine controller/computer from 1984. That takes a lot of time but the only other option is replacing a very expensive custom build machine. Everything is covered with conformal coating, dozens of in and outputs that are still in the machine, unobtainable/obsolete parts etc. To be short a lot of fun.
I always like your repair video's to learn new "tricks". I regular repair secutests and that involves a lot of relay testing. So your video about your relaistester was very handy. I made a fixture for my Tek 576 CT to do that test. The stepper switches the relais.
Can you make a video about how you do reverse engineering ?
Fred
Sounds like a great future video Fred. Thanks for your input!
Another wonderful hour in Mr Carlson's company. Thank you.
I really hope that the people who will benefit from this particular job ...appreciate the gift you have presented to them...Gratus
And...... hopefully....... it will inspire them to sign up as Patreons of your sight....to keep it active and growing......and enable you to take time more time off your regular work....to produce these elegant and instructive video lessons. They are the best I have ever come across.
Thanks for the very kind words Rick!
A wizard at testing down to individual components! I'm impressed by the way you keep the viewer engaged throughout these long sessions. There was a time when I thought electronics repair was flat dead. However, experts like you have revived my hope. Now I know that with proper test equipments and a pair of keen troubleshooting eyes, I can dig deep down and grab the stelthiest of the culprits by their necks. To be honest, there are quite a few wizards like you around but so far, to my eyes, you're the master of them.
Thank you Mr C. Your lab reminds me of entering my Dad's ham radio room as a child. Your presentations give me lessons to refresh my mind. It is a real pleasure to hold over your shoulder as we walk with your thoughts.
Thanks for your kind comment!
I love watching you troubleshoot. I spend a lot of time in the lab working on one-off gear, and it's great to see how other engineers work an issue. Thanks for taking the time to make such a detailed video of your work. Cheers.
Good afternoon Mr.Paul, my name and José Flávio I am in charge of an Industrial Electronic Maintenance Laboratory of a major metallurgical company in Brazil and his video about the CNC Source helped me a lot thanks for passing us details of his Professionalism and important tips successes for you always.
A hug, José Flavio.
Minas Gerais Brazil.
Thank You Jose! Glad this helped.
I wish the repair men in our city were as honest and qualified as him.
Great video and great troubleshooting Mr. Carlson. During my tenure of employment as an Electrical power electronic Technican in aerospace I was provided with great training of the power supplies of CNC equipment. This was around the early 1980’s when switching power supplies became popular. Switching power supplies are very efficient in comparison with their predecessor linear supplies. I take great pride in my ability as a technican and believe in applying my self in studying the equipment down to the finest details. This means understanding the quality and behavior of every single component. You have provided me with additional expertise in your excellent explanation and troubleshooting abilities. Love that desoldering tool you use and the multimeter that seem to have a temperature read out incorporated within the meter. Keep up the good work and keep these excellent videos coming.
Damn, this gentleman really knows his stuff!
Thank you!
There is absolutely NO WAY that I would be tackling a job of this magnitude, but what an absolutely fabulous fix. These are usually found in Mazak machines, probably other makes as well with a similar spindle drive.
I can watch your videos the whole day so clearly explained everything
Had me laughing when you said " this scr has changed its purpose to a jumper". I never really thought of it that way. Good/ bad, would be my thoughts.
Great videos, nice zoom, sound and you explain things well with no repeat phrases.
Wow! What a great hour spent watching this repair and getting all the theory behind it. Thank you for a great lesson. I'll never look at a switching supply the same again.
Way more information coming on these (switch mode power supplies) in the near future. Thanks for your input!
I have spent many years repairing regulated linier PSUs but i have never encountered a SMPSU before, it has been most interesting.Thank you.
Great job, Paul! Thanks for taking the time to share with us. Every aspect of the video was class A. I look forward to the next : )
This is great. I can see why businesses come to Mr Carlson to fix expensive, sensitive equipment. Every detail thought of and tested.
That's the difference between experts and "experts", isn't it :)
There is only one thing wrong with your videos, I spend too much time watching them! just can't tear myself away, so informative and full of great content, one never stops learning with electronics, especially from your videos anyway, I remember at Uni some lecturers seemed to speak a different language!!!! you explain things so clearly and precisely, many thanks Paul I just might get on with doing some work after I've watched the next one!?!?! :- GREAT STUFF
It must be difficult to maintain your cool when you see hack work from previous repair attempts. Kudos for not getting bitter.
Hi Don. I find anger is "thought destructive," and I try not to go there. I'm one of those people that turn lemons into lemonade. Thanks for your comment!
Great troubleshooting Mr. Carlson..you da man. Nobody else has the kind of talent and logical troubleshooting approach.
Thanks!
Troubleshooting on complex PC circuits without schematics or voltage expectation on takes some clever methodolody and you demonstrated that
very well.
I was glued to my screen as you explained what the typical readings
should be on some of the components that had to be replaced . The detailed
explanations for their function and parameters of each component that was suspect. Your vacumn solder sucker mod was interesting too.
Tackling replacement of a surface mount component is not an easy task,
it takes the right kind of tools, a steady hand and a good eye with magnification
and verification that that no pad are shorted together with a solder bridge.
Fantastic demo of the skill and dedication and hours it takes to properly
repair a complex board that most wouldn't even dare to tackle!
i must admit... i REALLY LOVE THIS CHANNEL HELPS ME A LOT WITH UNDERSTANDING ELECTRONICS REPAIRS, THANK YOU VERY MUCH
You're Welcome!
Hi.I came across your page researching SM psu repairs to understand how they work,and fault finding.Vey impressed with your clarity and presentatation,with excellent explanantions.It is obvious you enjoy the repairs and work which oh so much helps the viewer uderstand and learn.Thank you for sharing your knowledge and experience and make it enjoyable at the same time.With best regards Grahame
Learn MORE about electronics, and support this channel here:
www.patreon.com/MrCarlsonsLab
I wish you was my teacher or my son.I could listen to you all day and learn lots from you.Thx mate.
Thank you, Paul! I love your videos, you are just a superb teacher! :) God bless you, Sir - I've been polling your channel, daily, for a new video for a month, hehe!
Mr Carlson's Lab
I can't imagine someone so (seemingly) calm, humble, professional and well paced as Paul, falling into the usual trap of putting off viewers by being unable to control his language.
It may be "the norm" for many, but that doesn't make it ANY more acceptable, and I just can't imagine "Mr Carlson's Lab" to be the sort of channel that would allow things to slip like that - let *everyone else* swear if they disrespect their audience so much, and channels like Paul's will SHINE as friendly, profanity-free zones :D
Cursing is the absolute polar opposite of respecting your viewers, or ANYONE in life, for that matter. It may be deemed "acceptable" by the masses, but when you come across someone who doesn't do it on camera, it's like a HUGE breath of fresh air - so refreshing, and you end up respecting them AND their opinions and work, FAR more, whether anyone has the backbone to admit it or not.
;-)
I have a question though, why didn't you just use the drag soldering technique to solder the SMD IC? And how do you remove the flux though, I never got them off the board using isopropyl alcohol or acetone. Always get a sticky layer of flux left
magic
I thought you only worked on old tube stuff but i see you are very diversified and probably have all the work you need
This is also what I am thinking...
very nice video! It`s allways great to see the difference between a quick and dirty fix and a prof. repair with great care of all the details. Thanks.
You're Welcome!
Always had trouble with switcher power supplies. Thank you so much for your lesson. Can't wait to try another one soon.
Mr C, most people including myself make a repair and are flustered when it does not work. You seem happy when you get to troubleshoot some more.
boulder89984 , Isn't that an amazing trait of someone who doesn't CARE about continuing problems, because he never runs out of ways of FIXING any problems he meets!
I didnt know Jim Carey was so good with electrical engineering. Thanks man, I'm learning a lot from this channel.
Thanks Joe!
I have no idea what you are talking about, but enjoy how you explain it all.
Paul, I love the CNC content. As a CNC tech performing maintenance and repair of about 100 CNC machines including 8 Mitsubishi's that use SF-PW's, these CNC power supply video's are awesome! After watching this video, I immediately checked the machines and 5 out of 8 have the original Nichicon PF caps in them. I've been getting intermittent 6B spindle servo alarms on 3 or 4 of them. It's normally as soon as you E-stop them, but I've got one that's started to throw it while it's running. I'm hoping recapping will cure the issue. Incidentally, I didn't see any signs of leakage on either of the 2 SF's I looked at. The MDS SF-PW is a different version so I pulled both versions and got a cap list together so that I can recap all of them. I'm using Nichicon PW series caps for the majority of them. I would be interested to know what part you change out the FET with. I'd love to see some Fanuc drive stuff. Keep up the great work!
Glad these are helping you Mike! If you don't have a test fixture, be careful of your work, you may harm the drive if any Voltages are high. The Mitsubishi supplies are picky with the capacitors, If you find it's "ringing" loudly in or out of the drive, part of the 5 Volt feedback will need modification.
I need a vacuum cleaner to suck up this guys abundance of knowledge.
Thanks for taking the time to share and create these videos.
Very good job. It is always a pleasure to catch someone doing it correctly. Also, I like your positive mental attitude. Very refreshing. Regards
You're an absolute genius and an awesome teacher! I've been watching you for a few years now. Just pulled the trigger on a new scope and sig gen with the confidence you've given me. I'm finally starting to understand circuit design and feel that I can keep up in a meaningful way. Thank you so much!
... I've watched and learned from others all my life, regardless of the age difference... the biggest amusement I get, after I've seen an episode, I look at the numbers of people who've clicked 'dislike' button... I can not fathom why that could be...
I bet the owner is glad to have you on this job, great work.
Woooaw man I wish I have a smart friend like you. You know so much about electronics I can belive....its like you design the devices and so the testers. Congrats you are a modern genius 👍🏼
Amazing video, absolutely nailed the safety warning at the beginning. So few youtubers get this right.
You only get 1or 2 Mr Carlsons every couple of generations, so Kool, have a great year, that's an order.
Thanks Some One :^)
Hi Paul, that was just awesome!! I thought I was the only one that gets excited when I get something that doesn't work... darn now we have to troubleshoot more!
All your videos are very informative and I have learned so much from them thank you and keep up the great work! Also I have joined your electronics course on patreon and I'm totally stoked!!!
That's great Jeff! A new video will be up soon.
You are very good at explaining electronics. Excellent lectures from you always. God bless you, and Thank you very much.
Fantastic video Mr. Carlson. I really enjoyed this look into what you do for a living. I'm not sure if others have checked out your web site or know that this is your bread and butter industry working on these specialized power supplies. At least that's the impression I got from reading your site.
I really liked the great lengths you went to describe things and to show us the steps. It wasn't lost on me that you showed us some of your desoldering and soldering! Yeah! It was great. I'm still watching so back to the video. Cheers.
Glad your enjoying William! Thanks!
This was one of your best videos Paul. I have worked on switch mode power supplies and most of the time find them difficult to trouble shoot because if broken it is difficult to start somewhere because of the startup circuits. You were very instrumental in how to do that. Looking forward to the FET video and would also like to see a complete series on trouble shooting switch mode power supplies in general, both theory and repairing. As if you have nothing else to do. LOL
Thanks for the kind words Chuck!
Hello, I must have missed the part you were going to explain the difference between the SF and the SE types. Sorry to take up your valuable time. Thanks for another great video as usual.
Paul - You always talk about “Cleaning the board up”. Usually to remove flux or to just clean a dirty board. Could you show us how you do that and what products you use. Thank you. Another great video.
My first dive into repair was a self-build windows style computer based on a copy/modification of a $2500 windows gaming machine out of a computer magazine. I had a tiny bit of experience with assembly, having built a Heathkit a high end AM/FM stereo kit and Heath's color TV while doing a medical internship. Reading the manual, checking off the completed tasks was very relaxing for me. Theory was another matter. The computer was easily assembled and worked flawlessly for 18 months. Then one evening it would not turn on... no POST, so it seemed to me that the power supply was not working. I was surprised as I had spent about $250 for a 600 watt supply. which at that time was PLUNTY. I had no fancy test equipment other than a good VOM. I removed the 8x8x8" cage and wires. When I removed the cage, one of the tall capacitors had a black soot around the base. It was de-soldered and there it was black soot coming out of the base of a lead. It was toast! $2.45 later, a clean up of the board, re-solder of the new Cap and I was back in business. Computer ran great for two more years until it was stolen. I am thinking I need to "enroll in your electronics class. Could you "ball park" cost of second hand test equipment for a fairly decent lab and the cost of a well equipped lab with top quality. (I don't want to waste my hard-earned dollars) on an emblem stuck on piece of equipment. Oh, I got my tech license years ago to give me access to 6 meters so I could fly R/C airplanes. Had to learn code and was right at 15 wpm, but got scared and just took the 5 wpm test. Later got my general. Do not understand much of the electronics on advanced buy I bet I can memorize the q/answers. Love your work. You are young. Long life possible. You will change many lives.
As usual, first grade repair. Thanks for sharing.
Fault finding is very enjoyable and good to learn from an expert :)
Thank you Paul. I always love your videos. As I understand smps repair is your day job so to say I'd love to see more content on this subject. These things are everywhere and I often face a challenge unraveling the various feedback loops to find the actual fault as the psu often presents as tripping. This is even more difficult with microprocessor controlled units where the control loops include software control. Thanks again for taking the time to produce this content. I know it is loss making but you are providing a valuable educational resource and that is very worthwhile.
Thank you so much for this very instructive video ! I am very surprised that a manufacturer install this kind of crappy capacitors on an industrial power supply. It's a really stupidly CARELESS design. I got a machinist course and visited a few factories. So, I know that CNC machines are working sometimes in a really harsh environment. Fortunately, it as not been installed in an aircraft. :-)
You are very welcome!
Good Day Paul,
Very informative video. Your expertise in the troubleshooting and repair of this power supply was helpful in understanding the do's and don'ts of working on switch mode power supplies. Thanks for taking the time to share your efforts. Don M.
Hey Don, glad to share!
Excellent CNC power supply narrative and troubleshooting.
Excellent video. I have a technician friend and never saw him repair a smps. Usually modules for repair are turned away maybe due to lack of available parts.
Very enjoyable, thanks. Always a consumate description of what to look for and what to expect which is 90% of the fault finding battle.
Very informative and helpful. My power supply repair knowledge has been improved. (Always learning). Thank you.
You are doing a fine job Mr Carlson we learn a lot from you thanks a lot for this !🙏
My pleasure!
Nice job with the supply repair, Paul! Thank you for going through all of the various common and not-so-common issues, as well as the ones caused by poor handling by "technicians". Well done as always, please keep up the good work!
Thanks! More supplies to come.
Another excellent video, your patient and methodical approach is commendable.
Thanks!
Seen this before. A good fainted electrician tried to repair the supply, but failed due to lack of knowledge with electronics pcbs. Most likely he used a steelbrush trying to clean up his own mess.
Very nice video keeping the poor repairman anonymous, as he just did was he was told to do.
Great job showing every step in the troubleshooting ladder. Wonderful video, keep up the great work!!
I was very happy to see that a new video was out and put everything aside to sit and watch it right away. Fantastic video as always Mr. Carlson! Thanks for taking the time and energy to share your knowledge and experience. Switching PS's have always been a bit intimidating since they can be so complex, so every bit of info I can glean about how they work and how to fix them is very appreciated. If you ever feel like putting up more videos on SMPS's, you won't get any complaints from me! ;)
-Andy F.
I always look forward to stopping by your lab. Been saving this video and it sure didn't disappoint! Thanks again for your time and knowledge!
Glad you enjoyed Don!
High quality presentation and work. Fills a lot of knowledge gaps when I recently tackled a PS repair. Thanks for sharing!
Glad to share!
That was amazing, thank you. Always find the depth of your knowledge mind blowing.
Glad you enjoyed it!
Thank you for sharing your extreme deep knowledge. It is worth every second.
I have become addicted to your channel. You do a great job of explaining everything and have learned a lot even though I have been working with electronics for 40 years.
One question that I have is about your replacement supply. I'm assuming that you keep a lot of common caps, ICs and the like. How often do you need to order parts for a specific repair? May be a strange question, but just curious.
Keep up the great videos.
Tom
Cool! Thanks for the look into your day to day work. You have obviously been doing this for some time. Very impressive!
Signed up ! I absolutely love your videos. A real Jeweler.
Thanks!
¿No new resitor on started circuit? seems the oroginal is no crapy 1w s or less like on comercials psu but they used for dead on long range periods y used for put new for avoid problems like the started circuit cap.
Ah, the lovely sound of a hakko 470. Been using one for years. Will last forever but must be cleaned regularly and meticulously.
sordello51 , Can you imagine Paul NOT cleaning his tools to the point of redefining "meticulously?"
I just never cease to be amazed, a thumbs up really doesn't seem to be enough, 10 out of 10, 5 star and 20 thumbs up (if I had 20 that is)
Thanks Terence!
Mr Carlson sir kinda worried about the previous pcb engineer . i have never seen a board with so much damage scratches and bad fluxed joints . you had your work cut out . great videos sir. M0 UK .
You make surface mount soldering look easy---steady hand and good vision which of I have neither.
Very well done video I enjoyed watching it, I am also surprised when I find old capacitors that are not leaking.
While "Electronics" is not our main repair function where I work (we overhaul CNC spindles (bearings, O-rings, dynamic balancing, etc.)) my boss is an old school CNC tech and I will probably find myself repairing these circuit boards as time goes on.
Paul,
I like these videos where you show the methodology for troubleshooting without a schematic. Not only will he have a correctly repaired and tested power supply, he will also have a spare. :-) 73 WB3BJU
Amazing video.
I really enjoyed it.
Thank you for great content and sharing your knowledge
Always like your attention to detail. Another job well done.
Thanks, really interesting to see the whole process from start to finish. 👍
Great video!! Love your painstaking analysis and approach to troubleshooting and always fixing the problem. Well done and thanks for the video.
You're welcome!
Nice to watch your amazing skill in the lab! Respect for You! Cheers
Very nice, clean repair job. You are being very generous not showing the company that created this mess :) I almost spilled a cup of tea when I saw that board butchered by sandpaper o_0
Thanks Johnny! I don't know why the sand paper? I'm just glad it wasn't any worse.
Perhaps they were trying to remove the flux residue with a wire brush? Awful!
Andy Cristea It kinda looks like it. It was either a wire brush or a low grit sandpaper.
In the 70s the use of a small bronze/brass wire brush was common which left a scar like those.
I couldn't fathom in what universe an "engineer" would think that randomly sanding the underside of a PCB could help in repairing anything. It wasn't even in any logical area... it was just coarse scratches ALL OVER the underside, on one side of the board.
Weirddddd.
Bravo.It was a great tutorial.I followed it from beginning to end.Thanks a lot for your effort.
Awesome job Paul !!! Very fortunate customer $$
That's some amazing brain thinking there. Clear thinking, logical, and able to spot what circuits do just by looking at the parts.
I'm stuck with a muddled mess. #depressing.
Amazing work; I hardly know of anyone willing to work on SMPS, let alone work on an SMPS that was vandalized by someone else. Not much people would be willing to work on that Yamabishi in that state
Great Video as always. Had the same issues just recently in the company i work. Supposedly repaired Power supply failed again after a short period. They charged 1500€ for replacing 5 out of 25 electrolitics and left the old ones in. At least they send a spare so the machine can run but what a shitty behaviour.
Ya, unfortunately this is common now. Now you know not to use them (the company) again.
I'm 5 minutes in... and I can tell, this is gonna be another good show...
Thanks Dru!