Apple PowerBook Duo 210 power supply - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

terrybull · 11th Jul 2021, 3:47 pm

Recently acquired a 1992/3 Apple laptop. It has been unused for a long time. Plugged it in and within 2 or 3 seconds this power brick popped with a flash and puff of foul smoke but still works fine. I’m tempted to just leave it but suppose I ought to have a look. Anyone any knowledge how to get it open. I can’t feel any screw holes under that label and don’t want to destroy it looking if there aren’t any.
The slots on the bottom had rubber strips for feet which had turned to mush. Any idea for substitutes please.

OldTechFan96 · 11th Jul 2021, 7:12 pm

If these are anything like the PowerBook 1XX series power bricks, I suspect that the case has been plastic/ultrasonically welded.

Boulevardier · 11th Jul 2021, 7:51 pm

Seems likely - MacBookPro power-brick cases are also welded at the main seams. There are YouTube videos showing how the brave have been able to crack them open for repair.

Mike

dglcomp · 11th Jul 2021, 8:36 pm

A vice of knowledge would help here in getting the case open, I've used that method before and it worked fine.

Another option would be to acquire another 24V PSU and attach the cable from the apple one to it. Noting that 24V PSU's are easy to come by.

terrybull · 11th Jul 2021, 9:22 pm

Thanks. I suspected it was glued/welded. Any reason to just not carry on using it. It seems fine.

Slothie · 15th Jul 2021, 4:22 pm

Sounds to me like its the infamous mains filter capacitors - the "RIFA" brand was a common one, after years of storage moisture gets in and they expode. They should be replaced with the appropriate X or Y type capacitors, although many just remove them as they PSU will work without them. They should be removed or replaced as they may continue to give you problems...

terrybull · 16th Jul 2021, 8:20 am

Thanks. The power supply is working fine and as opening the case is likely to get messy I’ll just carry on.

11th Jul 2021, 3:47 pm	#1
terrybull Octode Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Southwell, Nottinghamshire, UK. Posts: 1,850	Apple PowerBook Duo 210 power supply Recently acquired a 1992/3 Apple laptop. It has been unused for a long time. Plugged it in and within 2 or 3 seconds this power brick popped with a flash and puff of foul smoke but still works fine. I’m tempted to just leave it but suppose I ought to have a look. Anyone any knowledge how to get it open. I can’t feel any screw holes under that label and don’t want to destroy it looking if there aren’t any. The slots on the bottom had rubber strips for feet which had turned to mush. Any idea for substitutes please. Attached Thumbnails

11th Jul 2021, 7:12 pm	#2
OldTechFan96 Octode Join Date: Jul 2017 Location: Newcastle Upon Tyne, Tyne & Wear, UK. Posts: 1,229	Re: Apple PowerBook Duo 210 power supply If these are anything like the PowerBook 1XX series power bricks, I suspect that the case has been plastic/ultrasonically welded.

11th Jul 2021, 7:51 pm	#3
Boulevardier Nonode Join Date: Sep 2017 Location: Bristol, UK. Posts: 2,268	Re: Apple PowerBook Duo 210 power supply Seems likely - MacBookPro power-brick cases are also welded at the main seams. There are YouTube videos showing how the brave have been able to crack them open for repair. Mike

11th Jul 2021, 8:36 pm	#4
dglcomp Heptode Join Date: Jul 2016 Location: Portland, Dorset, UK. Posts: 936	Re: Apple PowerBook Duo 210 power supply A vice of knowledge would help here in getting the case open, I've used that method before and it worked fine. Another option would be to acquire another 24V PSU and attach the cable from the apple one to it. Noting that 24V PSU's are easy to come by.

11th Jul 2021, 9:22 pm	#5
terrybull Octode Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Southwell, Nottinghamshire, UK. Posts: 1,850	Re: Apple PowerBook Duo 210 power supply Thanks. I suspected it was glued/welded. Any reason to just not carry on using it. It seems fine.

15th Jul 2021, 4:22 pm	#6
Slothie Rest in Peace Join Date: Apr 2018 Location: Newbury, Berkshire, UK. Posts: 1,287	Re: Apple PowerBook Duo 210 power supply Sounds to me like its the infamous mains filter capacitors - the "RIFA" brand was a common one, after years of storage moisture gets in and they expode. They should be replaced with the appropriate X or Y type capacitors, although many just remove them as they PSU will work without them. They should be removed or replaced as they may continue to give you problems... Attached Thumbnails

16th Jul 2021, 8:20 am	#7
terrybull Octode Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Southwell, Nottinghamshire, UK. Posts: 1,850	Re: Apple PowerBook Duo 210 power supply Thanks. The power supply is working fine and as opening the case is likely to get messy I’ll just carry on.