Re: System Saver IIgs -- ID of burned part?

[Stephen Shaw <xstephenx@apple2.org.za>]

These are MOVs (metal oxide varistors) designed to absorb lightning strikes and
other transients emanating from the power line. Radio Shack should have
replacements. These do age.

On Tue, 19 Jun 2001 05:42:15 GMT, Mitchell Spector wrote:

>     I just opened up my Kensington System Saver IIgs to have a look
> inside (I've been wanting to replace its noisy fan for years) and just
> found something I wasn't expecting. The orange disc-like part at
> location 'V1' (there's also one at V2 and V3) split open and the
> plastic cover above it is badly scorched and burned. It looks to be
> some sort of large capacitor, resistor or regulator--I'm not sure,
> only that I've seen these on other electronics only much, much
> smaller in size. It has two points that solder to the board, probably
> a postive and negative contact.
>
>     The fan, LEDs and power-outlets seem to be working just fine, so
> I'm wondering what this bit of electronics does and how safe is it to
> continue running with it blown. Is it a fire hazard? I have absolutely
> _no_ idea when it blew, it could have been last week or it could
> have been 10 years ago.
>
>     Incidentally, can I use an ordinary 12v DC fan (say from a AT/XT
> powersupply) if/when I get around to opening it up again? The
> existing fan is huge, probably about the size of a refrigerator fan!
>
> Mitchell Spector
> a_specto@alcor.concordia.ca

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