IIC External "Power Brick" Disaster --- Help!

[sebugg@presby.edu (Stephen Buggie)]

June 1, 1995

                         IIC POWER SUPPLY DISASTER:
                         -------------------------
                   IS THERE A FUSE INSIDE THE POWER BRICK?
                   ---------------------------------------

I have six IIc computers, plus a IIgs and IIe.  Like other A2 enthusiasts,
I have a local reputation for fixing computers.   Three of the IIc computers
were, in fact, junkers when I got them.

Tonight someone from my college brought me her IIC (Unidisk 3.5 middle model)
which quit working.  I plugged it in --- no action.   Then, in a usual
trouble-shooting routine, I plugged it into one of my power supplies ---
no action.  I plugged my IIc into her power supply ---- no action.

I told her to leave it here and I will fix it.   There is no smell of
burned electronics, or anythink gross.  I opened her computer and nothing
smells or looks burned.  I even looked at the internal power box and
nothing looks or smells bad there.

THE SHOCKER:
I knew something serious was wrong when my own IIc, which worked perfectly
before, no longer worked!  I then tried the computer on two other IICs----
after being connected to her computer, no IIC power brick works any more!


Therefore, I have deduced that there must be a fault with her internal
voltage converter.  It blows any power brick that is attached to it!
This has cost me THREE power bricks, plus her own.

In the IIc CPU there is no power fuse.  Also, there is no power fuse inside
the internal power-converter (I just looked).

Is there a power fuse inside the IIc external power brick?  Is there
any way at all to open the power-brick to replace it, or to reset
a circuit-breaker?    [There _is_ a fuse inside the IIe/II+ power supply
so fuses are not like coolling fans --- consistently omitted by Apple.]

If the IIc power-brick casing cannot be pried open, can a fuse be
accessed through drilling?  I hate to wreck the appearance but will do it
if I can restore the power brick to functioning again.


Finally, does anyone out there have the internal voltage-converter from a
junked IIC?   (Shiny metal cube approx 3"x3"x4" inside the CPU?)   Also,
does anyone have an spare external power bricks for IIc or Laser 128,
in case there is no way to restore the function of the four power bricks
that are damaged????

I will be disappointed in Apple design if there is no way to fix these
power bricks.   I have never had any ever fail before.   But there ought
to be a circuit-breaker or fuse in its design.

Please e-mail me with advice or if you have a spare power brick to sell;
or, the internal voltage-converter.

Stephen Buggie      sebugg@presby.edu



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 ** Stephen Buggie  Psych Dept  Presbyterian College   Clinton SC 29325 **
 ** sebugg@presby.edu                 voice: (803) 833-8337 or 833-1632 **
 **             The Apple ][ pledge:  never to mess with MS-DOS         **
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