Re: PROB: //e flashes/clicks...

[rubywand@aol.com (RUBYWAND)]

In article <32BEB7AA.4692@ccmail.dsccc.com>, Vince Guytan II
<VGUYTAN_at_DSC-OS8@ccmail.dsccc.com> writes:

>
>My //e ran into a problem the other night...when it is on for more than 
>20 minutes the screen starts to flash and the green power light on the 
>computer would do the same...also, i can hear it clicking as it does 
>this.  anyone know the problem?  could it be i need a heavy duty power 
>supply or is my computer shot?  i have many cards inside at this time 
>including a hard drive.
>
>

     When your IIe power supply 'believes' you are drawing too much
current, it shuts down. If the load is just on the edge of being too high,
you will get the OFF/ON clicking of the relay on the power supply.

     Higher operating temps (e.g. due to winter heating of the room),
adjustment slippage, and component aging are some factors which might
cause the power supply's current sensing circuits to 'suddenly decide'
that the load is too high. If your power supply has the output adjustment
pot on the circuit board, you may be able to tweak it to allow a bit more
load current.

     A "Heavy Duty" replacement power supply could solve the problem. The
main downside of this approach is price. You will pay 2-3 times as much
for a look-alike, "for-Apple2" Heavy Duty power supply as you would for a
better-quality, higher-power for-PC, etc. supply.

     Companies like JDR and Jameco offer a variety of new surplus supplies
which can be fitted inside a IIe or II+. These offer ample power and quiet
operation at low prices. The main downside is the bother of mounting the
supply as well as the ON/OFF switch.  

     A Buggie supply delivers plenty of juice at a good price. The main
downside is that it is an external unit. Since there are ventilation holes
in the case, the supply needs to be placed somewhere beyond the reach of
small children.