PSU Smell

Grant620 · Post by **Grant620** » Thu May 15, 2008 2:45 pm

Hi
for no apparent reason, my PSU in my PC seems to have started to make a sort of burning smell...
It's about 2 years old.
Is this normal? Should I panic?

syzsounds · Post by **syzsounds** » Thu May 15, 2008 2:53 pm

Check fans ... Is it dusty ?

Grant620 · Post by **Grant620** » Thu May 15, 2008 2:59 pm

Yeah - tis a bit dusty.
Strange how it started suddenly though.

Scott · Post by **Scott** » Thu May 15, 2008 3:12 pm

it will almost certainly fail very soon.

sometimes smells of TCP a bit? Normally because a component inside has got very hot, usually as a result of the components casing cracks (Again due to getting too hot). Something like a big diode or one of the voltage regulators, it could be glowing red inside.

I would personally give it a good looking over, with a view to replace it. Faulty PSU not only could damage your computer, but you dont want it setting on fire inside your computer either...

Grant620 · Post by **Grant620** » Thu May 15, 2008 3:18 pm

Cheers Scott.
TCP smell indeed - that's it.
Walked into the office this morning and it stank like someone had spilt a bottle! ooops.
Best sort that soon then.

Have PSU's changed much in 2 years?
Not running a mega spec PC - got a 400W job in there at the moment.

Scott · Post by **Scott** » Thu May 15, 2008 4:03 pm

psu's havent changed much since the mid 90's. They get more efficient and more powerful to match demands of todays PC's.

Even without a serious spec PC, its worth looking at your setup, if youve got 8 hard drives, 14 pci cards and a 3 usb cup warmers it might be worth looking at something a little more beefier.

also, worth checking your psu is plugged into a surge protection socket if available...

Vard66 · Post by **Vard66** » Thu May 15, 2008 4:26 pm

Aye, surge protection is on my list of things to get, it's a good move. Everytime we have a powercut here, I positively brick it. And if there's a thunderstorm going on outside, the PC gets shut down within about half a minute of me hearing the first rumbles.
Tagan stuff is pretty hot, atm, especially the modular units - keep your PC uncluttered and allow for better airflow.
Or, you can never really go wrong with a Hiper, they are reliable, and usually have a bloody good warranty to back it up.

Rover220CoupeTurbo · Post by **Rover220CoupeTurbo** » Thu May 15, 2008 7:43 pm

Change it as soon as you can because if one of the capacitors explode, it can cover the internals with crap and possible damage something else.

xr4x4 · Post by **xr4x4** » Thu May 15, 2008 8:30 pm

UPS ftw...!!!

Grant620 · Post by **Grant620** » Thu May 15, 2008 10:24 pm

xr4x4 wrote:UPS ftw...!!!

I prefer TNT or DHL myself

xr4x4 · Post by **xr4x4** » Thu May 15, 2008 10:36 pm

Grant620 wrote:
xr4x4 wrote:UPS ftw...!!!
I prefer TNT or DHL myself

meh..

mike50001 · Post by **mike50001** » Thu May 15, 2008 11:26 pm

get a new psu in before it takes the rest with it.

the smells the capacitors overheating, once they dry out the voltage goes up until they pop or something else pops.

usualy its the most expensive bit pops first