I've got a HYS80 I've located the C8 it looks fine.

Everything works, fans, front panel, lights just not the cooling

What should I be looking for? I am a newbie, so don't have such testing tools. Also Is it safe for a newbie to work on this board? I see some scary 200V capacitors.

 

Looks like a switch mode PSU, mains input on the right, rectified to DC across the two black capacitors on the right . Check to see if there's any DC around 300 V ,.The two transistors on the heatsink will pulse the large transformer, and produce a lower AC voltage rectified by a twin diode on the other heatsink, the whole thing will probably be controlled by the chip TL494. You can check the supply pins 12/7 to see if there is any voltage should be around 12V .

 

HYS80 PSU board

 

Thank you, I'll be able to test that on Tuesday, looking forward to troubleshooting it.

 

I've got a HYS80 I've located the C8 it looks fine.

You cannot judge the performance of C8 by visual inspection. You need an ESR (equivalent series resistance) tester to detect a high (failed) resistance. For most folks, it's cheaper and easier to just replace it, especially since it is an "aging" component. Replacing it early before it has failed should buy more service time before failure.

Also Is it safe for a newbie to work on this board? I see some scary 200V capacitors.

While powered, it's definitely dangerous. You could easily cause a short or such while probing. And of course you might touch something and get zapped. Once unplugged, it will be safe within seconds. I wouldn't lay my tongue across the poles of one of those capacitors, but the risk is minimal.

 

Thanks for the help.

Ok so if I test across the peltier I should get about 12 volts? Should doing it parallel like this give a good enough reading?


I've purchased a replacement for C8 and will try to do this when it arrives, but my old soldering iron is pretty crap.

 

Yes you can measure it there.

 

... my old soldering iron is pretty crap.

Do yourself a favor and upgrade. There are good threads here on soldering equipment. I got an el-cheapo soldering station from Parts Express on sale with some spare tips and have been very happy with it. It was only $14 when I got it. I guess that's been a while!

I know the money is a drag but the time you'll save and the enjoyment you'll get from using the proper tool are priceless.

 

I wholeheartedly agree with this suggestion. Not only will it make your work far easier, but you will also avoid damaging components or PC boards.