Openbox S11 Dead, faint ticking noise

[mforbes6186]

Hi,

I was looking for a bit of advice with a dead OB S11. Looks totally dead with no display on LED or TV but there is a faint ticking noise as described on other posts. I thought it may be the PSU needing replaced however there is juice on each of the rails but just not as high as expected, ie 24v rail = 8v, 12v = 3.5v, 5v = 0.5v etc

Could it still be the PSU that's needing replaced or is it likely it's the MB that's gone?

Cheers,
Mark

[nibblitz]

No way of knowing... The voltages might read inaccurate when there is no load present.. Comparing the (gamble) cost of a replacement PSU for an old version Openbox VS the cost of buying a brand new latest version of Openbox, I know what I would do...

[jimbofz]

take a look inside ,remove power lead first
then examine all the electrolytic capacitors see if they have "bulged"
at the top they should be flat on the top ,
they can also leak out some of their electrolyte causing a stain on the board .
these caps are not expensive and anyone with experience of using a soldering iron should be able to change them.
i have a s9 so i expect the psu board to be something similar
these caps are typically 1000uf 470uf 680uf.they are polarity conscious so make sure ther are fitted the correct way round

[mast]

Hi

From my experience the psu should read the correct voltages, that is a classic psu gone pear shaped. I accept the caps could be screwed but its defo the psu by the sounds of it.

Its your call wether you want to try a new psu about ?15ish on fleabay but on the other hand although I think its more than likely a new psu will/should get it going it could have done some other damage too and I think thats what nibblitz is trying to say.

You weigh it up and decide, new psu or new box.

Regards

[zorro]

change the 1000uf cap in psu hope this helps

[DW190]

If your not in a rush you can get one for around a fiver.

Power Supply board SMPS for openbox s10 s11 skybox s10 s11 satellite receiver-in Satellite TV Receiver from Consumer Electronics on Aliexpress.com

[Hadron]

Hi,

I was looking for a bit of advice with a dead OB S11. Looks totally dead with no display on LED or TV but there is a faint ticking noise as described on other posts. I thought it may be the PSU needing replaced however there is juice on each of the rails but just not as high as expected, ie 24v rail = 8v, 12v = 3.5v, 5v = 0.5v etc

Could it still be the PSU that's needing replaced or is it likely it's the MB that's gone?

Cheers,
Mark

Were those readings taken with the ribbon cable still connected to the MB? If so, try again with the ribbon cable disconnected.

If you still get low readings, then it's definately the PSU. If the readings are normal, then it could still be either the PSU or MB.

[mforbes6186]

change the 1000uf cap in psu hope this helps

It does look as though the 1000uf is slightly bulged, i'll try replacing that, thanks. Will any 1000uf 10v cap do?

Were those readings taken with the ribbon cable still connected to the MB? If so, try again with the ribbon cable disconnected. If you still get low readings, then it's definately the PSU. If the readings are normal, then it could still be either the PSU or MB.

With the ribbon out the voltages were much higher, the 12v/24v rails were 15v/31v respectively and the 2 5v rails were 2.5v. I think given the cap is bulged i'll try changing that first before replacing the PSU. cheers

[mast]

Hi

Nowt to lose so go for it, just be aware of the polarity though.

Regards

[seangraves]

Hi,

I was looking for a bit of advice with a dead OB S11. Looks totally dead with no display on LED or TV but there is a faint ticking noise as described on other posts. I thought it may be the PSU needing replaced however there is juice on each of the rails but just not as high as expected, ie 24v rail = 8v, 12v = 3.5v, 5v = 0.5v etc

Could it still be the PSU that's needing replaced or is it likely it's the MB that's gone?

Cheers,
Mark

sorry ta say is it worth botherin repairing mate

[mast]

sorry ta say is it worth botherin repairing mate

Hi

Well to the OP its worth it, if he has any soldering skills, a cap costing pennies and maybe 15 minutes of his time and he could have it repaired so perhaps its worth a go to him.

Regards

[mforbes6186]

sorry ta say is it worth botherin repairing mate

Yeah, i've got 3 boxes with the same issue so it would def be worth trying at least. I'll do one and se if it helps. Will any 1000uf 10v cap from maplin etc do? cheers

[Hadron]

Yeah, i've got 3 boxes with the same issue so it would def be worth trying at least. I'll do one and se if it helps. Will any 1000uf 10v cap from maplin etc do? cheers

For a permanent repair you need a low ESR 105C capacitor, but temporarily fitting a normal 85C cap would prove whether it is actually the cap at fault. Maplin do a 105C 1000uF 16v cap (Order Code: DT69A for 54p), although you might find a better low ESR one on Ebay. The original ones fitted to the PSU are not only cheap, but are physically smaller than a good quality one. Luckily there is a bit of room around C11, so you might still be able to squeeze it in.

[mast]

Hi

Not bought caps for a while but I think its the high temp ones you want, the chinese ones on these boxes are most likely cheapos so get the same value cap but high temp.

Edit: While I was typing up Hadron has said exactly what I meant. Didnt really want to tell you to up it to 16v but it defo has to be 105 degrees. If you can squeeze the 16v then I personally would do that.

Regards

[Hadron]

There's no particular need for a 16v cap, it's just that Maplin don't do a 10v type.

It's a shame that Maplin's website has gone downhill over the last year or so. They used to give you all the details of their components (dimensions etc.). Not sure how big the Maplin one would be, compared to the original.