dismantling a PSU

[Yatys 93]

say if I wanted to replicate the white PSU from the sun zero phase change build video, how simple is it dismantling a PSU to paint the casing?

[Hman1250]

VERY VERY HARD. Linus said in his sub zero build that the engineering of a PSU is very insane and very dangerous, it could possibly kill you. There are a lot of electrical components and storing them will be a mission. You would have a very high chance of breaking something, even with a guide since everything is so fragile. You'd have to be an electrical engineering to do this

[Guest]

yeah... no...  just paint the outside of it

don't even dismantle it

you'll probably kill yourself.

[Yatys 93]

VERY VERY HARD. Linus said in his sub zero build that the engineering of a PSU is very insane and very dangerous, it could possibly kill you. There are a lot of electrical components and storing them will be a mission. You would have a very high chance of breaking something, even with a guide since everything is so fragile. You'd have to be an electrical engineering to do this

fair enough, thanks guys

[thekeemo]

Its very dangerous but not very hard.

[Sportiva]

I'm pretty sure in that build log there was a "Do as I say not as I do" line so don't do it unless you want to burn your house down or die.

[rtpb5642]

Just be gentle. Its not that hard.

I once used an old PSU naked in a box for the PC i built in a box

[Lord_Karango17]

It's dangerous if the proper safety precautions are not taken. Don't think dismantling it is very hard though, just a couple of screws to get the shroud off.

 

Try seeing if you can just mask off the fan grill, and paint it without

[rtpb5642]

 

you'll probably kill yourself.

Are you joking rn? Its just 120v and its not like hes gunna take it apart while its plugged in anyway.

[Guest]

Are you joking rn? Its just 120v and its not like hes gunna take it apart while its plugged in anyway.

Which 99.99% of people don't know how to do, if you don't discharge the main capacitors, it can be fatal.

It can take minutes or hours or days. No one knows exactly, hence why its so dangerous to work on them.  

[d3sl91]

Its not hard, and not very dangerous if you are confident in your knowledge.

 

But I would recommend just painting the outside if you are not confident. 

[rtpb5642]

Which 99.99% of people don't know how to do, if you don't discharge the main capacitors, it can be fatal.

It can take minutes or hours or days. No one knows exactly, hence why its so dangerous to work on them.  

True when i worked on mine i just unplugged my system then pressed the power button to discharge the capacitors.

[Yatys 93]

like I'm not a moron, but I have never worked with the internals of one before, doing a white and blue build, would be nice is the 1500i matched. and the basic idea was just remove the shroud to paint, not messing with the actually internals.

[W-L]

like I'm not a moron, but I have never worked with the internals of one before, doing a white and blue build, would be nice is the 1500i matched. and the basic idea was just remove the shroud to paint, not messing with the actually internals.

 

Here I have it under the Modding FAQ:

http://linustechtips.com/main/topic/407754-modding-faq-common-mods/

 

Of course the regular safety thing about disconnecting it letting it sit for 30 mins-1 hour before opening and to be mindful of the contacts for the capacitors. you might require a little work to completely separate the metal casing from the internals since the power plug and switch might be soldered on at times so a soldering iron might be require other units just have a connector that you can take off, just note the locations of each wire when disassembling and re assembling.

[destroyer8769]

vinyl wrap wouldn't be a half bad alternative if you didn't want to risk it.

[dom1310df]

You could just discharge the capacitors this way

http://www.wikihow.com/Discharge-a-Capacitor

 

Or wear gloves that don’t conduct electricity.

[Micdeez]

This is dangerous stuff, I would probably do it if I really needed to, but IMO its not worth the potential risk.

[watts300]

Are you joking rn? Its just 120v and its not like hes gunna take it apart while its plugged in anyway.

It's not voltage that kills [injurs]. It's the current.

Capacitors store electricity. It would depend on how long the PSU has been unplugged so that the caps can drain/discharge into the resistors.

The OP could also google how to safely discharge capacitors.

[rtpb5642]

It's not voltage that kills [injurs]. It's the current.

Capacitors store electricity. It would depend on how long the PSU has been unplugged so that the caps can drain/discharge into the resistors.

I learned that in grade 5 science class. I have been shocked by 120V @ 10-15A twice and im fine.

Just unplug the PSU and turn on the pc it will discharge the PSU.

[Scheer]

This is probably one of the areas where if you have to ask, you should probably not mess with it, or at least do some research on how electricity works, what the components do, etc. That way you know what to avoid touching together. All-in-all it isn't very dangerous as everything should bleed off within a matter of seconds, but you still want to play it safe and wait 30 minutes or so.

 

Even if it was energized, really the only way you can get hurt is by crossing over a hot to a ground or return line, and even if you did cross them over 99.99% of the time its going to be a little spark that scares the crap out of you but doesn't hurt much, if at all.

 

Just use common sense, and if you are unsure of anything make sure to research it before preceding.

 

 

I learned that in grade 5 science class. I have been shocked by 120V @ 10-15A twice and im fine.

Just unplug the PSU and turn on the pc it will discharge the PSU.

 

It depends on how/where you get shocked. Its going to follow the easiest path to ground so typically it jumps right back, but if it was to pass through your body it can do major damage.

 

That being said, I've lost track the amount of times I've been shocked by 110/220 and I'm still alive and kicking.

[ThomasD]

Its very dangerous but not very hard.

It is only dangerous if you do not know how to discharge high voltage capacitors.  Which is not hard, but does require one appropriately sized power resistor, with insulated leads attached (alligator clip ends are nice) and a suitable multi-meter to verify your work.

 

There are plenty of resources on the web to explain the process.  But if you are not able to find, read, understand, and follow them, using the above mentioned equipment, then do not mess with what is inside a PSU.

 

Probably won't kill you, but - speaking from experience - 300+ volts DC hurts.  As in:  Drop a cinderblock onto your hand from a standing height.

[Benji_w]

VERY VERY HARD. Linus said in his sub zero build that the engineering of a PSU is very insane and very dangerous, it could possibly kill you. There are a lot of electrical components and storing them will be a mission. You would have a very high chance of breaking something, even with a guide since everything is so fragile. You'd have to be an electrical engineering to do this

 

Lmfao....

 

1. Turn off At the wall, press the power button on your PC, it will discharge any stored electricity but not power your system.
2. Turn off the PSU and remove from system, if you're still worried then leave for 24hrs.
3. After 24hrs start to take apart the casing.
4. The internals are normally screwed to the base of the casing, find those screws and remove, place internals on an anti-static workspace.
5. Prep your casing for paint
6. Paint to desired effect and let dry for 24-48hrs
7. Reverse disassembly.

It's not difficult, the PSU is just an electrical unit, treat it with caution and don't be a dumbass, simple.

[dom1310df]

Lmfao....

 

1. Turn off At the wall, press the power button on your PC, it will discharge any stored electricity but not power your system.
2. Turn off the PSU and remove from system, if you're still worried then leave for 24hrs.
3. After 24hrs start to take apart the casing.
4. The internals are normally screwed to the base of the casing, find those screws and remove, place internals on an anti-static workspace.
5. Prep your casing for paint
6. Paint to desired effect and let dry for 24-48hrs
7. Reverse disassembly.

It's not difficult, the PSU is just an electrical unit, treat it with caution and don't be a dumbass, simple.

 

 

It is only dangerous if you do not know how to discharge high voltage capacitors.  Which is not hard, but does require one appropriately sized power resistor, with insulated leads attached (alligator clip ends are nice) and a suitable multi-meter to verify your work.

 

There are plenty of resources on the web to explain the process.  But if you are not able to find, read, understand, and follow them, using the above mentioned equipment, then do not mess with what is inside a PSU.

 

Probably won't kill you, but - speaking from experience - 300+ volts DC hurts.  As in:  Drop a cinderblock onto your hand from a standing height.

And just to prove how easy it is, I will do this next weekend.

 

N.B. - If no-one hears from me after October 9th, assume I was wrong and electrocuted myself

[Benji_w]

And just to prove how easy it is, I will do this next weekend.

 

N.B. - If no-one hears from me after October 9th, assume I was wrong and electrocuted myself

 

When I'm doing something that's a bit risky I normally shout "I need an adult!" Then my gf normally comes to see what trouble I've caused or shouts "What have you done now?" from the other room.... I'm 26...

[ThomasD]

And just to prove how easy it is, I will do this next weekend.

 

N.B. - If no-one hears from me after October 9th, assume I was wrong and electrocuted myself

Just remember - following the details of a procedure is important, but it is the understanding of why those details matter that will keep you out of trouble.

 

Also, a good general rule when working with high voltage is to only use one hand inside the chassis - keep the other one in your pocket or behind your back.   That way if you do contact a strong potential the current is less likely to flow straight through your heart...