Fried my Breifcase adapter...what to do now?

[dave_van_damn]

I plugged in my IFU without using a step-down transformer earlier today by accident and heard the adapter buzzing and eventually smelling bad. Unplugged it after 10 seconds or so but after plugging it back in (with a step down) my IFU don't power up. Is it likely that the briefcase is fried too or just the adapter? I checked the PCE and that appears to be fine.

[Black Tiger]

There is a repair/mod section where people can tell you what is likely the problem and how to fix it. If you're not up to the task, there are also several people here who do repairs.

[blueraven]

I keep aftermarket adapters in stock for refurbished consoles in case this kind of thing happens. The only problem is that they have a power chord that is only about 2 feet long, so you have to plug it in close to the system.

You can buy them on eBay for $2.58 shipped;

http://www.ebay.com/itm/140865743094 ...

...and they take 2-3 weeks if you live in a major city. Or you can buy one from me put together for $8 ($5 + 3p/h) shipped. (this one has been used for about a month so its only about 85% new. I will get it out to you on Monday). I try to keep 5-10 of theses in stock at a time, and will take it down to the Oakland PO (which cuts 1 day off ship time to you). 

It will get you back on the road, until you get you supply fixed. Send me a pm if you are interested.

If you want to fix your own power supply, because you want the system to stay original or if you have a sentimental attachment to it, as BlackTiger said, please go to the repair forums... But you said something about "it smelling like burning". I would post a new thread there and ask for the other tech's opinions. I know that a few people have sucessfully repaired them by replacing fuses, soldering, or replacing the big cap inside them. I wish you the best of luck with that.   

NOTE: This post was edited per a conversation with chop5, when he reminded me that I would have to add the new $1 plug and switch the polarity if its being used on a PCE Duo.

[dave_van_damn]

I keep aftermarket adapters in stock for refurbished consoles in case this kind of thing happens. The only problem is that they have a power chord that is only about 2 feet long, so you have to plug it in close to the system.

You can buy them on eBay for $2.58 shipped;

http://www.ebay.com/itm/140865743094 ...

...and they take 2-3 weeks if you live in a major city. Or you can buy one from me put together for $8 ($5 + 3p/h) shipped. (this one has been used for about a month so its only about 85% new. I will get it out to you on Monday). I try to keep 5-10 of theses in stock at a time, and will take it down to the Oakland PO (which cuts 1 day off ship time to you). 

It will get you back on the road, until you get you supply fixed. Send me a pm if you are interested.

If you want to fix your own power supply, because you want the system to stay original or if you have a sentimental attachment to it, as BlackTiger said, please go to the repair forums... But you said something about "it smelling like burning". I would post a new thread there and ask for the other tech's opinions. I know that a few people have sucessfully repaired them by replacing fuses, soldering, or replacing the big cap inside them. I wish you the best of luck with that.   

NOTE: This post was edited per a conversation with chop5, when he reminded me that I would have to add the new $1 plug and switch the polarity if its being used on a PCE Duo.

Thanks for the offer but I live in Hong Kong so I imagine it'll cost a fortune to send here Luckily I've managed to locate an official adapter over here so hopefully the machine is still working.

I was thinking though, considering these adapters are close to 30 years old would it be better to use an aftermarket adapter? At least an aftermarket one would have new components, for example. Is there not an increased risk of causing damage to the system should an original adapter short out or fry or something? I've got very little knowledge of electrical things so repairing it is sadly out of the question - I guess I could sell it for spares...?

[thesteve]

If the unit was off, it should be just the supply or possible input cap

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