EB832 Upgrade to Meanwell 12v PSU

[TheHarold]

Instead of performing the 12v PSU replacement or replacing capacitors (Thank @_AV for the excellent videos!) , I decided to upgrade from the exposed unreliable PSU that is standard with older EB832 models to an enclosed Meanwell PSU.

This is the same MeanWell PSU that ships with current model EB832s, so should be an acceptable replacement and much more reliable.

The repair:

1. Desolder Old PSU from EB832
2. Solder Meanwell PSU onto top of Adapter PCB, clip excess pin length.
3. Solder 4x pin headers onto bottom of adapter PCB.
4. Solder new PSU assembly onto EB832, clip excess pin length.

More info on 12v PSU failures: https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/another-attempt-at-fixing-apex-eb832.804717/

 

[TheHarold]

Left: Older model EB832 that I upgraded from the lousy PSU to a meanwell.

Right: Newer model PSU that ships with the nice meanwell PSU.

Really the only difference is you can see the older “upgraded” one has an adapter PCB to get the correct pin locations for th

Here is a "Before" and "After" of the upgrade:

 

[Sleepydoc]

Awesome upgrade! Do you have extra adapter boards (and mean well supplies) for sale? I have a broken EB832 that I started to upgrade but my soldering skills weren't quite up to snuff (aggravated by a poor soldering iron.) This would be worth a shot for me, though.

 

[homer1475]

I was going to ask how you got the meanwell to mesh with the older board, as in the "other" thread @_AV mentions the older board was changed for the meanwell pinout.

Is this a board you had made, and are willing to sell to other hobbyists?

 

[TheHarold]

Awesome upgrade! Do you have extra adapter boards (and mean well supplies) for sale? I have a broken EB832 that I started to upgrade but my soldering skills weren't quite up to snuff (aggravated by a poor soldering iron.) This would be worth a shot for me, though.

I was going to ask how you got the meanwell to mesh with the older board, as in the "other" thread @_AV mentions the older board was changed for the meanwell pinout.

Is this a board you had made, and are willing to sell to other hobbyists?

Yes, I had extras made of the circuit boards for other hobbyists.
Right now I have 10 circuit boards and ~4 meanwell PSUs left, but I ordered another 100 boards that I can put up for sale.

 

[_AV]

Very nice!

I've had a prototype of this built a while back as a potential upgrade option. As I've said before, the original PSU with upgraded capacitors has so far proven to be reliable. Replacing the entire PSU will add some extra costs, but it's certainly an option, especially if the original failed beyond repair.

Also, it's a good option for DIY repairs.

 

[areefer01]

Instead of performing the 12v PSU replacement or replacing capacitors (Thank @_AV for the excellent videos!) , I decided to upgrade from the exposed unreliable PSU that is standard with older EB832 models to an enclosed Meanwell PSU.

This is the same MeanWell PSU that ships with current model EB832s, so should be an acceptable replacement and much more reliable.

The repair:

1. Desolder Old PSU from EB832
2. Solder Meanwell PSU onto top of Adapter PCB, clip excess pin length.
3. Solder 4x pin headers onto bottom of adapter PCB.
4. Solder new PSU assembly onto EB832, clip excess pin length.

More info on 12v PSU failures: https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/another-attempt-at-fixing-apex-eb832.804717/

Good work!

 

[AdrianSerge]

Yes, I had extras made of the circuit boards for other hobbyists.
Right now I have 10 circuit boards and ~4 meanwell PSUs left, but I ordered another 100 boards that I can put up for sale.

I'll be waiting for this! Im interested on 4 boards and 2 PSUs

 

[n2585722]

Very nice!

I've had a prototype of this built a while back as a potential upgrade option. As I've said before, the original PSU with upgraded capacitors has so far proven to be reliable. Replacing the entire PSU will add some extra costs, but it's certainly an option, especially if the original failed beyond repair.

Also, it's a good option for DIY repairs.

At the shop we use Panasonic 105 degree caps as replacements in all equipment. I would defiantly not use a lower temp rating on a cap in a power supply. Most all supplies are switch mode supplies that work at a higher frequency than the older 60 cycle or 120 cycle supplies so the caps seem to generate more heat filtering the higher frequency. I have not done this component but have done it on lots of VCR's and other consumer electronic equipment before. The caps are a common issue in those types of power supplies.

 

[n2585722]

Instead of performing the 12v PSU replacement or replacing capacitors (Thank @_AV for the excellent videos!) , I decided to upgrade from the exposed unreliable PSU that is standard with older EB832 models to an enclosed Meanwell PSU.

This is the same MeanWell PSU that ships with current model EB832s, so should be an acceptable replacement and much more reliable.

The repair:

1. Desolder Old PSU from EB832
2. Solder Meanwell PSU onto top of Adapter PCB, clip excess pin length.
3. Solder 4x pin headers onto bottom of adapter PCB.
4. Solder new PSU assembly onto EB832, clip excess pin length.

More info on 12v PSU failures: https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/another-attempt-at-fixing-apex-eb832.804717/

Great way to repair this. It is a lot simpler to just replace it than to repair it. Even for someone that does this as a profession the time wasted repairing the old could very well offset the extra cost in parts. Plus you can go on to something else a lot quicker.

 

[Rimsky]

I'm interested in a few of these boards and PSUs.

 

[TheHarold]

Great way to repair this. It is a lot simpler to just replace it than to repair it. Even for someone that does this as a profession the time wasted repairing the old could very well offset the extra cost in parts. Plus you can go on to something else a lot quicker.

I agree, especially because most hobbyists will not have a heated/high quality desoldering tool. Most of use the $5 spring loaded version, which takes a lot of trial and error.

 

[Rimsky]

I first thought that the board was only a simple port mapping, but now I see a lot of traces on the board picture. Why is that?

 

[TheHarold]

I first thought that the board was only a simple port mapping, but now I see a lot of traces on the board picture. Why is that?

You were correct- the white design is just silkscreen (printing), not actual traces. It is a free option from the PCB manufacturer so I have fun with the design. It is not *really* a "Mind Control Module" .

Shoot me a message if you would like some!

 

[TheHarold]

Here is the PSU assembly, both installed and a side view. It’s a direct replacement of the exposed PSU!

 

[Rimsky]

Neat!

 

[Rimsky]

Is there a way to know if my EB832 already has the en closed PSU from factory just by the serial number of any other means without actually opening and looking? Is there any other cosmetic change that would hint me?

 

[TheHarold]

Is there a way to know if my EB832 already has the en closed PSU from factory just by the serial number of any other means without actually opening and looking? Is there any other cosmetic change that would hint me?

I believe the upgraded/new version has an Intertek Certification Sticker on the back (in the mounting slot where the orange dovetail goes). No promises.

 

[Rimsky]

You are right. Mine has the Intertek logo and surely enough, the enclosed PSU is inside.

 

[TheHarold]

Got 16 broken EB832 from a local fish store, and was able to repair 14 of them in about 4 hours worth with this meanwell upgrade! Now I need to choose what to buy with my store credit

PS: I’m looking for a few people to send free meanwell adapter PCBs to in envelopes, to test if USPS will allow PCBs shipped as standard envelopes with 1 stamp.