[Coco] Coco 2 64k - heat issue?

[George Ramsower]

On 6/27/2015 11:29 AM, AQ Cerutti wrote:
> Hi All,
> I wrote not too long ago asking some questions about how to troubleshoot my
> disk controller and learned that I couldn't use it with my 16k Coco because
> it didn't have extended color basic. I'm a Coco newb but think they are
> pretty cool little machines and have been enjoying reading along on these
> forums.
>
> Good news, I bought a 64k Coco with extended color basic for about $40 and
> my floppy interface and drive do work.
>
> I'm noticing though that this 64k system gets very hot, much hotter than my
> 16k system. Taking this apart, the bulk of the heat seems to be coming from
> the power supply. The power supply looks okay. I don't see any corrosion,
> it's not plugged up with anything, I don't see any obvious shorts in the
> wires, etc.
>
> Can anyone confirm if these 64k Cocos run hot as in kind of hot to the
> touch from the outside of the case after having been on for just a few
> minutes?
>
> Factors that may be contributing:
>
> 1) It was about a 100 degree day when I was testing this and probably about
> 85 in my garage.
> 2) Someone, trying to get rid of the yellowing on this Coco, repainted it.
> They did a good job, all vents are free of paint but could this be
> contributing to extra heat?
>
> If the power supply seems to be the issue, does anyone have any suggestions
> as to how to cool this little system down other than a fan? The chips
> didn't seem to be excessively warm after letting sit a few minutes and
> opening but the power supply still was.
>
> Is that anything I should be worried about? If the consensus, is yes, does
> anyone have a power supply from a Coco 2 that they'd be willing to sell and
> should any coco 2 power supply work or would it have to be from a 64k? One
> with the power cord attached might be good, I can solder a bit but would
> prefer just to retack what is there.
>
> Does this even need to be replaced or should I just use it as is?
>
> Thanks for any information!
>
    A fan is the easiest solution. Unless you are an "electronic 
wizard", do that. Otherwise, an external power supply  does require 
bypassing the original power supply and most of the regulation is done 
on the mother board and will require cutting a few things out, adding 
wires to go to the PS, etc, etc.
  Use a fan. Lots easier!
George R