NeXT N3010 external CD-ROM drive

NeXT Computer, Inc. -> NeXT Black Hardware

Title: NeXT N3010 external CD-ROM drive
Post by: Bouddha on March 24, 2022, 04:20:07 AM
Hello!

After a successful restart of my old Cube and Station Turbo Color, I have tried to use my NeXT CD-ROM drive. Unfortunately switching it on just triggered a nice flashing light, level with the power switch. Actually the fuse burns whenever I try and power it on.
The supply unit seems to be dead. The PCB showed black stains. I have cleaned it and some tracks lost the soldermark vanish here and there. Due to the symptoms I suspect some issue with one of the components of the primary... I have checked most of them: the capacitors were OK (I took this opportunity to replace a capacitor of the secondary, which had obviously leaked out). The diode bridge rectifier was down... I replaced it as well, but same symptoms: the fuse burns upon switching on...
Now I suspect there should be an issue downstream (probably the switching power transistor?)...

Any ideas? Do you know if these power supply units were "standard" (the drive itself is a Sony) and could be found somewhere as spare parts?

Thanks!

Bouddha
Title: Re: NeXT N3010 external CD-ROM drive
Post by: cuby on March 24, 2022, 07:21:21 AM
I think Apple's CD300 drive was very similar to the NeXT CDROM, this might be a bit easier to find.
Title: Re: NeXT N3010 external CD-ROM drive
Post by: barcher174 on March 24, 2022, 05:13:11 PM
The power supply is standard to all drives of the same case form factor using Sony drives. The drive itself may be shorting the supply though. Some examples here: http://www.asterontech.com/Asterontech/next_cdrom_refurb.html
Title: Re: NeXT N3010 external CD-ROM drive
Post by: Bouddha on March 25, 2022, 05:16:57 AM
Quote from: barcher174 on March 24, 2022, 05:13:11 PMThe power supply is standard to all drives of the same case form factor using Sony drives. The drive itself may be shorting the supply though. Some examples here: http://www.asterontech.com/Asterontech/next_cdrom_refurb.html


I see, thank you Cuby and Barcher. Apple CD300 unit would be one example of these drives with a Sony unit and same form factor... Any ideas of other models? It is highly probable that the drive itself has some defective components indeed, but I doubt that could lead to the fuse burning upon switching on...
Title: Re: NeXT N3010 external CD-ROM drive
Post by: Bouddha on March 30, 2022, 09:01:48 AM
Update: I replaced the supply unit by one picked up from an Apple Drive. Exactly the same form factor indeed... And it powered on successfully. Of course the drive does not work. I am afraid I'll have to recap its mainboard, as explained there: http://www.asterontech.com/Asterontech/next_cdrom_refurb.html
Title: Re: NeXT N3010 external CD-ROM drive
Post by: barcher174 on March 30, 2022, 11:41:47 AM
Yeah recapping them is a must at this point. Even if it was working it would be on borrowed time.
Title: Re: NeXT N3010 external CD-ROM drive
Post by: Bouddha on April 15, 2022, 08:28:06 AM
Hello,

I am still waiting for some of the replacement capacitors. I have already received half of them, and I fear soldering them as these are small SM-components.
Would anyone know if by chance the Sony drive that is used in this unit, would be available under another brand (incl. Sony)? Just in case I ruin it when recapping :-)...
Title: Re: NeXT N3010 external CD-ROM drive
Post by: Bouddha on April 15, 2022, 08:32:16 AM
Replying to myself here but I think I have found the Sony drive unit that's inside: Sony CDU541-41.
I will check but it seems that the volume knob, jack etc. are at the very same locations...

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