Smelly Apple IIGS

[PatrickXT]

I acquired an Apple IIGS nearly a year ago and although everything works great, it gives off an unpleasant odor. When off it's only detectable if I put my nose up against the case, but after it's been running a few minutes it's discernible from at least a few feet away. I haven't used it much and I finally decided to track down the source. First I opened the case and removed the power supply keeping it connected to the motherboard but outside the computer. I powered it on, waited a few minutes, then sniffed the PSU and motherboard. The smell was significantly stronger at the PSU. So I replaced the PSU, and now the problem is solved, right? Nope, the odor is as pungent as ever, and the source is the Apple RGB monitor. I suppose I just assumed it was emanating up from the computer to the monitor, but it's clearly stronger after the monitor warms up, so I don't think it is merely a residual odor.

What's curious is the old power supply did smell bad, and as far as I can tell, it's the exact same odor. Do you all have any idea what the likely culprits is? My guess is that either both the monitor and power supply have degraded smelly capacitors, or that the old PSU and monitor picked up an odor at their prior residence. They look very clean, but perhaps there's some amount of dust or smoke residue that smells bad when heated.

 

[stepleton]

My guess is that RIFA capacitors have exploded in both the PSU and the monitor. If you open the monitor, you might see the exploded RIFA still there, or perhaps someone has removed and replaced it without fully cleaning the residue from the PCBs. It's a difficult odour to remove altogether: in general, getting smoke smells out of things is difficult.

It's hard to describe what RIFAs smell like: my best description would be a kind of burnt molasses, but even that doesn't really capture it.

 

[cj7hawk]

I acquired an Apple IIGS nearly a year ago and although everything works great, it gives off an unpleasant odor.

Check the serial - it might have been Steve Jobs personal machine -

 

[SomeGuy]

Any dust, debris, and residue in or on the system can hold and emit smells. When a system is on and starts to heat up, it releases more of the smells.

It sounds like this machine may have stored someplace smelly and dirty, and whatever smells is everywhere. Keep in mind that some kinds of residue can be clear and not easily visible.

I've gotten some really dirty machines before. I normally do a complete disassembly, give the components a bath with warm water and a soft brush with just a little bit of whiting baking soda+peroxide toothpaste. Then dry in front of a fan or air blower.

The catch is there may be some components, like the CRT tube that can't be washed like that, and other parts that might not be operable. In that case, just blowing out dust and wiping down as best as possible.

Usually that gets any smells, but sometimes just leaving something running in a well ventilated location for a while can also help reduce smells.

 

[Chuck(G)]

Yes, I can usually pick up the scent of tobacco when I open the box containing a piece of old gear. I think the stink embeds itself into the plastic. If vermin (e.g. mice) have set up housekeeping in your gear, that can be nasty as well, particularly if some of those critters died inside. (I think of the sousaphone with the dead rat inside).

If it's not a failing component (remember selenium rectifiers?) or vermin, clean all surfaces and wait it out--the odor will eventually fade.

 

[shirsch]

My guess is that RIFA capacitors have exploded in both the PSU and the monitor. If you open the monitor, you might see the exploded RIFA still there, or perhaps someone has removed and replaced it without fully cleaning the residue from the PCBs. It's a difficult odour to remove altogether: in general, getting smoke smells out of things is difficult.

It's hard to describe what RIFAs smell like: my best description would be a kind of burnt molasses, but even that doesn't really capture it.

I think WWI era chemical warfare comes closer than molasses.

 

[PatrickXT]

I took a peek inside and there's a little bit of dust, but nothing stood out to me. Here are some photos, so you all can let me know if anything looks suspect.