burning smell from Ultra 500w XConnect power supply?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Phil Tomaskovic
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Phil Tomaskovic

I bought a 500w Ultra XConnect power supply and notice when I walk into the
room with the PC a slight smell - like plastic/rubber burning. Not real
strong but I do notice when I walk in the room. Is this normal or should I
exchange for another? Wasn't sure if maybe it takes a few days to break in
and burn off anything? Never noticed anything from my old ANtec 430w Tru
Power.

Thanks
 
I bought a 500w Ultra XConnect power supply and notice when I walk into the
room with the PC a slight smell - like plastic/rubber burning. Not real
strong but I do notice when I walk in the room. Is this normal or should I
exchange for another? Wasn't sure if maybe it takes a few days to break in
and burn off anything? Never noticed anything from my old ANtec 430w Tru
Power.

Thanks
Click to expand...

I have heard of them smelling a little burnt at first and it
"seeming" to be a normal occurance for that particular PSU,
so it's "possible" there's nothing wrong. On the other
hand, for all their hype, Ultra's PSU are overrated junk in
a pretty housing, they can fail just like any other PSU and
might make a stink when they do. Regardless of my low
opinion of Ultra's PSUs, so long as the system it's in
doesn't really need anywhere near 400W (yes, only 400W)
(many don't even need 70% of that in actual watts
delivered), AND if the PSU is working as designed, it should
be sufficient.

If it were my system, I'd pull the PSU out, put a load on it
(like 5 old hard drives) and leave it running for a few
days, WELL away from anything flammable, occasionally taking
voltage readings. This instead of waiting to see if
something IS wrong with it and risking the system it's in.

Frankly, if you paid over $50 for it, I'd try to get a
refund. A Sparkle/Fortron 400W is superior and only $50-60
when on sale.
 
Thanks. I did pay $50 at Fry's for it after rebate. Then Ultra actually
gives another $30 back if you send them your old Antec PS.

Good to know that the smell may be normal. I wrote their support also. Not
sure if I should try returning for another now. The system isn't a big power
hungry only 1 HD and some dvd drives and Audigy card and ATI AIW 8500.

Phil
 
Phil said:
I bought a 500w Ultra XConnect power supply and notice
when I walk into the room with the PC a slight smell - like
plastic/rubber burning. Not real strong but I do notice
when I walk in the room. Is this normal or should I
exchange for another? Wasn't sure if maybe it takes a few
days to break in and burn off anything? Never noticed
anything from my old ANtec 430w Tru Power.
Click to expand...
I did pay $50 at Fry's for it after rebate. Then Ultra actually
gives another $30 back if you send them your old Antec PS.
Click to expand...

www.silentpcreview.com/article193-page1.html has several reviews of
PSUs and is one of the very few websites that tests to the full rated
power rather than the usual 200-250W. These pictures from the review
show that the 500W Ultra-X is built more like a 300-400W Antec:

www.silentpcreview.com/files/images/xconnect_psu/xconnect5.jpg
www.silentpcreview.com/files/images/xconnect_psu/xconnect6.jpg

The smell could be from the insulation of the wires because vinyl is
known for stinking, especially when it's new (have you tried holding a
sample of similarly insulated wire against a 25-40W non-halogen bulb to
check if it smells the same?), and the pictures of the Ultra-X show
that its wiring isn't tied away from the heatsinks or sleeved, as it
usually is in the better PSUs.

I wouldn't trade a 430W TruePower for $30, especially when it can
probably put out more power than that 500W Ultra-X. But if it had been
working fine until recently, then maybe the power connectors have
become corroded or loose, or the low voltage electrolytic capacitors
have gone bad, which $10 worth of new Japanese brand capacitors will
fix.
 
Phil said:
I bought a 500w Ultra XConnect power supply and notice
when I walk into the room with the PC a slight smell - like
plastic/rubber burning. Not real strong but I do notice
when I walk in the room. Is this normal or should I
exchange for another? Wasn't sure if maybe it takes a few
days to break in and burn off anything? Never noticed
anything from my old ANtec 430w Tru Power.
Click to expand...
I did pay $50 at Fry's for it after rebate. Then Ultra actually
gives another $30 back if you send them your old Antec PS.
Click to expand...

www.silentpcreview.com/article193-page1.html has several reviews of
PSUs and is one of the very few websites that tests to the full rated
power rather than the usual 200-250W. These pictures from the review
show that the 500W Ultra-X is built more like a 300-400W Antec:

www.silentpcreview.com/files/images/xconnect_psu/xconnect5.jpg
www.silentpcreview.com/files/images/xconnect_psu/xconnect6.jpg

The smell could be from the insulation of the wires because vinyl is
known for stinking, especially when it's new (have you tried holding a
sample of similarly insulated wire against a 25-40W non-halogen bulb to
check if it smells the same?), and the pictures of the Ultra-X show
that its wiring isn't tied away from the heatsinks or sleeved, as it
usually is in the better PSUs.

I wouldn't trade a 430W TruePower for $30, especially when it can
probably put out more power than that 500W Ultra-X. But if it had been
working fine until recently, then maybe the power connectors have
become corroded or loose, or the low voltage electrolytic capacitors
have gone bad, which $10 worth of new Japanese brand capacitors will
fix.
 
The Antec was working fine. I just thought the modular cables was a nice
idea and it could be adaptable later on if I moved to a MB with a 24 pin
connector. I can get the cable for the Ultra when needed. Not sure if other
20->24 bin adapters are ok , although I guess it work the same as the Ultra
cable.
 
I also have an Ultra X-connect 500 watt ps. Mine has the windows wit
the nifty lit up blue fan inside

I have that same burning smell, but scariest of all, I have a smal
piece of plastic hanging from something atop the inside of the psu.
can't get an exact location on what its hanging from, but regardless
it doesnt inspire a lot of trust on the unit

ive had mine for close to 3 weeks before i noticed this. and yes,
have quite a power hungry system (in my opinion)

Asus A8n-Deluxe mob
AMD64 4000+ pro
Kingston Hyper-X 512x2 Memor
Geforce 6800GT (pci-e x16
Pioneer DVD burne
A few random 40 gig hard drives thrown in the mi

I have 4 case fans, and an exhaust fan that runs out of one of the pc
slots. i keep my room at 69 degrees, and my system reports that m
case temp is 29 degrees celsius idle

Im just a little scared that my baby will get fried by this psu
Trash it? Keep it? what should i do? id appreciate the help

Jo
 
On Sat, 11 Jun 2005 02:25:31 -0500,
I also have an Ultra X-connect 500 watt ps. Mine has the windows with
the nifty lit up blue fan inside.

I have that same burning smell, but scariest of all, I have a small
piece of plastic hanging from something atop the inside of the psu. I
can't get an exact location on what its hanging from, but regardless,
it doesnt inspire a lot of trust on the unit.

ive had mine for close to 3 weeks before i noticed this. and yes, i
have quite a power hungry system (in my opinion):
Click to expand...

What thread are you referring to?

I bought one of these too. I thought they looked slick and the
removable cables and the look of the cables with their black weave is
cool. It also feels pretty hefty and usually sells for a fair amount.

http://bjorn3d.pricegrabber.com/search_getprod.php/masterid=3296602

http://bjorn3d.pricegrabber.com/rating_getprodrev.php/masterid=3296602

http://www.bjorn3d.com/read.php?cID=711&pageID=1091

Heres a pic of the interior of one model
http://www.hardcoreware.net/reviews/review-231-2.htm
 
I also have an Ultra X-connect 500 watt ps. Mine has the windows with
the nifty lit up blue fan inside.
Click to expand...

If the rear fan has sleeve-bearing (and you decide to keep
using the PSU), I'd replace that fan with a quality
name-brand dual ball bearing fan. Exhaust fan failure is a
fairly common problem under heavily loaded PSU with poor
exhaust fan.

I have that same burning smell, but scariest of all, I have a small
piece of plastic hanging from something atop the inside of the psu. I
can't get an exact location on what its hanging from, but regardless,
it doesnt inspire a lot of trust on the unit.
Click to expand...

"Piece of plastic" could be anything, a manufacturing
problem, a melted part, or an intentional design. I've
heard that those may smell burnt for a SHORT time when new,
but after a few days at fair system load, this shouldn't be
continuing.

ive had mine for close to 3 weeks before i noticed this. and yes, i
have quite a power hungry system (in my opinion):

Asus A8n-Deluxe mobo
AMD64 4000+ proc
Kingston Hyper-X 512x2 Memory
Geforce 6800GT (pci-e x16)
Pioneer DVD burner
A few random 40 gig hard drives thrown in the mix

I have 4 case fans, and an exhaust fan that runs out of one of the pci
slots. i keep my room at 69 degrees, and my system reports that my
case temp is 29 degrees celsius idle.

Im just a little scared that my baby will get fried by this psu.
Trash it? Keep it? what should i do? id appreciate the help.
Click to expand...

Take voltage readings of 12V, 5V, 3V, with a multimeter
through the back of the ATX and 4-pin/12V connectors with
system under load.

That is not comparable to better 500W PSU, more like a
median-grade 400W PSU, and yet the system could run from
such a PSU if it doesn't have some design problem- you could
always open it up (after leaving unplugged for a few minues)
and check the interior, though that might void your
warranty.

Unfortuately, if it's just poor quality PSU rather than a
defect, you may get no relief from RMA warranty replacement-
money back often isn't an option.
 
"Piece of plastic" could be anything, a manufacturing
problem, a melted part, or an intentional design. I've
heard that those may smell burnt for a SHORT time when new,
but after a few days at fair system load, this shouldn't be
continuing.
Click to expand...

You know mine smells too and I havent even turned it on. It has a
really strong weird burned smell. It was one of the 4 PSes I got when
Compusa had a string of PS sales which they still continued in their
last last which had a 600 watt Maddog PS I think.

The Ultra X was sold for $39 after rebate probably because they are
making new ones maybe like the windowed units. Ive seen one post talk
about how they have heard of a few Ultra Xs dying after a few months
but he says overall many other people seem to like them and they are
sold at really high prices around 100 bucks I see on the net.

The reason I used my new maddog 500 watt to replace my antec 400 watt
which seemed a bit tired was because the Ultra X I got only had one
floppy power connection and I had to have at least two for my sata
converters which use them. Most PSes have two. You can buy adaptors
but around here they only sell them at Compusa for $17 and that seems
ridiculous for a simple plastic power plug adaptor.
 
By using that failing PSU you risk ALSO burning out the motherboard and
other components along with the PSU.
 
I was going to buy a X-Connect but I went with a 520W OCZ Modstream, a
little cheaper and a lot better. I know a couple people who have the
X-Connect and they seem to have more reservations about them then anything
else. If you want the best PS out there that is almost fully modular get
the Antec NeoPower 480W. I have heard nothing but praise about them.
However they are not sleeved so you have to do that yourself which isn't
difficult but can be a pain.
 
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