Quad FM3. Worth repair ?

[keithsnaim]

I have just been gifted a FM3 that's in beautiful condition except it doesn't work. Cosmetically like new , no marks on it at all. It maybe just a simple fix or something more complex. It powers up for a few seconds then blows the onboard fuse. It continually does this.
Looking at the boards everything looks original , no blown components , hot spots etc.
I would like to get it working again. Any ideas where I should look first.

Regards Keith

 

[Tony L]

Quad will still fix them, as will others. A nice tuner if low output into modern line inputs. Certainly worth repairing IMO.

 

[337alant]

If there is a Rifa X2 cap accross mains in it may be cracked or leaky I got an FM4 like that and thats all that was wrong with it appart from needing a new battery
Check the power supply rectifiers reg and caps for shorts
Alan

 

[linnfomaniac83]

I have just been gifted a FM3 that's in beautiful condition except it doesn't work. Cosmetically like new , no marks on it at all. It maybe just a simple fix or something more complex. It powers up for a few seconds then blows the onboard fuse. It continually does this.
Looking at the boards everything looks original , no blown components , hot spots etc.
I would like to get it working again. Any ideas where I should look first.

Regards Keith

It’ll be a simple fix, either a cap or a rectifier diode in the PSU being the most likely cause... and more likely a cap than a rectifier diode (diodes usually either go open circuit or dead short, a dead short would pop the fuse immediately). Something is drawing too much current, but not enough to blow the fuse instantly. There is nothing particularly complex about them and as such, they’re quite easy to repair (although alignment is a specialist job).

 

[keithsnaim]

Thanks guy's. I will have a bit more time this weekend to explore the innards . i will take a few photos along the way too.
Regards Keith

 

[Matty297]

I have a Box in my basement with the guts of a FM3 in it.. it’s yours for the price of postage if you want it?

 

[Dowser]

...and if not, I’d happily pay postage to me here in Swissieland for it...i have a spare FM1 here I’d like to try and shoehorn it into

 

[keithsnaim]

I have a Box in my basement with the guts of a FM3 in it.. it’s yours for the price of postage if you want it?

Thanks for the offer. Fixed it now.

 

[davidsrsb]

Thanks for the offer. Fixed it now.

And the solution was??????

 

[keithsnaim]

Changed the leaking cap in the power supply.