3 ms·

Not a TRS-80 expert, but leaking/failed capacitors are a very common problem in old (and new!) machines.

• simonblack 6y ago
  Yes. And the way to fix ageing electrolytic capacitors is to use the machine regularly. If you use the machine before the capacitors age too far, the electrolyte will be 'rejuvenated' so to speak. If you let it go too long, the capacitors lose their dielectric and are more likely to leak very high currents, which will boil the electrolyte and explode the container. Apparently, even if the dielectric is old and perished, you can use a variac to slowly increase the voltage and rejuvenate the dielectric without the leakage current ever getting to explosive 'boil the electrolyte' levels.
  • codazoda 6y ago
    This is very interesting and sounds like good news. So, by using the machine I may actually improve it's life span. That's pretty interesting. Guess I shouldn't have left it in the box after my move two years ago.
  • LarryMade2 6y ago
    There's several Youtube Videos on restoring old computers including the CoCo, most of them come with plenty of commentary on parts that tend to fail or should be replaced regardless of if they are working now or not. I think one of the better ones for this is Adrian's Digital Basement. And also you are in luck there was a big "SepTandy" push last month among a lot of those classic computer channels featuring Tandy computers including the CoCo, so the odds of finding up-to-date information is really good.