Are Sparkle power supplies good?

[skafiskafnjak]

I am using Sparkle ATX power supplies and was wandering if they are using quality parts?

[Topcat]

Re: Are Sparkle power supplies good?

I used one for years as a test PSU for boards I rebuilt.... After about 4 years of service, it just quit one day. I tossed it in the junk pile and never did bother to open it up, so I don't know whats in it. It was used when I got it, so I'd think it would be fair to say they are pretty good quality.

[VILE DISRUPTION]

Re: Are Sparkle power supplies good?

i hear good things about them and i have used a 350 watt one for 4 years. suffice to say they are decent.

[Shroomie]

Re: Are Sparkle power supplies good?

Nowadays, they're the same as Fortrons, I believe. (Same company, anyway.) I've never had a problem with a Sparkle.

[Spacedye69]

Re: Are Sparkle power supplies good?

I have a Sparkle I use for my test bed ps. Many bad components have been hooked to it, and it still works!

[skafiskafnjak]

Re: Are Sparkle power supplies good?

Fortron make them for Sparkle. They are exactly the same but Sparkle offer better price

[dood]

Re: Are Sparkle power supplies good?

I prefer Sparkle/Fortron units. Cheap, good quality, heavy weight. Better than Antec!

Here's the sparkle I have in my machine now... https://www.badcaps.net/forum/showpo...9&postcount=32

[skafiskafnjak]

Re: Are Sparkle power supplies good?

Sorry could not see it, im new memer and dont have access to picuters yet..

I use ATX400PN and SPI350W for all computers that I build or repair. Never had any of them back.

[Topcat]

Re: Are Sparkle power supplies good?

Sorry could not see it, im new memer and dont have access to picuters yet..

You should be able to see the pictures/attachments as long as you're logged in. If you can post, your account has been properly activated. If you still cant see attachments, let me know.

[Kacerdias]

Re: Are Sparkle power supplies good?

Just tossed my Sparkle Power 300w unit today. I noticed that my system was randomly rebooting, then failing to post unless I unplugged the PSU and plugged it back in. Well, I've migrated to a faster system and decided to crack that bad boy open. Lo and behold, it was littered with swollen Tayeh's and Fuhjyyu's. Normally I'd just recap it but some of the caps failed in such a way that one of the large resistors overheated to the point of splitting. The heat jacket was peeled back like a bannana. I figured if it could be heat damaged there must be other bits that were as well. Besides, I've got a backup PSU.

To be fair to Sparkle Power, this PSU served me well for about 4 years. Not a bad lifespan.

[Rainbow]

Re: Are Sparkle power supplies good?

Normally I'd just recap it but some of the caps failed in such a way that one of the large resistors overheated to the point of splitting. The heat jacket was peeled back like a bannana.

That's probably dummy load resistor which is present in many FSP PSUs. And it runs hot so it can look bad.

[gonzo0815]

Re: Are Sparkle power supplies good?

Yep, some of those FSP /sparkle PSu`s have those bad Fuhjyyu caps too. I personally was up to day on the luky side, only Jamicon, Ost and Teapo.

[Spacedye69]

Re: Are Sparkle power supplies good?

My Sparkle that I posted about is full of Fujjyyigudus. Still works.

[Kacerdias]

Re: Are Sparkle power supplies good?

I seem to have 2 revisions of the same Sparkle Power unit. The FSP300-60ATV has 2 large Rubycon 680uF 200v caps. The rest of the caps are OST, Teapo, and Jamicon. While not great, they're not as bad as some others I've seen. The other one is an FSP300-60BTV which is full of Teapo, Tayeh, and split Fuhjyyu's. Of the two units, try to get the "A" revision. I think it was created before the beancounters got a hold of the design at final manufacture.

[killjoy]

Re: Are Sparkle power supplies good?

Jamicons at the 12V line seem to fail. They've been bulged on every FSP I've laid my hands on.

About the dummy load resistor, it's "normal" they run hot. Usually the heat shrink is badly burnt and breaks into pieces when touched. Sometimes the resistor itself has cracks. I've never replaced them, just carefully tilted away from caps to minimize cap heating.