FM Towns:Desktop Power Supply Repair and Capacitor list

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Desktop Power Supply Repair

FM Towns Desktops used different power supplies in different models. It is very important you pay attention to the model you have.

It is also important to understand that FM Towns computer is always in standby mode with 10V (running in the 12V pins) and 5V always powering the computer even when it is off. This will strain the already aging components even more. It is recommended to unplug the computer if you're not going to be using it for a long period of time. You're also recommended to use a 100V stepdown even if you're in a 120V country because FM Towns Power Supply is not regulated like an ATX Power supply. For example, having 7.3V going down the 5V line when plugged into 120VAC is not a good thing.

HG/HR Model Power Supply

Should look like this picture. Console5 sells a capacitor kit for this PSU model.

Towns HR/HG PSU

Note that C7 must be no taller than 44mm? and spacing is about 7mm.

Caption text
Name Microfarad Voltage
C7 680UF 200V
C59 220UF 50V
C60 220UF 35V
C62 10UF 50V
C66 2.2UF 50V
C69 10UF 50V
C57 2200UF 10V
C58 2200UF 10V
C52 1000UF 25V
C53 10UF 50V
C54 10UF 50V

MA/MX PSU

The desktops with 4 expansion slots in the back. It should be noted there is a bipolar capacitor in this power supply. Console5 sells a capacitor kit for this PSU.

C5 should have between 7mm to 10mm spacing and be relatively short. Can't remember the spacing. If you get a replacement with capacitors legs, they can be bent in a way to make it fit.

Towns MA/MX PSU
Caption text
Capacitor Microfarad Voltage
C5 820uF 180V
C12 39uF 35V
C14 1500uF 25V
C15 220uF 25V
C16 3300uF 16V
C17 3300uF 16V
C18 3300uF 16V
C19 470uF 16V
C20 220uF 35V
C21 100uF 25V
C24 220uF 25V
C25 47uF 25V
C26 1uF 50V
C27 1uF 50V
C28 1uF 50V
C29 (BIPOLAR) 1uF 50V
C30 1uF 50V
C33 1uF 50V


HA/HB/HC or Pentium Towns PSU

Structured oddly with two separate wiring harnesses. C34 near the black relay will generally leak badly just like the other FMT Power Supply. C06 requires 10mm spacing between leads which is the supercap in the photo. Everything else can use 5mm spacing.


Pentium Towns PSU


Caption text
Capacitor Microfarad Voltage
C34 470UF 25V
C30 470UF 25V
C27 330UF 25V
C05 1200UF 180V
C07 47UF 50V
C33 470UF 10V
C29 1000UF 25V
C26 1000UF 25V
C24 2200UF 10V
C23 2200UF 10V
C22 2200UF 50V


EA/ME PSU

The desktops with 3 expansion slots in the back. Again the capacitor near the black relay will have spilled if it had a lot of use as well as the tall capacitors near the wiring harness.

EA/ME Type PSU
EA/ME Type PSU
Capacitor Microfarad Voltage
C5 820UF 180V
C12 39UF 35V
C15 220UF 25V
C14 1500UF 25V
C16 3300UF 16V
C17 3300UF 16V
C18 3300UF 16V
C19 470UF 16V
C20 220UF 35V
C21 100UF 25V
C24 220UF 25V
C25 47UF 25V
C26 1UF 50V
C27 1UF 50V
C28 1UF 50V
C29 1UF 50V
C30 1UF 50V
C33 1UF 50V