Repair (and shock!) from the Sargent EC225 Caravan Power System

Mark repairs a caravan power control system with a dead charger / 13.8V power supply. He also gets a 320V electric shock from it! (Left in the edit for your viewing pleasure...)

[@miroslavmiljkovic166]

For that "sideways" you earned a sub. Friendly reminder not to get too comfy around power supplies no matter how skillful you are. Great instructional video.

[@slartibartfas0428]

😁 It's always good practice to discharge the caps after getting zapped... 😆

[@geoffedwards189]

🤣😂🤣

[@AndyBa11]

Yeah we've all been kicked by a cap. 'F me sideways' made me lol. Great work mate.

[@CraftAero]

Sorry, I can't like your comment... it's at 69. I've used the "sideways" add on many times, but when it gets really serious I add, "with a salad fork".

[@jxmai7687]

At that moment I was sleepy and my eyes were half close, the sound of the zap did wake me up as well.😂

[@blizteredthumbs7911]

I don't think I've heard this guy ask for one like or subscribe. Top guy.

[@robhodder1687]

‘Currently’ 😅 I’m binge watching your channel. Now I know where the jumpscare part of your intro came from!

[@JamesTK]

He'd referred to it in one of his videos too ... about how he's learned his lesson :P

[@garyhardman8369]

When I was an apprentice (many, many years ago) one of the engineers spotted me discharging a capacitor with my screwdriver. After giving me a bollocking, he picked up a resistor and said; 'This is how it should be done'. He then proceeded to bend the legs of the resistor, and holding it between thumb and forefinger - BY THE LEADS - he touched it to the capacitor terminals! After watching him jump violently, I said; 'I think that I prefer my method...'

[@zxborg9681]

"Too many oscilloscopes? What a silly idea that would be!" ... LOL, a man after my own heart. Been working on and designing electronics gear since the 1980's, your channel is like comfort food for the engineer's soul.

[@tompepper497]

Mark, I watched you shock your self 4 times, you're great!

[@MrMaxeemum]

As a morning wake up I prefer a cup of coffee instead of a charged capacitor.🤣

[@alltheusernameswastaken8936]

so discriminatory :)

[@rasainsbury]

I knew that shock was coming, having seen it in your intro sequence so many times and always making me smile, but it made me jump, too. Keep up the informative and entertaining videos, Mark!

[@trevorworrall1226]

And me too !

[@pablov1973]

Me too!

[@andymouse]

Yeah ! I was waiting for it and still jumped out my seat !

[@EpRoos]

Many ppl I think! I also laugh my ass off.

[@josephcote6120]

Such memories. About 15 years ago, hmm, maybe 20, I was having my computer worked on. Came into the guy's shop to pick up my machine and noticed a computer on the bench with the power supply out. mentioned it to the guy and he said it was a common thing, and it was always just easier to put a new one in than fix the old one. I asked what he did with the old ones. He said "I don't know why, but I just toss them into a big box at the back." I asked to see it and there were about 50 supplies in there. I said I might be able to fix some of them and we made a deal for me to buy the whole box and he'd buy back the ones I could fix. Lots of shorted diodes and popped caps. Ended up fixing about half of them. I made a decent profit plus I scavenged a lot of good parts. Best were the IEC power plugs with noise filters. It was an ongoing thing; when he had about a dozen old ones he'd give me a call and I'd pick them up. Went on till he had to move away.

[@ANTandTEC]

Ahh the old capacitor finger discharge 💥ouch! Great video 👍

[@leem4017]

Still smiles even after getting an electric shock! Haha, good man! Enjoying your videos, love the vintage AV stuff!

[@markk.4941]

Mark brought out the "F" bomb on that one! Made me jump too.

[@hmbpnz]

saying "F bomb" seems childish to me.

[@micksmixxx]

Fantastic to watch a craftsman at work, Mark, especially when a job is successfully well done. Your 'error' with not discharging the capacitor brought back memories for me. When I was a young teen, I touched the HT Feed in the back of a Television set. It knocked me off my feet and I was all numb down the one arm. The best/worst of it is I never took up electronics after that fright, and that's something that I sincerely regret. 😉

[@TheManLab7]

When working with electrics, it's a GUARANTEE your gunna get shocked. I'm a sparky and I can't even count how many times I've had a shock. There was even one time when I got locked on and I thought my life was over. Lucky I managed to fall back, but if I didn't. Then I wouldn't be here.

[@micksmixxx]

@@TheManLab7 I'm glad you're still here, @TheManLab7. I've actually witnessed some 'sparks' working, pulling live wires through the ceilings of a building that I used to work in, and sparks were flying everywhere. It surprised me when no-one was electrocuted, but I'm truly glad that they weren't. Mind you, I did have the sense to isolate the power before touching any of them should I need to give first aid. 😉

[@paulmichaelfreedman8334]

I got a wallop form a flyback transformer in my early twenties when I was trying to diagnose a 25 inch CRT TV. It really knocks you back, although that is from muscle spasms, not from some magical force pushing you back.

[@paulmichaelfreedman8334]

@@TheManLab7 I've managed to blow up two small caps today, in succession. First I thought I'd reversed it, then the second one blew. Don't put 16V caps on 36V Supply rail!

[@micksmixxx]

@@paulmichaelfreedman8334 I 'hear' what you say, sir, but the HT feed that I touched was in the back of a TV many many years before CRT/Plasma/LED, etc. TVs had even been though about. 😉

[@philipwren7509]

"F**k me sideways" shows even experts can get it wrong, absolutely brilliant channel.

[@GramSevern-fp4hv]

This man is an electronics god. How does he know so much? I mean.... how?

[@brianwood5220]

Mark, you always have a smile on your face, but even when you get zapped! Thanks for sharing. ⚡⚡

[@precbass]

LOL .That shock,and your reaction to it made me chortle.Hope you're OK Mark.I enjoy your videos.You seem to know what youre doing.Keep them coming.

[@PaulHigginbothamSr]

So Mark gets 300 early zee morgan. Reminds me of going to work one day. I had a piece of 440v machine and needed to tag it out in the control room. The walkway lanes were maybe 4.5 feet wide between control panels. As I started I set my coffee cup on the relay I wished to tag out. As I set the cup down the cup had spilled over making the paper wet and zap. I just caught myself before landing back against the control panel behind me. A valuable lesson to never do that again.

[@DecentFarts]

Great videos. I can't wait for more. Your setup and editing is great.

[@marcse7en]

But, his sound is crap!

[@SlartiMarvinbartfast]

@@marcse7en The sound seems just fine to me.

[@CraftyZA]

I'm a software engineer during the week, and over weekends, I play with my electronics. building amps, redesigning old amps, a bit of iot etc... During the week, I love putting Mark's videos on my second screen. So calming. helps me dealing with corporate BS.

[@michaelmitchell8218]

Love your videos and I do electronics too and it’s good to see how other people work. Had to laugh and we all done it and got a shock of a capacitor lol don’t we just love capacitors. TVs was the worst you really had to watch yourself with. Anyway love your channel and love your lay back ways, you’re just so down to earth and I like that. I meet so many people in this field who think they above people. I been doing electronics for over 35 years but cut back a lot now and don’t do so much only repair my sons phone he keeps breaking lol. Anyway all the best Mark you’re a great guy.

[@justicelut]

The capacitor will make everyone wish they were non conductive. Another great video. Thanks

[@martinclemesha4794]

Thanks for the easy tip on testing a mosfet. 👍

[@cromulence]

So glad I was recommended this channel by the all powerful KZbin Algorithm(TM). Your videos are fantastic - very detailed and complex repairs with amazing attention to detail and workmanship, as well as a great presenter to boot - I'm hooked! Spicy caps are no joke. Took apart a Sony VAIO laptop power supply thinking I could fix it (no idea why I did this, I clearly could not) and received enough of a belt from a large cap to burn a nice little hole in my thumb that hurt for weeks afterwards. Charged caps - not even once.

[@dennisjones1961able]

Great videos you have inspired me to set a workshop and start doing electronics again

[@z98133]

On another video, another viewer mentioned that you're the Bob Ross of electronic repair. I have to agree. Watching your videos, takes me back to my high school days in NYC, Chelsea HS, w/ Mr. Harold Metz, shop teacher. I then went onto the Navy's Advanced Electronics Program. I enjoy watching your content.

[@flyer617]

I always grab the dead power supplies from places I work. They are quick to fix and come in handy for many projects, especially for a few bucks in parts.

[@andrewwturner]

I was calling out to you "Mind that cap", too late! Great video.

[@wagsman9999]

Really enjoy watching these videos. Not sure why, haven't done anything in electronics since building rudimentary Heathkits in the 1960's. Sure looks fun and your troubleshooting skills are impressive, and a ton of nice equipment too.

[@antoniopetito]

Bloody hell, that shock even woke me up.

[@terrypriest4898]

Hi Mark, sorry, but I had a good giggle and had to replay the 'shocking' part. Fuckin' pissed myself. 30+ years of repair experience here and I can confidently say we have ALL done it at one time or another. Reminds me of quite a few years ago one day working on a CRT television, I carefully reached in across the PCB to make a trimpot adjustment resting my hand against a tin EARTH shield (to steady my hand/arm) as I did the adjustment, turned my head to look at the oscilloscope while adjusting and just barely brushed my finger against a LIVE heatsink and pretty much said the same thing as you. LOL! Certainly wakes ya up 'ey mate. Silicon handles electron flow so much better than us humans. Lol!

[@LESLIE99288]

U DA MAN MARK..LOVE YOU!

[@markstuckey6225]

5:00 So true. I've got 10 (one being a really nifty little pocket IP67, great for callouts), 5 Squigglyscopes, two being CRT and one little pocket job. Good to see you still using CRT. My first was a valve jobby; now I'm showing my age.

[@peterhyams6824]

Takes me back to when I was a bench engineer in the 70’s at Philips. The components have changed but the procedure is the same. I learned a lot in the time I spent in there. I Then went onto field service which was a whole new ballgame. By the way, I’ve lost count of how many shocks I’ve had over the years, some of them not very nice !

[@johnm7723]

Thanks Mark, saved me pulling apart my Sargent EC155 to find out what the charging arrangement is, convinced it will be very similar. Keep up the good work, really look forward to the videos and the fault finding processes.

[@dave-d]

Ow! I felt that. Those HV caps can hold charge for days. I've had a16uF / 500V electrolytic sitting on a shelf for 2 weeks here. Put it there fully charged and measured 235V next day. Down to 187V 2 days later. Just measured it again now, (2 weeks later!). 7V still lurking in there. Soakage may be a factor as it's a tad old. V test every time. Thanks for the excellent content. I like the DC current limit test. Series light bulb and variac still here. Most appreciated. Cheers. Liked and subbed.

[@triplexdread]

getting through all ya clips. your face when getting that cap belt was a pictue. happened to me a few times lmao ace

[@hissingsid3907]

Love watching your videos, Mark as electronics have always beffled me. Even through I new you were getting a shock, it still made me jump as well!!

[@darylhudson777]

Mark I have to tell you one time I was trying to test an Old Ham amplifier that was modified to be used on CB radio and it had a 3-500Z tube which would put out about 800 watts. It had about 2,000 AC plate volts, but I am just an amateur so don't quote me on this. Anyway it had an RCA jack in the back for the foot switch, but I was just using a short piece with RCA jack on one end and other end stripped bare. I guess I was sweating a bit and somehow my forearm touched the case and it jumped into me. The next thing I knew I was standing about a foot or two back from the unit with my fist clenched and smoke coming off my arm. Talk about a wake up call I mean I was in shock 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@zyghom]

man, I was there, actually exactly there - repairing the PS. That is really something that makes you awake - actually even shaking a bit ;-)

[@turbokadett]

I feel your pain, I got a huge bolt off of a Peugeot HT Lead while trying to diagnose a missfire under load, turns out the insulation in the lead had broken down and my hand became the test probe when I touched it 🤪

[@AMGTOM]

The discharging part in your finger was awesome dude and as usual your smile is the best thing in your videos !!

[@CraftyZA]

11:53 I felt that. My best one was placing a 55v swing voltage psu on my leg after testing. So that was -55, 0 55v DC. I spoke in some ancient language that day. Language may have originated at the core from Hades himself...

[@hmbpnz]

So glad I subbed to your channel. It's a pleasure watching you work. Now we gotta get Mr. Carlson to start yelling "fuck me sideways" and the world would be perfect.

[@zedwizz]

Took the shock very well :). Just found your channel Mark please be careful so you can make more videos :)

[@johndavis8886]

Love the instruction on your videos, it is a big help to a tinkerer like me, who has on from valve stuff !!Thanks Mark

[@rich6245]

What you really came for is at 17:52 Fizzle Crack "F** me sideways!" 😄

[@vintagepipesnightmares]

Thank you 😊

[@danielw8302]

That was an uncomfortable watch - given the title and the comments I knew it was coming - just not when!!! Almost glad when it happened so I could finally relax :)

[@EdmundPaddington]

That made me jump! Even though I knew the shock was coming, I thought "right, this'll be any second now", it still made me jump 😂

[@russellforrest1730]

Love your tip for checking MOSFET's - always used a checking/testing multi-tool before. Awesome quick check!

[@pomme4682]

It reminds me of the olden days when I used to service valve (tube) TVs fitted with cathode ray tubes. The final anode (plate) of a colour CRT required about 30 kV to operate and I had an enormously long probe to check this voltage. The final anode also acted as one plate of a capacitor, still retaining its charge when the TV was switched off . So the first thing to do before anything else was to discharge this anode using an earthed conductor such as a thin screwdriver. Invariably there would be a sparking noise showing it was now safe. But it was so easy to forget to do this especially after having turned the TV on and off several times. Fortunately, although the anode voltage was high, the current behind it was fairly low so you only felt a medium jolt, but you also felt stupid! In more modern power supplies it's good practice to have in position a high value parallel bleed resistor, say 1 megohm, to discharge any high capacitance electrolytics when the device is switched off.

[@KetilDuna]

Your videos are both pleasant to watch and instructional -- really puts a smile on my face. Thank you for sharing (also the mishap)

[@gtretroworld]

That was a giggle and takes me back a little,never nice to empty out those Caps through your body…😂

[@radarmusen]

Nice to see someone proving that IR camera can be used as T/S

[@butcharmstrong9645]

I have enjoyed your videos for some weeks now because you exhibits a great sense of humor (American, can you tell by the spelling?) but when you got shocked and exclaimed "fuck me sideways!!" @17:56 I laughed so hard! 😂 Great video and you have a wonderful, entertaining and humorous way of dealing with things. Good work!

[@davecartwright867]

It's like the West Midland's own Shango066!

[@nlimchua]

17:54 made a giggle - takes a pro to admit lapses...cheers from New Jersey!

[@johnr3435]

Reminded me of an incident many years ago with a PSU out of a big CRT TV which I had been working on. You were lucky it was on the bench when you did it. Unfortunately I was picking mine up off the bench and my muscle reaction meant it went flying across the very large workshop ending up on the floor with a few cracks in the PCB. So easily done now matter how many years you've been ding this stuff.

[@drububu69]

I really like your videos Mark. You really know your electronics and repairs. You already shown your bench and meters but I really would be interested in a video about your over current protection and short circuit protection system in your repair room. Keep up the repairs and I look forward for the next video.

[@DavidTollerton741]

That shock though Mark. Great video mate

[@billsmith5166]

I was waiting for the shock and it was worth it. Really enjoy the videos. Thanks!

[@picobyte]

Nice Electrob00m moment 😄

[@DeadKoby]

That looks a LOT like a typical Mean-Well power supply unit. One could think that a rookie could swap that part as a unit.

[@RambozoClown]

But where is the fun in that?

[@markusbecker410]

Like your videos very much! Good work and entertaining. Can’t wait for the next one. Maybe some vintage electronics?

[@TheManLab7]

9:40 That's something interesting to know. Cheers Mark 👍🏻 I love learning hand bits like that. I've got one of those multi component tester's, but it's a LOT easier and quicker when you're already using a tester. Obviously it won't check it the same as a proper tester would. But it's nice to do a quick check just to see if it's shit the bed or not. 17:53 Your completely right Mark. You could buy a specific tool to discharge cap's, but it also costs money which you could of used buying USEFUL tool. But what you could of used to discharge cap's AND to save money buying the tool in the first place. Is anything metal that your not too worried about, if it ends up with splatter mark's or chunks missing out of it. Like a screwdriver or an old pair of pliers. It's very quick, and very cheap. As your already using something you've already got. 20:20 Now THAT looks like one exspencive scope you've got there. What's the GHz?

[@markkemp7608]

You getting shocked reminded me of my Air Force days! lol. Been there done that!

[@diogoalmeida10]

Really great to find your channel! I'm a fan of fixing/repairing and all things audio related. So to find your channel and follow your level of knowledge is really great! Keep it up! Cheers from Portugal :) btw that Wera screwdrivers is top level!

[@groovechampion1462]

Love your channel! Nice to see im not the only one getting zapped from time to time :D, we never learn really :D

[@AB1Vampire]

Those MeanWell PSU's have quite a following in the States for CB-Radio use where they are paralleled for hundreds of amps

[@jaycee1980]

Looking at it, it definitely had PFC - thats what Q1, those diodes and the first yellow transformer (actually a choke) was. Active PFC seems to be a real weak point in modern SMPS's - especially if the main storage capacitor is bad quality... the PFC will attempt to ramp up the voltage until it eventually turns the transistor on full - shorting the supply when it does! Seen this on loads of LCD TV and monitor power supplies.

[@markstuckey6225]

What a coincidence. I've just today finished repairing and refitting a Sargent EC400 to an imported caravan. The caravan had been in a flood and had been swept against a fence. Unfortunately, the battery had been connected and all the electronics were damaged. The charger/PSU was also a Mean Well, and was relatively easy to repair, but the relay board was a mess and had been burnt. It is a rubbish design; solder mask is black which makes reverse engineering very, very difficult, the relays are marginal for the current they have to carry and the keepout is ignored (solved with Kaptan). The RCBO and MCBs were stuffed of course, but that didn't matter because they would have to be replaced with ones of higher standard as required in our country. On the processor board the only thing that needed replacing were Electros, a poly switch, a couple of buffers (SMD ULN2803A), a few tracks. When I'd finished, I tropicalised the boards. Why don't all manufacturers coat their boards? Anyway, best wishes. I really enjoy watching your repairs. Keep up the good work.

[@fredsk1]

Hey Mark just wanted to say that your videos are really excellent and I feel like you're gonna hit it big on KZbin if you hang in there and keep uploading. Would love to see you do a CRT repair if that sort of stuff ever comes your way.

[@MendItMark]

I’m glad you like them! I’ve got a Hantarex CRT in the shop right now. I wasn’t going to film it, but I will now. Keep watching! Mark

[@fredsk1]

@@MendItMark awesome! Can't wait 👍

[@pauldavies6037]

@@MendItMark Dont touch the CRT hv lead LOL

[@AntiDot70]

You should consider renaming your channel to "Sideways." Just like the movie, which I also happen to like. By the way, your smiles and giggles are so contagious. Love it!

[@jpdevilliers2783]

Love the shock its always a suprise like working on a tube tv. Gosh the worst

[@enryfrank]

17:52 ....I felt the shock too...!!!!

[@stripey1960]

Its a great fix, but when you consider the price of a replacement PSU is about £40 (not including shipping), when you add up the cost of the replacement parts and the labour cost for fixing it, you can see why most electronics ends up in a bin rather than being fixed. It is good to see the skills being put to good use, it's just a pity that there is just so little opportunity to make money out of electronic repairs these days.

[@Brian-mp6bg]

Great video. Even though it was 40 dollar power supply, the lessons can be used for much pricer ones

[@ernieschatz3783]

Good ol' carbon bleeder resistors complete with audible warning!

[@bobrose7900]

Mark, could you repeat that expletive please, it sounded rather educational! Great fun videos as always.

[@isimisoko]

Somtimes good,keep U on the edge.Nice job

[@Raptor50aus]

When I worked at Apple back in the 90's a great trick was to charge an AC adapter (no cover) unplug it and then say to another tech, catch ! :)

[@brianhoskins1979]

Anyone who has worked in and around mains equipment before knows _exactly_ what the "sideways" gaff was about. Once you've had a belt off something like this, it makes you kind of petrified and paranoid about mains equipment for the rest of your days, no matter how experienced you get. But every once in a while you just get that _little_ complacent, and a big fat D.C. reservoir cap is going to be waiting for the day that happens, so it can remind you who is boss.

[@brianhoskins1979]

By the way, in my first job there was a tech in the workshop who would take great delight in getting a loose D.C. reservoir cap and charging the shit out it, and then as you were walking passed he'd shout "CATCH!!!" and throw it at you. Of course, your natural reaction is to try to catch this airbourne object. But then you realise, mid catch, what has just been thrown at you. And you either shriek and jump away like a little girl, or it's too late for that and you get a belt. Man. H&S would have a field day with stuff like that now. Probably for good reason 😂

[@peterduxbury927]

@@brianhoskins1979 In a Physics Lab, the jokers would charge a Cap. Then, secretly drop it into your Trouser Pocket. Or your Jacket Pocket. It's far worse when you get surprised that way!

[@brianhoskins1979]

@@peterduxbury927 Yes! However, it has the slight disadvantage for the perpetrator that he might not be around to delight in its eventual discovery.

[@mily65ir]

Hi Great video , I’m sure you channel gonna be very successful. Wish you all the best

[@slartibartfas0428]

Leaving in the things that went not that good (getting the electric shock) alone is worth the abo and like - just as a nice reminder to always stay safe, not because of failing on something, that would be unfair. I also got zapped by about 3 kV when I was measuring in some pretty old CRT with thyristor HV stages and it left some nice "shot" into my finger. Nice little black carbonized "current channel" and white, "cooked" flesh channel of about 2-3 mm around it, which is not exactly what you want. Afterwards that happening I *knew* why it was a good idea to intentionally leave my other hand in my trouser pocket when doing that measurements, because that way the current could only go through that one hand measuring and not through my heart! Things like that are not that easy as they look on video - they can (and will) destroy nerves, if the current goes through inner organs it can leave serious destruction *inside* where it can not be seen. Stay safe - nice work and good videos, @Mend It Mark!

[@nishanthakumara9869]

good job👍

[@FelinoAnticomunista]

Excellent

[@dannyfreitas2120]

that's is a beautiful job !

[@presentalinkwalterbak2426]

Hahaha! It woke me up just watching it! Cheers! :)

[@stujham]

Wowzers, made me jump. Not had one of them for years and don't want any.💥

[@GetUpFalcon]

‘Im not confident im the first person to come in here. This is a little concerning” Once said a medieval man on his wedding night.

[@stephensomersify]

ow is right thumb!! clear and professional old git, UK

[@fariminjamaluddin6499]

that shock is good for your heart i guest..🤣🤣

[@ovalwingnut]

1st ⌚ viewer ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Around 17:45 I thought to myself "where's the And-Sock mentioned in the title"?. We were all ShOcKed! :O) Cheers from So.Calif.USA, 3rd House on the Right.

[@Fishfingersarnie]

Instantly subbed for the shock - love it! 😂😂

[@superslammer]

Oh look, something from MY company ;)

[@annierenard5954]

excellent video, thank you

[@laurilink7512]

Mark - Catch You next time ... Power supply - Haha ... Catch You this time.

[@cookecothanet]

Thanks!

[@jeffc2190]

"f-me sideways" Buwahahahaaa! Classic. I love this channel. You make me laugh every single day Mark!

[@Lhenndyn]

I knew the moment you will take the shock, but it made me jumpscare anyway 😅

[@any1ne]

14:04 Even when using current limitation from the power source, there is always a chance that the transistor will be shorted by the current from the mains capacitor. 17:53 - Confirmation of my words ;))