[weblacky]

So I’m at my planning stages of starting SGI PSU/PCB work, and I’ve kind of hit a small decision snag. 

I’d like group input to know what’s fair and expected here.

Let’s assume I’m working on an SGI PSU that kind of works, just likely needs new caps.  So you end up doing the caps, seems to work fine…do you move on to the next unit or do you take the time to also replace the secondary diodes, FETS, etc because they could fail?

I can subscribe to both the philosophies of “if it ain’t broke don’t fix it” and “while I’m here, I might as well take care of everything, so I don’t have to open it again”.  But these of course can be at odds.

Now I know what some people are saying, if it’s yours, do whatever you want. Okay, fair.  What about if it’s not going to be mine in the future?

I’m unaware of any documented semiconductor lifespan (outside of environmental factors), so I really don’t think a properly size diode or FET wears out.  But maybe it does?

Let me be clear, I’m not talking about you sending me a PSU and you paying for a fix job (though I might entertain that mode of operation once I have more experience and parts on hand, to have a fast turnaround). I’m talking about selling you a PSU that works and has had all its caps (even the huge filters) replaced and all the parts appear to work as of time of sale.

I may accept trade-ins as money off another PSU (like $75-$150 off, based on model).  But a refreshed Tezro PSU would be like $450-$500, as the PSU itself (as NOS) would be like $250-$325) and that is just an old PSU that’s not had it’s bad passives replaced.  So take the entire unit and fresh/fix into account.

So that’s the question for any of you in these relevant industries.  If you’re rebuilding an item, and really you want to do work on once, and sell/hand it off to another person (who I’m sure isn’t interested in coming back to get this stuff “fixed” in less than like 7-10 years) . Would you remove fully working parts (semiconductors) and replace with modern (possible higher-specked) replacements and chance that these new parts won’t cause their own issues.  Or would you “fix” the problem the PSU has and clean it and move on, like a car mechanic, leaving old and working parts in place?

This sort of sits in the “used car” sales sort of question, they are used, they’re working because they were fixed…but if you don’t preemptively replace a lot of stuff, failures from age may happen in a few years because that part wasn’t broke when it was with the dealer.

What sounds fair to you all?  Should I speak in terms of “tiers” of rebuild? 
Like “Fixed/refresh” (caps and broken parts) vs “fully rebuilt” (refresh + parts that MAY fail in the near future) versus “remanufactured” (replaced vast majority of parts plus stripped and re-applied electroplating to the case with new stickers/labels)?

Obviously, prices would also reflect this effort, but it doesn’t seem fair to charge more for one PSU that had more work involved, and less for the same PSU with less work needed (assume both PSUs are identical).

Given the required removal of heatsinks and glue and such, replacing the semiconductors is much more work.  What would you all expect?

Should I just give some prices and do a group poll?  I can understand how someone wants to pay less for a repair job and says, “just fix it”, they own the item after all.  But a fixed item being sold to a new owner…I’m unsure.

Thoughts?