| Modifying the MC460 Mini
Controller
These instructions are based on Hans Attersjö's
Home page. I have not attempted this modification and I accept no
responsibility for the effects of anyone making these modifications.
You follow these instructions at your own risk.
Remove the four screws in the bottom and take out the printed circuit
board. Be careful not to lose the little switch used to change
between 1-4 and 5-8. I almost did that! Hold the PCB so that the incoming
cable is on the right side.
Change the little, usually blue capacitor mounted just underneath the
little transformer in the top right corner to a 0.1uf/400V, polyester or
polycarbonate. The original capacitor should normally be marked
"2E224". Change the big, usually blue, capacitor just underneath
the previous one to 1uF/400V, polyester or polycarbonate. The original
capacitor should normally be marked "2E225".
I had problems to find a 1uF 400V so I used two 0.47uF 400V in parallel
and mounted one in the original holes and the other just below and glued
to the PCB. Be sure not to mount any components in the area of the PCB
where the three studs in the bottom cover is touching the PCB. Fix
this/these capacitor(s) with some silicon or possibly epoxy glue. Be
careful not to get any glue in the hole in the middle of a switch. It
might come down in to the switch. Honestly, it did happen to me once and
it was not funny to open up the switch to clean it!
To improve reliability, put a MOV (Metal Oxide Varistor) in parallel
with the incoming power. For 220V, use a 250V RMS type and for 230-240V, a
275V RMS. This MOV can be mounted in the two empty holes on the right side
of the transformer in the top right corner. Perhaps this was standard
earlier but someone removed it to save some money.
Reassemble and change the plug to your favourite type.
If you attempt these modifications, please let me
know your results, and read the warning on the X-10
240 volt modifications page. |
Redoak
e-mail address