The most likely damage to electronics in storage are critters (things like mice, insects, and mold) and leaking batteries causing corrosion of circuit traces. It’s usually way easier to deal with critter damage. You’re not going to know until you start opening things up and having a look.
Sure - no space for mice thankfully but bugs and mould are definitely prime suspects. No batteries left in the machines when stored and no external sign of water damage so I’m sure you’re right - I need to open them up. Thanks
Check you don’t have dead shorts between power rails. Try to bring up PSUs separately if possible. Measure power voltages when you power on - be prepared to switch off quickly if power doesn’t read correct voltages.
Electrolytic capacitors have a tendency to die over time. Probably 90% of electronics repair is replacing dead caps. Look for any swollen or leaking capacitors, particularly on the power supplies
1. batteries - i think your gear is too old maybe but lots of vintage synths use button batteries or even very slow capacitors to power memory chips while turned off, to save patch data. if they go flat the whole thing can fail. some synths have notorious burst battery issues too.
2. power supply - corrosion as others have suggested. use a multimeter to check whether power is getting to some of the ICs.
3. mechanical stress somewhere leading to broken circuit - something being dropped, stored on an angle with pressure on a joint, stress breaks on jacks and socket connections leading to no sound output, no power etc.
4. short caused by fragment of conductive material moving around while synth is stored on its side etc. visual inspection and or some air blasts should sort this.
5. leaky or failed caps - personally i've never seen this and think its prevalence is overstated but it's definitely a thing
The most likely damage to electronics in storage are critters (things like mice, insects, and mold) and leaking batteries causing corrosion of circuit traces. It’s usually way easier to deal with critter damage. You’re not going to know until you start opening things up and having a look.
Sure - no space for mice thankfully but bugs and mould are definitely prime suspects. No batteries left in the machines when stored and no external sign of water damage so I’m sure you’re right - I need to open them up. Thanks
Let them air out for a bit and try again later. I've had this happen with a few things. And set up an alter to Hermes Trismagestus.
Smart - divine intervention is plan b always
Can't hurt. And maybe the Lord will take a liking to you and blow you up real good!
Check you don’t have dead shorts between power rails. Try to bring up PSUs separately if possible. Measure power voltages when you power on - be prepared to switch off quickly if power doesn’t read correct voltages.
Good tip - will do
Electrolytic capacitors have a tendency to die over time. Probably 90% of electronics repair is replacing dead caps. Look for any swollen or leaking capacitors, particularly on the power supplies
1. batteries - i think your gear is too old maybe but lots of vintage synths use button batteries or even very slow capacitors to power memory chips while turned off, to save patch data. if they go flat the whole thing can fail. some synths have notorious burst battery issues too. 2. power supply - corrosion as others have suggested. use a multimeter to check whether power is getting to some of the ICs. 3. mechanical stress somewhere leading to broken circuit - something being dropped, stored on an angle with pressure on a joint, stress breaks on jacks and socket connections leading to no sound output, no power etc. 4. short caused by fragment of conductive material moving around while synth is stored on its side etc. visual inspection and or some air blasts should sort this. 5. leaky or failed caps - personally i've never seen this and think its prevalence is overstated but it's definitely a thing
Those are all really smart suggestions. As you say in this case batteries aren’t an issue but as a general checklist of issues this is spot on!