1 Topic by Analog_22 (edited by Analog_22 2024-02-24 15:32:58)

  • Registered: 2024-02-24
  • Posts: 4

Topic: RME Fireface UFX+ with pungent smell of silicone paste/burnt plastic

Hi all !

This is my first post and I'm glad I became a member of this community!

I recently bought an RME Fireface UFX+ (SH) audio interface, which looks like new and works well, but I found that it has a pungent smell like that of silicone paste or some type of burnt plastic, and this he made me open the cover to see if there is a capacitor with problems that generates this smell, but all I found was that the smell came from the area of the power supply module, but I did not notice anything abnormal in that area , although I can't say this for sure, because I'm not good at electronics.

The audio interface looks like new, with the foil on the display, and I was told that it was bought in 2019, it stayed in the box for a year until he finished purchasing all the equipment, and the audio interface was not used very much, because the seller realized that the music is not for him, and gave up (but for this I have no guarantee) .

Now I don't know what to understand and what to do..., because the audio interface works well, but that pungent smell of silicone paste/burnt plastic bothers me, which I would like to get rid of.

Is it normal to have that pungent smell of paste silicone/burn plastic ?
Does the smell come from that light-colored paste, which is between the electronic components on the power supply module?

Do I have to change the power supply module, if it functions well and no affected electronic components are visible?

I mention that the housing of the audio interface does not burn / it is only a little warm.

What should I do in this situation?


Any advice that could help is welcome!

Thank you !


PS
Please don't send me to the local distributor, because I had problems with him (they sold me damaged products, saying they were new, and because I didn't accept what they did to me, they took revenge...).


Photos of the power source inside the RME UFX+ interface can be found in the links below:



https://tinypic.host/image/6.DBg4vU


https://tinypic.host/image/10.DBg7Ux


https://tinypic.host/image/16.DBgwIm

  • ramses
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Re: RME Fireface UFX+ with pungent smell of silicone paste/burnt plastic

If it comes from the PSU, a new one costs below €100

A replacement part I saw here:
https://www.rme-shop.com/acatalog/RME_N … ml#SID=113

Any "trusted" local repair shop having to do with electronic components should be able to do the work.

BR Ramses - UFX III, 12Mic, XTC, ADI-2 Pro FS R BE, RayDAT, X10SRi-F, E5-1680v4, Win10Pro22H2, Cub13
  • bsfreq
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Re: RME Fireface UFX+ with pungent smell of silicone paste/burnt plastic

My brother had a PSU fail (on a MOTU unit though, not RME) that started with a similar burning plastic smell just before the PSU made a slight pop, burned some more and failed completely. So yes, most probably a failing PSU. My brother even had a similar situation with the interface sitting unused for a few years. Probably some dried caps. I’d swap the PSU before it breaks something else in the unit when it takes its last breath.

Fireface UFX+ | Fireface UFX | Babyface Pro | 12Mic
  • Registered: 2024-02-24
  • Posts: 4

Re: RME Fireface UFX+ with pungent smell of silicone paste/burnt plastic

Is it normal to have this pungent smell of silicone paste?

Does anyone know if there are other similar situations / maybe there were some batches with poor quality paste for the power supply module, which produce an unpleasant smell, but are not defective?

5 Reply by Analog_22 (edited by Analog_22 2024-02-24 23:07:50)

  • Registered: 2024-02-24
  • Posts: 4

Re: RME Fireface UFX+ with pungent smell of silicone paste/burnt plastic

Does anyone know an online store where I can buy (safely) in Europe, an original power supply for the RME UFX+?

Is the site below safe for online shopping / does it have original RME power supply modules?

https://www.rme-shop.com/acatalog/RME_N … FX_II.html

6 Reply by MC

  • MC
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Re: RME Fireface UFX+ with pungent smell of silicone paste/burnt plastic

Yes and yes.

Regards
Matthias Carstens
RME

MC's Website

  • Registered: 2024-02-24
  • Posts: 4

Re: RME Fireface UFX+ with pungent smell of silicone paste/burnt plastic

MC wrote:

Yes and yes.

I placed the order for the power supply module at the store mentioned above in the link (everything cost €119 including shipping).

I hope everything will be fine after I change the power supply module, and there won't be another hidden problem.

However, where could that pungent smell of silicone paste / burnt plastic come from, as long as the audio interface is working fine, and there is no electronic component visible on the power supply module that could be affected / how can see in the pictures from the 3 links posted above?...

If it can be said, I would be interested to know what the problem could be, and is it not visible on the electronic components on the power supply module?



Thank you !

  • bsfreq
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Re: RME Fireface UFX+ with pungent smell of silicone paste/burnt plastic

Often the caps leak from below, so the problem is not visible unless you remove them.
Like here at 2:08. https://youtu.be/IywuxxUuOeQ?si=MowuWHP … &t=125
Not sure about your case, or course..

Fireface UFX+ | Fireface UFX | Babyface Pro | 12Mic