Why I don't belive in the PSU being the problem in SheevaPlugs

There is some discussion going on regarding dead SheevaPlug-PSUs, reworked PSUs for the new GuruPlug and why Sheevas and Gurus are dying more and more frequently the older (talking about weeks here) they get.
Personally, I own two SheevaPlugs, one purchased by mid-December 2009, the other one was delivered around January 2010. Well, both PSUs already died, in both it’s the same capacitor in the PSU that shows visual anomalies. And because of what I’ve seen after opening the PSUs, I personally don’t expect a replacement PSU to last much longer than 3 to 6 months each :(
From what can be learned from the issues of the GuuPlug, it’s not the PSU which heats up the box but the CPU; therefore I suspect, as SheevaPlug is built in some way similar to GuruPlug, that it’s the CPU which is literally frying the components of the PSU — until they finally give up and die. Thus, a replacement PSU would be boiled as well — and at least according to German law, 6 months after purchase it’s the customer who has to bring prove that a defect was there at the time of purchase to claim replacements free of charge …

So, what to do? The most sensible thing to do right now, in my opinion, would be to address the (European) seller asking for a full refund both on SheevaPlugs as well as GuruPlugs, as they are proven to be unfit for the duty intended; they might not last longer that 3-6 months until burnung out — which was not advertized back then …
If you actually use them, your situation might be different; in that case, I’d request a preload of PSU replacements for the usual time electronic devices work/ran/stay usable, based on my experience I’ll need a new PSU every 3rd to 4th month, i. e. four per year. Thinking about using the SheevaPlugs for 4 to 5 years, I’d need a supply of 16 to 20 in total per Sheeva … And maybe I’d still lrequest a partial refund due to the lack of usability during each PSU failure and the time I need to spend replacing PSUs myself …
To be honest: I strongly assume that, if checked before Marketing started, they wouldn’t be allowed to be distributed within th EU at all, with all that heat and the heated PSU becoming a risk of fire …

(Edited: Some typos corrected.)

One Reply to “Why I don't belive in the PSU being the problem in SheevaPlugs”

  1. I 100% agree with your observations, I came to the same conclusion after opening my Guruplug Server Plus which is far too hot. And I too fear the risk of fire. The Sheevaplug and Guruplug are somewhat the same products, it is even written “Sheevaplug 2L” on the Guruplug’s motherboard. It’s just a rebranding to make people think that previous design oddities were fixed. Next model may be called Starplug, Magicplug, Coldplug or whatever so that they can advertise something which is not tainted by criticisms.
    Those interested by internal photos can click on my link, there are also some performance tests which are not good at all for the product…

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