Macintosh SE

For more information, see this article's corresponding Wikipedia page: Macintosh_SE.

Macintosh SE

Preliminary Information
Release Year	1987
Leak Risk	High
Batteries	Soldered OR Socketed
Mounting Technology	Through Hole, Sockets
Capacitor Types	Aluminum Electrolytic, Tantalum, Ceramic
Destructive Entry	No
Hardware Specifications
CPU	Motorola 68000 @ 7.8 MHz
Graphics	Built-in 9" (23cm) monochrome CRT @ 512x342
CRT Guides
General Information · Repair Cautions

The Macintosh SE (not to be confused with the later SE/30) was released in 1987 and discontinued in 1990.

They contain the usual infamous leaky 3V lithium cells, and occasionally explosive bipolar capacitors. It does not contain any SMD parts.

WARNING: As this has a built-in CRT, treat it with the same caution and respect as a CRT TV. Always follow safe practices and assume lethal voltages are present, even on powered-off units. Always safely discharge the tube before working inside.

Known Issues

3V Lithium Batteries

Causes

• The lithium batteries soldered to the SE's logic board often rupture and leak highly corrosive contents, destroying any of the board or other materials it comes in contact with. They need to be removed in practically any example.

Solutions

• If the battery has ruptured without irreparably destroying the board, or has not yet ruptured, it should be removed as soon as possible. They can often be replaced with modern equivalents.

Analog Board Bipolar Electrolytic Cap Cap

Causes

• The capacitor C15 on the analog board tends to violently explode. If you see the monitor's image start to squish/collapse in any direction, immediately turn off and unplug the machine as quickly as possible, and let it sit for a while (days) to discharge, and replace C15 with the exact bipolar electrolytic before trying to use it again.

Solutions

• C15 should be replaced with a modern equivalent. Do not apply power to the machine if any above symptoms are exhibited. If it's not replaced with a bipolar capacitor, it will immediately and violently explode when powered.
• This is likely the only capacitor that will need replacing in the device.

Disassembly Notes

WARNING: As this has a built-in CRT, treat it with the same caution and respect as a CRT TV. Always follow safe practices and assume lethal voltages are present, even on powered-off units. Always safely discharge the tube before working inside.

A fairly long T15 Torx screwdriver is required to open up any similar style of Macintosh. A few vendors on Amazon sell 6" long Torx bit sets.

Lay down a soft towel and set the Mac front side down, safely on the towel. Remove the two T15 screws towards the bottom of the rear, and the two T15 screws inside the handle pocket at the top. If the back shell does not lift off easily, you can use one of these screws to gently push down and separate the case.

Before removing the logic board, make sure all connectors including the small 2 pin speaker connector are unplugged to avoid destroying their pins.

Original Parts

Logic Board - MACINTOSH SE 820-0176-B

From the now-defunct 68kMLA Wiki: "Some logic board revisions may have a different number of capacitors, so make sure to look first and verify this information."

(Only electrolytics listed for now, various glass tantalums are not easily readable)

Capacitor Specifications and Footprint Information

RefDes	Qty	Capacitance	Voltage	Mount	Diameter/Size	Height	Lead Spacing	Temp	Type	Brand	Series
C4, C11, C13, C16, C26, C32, C34, C38, C39, C62	10	33 µF	16V	Axial through-hole	5mm diameter	5mm (axial)	20mm max	85 °C	Electrolytic	Nichicon	SE(M)
C36	1	1 µF	16V	Axial through-hole	5mm diameter	5mm (axial)	20mm max	85 °C	Electrolytic	Nichicon	SE(M)

Analog Board - MACINTOSH SE ANALOG 820-0206-B 630-0147-C

From the now-defunct 68kMLA Wiki: "Some logic board revisions may have a different number of capacitors, so make sure to look first and verify this information."

(Only electrolytics listed for now, various cermaics and glass tantalums are not easily readable)

Capacitor Specifications and Footprint Information

RefDes	Qty	Capacitance	Voltage	Mount	Diameter/Size	Height	Lead Spacing	Temp	Type	Brand	Series
C9	1	1000 µF	16V	TH	16mm	25mm	7.5mm	105 °C	Electrolytic	Samyoung	SXA (Discontinued, Equivalent to NXR)
C15	1	3.9 µF BIPOLAR	50V	TH	18mm	? (50mm MAX)	8mm	?	Bipolar Electrolytic	?	?
C14	1	4700 µF	16V	TH	18mm	38mm	8mm	85 °C	Electrolytic	Samyoung	SM (Discontinued, Equivalent to MHA)
C13	1	220 µF	16V	TH	10mm	18mm	5mm	85 °C	Electrolytic	Samyoung	SXA (Discontinued, Equivalent to NXR)
C2, C7, C22, C25	4	100 µF	16V	TH	8mm	13mm	5mm	85 °C	Electrolytic	Samyoung	SM (Discontinued, Equivalent to MHA)
C4	1	220 µF	16V	TH	10mm	18mm	5mm	85 °C	Electrolytic	Samyoung	SXA (Discontinued, Equivalent to NXR)
C19	1	10 µF	160V	TH	10mm	18mm	5mm	85 °C	Electrolytic	Samyoung	SM (Discontinued, Equivalent to MHA)
C11	1	33 µF	16V	Axial TH	5mm	5mm (axial)	18mm	?	Electrolytic	Samyoung	SM (Discontinued, Equivalent to MHA)
C18	1	22 µF	50V	Axial TH	6.5mm	6.5m (axial)	20mm	?	Electrolytic	Samyoung	SM (Discontinued, Equivalent to MHA)

Replacement Parts

Logic Board - MACINTOSH SE 820-0176-B (C) 1986

From the now-defunct 68kMLA Wiki: "Some logic board revisions may have a different number of capacitors, so make sure to look first and verify this information."

Capacitors

RefDes	Qty	Compatible Part Number	Order Links
			Digikey

If parts are not available or different selection is preferred, you can use the values in the Original Parts section to perform a parametric search.

Kits

• Digikey BOM: https://www.digikey.com/

Related Links

• https://recapamac.com.au/macintosh-se/