Repairing a dead Apple Airport Express

Last summer I got an AirPort Express from one I know in the states. It turned out that it was completely dead when you plug it in the wall. The first thing that hit my head was that the Power Supply was faulty. A quick Google search confirmed that many others have had problems with the AirPort Express PSU.

Some pictures of how I got it back to life:

Dremel is needed to open!
Dremel is needed to open!
Must cut gently!!
Must cut gently!!
Got it open without damaging =)
Got it open without damaging =)
The main board :)
The main board 🙂
Yes, the Power Supply was dead :/
Yes, the Power Supply was dead :/
Power in on main board
Power in on main board
Testing with linear regulator
Testing with linear regulator
Overview
Overview
Inside with linear regulator
Inside with linear regulator

Since I used a linear regulator at first, I had a huge loss of power (5V to 3.3V  ~1A) over the regulator. And yes: It did get very hot. After some initial testing I replaced it with a small buck-regulator (in the lid under) that does the job:

Inside with buck regulator!
Inside with buck regulator!
Finished setup
Finished setup
Finished Airport with Power Supply
Finished Airport with Power Supply

 

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