jackrae:
With all due respect, since you seem to be somewhat lacking in knowledge on what a power output transistor looks like, then your chances of identifying the problem are pretty low. Without a circuit dagram, someone who really knows what they are looking for will have to dig deep into their knowledge of circuitry to identify where the faults lie. As previously stated, your best bet is to simply replace the damaged capacitors, switch ON and if it works, all well and good. If it doesn't work, and you really want to keep it, then pass it onto a colleague who has the skills to trouble shoot. Otherwise you could well be throwing good money after bad, with little chance of success.
This sounds like good advice. I don't have much skills in circitry, but can test componenets and understand the basic principles behind the supply. I taught myself alot about dc electronics, and am just wading into learning how circuits work, so this may be beyond my skill level. I ordered some quality caps, ~5 or so of each (35v, 50v 470uf), i don't much care for radioshack, and would rather give an ebay seller my business, but regardless. They should be here in a few days.
If the caps/shorted lead patch/solder joint fix the problem, then huzzah. If the transistors are bad, i can replace those if necessary as well, so long as the repair costs are under $25 total. I'll have someone with a proper electronics education take a look at it (my father) after i replace the caps, fix the trace, and replace any transistors/diodes that may have been damaged, before powering it up again for saftey reasons. If he says scrap it for parts, thats going to be the gameplan unfortunately, he's fairly well educated in the matter, though has not worked in the field for almost a decade now. Still, he might be able to show me how/what failed, and if its repairable. Busy week with lots of snow in norcal, so it might be a few days before he has some time to take a look at it though.
Might make a nice vlra battery case you could stuff a charger in hooked up to a solar panel if its unrepairable. And i'm sure theres plenty of undamaged components i can scrap for future projects so its not all bad.
Its also relevant to know, it did not pop, and die immediately. The voltage/current display remained lit, but the loud cap pops and smoke made me disconnect everything as quickly as possible. I have not powered it up since then. i'll wait for the caps and trace/fix before plugging it in again.
Live and learn i guess. Should have just spend a bit more on a mastech. Don't buy these knockoff pos's. Its like 50-75$ more for something quality and protected against stupid mistakes like reverse polarity connection of a fla.