Questions about Samsung Monitors with Bad caps

[uglysound]

Hi, I have used two Samsung LCD monitors, 931BF and P2350 (syncmaster). They both seem to have cap problems.

Symptoms: For 931BF, it takes long time to turn it on. Once turned on, it works fine, though. It just takes longer and longer progressively to have any picture on it. Someone told me that it is likely that the monitor has bad caps that need to be replaced. But, I don't know how to open the back of the monitor as there are no screws or anything that is holding it together. My guess is that there are something inside of it that needs to be dislodged. Is it really possible to open it, BTW?

For P2350, similar symptoms. It turns off automatically in a few milliseconds after I hit the start touch panel. After doing it a few times, it stays on and works fine. I assume that the symptoms are going to get worse as I experienced with the 931BF. Would it be safe to assume that this unit also suffers from bad caps? If so, how can I open the back to get access to the board and caps inside?

Of course, since I have not been able to open them, I cannot identify what type of caps I need to fix them. I would like to replace all the existing caps, working or otherwise. Does anyone know the list of them for the monitors? If not, how can I find out which ones I need?

They are fabulous monitors. I really want to save them. If I cannot get it done myself, would it be economical to have a local shop do it for me?

Well, a lot of questions. I would really appreciate anyone illuminating on the issue.

Thanks.

[budm]

Re: Questions about Samsung Monitors with Bad caps

931B, you can use thin flat blade screw driver to crack it open at the bottom edge and slowly work your way around to open on 3 sides, then lay it face down on soft surface and then lift up the back cover, be real careful on the cable attached to the front bezel.
See pictures here: http://s807.photobucket.com/albums/y...amsung%20931B/
You can get the caps from Digikey, Panasonic FM, FR series.

[retiredcaps]

Re: Questions about Samsung Monitors with Bad caps

Pry it apart like so, but get the right size Panasonic FR or FM capacitors (you will know what I mean after watching the 10 minute video).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ul5LhuCT1y8

[uglysound]

Re: Questions about Samsung Monitors with Bad caps

Thanks for the replies and the informative pics and stream. I think I can get a hang of it though it seems a bit more complicated to replace the caps. I've got time.

I have found the replacement caps being sold in ebay for Samsung 931BF. I am fairly certain now that 931BF uses the same caps as 931B according to the photo provided in the reply. I know what they are now and am going to order them from digikey since the ebay listing doesn't specify the brand of their caps.

I am a little afraid to try to open the P2350 at this moment since I am told by someone that the problem may not be the caps. I am confused and am advised to see how the problem progresses. I don't know enough about electronics to be sure if or not it is a sound advice. But, I will do as told for now.

Although this is going to be my first try at soldering, I will try to learn about it as much as possible as it is an essential skill to save many electronic devices I have used and seen failing. Hoping for the best.

Thanks for the advice, and please let me know if there is anything else I need to consider as going about fixing it or at least trying to.

Good day.

[selldoor]

Re: Questions about Samsung Monitors with Bad caps

I am a little afraid to try to open the P2350 at this moment since I am told by someone that the problem may not be the caps. I am confused and am advised to see how the problem progresses. I don't know enough about electronics to be sure if or not it is a sound advice. But, I will do as told for now.

Good day.

Shutting down could be a sign of failing caps. Each time you retry they warm up a bit and as they get warmer they work better. IF that is the case then running it with failing caps can put other components under stress which may make the ultimate repair more difficult and costlier.


Soldering - Try and get in a bit of practice - before you get to the monitor. Just soldering wires together seeing how the solder flows and the effect of flux all helps. There are videos you can watch but hands on is needed.
If you have any old bits of electrical stuff about play on those.

[budm]

Re: Questions about Samsung Monitors with Bad caps

One suggestion: take good pictures of the board and draw the diagram of each caps where they go before removing them so you will not get confused.