Fixed a ViewSonic N3260w

[lazychris2000]

I work for a computer repair shop in Anchorage, AK and had a customer bring in their Viewsonic N3260w. They described the problem as "I was watching TV, heard a loud POP! and now it wont turn on." Having fixed dozens of displays, desktops and other various electronics with bad caps, I was fairly confident this would be an easy cap replacement. I did not expect to see what I found inside....
One exploded capacitor (see picture for the remains) on the power board. It had blown off the canister with enough force to dent it. Under the aluminum cover on the power board, EVERY SINGLE capacitor was bulging or blown (don't have a picture of it...I took one, but it wasnt on my camera when i plugged it in.... ). Literally, every capacitor was bad on this power board. There were 7 or 8 different capacitances and voltages and they were all bad. Mostly, they were fyuujican (or however its spelled), but there were also a few samxons as well. After recapping the board, the power came on, but nothing would display on the screen.
After double checking all my work, I came to the conclusion that it would need a new power board, so I set off to find one. I ended up picking a new one up ebay--from the ramplus ebay store if anyone is interested. To my surprise, the new power board was sporting nichicon and rubycon caps. Not surprisingly, after installing the new power board, the TV fired right up and was working beautifully.
I am kinda surprised a newish TV like this one would have the capacitor plague.

[tmwalsh]

Re: Fixed a ViewSonic N3260w

Used to was that Viewsonic was a GOOD name on monitors. However, I think they may be using their name to sell inferior products. But, what do I know?
They made one model [Q9b] that had a inverter/power board combo that is impossible to find, and it lasts just about as long as the warranty. Big surprise, no? Ha.
tom

[lazychris2000]

Re: Fixed a ViewSonic N3260w

I totally agree, although in this case, I am torn. The original power board had crappy caps, but the new one had good caps. Maybe viewsonic and/or FSP (the guys who made the power board) realized there was a problem and released a new power board? Either way, I think that if I ever buy a flat panel TV, Im gonna recap it the day before the warranty ends.
Also, the picture didnt attach for some reason, so Im gonna attach it here.

[larryglenn]

Re: Fixed a ViewSonic N3260w

Anyhelp
I had a similar issue and replace the power board however still will not turn on, where do I look next>>

[retiredcaps]

Re: Fixed a ViewSonic N3260w

Anyhelp
I had a similar issue and replace the power board however still will not turn on, where do I look next>>

1) Post clear focused pictures AFTER reading

https://www.badcaps.net/forum/showthread.php?t=1868

2) Please do not post pictures inline as they slow down the loading of pages.

3) For best picture quality and clarity take your boards to a window on a sunny day, turn flash off, and use macro mode. Take a top down view of all your boards (front and back). Make sure the photo is legible so that we can read the PCB printing clearly. A shutter speed of 1/125 or faster will produce nice clear focused pictures. Try to get a photo that is 2000x2000 resolution or as close as possible.

4) Here is an example of the pictures we want.

https://www.badcaps.net/forum/showpo...94&postcount=1

5) If the power LED is coming on, check for secondary voltages on the logic card. You can also check the voltage regulators on the logic card.

[mbates14]

Re: Fixed a ViewSonic N3260w

anytime you see a capacitor totally exploded beyond physical realm, its because a voltage MUCH HIGHER than originally anticipated has hit it.

Say, the PFC voltage of 400v hitting a 35v cap.

Cause: Bad transistor/semiconductor, shorted FET, controller IC, etc

[stanleybaxter]

Re: Fixed a ViewSonic N3260w

I got this monitor for free, it had five bad caps and all were CapXon.

It was built in 11/2006 and used on the production floor where it was on for 18 hours a day. I bought new caps to replace the old and it still won't power on. Since it's such a crap brand I don't really want to spend $60 for a power supply on a TV that has a questionable life. Plus I see a Sceptre brand TV at Wal-Mart for $180+tax new so again, new versus five plus years old.

I think my options are dump it, or hold on to it for a few months and occasionally check to see if the price of a power supply drops on Ebay because a new supplier comes out.

If it were a Panasonic plasma I'd throw down the money easily, I know they aren't perfect but I am brand loyal to those guys.

[lazychris2000]

Re: Fixed a ViewSonic N3260w

I got this monitor for free, it had five bad caps and all were CapXon.

It was built in 11/2006 and used on the production floor where it was on for 18 hours a day. I bought new caps to replace the old and it still won't power on. Since it's such a crap brand I don't really want to spend $60 for a power supply on a TV that has a questionable life. Plus I see a Sceptre brand TV at Wal-Mart for $180+tax new so again, new versus five plus years old.

Did you only replace the bad caps or did you replace them all (except the big, thumb sized one)?

[stanleybaxter]

Re: Fixed a ViewSonic N3260w

Did you only replace the bad caps or did you replace them all (except the big, thumb sized one)?

I only replaced the bad ones, the four main ones (they were the only four capacitors included in one of those Ebay kits to recap the power supply) and an additional one that was clearly bulging. Three of the four main ones were leaking, and all four were bulging. I didn't buy the kit, I just ASSumed that any failure would most likely be related solely to them.

The issue is no power at all, not even for a few seconds.

Do you recommend recapping the entire board?

I don't have a capacitance tester so although I'm confident the new caps are all good, I couldn't test them before installing.

[selldoor]

Re: Fixed a ViewSonic N3260w

If you have absolutely no power , have you checked the lead. have you another lead.
Have you checked any fuses.
Have you put the new caps in with the correct polarity.

We can help a lot more if you please post good clear pictures of each board, front and back and close up of connectors, (max resolution 2000x2000 and 2MB) using the manage attachments button, which is found by clicking "go advanced" under quick reply.

Please do not post inline and offsite as they slow down the loading of pages.

Examples of what is needed
https://www.badcaps.net/forum/attach...1&d=1290283049

https://www.badcaps.net/forum/attach...7&d=1280167246

[stanleybaxter]

Re: Fixed a ViewSonic N3260w

If you have absolutely no power , have you checked the lead. have you another lead.
Have you checked any fuses.
Have you put the new caps in with the correct polarity.

I only changed the caps. I will research how to test the fuses and to check the lead by doing a search tonight. I do own a multimeter but it can't check capacitance.

The new caps do have correct polarity, I marked the board and in addition the cap outline emphasized negative.

Here are the pictures of the old caps, I didn't take pictures of the replaced new caps.

[budm]

Re: Fixed a ViewSonic N3260w

Did you changed C33 for the 5V standby power suply section? It is a small cap.
You may also have bad Zener Diode and transistor as shown here:
http://s807.photobucket.com/albums/y...onic%20N3250W/

I can see 6 bad caps, but I am not cleared how many and location of the caps you have replaced.

[selldoor]

Re: Fixed a ViewSonic N3260w

Only fuse I can see is a glass one at F1 near the end of the BIG cap.
Talking of which is the cap ok? it is in shadow but may be bulged?
To measure the fuse set multimeter on ohms (no power to board) and put one probe on each end. Result should be the same as touching the two probes together.

NEXT STEP
If the fuse is ok and your lead is ok next checkpoint is the leads on the BIG cap. This will involve HIGH voltage
around 170 volts so care is needed.

Set meter on 200 vDC and with the board powered on put the
red probe on the Positive leg of the Cap and the black
probe on the negative leg of the cap. The polarity is important.Positive leg is marked on the board.

When doing this take care not to touch the heatsinks or anything else for that matter.

[stanleybaxter]

Re: Fixed a ViewSonic N3260w

Thanks selldoor & budm.

The photo gallery of the 3250 was VERY helpful.

I did not change the C33 capacitor... on closer inspection it does appear bulged but I didn't notice it before.

Also, to give credit where it's do, the blue buldged capacitor is Ost, the rest are CapXon.

I tested the transistors and sure enough the one next to the lead is bad. It's 12N50C3 and both before and after I removed it (so much easier to test when it's off the board) I got no reading even when reversing positive/negative to make sure.

At the very beginning of this project, when I first pulled off the back of the TV I immediately noticed the bad caps, and after I went online and saw a couple of articles about fixing tv's by simply replacing the caps for a few dollars I was sold. Now in hindsight, I remember reading TV's with bad caps would often give some kind of life (turn on and then off, or the dreaded blinking red lights) and this has none.

I'm hoping a new transistor gets it to fire up, otherwise I'll be changing C33 and see if there is anything else to test before dumping or getting rid of it.

The fuse tested ok.

After this post I'm going to search out that specific transistor here and elsewhere to see if others had success in getting a TV on after replacing it. Good thing I still have a tube of Artic Silver.

Attached highlights the caps I replaced.

[selldoor]

Re: Fixed a ViewSonic N3260w

"
Also, to give credit where it's do, the blue buldged capacitor is Ost, the rest are CapXon".

Not many people on here would give any credit to OST or Capxon and would replace on sight. There are only a few caps on your board so a few dollars would replace them all. This would give a fresh start point and you have to remember it could be bad caps that caused the transistor to blow.

[budm]

Re: Fixed a ViewSonic N3260w

The 12N50C3 is MOSFET, so it will read open. I would replace that bad small cap first to see if you can get the 5V standby on first.
12N50C3 spec

[Bukphang]

Re: Fixed a ViewSonic N3260w

Yes;
I would say it just a heat problem, as this TV seems to only have a standby on off switch.
Means the power supply is constantly running in free mode. So capacitors dry out. it is also advisable to use a low ohms meter to check Caps in circuit.

[Littlebear]

Re: Fixed a ViewSonic N3260w

I didn't know if I should start a new thread or not but I have this same TV Viewsonic N3260W I pick this up from a friend that was going to pitch it so I thought I take a look at it.. the green power comes on but thats it.. no picture no sound, screen is black with no notice of any life..

I pulled it apart and looked at the power board first I don't see any blown caps and I did check the fuse (checked good) I'm thinking about replacing the full power board since I don't see any caps that look bad.. I also looded at the main board again I don't see anything thats just jumping out at me..

just wondering wehat might be my next step short of replacing the powerboard

thanks
Chris

[selldoor]

Re: Fixed a ViewSonic N3260w

We can often help more if you post good clear pictures of the whole chassis, and then pictures of each board, front and back (in the same orientation) and close up of connectors, (max resolution 2000x2000 and 2MB) using the manage attachments button, which is found by clicking "go advanced" under quick reply.

Please do not post inline and offsite as they slow down the loading of pages.

Examples of what is needed
https://www.badcaps.net/forum/attachm...1&d=1290283049

https://www.badcaps.net/forum/attachm...7&d=1280167246

It will be useful if you can say a bit about yourself - skills tools etc.

[johnny8oy55]

Re: Fixed a ViewSonic N3260w

Thanks selldoor & budm.

The photo gallery of the 3250 was VERY helpful.

I did not change the C33 capacitor... on closer inspection it does appear bulged but I didn't notice it before.

Also, to give credit where it's do, the blue buldged capacitor is Ost, the rest are CapXon.

I tested the transistors and sure enough the one next to the lead is bad. It's 12N50C3 and both before and after I removed it (so much easier to test when it's off the board) I got no reading even when reversing positive/negative to make sure.

At the very beginning of this project, when I first pulled off the back of the TV I immediately noticed the bad caps, and after I went online and saw a couple of articles about fixing tv's by simply replacing the caps for a few dollars I was sold. Now in hindsight, I remember reading TV's with bad caps would often give some kind of life (turn on and then off, or the dreaded blinking red lights) and this has none.

I'm hoping a new transistor gets it to fire up, otherwise I'll be changing C33 and see if there is anything else to test before dumping or getting rid of it.

The fuse tested ok.

After this post I'm going to search out that specific transistor here and elsewhere to see if others had success in getting a TV on after replacing it. Good thing I still have a tube of Artic Silver.

Attached highlights the caps I replaced.

Hi guys I am not sure how to use this forum but I have the same tv the n3260w and have found the fuse to be blown can anyone tell me the rating in volts and amps to replace it with and what would cause it to blow although it might of been myself trying to test it carelessly? my original problem was most of the caps were bulging I do own a cap tester and have replaced the bad ones but the very big one with the plastic part seperating the terminals melted while unsoldering it, does this maybe have anything to do with the fuse blowing, I am not an engineer I just have a play with them and have fixed a few simply because the caps bulged and just needed replacing, please help and any begginer info into how and where to test a power supply would be very useful...John