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Inverter tester using old CFL

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    Inverter tester using old CFL

    Do not throw away those broken CFL (14Watts or smaller), you can use them for testing your LCD monitor inverter circuits without buying spare lamps for testing.
    You can solder the wires directly to the connectors on the inverter board or you can get the correct connectors but then you have to have more than one type.
    I tested it out on my lamp tester board as you can see in the pictures.
    I open up the lamp assembly using small hack saw just enough for me to crack it open, just be real careful.
    Enjoy!
    Attached Files
    Last edited by budm; 04-09-2012, 12:19 AM.
    Never stop learning
    Basic LCD TV and Monitor troubleshooting guides.
    http://www.badcaps.net/forum/showthr...956#post305956

    Voltage Regulator (LDO) testing:
    http://www.badcaps.net/forum/showthr...999#post300999

    Inverter testing using old CFL:
    http://www.badcaps.net/forum/showthr...er+testing+cfl

    Tear down pictures : Hit the ">" Show Albums and stories" on the left side
    http://s807.photobucket.com/user/budm/library/

    TV Factory reset codes listing:
    http://www.badcaps.net/forum/showthread.php?t=24809

    #2
    Re: Inverter tester using old CFL

    Cool, I will provide this link in rev 0.4 of the 2 seconds to black guide sometime in the future.
    --- begin sig file ---

    If you are new to this forum, we can help a lot more if you please post clear focused pictures (max resolution 2000x2000 and 2MB) of your boards using the manage attachments button so they are hosted here. Information and picture clarity compositions should look like this post.

    We respectfully ask that you make some time and effort to read some of the guides available for basic troubleshooting. After you have read through them, then ask clarification questions or report your findings.

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

    --- end sig file ---

    Comment


      #3
      Re: Inverter tester using old CFL

      How do you remember where the REV0.4 is? Is there a place in this forum that how to are kept?
      Never stop learning
      Basic LCD TV and Monitor troubleshooting guides.
      http://www.badcaps.net/forum/showthr...956#post305956

      Voltage Regulator (LDO) testing:
      http://www.badcaps.net/forum/showthr...999#post300999

      Inverter testing using old CFL:
      http://www.badcaps.net/forum/showthr...er+testing+cfl

      Tear down pictures : Hit the ">" Show Albums and stories" on the left side
      http://s807.photobucket.com/user/budm/library/

      TV Factory reset codes listing:
      http://www.badcaps.net/forum/showthread.php?t=24809

      Comment


        #4
        Re: Inverter tester using old CFL

        Originally posted by budm View Post
        How do you remember where the REV0.4 is? Is there a place in this forum that how to are kept?
        There is no formal tracking or process controls on this site as far as I know. I just keep my own thread and keep adding to the end of it and keep my own version control.

        A bit unsophisticated, but is works okay.
        --- begin sig file ---

        If you are new to this forum, we can help a lot more if you please post clear focused pictures (max resolution 2000x2000 and 2MB) of your boards using the manage attachments button so they are hosted here. Information and picture clarity compositions should look like this post.

        We respectfully ask that you make some time and effort to read some of the guides available for basic troubleshooting. After you have read through them, then ask clarification questions or report your findings.

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

        --- end sig file ---

        Comment


          #5
          Re: Inverter tester using old CFL

          Looks good definitely a good idea for someone wanting to do a one off monitor repair. If you could even take out the lamps inverter board then solder the lamp directly to the bottom of the bulb fitting and glue the base back on. That way you could mount a bulb holder to you inverter tester board.

          Retiredcaps any chance you could link to your 2 seconds to black in you signature then it will be easier to point people in the right direction
          Fixed so far : 1 Home cinema system, 16 LCD Monitors, 4 LCD TV's

          How to resize your pictures guide click HERE
          Retiredcaps Ideal post example click HERE

          Comment


            #6
            Re: Inverter tester using old CFL

            Nice experiment. I too was thinknig about trying the same thing but that experiment always got delayed or left for other projects.
            Definitely good to know, though. I guess this will go on my "to-build" list now. Last month, we had a CFL light die in the house and I took it appart. Bad solder joints on the driving transistors (13003's) killed one of them. The CLF bulb probably still works, though. So looks like I have all of the parts needed .

            Comment


              #7
              Re: Inverter tester using old CFL

              Best regards

              A nice experience.

              Comment


                #8
                Re: Inverter tester using old CFL

                Update with T5 4Watts lamp
                Attached Files
                Never stop learning
                Basic LCD TV and Monitor troubleshooting guides.
                http://www.badcaps.net/forum/showthr...956#post305956

                Voltage Regulator (LDO) testing:
                http://www.badcaps.net/forum/showthr...999#post300999

                Inverter testing using old CFL:
                http://www.badcaps.net/forum/showthr...er+testing+cfl

                Tear down pictures : Hit the ">" Show Albums and stories" on the left side
                http://s807.photobucket.com/user/budm/library/

                TV Factory reset codes listing:
                http://www.badcaps.net/forum/showthread.php?t=24809

                Comment


                  #9
                  Re: Inverter tester using old CFL

                  It's the hot Chilli Powder that makes everything work
                  Cool stuff

                  Comment


                    #10
                    Re: Inverter tester using old CFL

                    OK. I have 13w and 23w CFLs but no 14w.
                    Does the wattage matter if all I'm using is the top half?

                    Comment


                      #11
                      Re: Inverter tester using old CFL

                      That will be too big (the 23W), 14w or smaller as shown will work. I did not try with other 13/14W with big body (such as used for under counter lights) yet to see if it will light up. Your 13W CFL twisted bulb should work.
                      Never stop learning
                      Basic LCD TV and Monitor troubleshooting guides.
                      http://www.badcaps.net/forum/showthr...956#post305956

                      Voltage Regulator (LDO) testing:
                      http://www.badcaps.net/forum/showthr...999#post300999

                      Inverter testing using old CFL:
                      http://www.badcaps.net/forum/showthr...er+testing+cfl

                      Tear down pictures : Hit the ">" Show Albums and stories" on the left side
                      http://s807.photobucket.com/user/budm/library/

                      TV Factory reset codes listing:
                      http://www.badcaps.net/forum/showthread.php?t=24809

                      Comment


                        #12
                        Re: Inverter tester using old CFL

                        Would the inverse also work ? Like, using a bulb inverter circuit to test the lcd lamps ?

                        Comment


                          #13
                          Re: Inverter tester using old CFL

                          The inverter for the HOME CFL is made for driving CFL with starting filaments, it does not use the high voltage (1500~2000V) for starting the Ionnization like CCFL does, CCFL does not have filament.
                          Never stop learning
                          Basic LCD TV and Monitor troubleshooting guides.
                          http://www.badcaps.net/forum/showthr...956#post305956

                          Voltage Regulator (LDO) testing:
                          http://www.badcaps.net/forum/showthr...999#post300999

                          Inverter testing using old CFL:
                          http://www.badcaps.net/forum/showthr...er+testing+cfl

                          Tear down pictures : Hit the ">" Show Albums and stories" on the left side
                          http://s807.photobucket.com/user/budm/library/

                          TV Factory reset codes listing:
                          http://www.badcaps.net/forum/showthread.php?t=24809

                          Comment


                            #14
                            Re: Inverter tester using old CFL

                            Oh, ok. Thanks.

                            Comment


                              #15
                              Re: Inverter tester using old CFL

                              Would this bulb work?
                              Attached Files
                              I fix therefore I am.

                              Comment


                                #16
                                Re: Inverter tester using old CFL

                                Way too big even though it is the same wattage. I tried many shape and size and so far the curly one with 10~14W seems to work well.
                                Never stop learning
                                Basic LCD TV and Monitor troubleshooting guides.
                                http://www.badcaps.net/forum/showthr...956#post305956

                                Voltage Regulator (LDO) testing:
                                http://www.badcaps.net/forum/showthr...999#post300999

                                Inverter testing using old CFL:
                                http://www.badcaps.net/forum/showthr...er+testing+cfl

                                Tear down pictures : Hit the ">" Show Albums and stories" on the left side
                                http://s807.photobucket.com/user/budm/library/

                                TV Factory reset codes listing:
                                http://www.badcaps.net/forum/showthread.php?t=24809

                                Comment


                                  #17
                                  Re: Inverter tester using old CFL

                                  Wow, thanks for the quick reply. Looks like I will have to sacrifice a new bulb in the name of science. From the pictures I surmise that you don't need hook up to screen to test. Do you have to have a signal coming from the computer? Looks like that was not connected as well. Also, do all of the leads have to be hooked up to bulbs (mine has 4 leads for 4 bulbs?)?
                                  Attached Files
                                  I fix therefore I am.

                                  Comment


                                    #18
                                    Re: Inverter tester using old CFL

                                    I force the bl_on line on mt tester board, you will have to have your monitor connected to the running PC but you do not need to have the screen T-CON connected.
                                    You have to have 4 working lamps, if one failed or not connected, the inverter will go onto shutdown mode.
                                    Never stop learning
                                    Basic LCD TV and Monitor troubleshooting guides.
                                    http://www.badcaps.net/forum/showthr...956#post305956

                                    Voltage Regulator (LDO) testing:
                                    http://www.badcaps.net/forum/showthr...999#post300999

                                    Inverter testing using old CFL:
                                    http://www.badcaps.net/forum/showthr...er+testing+cfl

                                    Tear down pictures : Hit the ">" Show Albums and stories" on the left side
                                    http://s807.photobucket.com/user/budm/library/

                                    TV Factory reset codes listing:
                                    http://www.badcaps.net/forum/showthread.php?t=24809

                                    Comment


                                      #19
                                      Re: Inverter tester using old CFL

                                      Originally posted by budm View Post
                                      I force the bl_on line on mt tester board, you will have to have your monitor connected to the running PC but you do not need to have the screen T-CON connected.
                                      You have to have 4 working lamps, if one failed or not connected, the inverter will go onto shutdown mode.
                                      I was afraid of that. So I might need to make as many as 4 test bulbs? Or I could try hooking 3 up to LCD with 1 test bulb and hope only 1 CCFL is bad in my monitor and keep trying until lamps stay lit.
                                      I fix therefore I am.

                                      Comment


                                        #20
                                        Re: Inverter tester using old CFL

                                        Originally posted by budm View Post
                                        Do not throw away those broken CFL (14Watts or smaller), you can use them for testing your LCD monitor inverter circuits without buying spare lamps for testing.
                                        You can solder the wires directly to the connectors on the inverter board or you can get the correct connectors but then you have to have more than one type.
                                        I tested it out on my lamp tester board as you can see in the pictures.
                                        I open up the lamp assembly using small hack saw just enough for me to crack it open, just be real careful.
                                        Enjoy!
                                        Would a device like this workout more better?

                                        http://www.lcd-pdparts.com/ViewDetai...ProductID=1813

                                        CCFL & LCD TV Monitor Backlight Tester
                                        VIP Price:$16.30
                                        Last edited by Measuray; 02-21-2013, 12:07 AM. Reason: Forgot to add Youtube Video: CCFL Tester Laptop Screen Repair LCD TV Monitor ... - YouTube

                                        Comment

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