Dell 1703fps dark screen but power lt steady

[kturnerga]

Hi!
I found a Dell 1703FPS which lights up but gives a darkened screen. I took it apart and it has a BN41-00296B powr supply and a BN44-00073 inverter board. Some say it is the inverter board (if not the backlight ccfl) and some say the inverter kicks off if the power supply gives it not enough juice. I saw no swollen caps on the boards though I smelled an electrolytic smell on the power board.

I hope to gosh it isn't the inverter or the transformers on the inverter. If so I guess I've got to fix my free monitor for 40.00 (or less; it depends). If anyone has had experiences with this monitor post what you found out.
Thanks
KT

[trwilson70]

Re: Dell 1703fps dark screen but power lt steady

Just completed fixing one. The inverter transformers appeared to have overheated - waxy substance all around. I had another inverter from a smaller monitor for testing -everything looked good. I didn't want to pay $40+ for an inverter. Found someone selling a complete 1703FPs on eBay - good except the screen was damaged. Paid $20.50 shipped - swapped the inverter and now it looks great. Just to be safe I recapped power board.

[mathog]

Re: Dell 1703fps dark screen but power lt steady

The inverter transformers appeared to have overheated - waxy substance all around.

Are you talking about the black stuff in this image?

https://www.badcaps.net/forum/attach...chmentid=12151

That glop is on all of them. It's probably there to suppress vibration.

[trwilson70]

Re: Dell 1703fps dark screen but power lt steady

My inverter was different - had a total of 4 transformers. They had a waxy ooze - almost clear, not black. That looks too uniform, but without seeing it's hard to tell. Have you checked power to the inverter?

[mcfischer]

Re: Dell 1703fps dark screen but power lt steady

The inverter board you have is made by Lien Chang and is notorious for frying a transformer, disabling half the lamps. You can often see the black soot at the inside edge of the transformer, between the lamp sockets. They use a hard black "potting" material to insulate the secondary voltage that makes removal difficult unless you have a dremel grinder.
I have not fould a source for the transformer. I do rob them from other Lien Chang inverters like one used in some 15" HP 1530s.
Mike

[mathog]

Re: Dell 1703fps dark screen but power lt steady

They use a hard black "potting" material to insulate the secondary voltage that makes removal difficult unless you have a dremel grinder.

I do have a (generic) Dremel, but would be mighty afraid to use it on a circuit board. Sure, it would cut through the black gunk, and then the top traces, and the board underneath. Seems like removing just the potting material would take a steadier hand than mine.

[kturnerga]

Re: Dell 1703fps dark screen but power lt steady

mathog do like I plan to; wait until another monitor with a total power outage or a busted panel comes forth replete with a LI-2070 inverter inside. I found that the material is very hard and that was all it took to decide for me. Put out a saved search alert on Ebay for the following models you might solve your issues:
http://www.lcdrepair.us/1703fps-inverter.html


Unless you have a darned good screen don't fiddle with getting an inverter for 30-40.00 when you can do trash surfing or pay a few bucks in parts value.

[PlainBill]

Re: Dell 1703fps dark screen but power lt steady

mathog do like I plan to; wait until another monitor with a total power outage or a busted panel comes forth replete with a LI-2070 inverter inside. I found that the material is very hard and that was all it took to decide for me. Put out a saved search alert on Ebay for the following models you might solve your issues:
http://www.lcdrepair.us/1703fps-inverter.html


Unless you have a darned good screen don't fiddle with getting an inverter for 30-40.00 when you can do trash surfing or pay a few bucks in parts value.

A valid point to keep in mind. A 22", 24" or larger wide screen monitor from a reputable manufacturer is expensive and well worth preserving. A 17" monitor from a not so reputable manufacturer may well be worth spending $10 to repair. But for the price of an aftermarket inverter you should be able to buy a good quality repaired working 19" monitor. My last Craigslist run netted me a 17" Dell, a 19" wide screen Samsung, and a 22" wide screen Proview without a stand. It cost me $.44 to prove the Dell is unrepairable (dead video processor), and about $20.00 in parts to recap the Proview, the Samsung, and a 17" Emprex from a previous haul.

We all like the thrill of repairing a dead monitor and keeping something out of the landfill. But sometimes it is best to write them off as a parts source.

PlainBill

[kturnerga]

Re: Dell 1703fps dark screen but power lt steady

Plainbill I agree. I can't have a monitor bigger than 17 in but if I can get hold of a monitor with the inverter in question, and for 10 or 20.00 (or less) I think it's money well spent. I lucked up on fixing two monitors with the power-off issue so I may have the big-head syndrome going.

Good luck on the cataract surgery. It is no fun losing your sight even for a moment or losing part of your sight.