CCFL problem? Gateway FPD2185W

[cacharo]

Long-time lurker, first-time poster. Thanks to the members of this forum for all the help you have already provided me.

I have a Gateway FPD2185W which was recapped a few years ago with 2 seconds to black symptoms. Recently, this monitor began making a loud hissing noise and the picture has degraded significantly. I can see the input from the PC and it does not turn off automatically after any period of time. I have attached a picture and as you can see the right side of the monitor appears brighter than the left.

The only reason I suggested CCFL was because the symptoms were not as I have experienced in the past. To date I have only needed to resolve 2 seconds to black issues. Currently, I do not have any pictures of the board as I have not opened it up yet.

Thanks in advance to anyone who can point me in the right direction.

-Cacharo

[smason]

Re: CCFL problem? Gateway FPD2185W

That monitor is notorious for bad caps. What kind of caps did you use when you re-capped. Could be some of them failed again due to heat.
Without seeing it, hissing noise could be arcing on bad solder joints, or a transformer.
Might be obvious once you open it up.

I have one on my pile of monitors to fix, I haven't even looked at it, just ordered caps, as I KNOW it will need 'em. Caps should arrive on Monday. I'll crack it open next week and we can compare notes.

[cacharo]

Re: CCFL problem? Gateway FPD2185W

I will open it up and add some pictures. I swapped them with RadioShack caps, which I understand now is not best practice. Where did you order your caps from?

[cacharo]

Re: CCFL problem? Gateway FPD2185W

I was not able to figure out how to edit my original post to include these additional pictures -sorry.

Smason, you are right. There are certainly some areas that are standing out. There is one 470uf 25v cap that was not originally replaced that has blown as well as the pair of 220uf 25v caps that are blown and caused a large burn mark.
The 7 470uf 35v caps I replaced earlier still look ok to me, do you agree?

I am too much of a novice to notice anything on the solder side. Do you see anything?

[kc8adu]

Re: CCFL problem? Gateway FPD2185W

minimum type of low esr to even consider is panasonic fc,nichicon pw,rubycon zl,ect.those xicons are not even close.replace them again along with the other blown ones.

[cacharo]

Re: CCFL problem? Gateway FPD2185W

Thanks KC, do you have a preferred online vendor? I doubt I can find them close.

[smason]

Re: CCFL problem? Gateway FPD2185W

I agree the 7 *look* ok, but if you're in there anyway, I'd do all 8, plus the others with known good 105 degree low esr caps.
I get most of mine from Digikey (my 1st choice is the Panasonic FM series) or here on Badcaps. Any of the brands KC8 mentioned will be fine.

[pedro]

Re: CCFL problem? Gateway FPD2185W

I have a Gateway FPD2185W which was recapped a few years ago with 2 seconds to black symptoms. Recently, this monitor began making a loud hissing noise and the picture has degraded significantly. I can see the input from the PC and it does not turn off automatically after any period of time. I have attached a picture and as you can see the right side of the monitor appears brighter than the left.

The only reason I suggested CCFL was because the symptoms were not as I have experienced in the past. To date I have only needed to resolve 2 seconds to black issues. Currently, I do not have any pictures of the board as I have not opened it up yet.

Thanks in advance to anyone who can point me in the right direction.

-Cacharo

Those RatShack caps WILL need to be replaced, regardless of whether there is another issue - which I definitely suggest there is. The pic looks very much like an inverter or CCFL problem. Once you have the monitor opened, try to locate the noise source. I would be looking at the following suspects:

• inverter transformer (joints/soldering)

• inverter transformer (other fault)

• CCFL wiring/termination (arcing)

but we will know more once you get it apart.

[freelander]

Re: CCFL problem? Gateway FPD2185W

Trouble shooting with blown capacitors is going to be troublesome. I have many FPD2185W monitors and most will come back to life with a simple capacitor replacement. Although I agree that the 7 previous re-caps look ok, my preference would also be to replace all 8 of the 470 caps and you definitely are ordering 2 of the 220 as well. When you are ordering (and replacing) capacitors, the cost is so low that it just doesn't make sense to not do them all.

By the way, the bulbs in this monitor are on the top and bottom so if you are getting brightness to one side like your picture shows, you may very well have an issue with your bulbs AS WELL. You can open up the panel while you are waiting for the caps and have a look at both ends of both sets of bulbs. Post pictures if you are not sure. You will find other posts for this monitor that will discuss how to get to the bulbs and how to pull the boot back from the one end to expose the solder joint of the supply lines and the bulbs.