replacement parts for troubleshooting and starting parts kit questions

[meanderer]

I have seen in one of the guide mentions that it would help if I have a spare CCFL to test with. I am willing to buy one of these. The question is which one to buy?
http://stores.ebay.com/plazmo-indust...34Q2ec0Q2em322
I can see all sorts of pre-assembled kits for sale. Is it ok if I buy just any of those?
I also browsed their bare tubes sections and I only see mentioning of size and length, does voltage or any other specs matter? Does that mean all CCFL tubes are interchangable?

If I want to start doing more recapping or repairing, I want to have more caps in stock at my shop. What should I stock if I am just starting out? I am looking at this kit at digikey.
http://search.digikey.com/scripts/Dk...ND#kitcontents
What do you think about kits like these, if I were to assemble my own kit how should it be?

Thanks for looking and answering all these, maybe we can have a sticky for newbies

[Scenic]

Re: replacement parts for troubleshooting and starting parts kit questions

the cap kit is definitely not suitable. those are general purpose caps. not low ESR.
i'd rather compile a "DIY Kit" with common values.
like.. 100pcs. Panasonic FL/FC/FJ of one value or something.

as for the CCFLs.. as long as the length and diameter matches, they're usually interchangable.
but trying to use a CCFL from/for a 15" LCD on the inverter of a 19+" LCD isn't going to work. either the inverter will shut down or the CCFL will wear out far too soon..

vice versa (CCFL from a 19+" LCD on a 15" inverter) would probably cause the 2 seconds to black problem, as the longer CCFL needs a higher voltage to run. so the inverter may "see" this as a dead CCFL and shut itself down..

[meanderer]

Re: replacement parts for troubleshooting and starting parts kit questions

interesting, so how come this particular seller doesn't list their CCFL's voltage? or this voltage simply depends on length and it is assumed that one is using the right length for a particular inverter/LCD?

as of the caps, what are the common capacitance/voltage should I stock? I would like to see a list.
from my observations of 2 monitors so far, I have replaced

3 1000uF 25V
1 220uF 25V
1 3.3uF 50V

So far I only went down to the local radioshack and picked up whatever they have, seen Xicon, Le-something, and nichicons there, but it's inconsistent about what they offer.

[retiredcaps]

Re: replacement parts for troubleshooting and starting parts kit questions

I have seen in one of the guide mentions that it would help if I have a spare CCFL to test with.

If you are going to repair LCDs as a hobby or profession, sooner or later you will run into a LCD where it is uneconomical to repair, too hard (soldering a 64 pin chip by hand), or parts don't exist (proprietary chips).

Right now, I might have 2 that fall into the above category. One 19 inch and 17 inch LCD. Right there, I have my "spare" CCFL. Both monitors were free from craigslist/kijiji so they didn't cost me anything.

If you can wait, I suggest waiting.

If I want to start doing more recapping or repairing, I want to have more caps in stock at my shop. What should I stock if I am just starting out?

The kit at Digikey has all 50V caps. This means they will likely be bigger caps and you will find that it won't fit in many applications either height or diameter.

Many here like Panasonic FC or FM series from digikey. I have used Rubycons MCZ and United Chemicons KZH.

I have replaced all the following caps (visible signs of bloated/bad)

1) 1000uF 10V and 16V - most common failure for me - suggest you get 10mm x 16mm (you can get just the 16V to cut down the "stock")
2) 1uF/2uF/2.2uF 50V - used in "startup" phase
3) 470uF 25V and 35V - suggest you get 10mm x 16mm
4) 22uF/47uF in either 25V or 50V

I would stock up on #1 (get 20 or so to start) and maybe 10 of each in the others?

[bugmenot]

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[meanderer]

Re: replacement parts for troubleshooting and starting parts kit questions

guess I will wait on the CCFL and get the suggested kit in addition to whatever I needed for the rosewill, thanks.

[retiredcaps]

Re: replacement parts for troubleshooting and starting parts kit questions

guess I will wait on the CCFL and get the suggested kit in addition to whatever I needed for the rosewill, thanks.

There is another alternative to a spare CCFL.

In this youtube video, John uses a custom built CCFL checker with a laptop inverter and 9V battery. See (8 min and 18 sec)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HMUazhb0bhc

[meanderer]

Re: replacement parts for troubleshooting and starting parts kit questions

actually I just got my own by using those computer mod ccfl kits.

I have a small single drive power supply laying around as part of a IDE to USB converter kit. and I connect it to the CCFL kit, but the end connector doesn't fit well so I used a piler to bring them closer (it's hard fit but it should do for now).