Phillips AJL308 Digital Picture Frame Clock Radio

[theagent]

Hi, sorry if this is in the wrong section, but it seemed appropriate enough. I'm trying to fix this digital picture frame... it powers on, but the screen just flickers and stays dark. I took it apart to inspect and found that it created a hissing noise like that of a blown capacitor... however the noise seems to be coming from the inverter transformer (I google that component, so please correct me if i'm wrong - the copper wound bar thingie in the picture I'm posting) and all caps seem fine. I have no problem replacing it, but I just can't find the part online. Can anyone tell me how I can identify it to replace? There are numbers on the side, but they yielded no results in google. They were 39-91-066RAG T-1221A.

Also, is there a way to test this component with a multimeter in order to determine if it is in fact the faulty component?

Thanks.

[PlainBill]

Re: Phillips AJL308 Digital Picture Frame Clock Radio

Hi, sorry if this is in the wrong section, but it seemed appropriate enough. I'm trying to fix this digital picture frame... it powers on, but the screen just flickers and stays dark. I took it apart to inspect and found that it created a hissing noise like that of a blown capacitor... however the noise seems to be coming from the inverter transformer (I google that component, so please correct me if i'm wrong - the copper wound bar thingie in the picture I'm posting) and all caps seem fine. I have no problem replacing it, but I just can't find the part online. Can anyone tell me how I can identify it to replace? There are numbers on the side, but they yielded no results in google. They were 39-91-066RAG T-1221A.

Also, is there a way to test this component with a multimeter in order to determine if it is in fact the faulty component?

Thanks.

The transformer may be the problem, the leads to the CCFLs or the CCFLs themselves are more likely to be the problem. With monitors I'd say problems like this (audible sound of arcing) are leads 50% of the time, CCFLs 40%, transformer 10% or less.

I'd suggest trying the picture frame in a darkened room, looking for signs of arcing. If that doesn't give any information, carefully removing the circuit board from the picture frame so you can see the leads.

The chances of determining anything with a DMM is slim; you don't have anything to compare against. Even a ring tester would be ambiguous.

I'd like to see an over-all picture of the circuitry. Also, what are the part numbers of U1P1, U2P1, and U3P1?

PlainBill

[theagent]

Re: Phillips AJL308 Digital Picture Frame Clock Radio

Thank you for the response.

By Leads I assume you mean the Black, Pink, and White wires? I took a bunch of pics... best I could do using my cell. I circled the area where the noise is coming from. Here's the strange thing. I was poking around with a multimeter and touch one probe to the pink High Voltage + Pad... saw sparking (only touching ONE probe, the other wasn't touching anything), then the noise went away and the screen came on, but it was very dim, and when I increased the brightness (top button) the screen looked polarized, but then I unplugged, replugged it back in, and the buzzing recurred and received a flickering backlight with no picture once again.

I'm not sure I understand how it could be the leads, is there a way for me to test that?

Also, the part number for U1P1 is faded... but I think I read SS7707 and under that 733K30. U2P1 is STM4532, under that is 78P51A. U3P1 is the same as U2P1. The bottom numbers have a dot then triangle before them... the top numbers have what look like a Beta sign but squarish.

I don't notice anything unusual when I turn it on in the dark... no arcing that is.

Thanks again.

[PlainBill]

Re: Phillips AJL308 Digital Picture Frame Clock Radio

Have you tried it with it separated like it is in the last picture? A tube like the core from a roll of paper towels can help locate the source of the sound. It would be interesting to see if the hissing is coming from the CCFLs or the transformer.

PlainBill

[theagent]

Re: Phillips AJL308 Digital Picture Frame Clock Radio

That's actually exactly what I did. The sound is the loudest where I drew the circle, but it sounds louder closer to the wires... it's strange. Also, I think what's happening is that the noise goes away after it has warmed up. Because after leaving it plugged in for about 30 seconds, the noise went away and the screen came on (again, very dim). I can't tell exactly where the sound is coming from... but could it be the high voltage pads? Not sure how I could test that... desolder, resolder maybe? not sure how that would help though. Oh, and yes, did try it seperated.

[theagent]

Re: Phillips AJL308 Digital Picture Frame Clock Radio

Took some pictures of the screen. After leaving it on for a minute I got that dim picture... so I snapped a pic. initially it was black screen with lines, then I hit the brightness button once, and got a dim image, then again and a sharper image, however 3 seconds later it became the dim image again.

[Scenic]

Re: Phillips AJL308 Digital Picture Frame Clock Radio

this looks more like som sort of contrast (panel? issue.. on the second pic, it looks like the contrast is turned all the way up (as if you did it manually)

when it flickers... is it really the backlight or just the contents of the screen..? (ie. as if there's some lunatic playing with the contrast.. )

[PlainBill]

Re: Phillips AJL308 Digital Picture Frame Clock Radio

Took some pictures of the screen. After leaving it on for a minute I got that dim picture... so I snapped a pic. initially it was black screen with lines, then I hit the brightness button once, and got a dim image, then again and a sharper image, however 3 seconds later it became the dim image again.

That really sounds like an arcing transformer. It may be one of the wire to the output pins. I'd try carefully removing it from the circuit board. It looks like it will be necessary to remove the glue and unsolder the pads. Be careful.

PlainBill

[theagent]

Re: Phillips AJL308 Digital Picture Frame Clock Radio

That really sounds like an arcing transformer. It may be one of the wire to the output pins. I'd try carefully removing it from the circuit board. It looks like it will be necessary to remove the glue and unsolder the pads. Be careful.

PlainBill

Ok, I'll try to remove it... Is there any danger involved that I should be aware of? Or do you mean be careful as to not pull traces? Also, what's the next step? Replace it first? Or test it without it to see if the noise persists? Also, do you know how to identify it? I wouldn't know what to look for in a replacement part. I've ordered from Digikey before and have fixed lcd monitors, but only when replacing caps... this is completely new to me. Thanks for the help.

@Scenic... it actually appears to be both the contrast and the image distorting.

[PlainBill]

Re: Phillips AJL308 Digital Picture Frame Clock Radio

Ok, I'll try to remove it... Is there any danger involved that I should be aware of? Or do you mean be careful as to not pull traces? Also, what's the next step? Replace it first? Or test it without it to see if the noise persists? Also, do you know how to identify it? I wouldn't know what to look for in a replacement part. I've ordered from Digikey before and have fixed lcd monitors, but only when replacing caps... this is completely new to me. Thanks for the help.

@Scenic... it actually appears to be both the contrast and the image distorting.

Be careful not to lift traces, burn yourself on a hot soldering iron, or cut yourself while removing the glue.

There are several possibilities. An arcing transformer is one. Arcing on the CCFL lines is less likely, bad CCFLs is unlikely. A power supply problem is another possibility, but remote in my opinion.

The chances of finding a replacement transformer is remote in my opinion. I'm hoping you will get lucky and find a broken wire you can repair.

PlainBill

[theagent]

Re: Phillips AJL308 Digital Picture Frame Clock Radio

Gotcha... Thanks, I'll take it slow then... need to acquire a heat gun to remove the epoxy first. I always rush through and damage something when I don't have the right tool for the job.

[garbage5]

Re: Phillips AJL308 Digital Picture Frame Clock Radio

Hi, could you tell us about it has turned out the repair.

I recently purchased the same equipment and has a similar flaw. I think it could be the backlight, because if I apply light directly displays the information.

[RobertA1986]

Re: Phillips AJL308 Digital Picture Frame Clock Radio

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[carlosmaid]

Re: Phillips AJL308 Digital Picture Frame Clock Radio

Hi Theagent
Could you tell me what is the value of resistance r172 which is next to the IC inverter controller?
i cant find it, Thanks!

Hi, sorry if this is in the wrong section, but it seemed appropriate enough. I'm trying to fix this digital picture frame... it powers on, but the screen just flickers and stays dark. I took it apart to inspect and found that it created a hissing noise like that of a blown capacitor... however the noise seems to be coming from the inverter transformer (I google that component, so please correct me if i'm wrong - the copper wound bar thingie in the picture I'm posting) and all caps seem fine. I have no problem replacing it, but I just can't find the part online. Can anyone tell me how I can identify it to replace? There are numbers on the side, but they yielded no results in google. They were 39-91-066RAG T-1221A.

Also, is there a way to test this component with a multimeter in order to determine if it is in fact the faulty component?

Thanks.