Panasonic Buying advice

[IamCanadian]

Model TC-P42S2 42" Plasma
Power led flashes red, he cant tell me how many times owner can not be bothered to plug it in to tell me. He wants 125.00 for it,

Is their a common problem with this model/series? It is only 2 years old, so I would assume the panel is not going to be the problem.

That being said and I know the info is limited, think it is worth it?

[tom66]

Re: Panasonic Buying advice

It's a tricky second project, you got lucky with the Tosh

You'd end up likely replacing the SC, SU, SD and/or SS boards, which will run you past $200 total invested. Or it could be the A board at fault.

I'd pick an easier project -- you can probably find a dead Samsung plasma, and those are quite easy to diagnose. And about as common as flies, since they are built poorly.

[IamCanadian]

Re: Panasonic Buying advice

how about a samsung LN46A650A1F with bleeding colors.

fixable or new panel required?

[tom66]

Re: Panasonic Buying advice

Probably bad panel. Ask for a picture though -- could be as simple as mis-configured panel setting.

[IamCanadian]

Re: Panasonic Buying advice

I have decided to go with the Plasma.

I am at home with a broken leg (Titanium rod from knee to ankle...I will post a pic if you want to see something cool)
So I have the next 5+ months to play/learn/spend fixing things.
So expect plenty of pics and questions, I have an oscilloscope so that may help also.

[ryan74]

Re: Panasonic Buying advice

I'm working on a tc-p42u1 and tom66 is right. It can be any of those boards or a combination that is bad. Most common seems to be sc, sd, su.
I have no picture at all and ordered the sc board.
The led on my sc board powered on only if the ribbon cable was disconnected
I hope its the sc board. I had trouble locating the exact problem
Will let u know how it goes.

[IamCanadian]

Re: Panasonic Buying advice

Here is the pic of the LCD with bleeding colors, looks like a panel to me.

[tom66]

Re: Panasonic Buying advice

Yeah, that's the dreaded Lx4xA65x Samsung (x = (E)urope/(N)orthAmerica/(A)siaAfricaPacific, x = 0/6 screen size, x = random digit)

I have repaired two of the 40" LE40A656; in one case a T-con failure (faint green lines on screen); the other case power supply had bad capacitors. But they are also extremely prone to LCD panel failure, and it looks like that in the picture. It could be T-con but I wouldn't risk it.

Also they have the silly 100/120Hz motion enhancement which makes everything look fake, so I turned it off on the one I kept. (I sold one of them to a friend and kept one for our living room.) When working it's a decent TV.

[IamCanadian]

Re: Panasonic Buying advice

I am getting the Plasma today, Better deal than I figured, I am trading a GPS that i NEVER use for the tv, Delivered to my door.
As soon as I get it apart I will post pics and initial findings.

[tom66]

Re: Panasonic Buying advice

Great. Your oscilloscope will be essential. Do you have a 10X probe and is your scope rated for 400V input? Older Panasonics used 380V peak sustain waveforms with 200V nominal... at about 1.8 amps.

[IamCanadian]

Re: Panasonic Buying advice

500v input and I do have a 10x probe, but cant say I know how to use it proficiently.

I got it from my dad who was a tv/electronics tech for sony for many years.

[tom66]

Re: Panasonic Buying advice

Nice. I have never seen a scope with a 500V input. What's the manufacturer and model? I'm sure we can help you use one. Personally I very carefully use a Rigol DS1102E for plasmas and LCDs, but used to use a Gould OS300 and HP 54501A (if I was bothered to lug it around... it was very heavy.)

[IamCanadian]

Re: Panasonic Buying advice

HP 1740A My bad it is 250v 500v p-p AC But I am sure it will be of some use.

[tom66]

Re: Panasonic Buying advice

With a 10X probe it will be fine.