Trouble getting to capacitors. Magnavox 50mf231D/37

[Nola_Gal]

My project of the week. A 50 inch Magnavox with the power supply problem. I'm a novice, but I'm starting to really like TV repair. Learn something new about it every day. I've fixed a handful of TVs with the same issue, and I've never run into this problem. 3 of the capacitors I need to replace are in a really tough spot!

Of course the first thing I'm thinking is 'I've got to fanagel the new cap into a barely big enough space & bend the external wires 'just so' and try to move around things'. Then, I remembered I'm new at this, and there's probably a good way to do it that I don't know about yet.

The (2) 3300μf 10v caps that ususally go bad on this model, were bad. No surprise there.

(2) Other 50v caps were also bad, still easy to change.

Then, upon closer inspection, I notice (3) more gone bad, and they're sitting under heat sinks with a ledge. I can't even read them because of how they're turned, and all the crap in the way. How in the hell do you guys get to these?

Take out obstructions like other caps in the way? I've never removed a heat sink, but is that what you have to do to get to them? The way it's set up is infuriating. I'm having another "I hate engineers" moment. Can anyone help a girl out? I need to fix this dustbucket this week!

[Caleb]

Re: Trouble getting to capacitors. Magnavox 50mf231D/37

Big soldering iron on the heatsink legs after you have unscrewed the stuff attached to the heatsink ( good luck getting a screwdriver in there). Love the coon you may be able to rock them out from under the heatsink without removing it but its going to be a pita no matter what route you go

[johnboy1313]

Re: Trouble getting to capacitors. Magnavox 50mf231D/37

Maybe you can bend the tabs on the heat sink up a bit to make some room.

[tom66]

Re: Trouble getting to capacitors. Magnavox 50mf231D/37

Just a note, if I ever were to encounter the engineer who did this, I'd be equally mad. It's a bad design from a repair aspect but also because those capacitors there will get a lot hotter than the others.

[Ltank]

Re: Trouble getting to capacitors. Magnavox 50mf231D/37

I have replaced them before.Desolder the caps and they come right out. The problem. Is getting replacement caps that are not too tall. Take measurements of old caps and get close as possible. Observe polarity leave leads long and insert long leads through the PCB
holes, solder and cut off the excess.

[Nola_Gal]

Re: Trouble getting to capacitors. Magnavox 50mf231D/37

Thanks for your help. And LTank, It's good to know you've changed these guys before & it didn't involve ripping any unnecessary parts out. That's the feedback I was hoping to hear.

I'll get to removing them today & finding out what else I need to order. Or maybe, just maybe, Radio Shack will have the caps I need so I can get them today.

[truep]

Re: Trouble getting to capacitors. Magnavox 50mf231D/37

I've done this on a similar model. First use a solder sucker and remove the solder from the bottom of the board. Then Loosen the wires with pliers and remove the caps. It's hard, but it can be done. Then measure the caps and find some high quality caps that will fit under the heat sink. Then replace the cap behind the other heat sink, keeping the long wires on. then the other one. it's hard but usually can be done. Otherwise you will have to remove the heat sink.

[truep]

Re: Trouble getting to capacitors. Magnavox 50mf231D/37

BTY Tom, It was probably a bean counter that forced the engineer to do it!

[Nola_Gal]

Re: Trouble getting to capacitors. Magnavox 50mf231D/37

Damn, I got all the caps out without too much trouble. I NEED one of those solder sucker things. Never used a desoldering braid before, but gave it a shot this time. Again, never before has the solder gone back in on me and closed the hole to where I can't fix it! I think this tv is just screwing with me, for real. Well, now I've got a few holes that are closed with solder, and the braid (for whatever reason) is giving me nothing but a headache. It was easier my way, wiggling the caps out while heating the solder. I should have just stuck with that. >sigh< just another learning curve I guess. This sucks. I tried pushing a small paper clip through while heating the surface solder and got two open, but damn.

[LLLlllou]

Re: Trouble getting to capacitors. Magnavox 50mf231D/37

Thanks for your help. And LTank, It's good to know you've changed these guys before & it didn't involve ripping any unnecessary parts out. That's the feedback I was hoping to hear.

I'll get to removing them today & finding out what else I need to order. Or maybe, just maybe, Radio Shack will have the caps I need so I can get them today.

A) replace ALL the caps, or you'll be back in there in less than a year.

B) Please tell me you aren't seriously considering using ANYTHING that Rat Shack sells as a replacement?!?!?!?

I wouldn't put anything less than UCC KY/KYA/KZE, Panny FM/FC, Nichicon HD/HE or Ruby ZL/ZLH/ZLJ under those heat sinks, the heat will roast anything else in a couple years.

[Nola_Gal]

Re: Trouble getting to capacitors. Magnavox 50mf231D/37

All the caps? All of them? (A year later, there's me... trying to hang myself with half used soldering braid that never seems to work)

Quite frankly, I'd rather spend an entire day with a jehova's witness. Regarding Crap Shack: Well yes, I was thinking about it.... Considering this tv is A: currently not working, and B: I'm not trying to have it in my house for 7 years, I'm selling it once I do get it working. I have replaced the caps that typically go bad in the unit with rubycons, and bought the same brand today to replace the others. The way I figure it... This tv crapped out after 2 years of service. I bought it for $75 dead, & I plan to sell it at a steal on Craigslist, Working.
Those damn heat sinks are going to be more of an issue than the brand I'm using to bring it back to life. So, radio shack or not, it still has that little itty bitty shitty engineering problem. I realize all capacitors are not created equal, and there are many that are defective, but for all intents and purposes, I would have bought 3 caps from radio shack if it would have meant turning the tv on today.

Call me a bad person if you will, but I have a good feeling it's going to have a much longer life after I fix it than when it shipped out of China in the first place. The first TV I fixed that was dead... Guess where i bought the capacitors? I didnt know, I wasn't even sure I could fix it. ((cough)) radio shack- That tv was 5 years going strong and I sold it 2 months ago because I moved, still no hint of a power supply problem, or any other for that matter. I'd prefer to order online, but if I'm in a pinch and they have what I need, I would go there for last minute parts. This is last minute.

[truep]

Re: Trouble getting to capacitors. Magnavox 50mf231D/37

Get the caps from Digikey. They are cheaper than rat shack, and will last if you use one of the recommended types. Only takes a couple of days for shipping.

[truep]

Re: Trouble getting to capacitors. Magnavox 50mf231D/37

BTW, I think rat shack may have solder suckers. I know Fry's does. Also, try using a little tin/lead solder before you try to remove the solder. It will lower the melting point and make it easier.

[bikerbuddy]

Re: Trouble getting to capacitors. Magnavox 50mf231D/37

If you rub some solder flux on the braid it will suck up the solder faster and cleaner, then wipe the board off with alcohol or acetone,works for me every time.

[tom66]

Re: Trouble getting to capacitors. Magnavox 50mf231D/37

Also of note, cheap China-made solder wick SUCKS! I now only use Chemtronics (made in USA) and other well made solder wick. It works really really well. It regularly pops up on eBay cheap (but avoid the ones from Chinese sellers as they can be fake.)

[budm]

Re: Trouble getting to capacitors. Magnavox 50mf231D/37

I second that Chemtronics, I use the fine braid infused with flux, it works really well, that is the ONLY one I use.

[LLLlllou]

Re: Trouble getting to capacitors. Magnavox 50mf231D/37

All the caps? All of them? (A year later, there's me... trying to hang myself with half used soldering braid that never seems to work) .

I can understand using solder braid on the heat sinks, but why on earth would you need it for the caps? Heat one side, pull that side out a little, heat the other side, pull that side out, lather rinse repeat. Should take less than 20 seconds per cap. Once the cap is out, heat the hole, push a needle or even a thin toothpick through the hole to clear it.

.

Quite frankly, I'd rather spend an entire day with a jehova's witness. Regarding Crap Shack: Well yes, I was thinking about it.... Considering this tv is A: currently not working, and B: I'm not trying to have it in my house for 7 years, I'm selling it once I do get it working. I have replaced the caps that typically go bad in the unit with rubycons, and bought the same brand today to replace the others. The way I figure it... This tv crapped out after 2 years of service. I bought it for $75 dead, & I plan to sell it at a steal on Craigslist, Working.
.

You're certainly free to do as you please, but I never sell anything I've repaired unless I'm sure it'll last at lease twice as long as it did originally. That means I replace ALL crap brand or series with much better caps than what they're replacing.

.

Those damn heat sinks are going to be more of an issue than the brand I'm using to bring it back to life. So, radio shack or not, it still has that little itty bitty shitty engineering problem. I realize all capacitors are not created equal, and there are many that are defective, but for all intents and purposes, I would have bought 3 caps from radio shack if it would have meant turning the tv on today.

Call me a bad person if you will, but I have a good feeling it's going to have a much longer life after I fix it than when it shipped out of China in the first place.
.

Possibly, but highly unlikely if you're using GP 85 degree Rat Shack specials.

.

The first TV I fixed that was dead... Guess where i bought the capacitors? I didnt know, I wasn't even sure I could fix it. ((cough)) radio shack- That tv was 5 years going strong and I sold it 2 months ago because I moved, still no hint of a power supply problem, or any other for that matter. I'd prefer to order online, but if I'm in a pinch and they have what I need, I would go there for last minute parts. This is last minute.

I've done the same, the Dell Utrasharp sitting on my desk has been running for 3 or 4 years with shitty Rat Shack caps. I only replaced the 2 220uf ones that were leaking. Never meant it to be permanent, just never got around to doing it right, and the crap caps have defied all logic and not shit themselves within a month as they should have. That doesn't mean I would sell it this way. Again, you're completely free to do as you please, but it would be a disservice to anyone else reading this post in the future not to point out that there is a correct and an incorrect way to recap.

[Nola_Gal]

Re: Trouble getting to capacitors. Magnavox 50mf231D/37

Hey LLLlllou, thanks for your help. I appreciate constructive criticism and help because I am new at this. It's not something I went to school for, it's a skill I'm trying to pick up on with input from those who are much better than I am at it. You might have missed the part where I did replace all the bad caps with rubycons, not radio shack. Though to get the job done, I was thinking about it. I am not a pro tech, nor am I trying to pretend like I am one here. Just a girl trying to fix a few tvs on the side, and learn. By the way, I'm happy to report the 51" Magnavox turned on just fine today after everything was replaced.

Thanks everyone for all the advice & know how!

[johnboy1313]

Re: Trouble getting to capacitors. Magnavox 50mf231D/37

Mind if I do a J?

[Nola_Gal]

Re: Trouble getting to capacitors. Magnavox 50mf231D/37

Dude, at this point, I think you can do a J. This Turdbucket has been the biggest I've worked on so far. I'm so glad it worked. It always comes down to the moment of truth.


What the world has taught me so far:

No matter how much you know, you can always learn more.

Stupid shit might surprise and enlighten you some of those times.

Some people talk to hear their own farts.

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