CCFL bulbs replacement different length

[kevinm34232]

So this 37" Vizio E371VL apparently fell off table, screen did not break but 6 CCFL's did. I didn't have a spare 37" panel, but I did have a 32". Any reason this will not work, or can be dangerous? The extra wires are high voltage.

TV was dead when I got it as well. The broken bulbs wound up taking out some components on the PS/Inverter Board too but a replacement board is cheap so I ordered one.

[audiofreak19]

Re: CCFL bulbs replacement different length

The 37 in bulbs probably won't even fit in the set.

[vinceroger69]

Re: CCFL bulbs replacement different length

so you are using 32 inch cfls in a 37 inch set using high voltage wire to fill the gaps? im not sure if its safe but wont you get dark patches on bright scenes?

[tom66]

Re: CCFL bulbs replacement different length

Yes that's what I'm thinking. Also the wires could arc, make sure you isolate them from the frame properly.

[mariushm]

Re: CCFL bulbs replacement different length

I would remove the silicone ends from the lamps and just leave the wire there, as it will have less effect on the actual screen brightness this way. Yes, you'll have some darker spots on the corners.
I'd also spread those more evenly (put two right at the edges) and the other 4 more spread out.
You may want to grab some electricians tape (white and wrap the wire and lamp ends between two layers of tape just for extra safety, to prevent arc-ing etc.

[johnboy1313]

Re: CCFL bulbs replacement different length

I can't say if it will or won't work in your set but bulbs from a 37" with wires soldered on did not work in a 40" Samsung I recently fixed. I had to get the correct bulbs.

[kevinm34232]

Re: CCFL bulbs replacement different length

Well I got the new PS, the TV comes on with backlight for a few seconds, enough to show the Vizio logo, but then goes out. TV stays on with sound and picture but no backlight.

Oh well it was worth a try I guess. Is the feedback sensing something different with the shorter bulbs then?

( I just noticed one bulb toward the top of the screen, when it first lights up is brighter than the rest. I am guessing this is the first shorter bulb that I replaced that must be drawing to much power? )

[tom66]

Re: CCFL bulbs replacement different length

Shorter bulbs operate on a lower voltage and a lower current. The higher voltage when striking the 37" bulbs probably causes an overcurrent event. And no, you cannot change the output operating voltage, without changing all transformers.

[kevinm34232]

Re: CCFL bulbs replacement different length

I have been successful with this in the past, but I think it was using bulbs from a 40" panel into a 42", which only required a very short wire if any.

[Alastair E]

Re: CCFL bulbs replacement different length

Maybe they all need to be the same length to prevent an imbalance in the currents....