Question for the Plasma Gurus on my Panasonic TC-P55ST30 - Screen damaged

[aaronwt6]

This is my personal TV at our house here. My 4 year old was swinging a toy around and it went flying at the TV. It hit the actual plastic bezel but I now have this small spot just above it on the screen. My instinct tells me of course that I have a small fracture and it's going to die completely soon. Should I just quit using it and harvest the parts as is or is there any chance of it lasting for a decent amount of time with this spot? I don't want to end up blowing the buffers and/or SC board over a week or two worth of viewing. Any opinions are greatly appreciated as always.

[freakaftr8]

Re: Question for the Plasma Gurus on my Panasonic TC-P55ST30 - Screen damaged

yes unfortunately that is a fracture now I have had some luck with stopping cracks on LCD panels using superglue believe it or not it's the air that gets injected into the panel you could try super glue around that area seal all voids within a Dimes radius of the crack. but unfortunately it still may not last but since it's so small it's worth a shot I've never done it on a plasma panel yet because usually when I find them they're completely aired

[aaronwt6]

Re: Question for the Plasma Gurus on my Panasonic TC-P55ST30 - Screen damaged

I kinda figured as much. I'll give the glue a shot. Nothing to lose at this point. If I could keep it from getting any worse I could live with it as is. At least I only had $125 in to the TV to begin with. Still made me sick to my stomach seeing the spot.

[tom66]

Re: Question for the Plasma Gurus on my Panasonic TC-P55ST30 - Screen damaged

Such a nice TV, what a shame.

[aaronwt6]

Re: Question for the Plasma Gurus on my Panasonic TC-P55ST30 - Screen damaged

Yeah. Quite upsetting. Kids, what can you do? I just bought 3D glasses for it a couple months ago too. Guess it's time to hunt for another one. I picked this one up for $100 and fixed the SC board. Had the loose screw issue.

[tom66]

Re: Question for the Plasma Gurus on my Panasonic TC-P55ST30 - Screen damaged

Put a crappy 32" LCD in the living room and move the 55" to the bedroom/mancave!

[aaronwt6]

Re: Question for the Plasma Gurus on my Panasonic TC-P55ST30 - Screen damaged

I wish. Unfortunately that's our main viewing area. I was quite surprised it cracked really. Was hit with a 1" square Lego. Actually happened 3 days ago but I didn't know it was cracked until this morning. Took that long to show itself.

[aaronwt6]

Re: Question for the Plasma Gurus on my Panasonic TC-P55ST30 - Screen damaged

What do you think the chances are of killing the buffer or SC running it like that?

[tom66]

Re: Question for the Plasma Gurus on my Panasonic TC-P55ST30 - Screen damaged

Low: it doesn't look like there's any actual damage to the top scan electrodes. I suspect the light is caused by damage to the cells rather than the panel surface, so it's not actually cracked. If the crack progresses and horizontal lines start going out, then there is an increased risk.

New territory to me though, so not entirely sure what to make of it.

[aaronwt6]

Re: Question for the Plasma Gurus on my Panasonic TC-P55ST30 - Screen damaged

Yeah, I thought it was strange that it still lights up. Also, the fact that it took a few days to show up. I'll keep you updated if it gets worse. As is, I think I'll be the only one bothered by it. It's literally smaller around then a pencil and right on the edge.

[tw2005]

Re: Question for the Plasma Gurus on my Panasonic TC-P55ST30 - Screen damaged

I wish. Unfortunately that's our main viewing area. I was quite surprised it cracked really. Was hit with a 1" square Lego. Actually happened 3 days ago but I didn't know it was cracked until this morning. Took that long to show itself.

I suspect with those the front area is the panel itself as opposed to some of the older models which at least have glass fascia panel.

I know the V20 I have definitely has no fascia panel. I'm always super paranoid with any foolery around it with my teenagers.

Hopefully another dead one surfaces for you to salvage and swap out the boards

you have my condolences

[freakaftr8]

Re: Question for the Plasma Gurus on my Panasonic TC-P55ST30 - Screen damaged

I have kids. My 2 year old loves throwing things. Time to look for a sheet of plexiglass for my 55 inch panny gt30 in the bedroom and my 55 inch ut50 in the living room. Damn I also have a 50 u50 converted into a ut50 in my daughter's room. Might do that too. but my biggest scare is my sharp 80 inch in the other living room. Going to cost a pretty penny to cover that screen. Of course all these TVs Were repairs that I kept for myself

sure hope that doesn't get worse

[tw2005]

Re: Question for the Plasma Gurus on my Panasonic TC-P55ST30 - Screen damaged

I have kids. My 2 year old loves throwing things. Time to look for a sheet of plexiglass for my 55 inch panny gt30 in the bedroom and my 55 inch ut50 in the living room. Damn I also have a 50 u50 converted into a ut50 in my daughter's room. Might do that too. but my biggest scare is my sharp 80 inch in the other living room. Going to cost a pretty penny to cover that screen. Of course all these TVs Were repairs that I kept for myself

sure hope that doesn't get worse

I know over here or maybe it was Ebay , someone was making perspex sheats moulded so they'd hang over the top. Not sure how you'd go with reflectivity / glare in a lit room

[aaronwt6]

Re: Question for the Plasma Gurus on my Panasonic TC-P55ST30 - Screen damaged

I know over here or maybe it was Ebay , someone was making perspex sheats moulded so they'd hang over the top. Not sure how you'd go with reflectivity / glare in a lit room

Yeah, I be worried about degrading the picture. Although it sure would beat what I'm dealing with now. Oh, and to comment on your previous post; this one also has no front cover on it. I had a 2009 LG prior to this and it had two separate pieces of glass. I suspect the LG would have survived the hit without an internal damage.

[aaronwt6]

Re: Question for the Plasma Gurus on my Panasonic TC-P55ST30 - Screen damaged

So, get this guys. I took freakaftr8's advice on the glue. It sounded like it could at least possibly stop the leaking in it's tracks. I removed the bezel at which point I could clearly see the crack. It was extremely small, but definitely visible. I coated a pretty decent circle around it with super glue, let it dry, and repeated a couple times. Reassembled the TV and gave it a shot. Last night and first thing this morning, the bright spot persisted, and actually had grown a bit and had some black pixels around it as well. Just now, I powered the set up and everything is back to normal. I certainly don't expect it to remain this way but I don't even see how that's possible. It's been on for an hour plus now and even if I get just inches from the screen I cannot even tell where the spot was. Keep in mind that I am very particular about how it looks.

Anyway, I just thought I'd update since it certainly didn't make sense to me.

[freakaftr8]

Re: Question for the Plasma Gurus on my Panasonic TC-P55ST30 - Screen damaged

Sweet! Can we get a picture of the area? like I said I've never tried it on a plasma panel only LCDs when they get whacked in the corner and they just start the crack

[aaronwt6]

Re: Question for the Plasma Gurus on my Panasonic TC-P55ST30 - Screen damaged

I can give you a picture of where the spot was. However, the entire crack as well as the glue I applied is actually covered by the bezel. It's actually pretty awesome that I was able to apply the glue without making it visible. Basically, the lego he threw knocked the edge of the bezel into the screen. I don't think it actually made direct contact and I was actually quite surprised that such a small think even managed to crack it in the first place.

[freakaftr8]

Re: Question for the Plasma Gurus on my Panasonic TC-P55ST30 - Screen damaged

apparently there's no more air getting into the panel because the black area disappeared meaning the gas mixed with the affected area creating a complete vacuum again.
that's pretty awesome that it worked congrats hopefully it lasts. I know that the LCDs that I have repared with glue are still holding up to today

[aaronwt6]

Re: Question for the Plasma Gurus on my Panasonic TC-P55ST30 - Screen damaged

Sorry for the poor lighting but you can see above the power button that the spot is now gone. It actually got somewhat worse than my original picture before I doctored it with glue but I didn't take a picture at that point for comparison.

[aaronwt6]

Re: Question for the Plasma Gurus on my Panasonic TC-P55ST30 - Screen damaged

Yeah man. I really appreciate the recommendation!! I believe just another 24 hours and it may have been too far gone. Had no idea at all that it could actually correct itself. I was quite surprised. I hate to admit it but I was about to cry when I saw the spot in the first place. I waited 2 years to get ahold of this nice Panasonic at a decent price.