LG 50PC5D-UC.....Score!

[DXseekerMO]

A couple days ago I was cruising Craigslist and found this LG 50PC5D-UC for free pick-up. Got the back off it today and found one fuse blown on the AC side of the power board. I didn't find anything shorted or any obvious problems so I replaced the fuse.....and it WORKS! The fuse I put in is a temp, undersized at 125V 4A as opposed to the 250V 4A originally in the socket

With the things I learned here, especially from @Freakaftr8 I was able to troubleshoot this with a fair level of confidence and resulted in a bit of a "morale boost"!

The only issue I see with it are red speckles towards the bottom of the screen that increase in coverage with images towards red in color. It's only at the bottom fifth of the screen or so, but the picture is still really, really nice!

Another remarkable thing....this was like the cleanest TV inside that I've ever seen....bar none....and I see no evidence the back's been off anytime in the recent past. The remote is squeaky clean too!

So does anyone have an opinion on my red shooting stars? Any opinion on it's value? I know it's not likely a high value unit due to age but that isn't the point....it's more about the cool factor!

[tom66]

Re: LG 50PC5D-UC.....Score!

Cool fix.
It's not worth much.

The sparklies are a common issue on LG plasmas. If it's an old unit, and it's only red sparklies, you might be able to get somewhere tweaking the set_up and set_dn, as well as Vy voltages. Note original settings with marker pen before doing this.

However you will almost certainly need to fix the set properly which involves downloading a software update onto the control board.

[DXseekerMO]

Re: LG 50PC5D-UC.....Score!

Cool fix.
It's not worth much.

The sparklies are a common issue on LG plasmas. If it's an old unit, and it's only red sparklies, you might be able to get somewhere tweaking the set_up and set_dn, as well as Vy voltages. Note original settings with marker pen before doing this.

However you will almost certainly need to fix the set properly which involves downloading a software update onto the control board.

Right on! Can I download this on to a thumb drive and use that to download it to the set?

I had a look at the service menu. It has 21,588 hours on it....not even halfway to half-dim time!

[tom66]

Re: LG 50PC5D-UC.....Score!

No, you can't unfortunately, you need a specialised jig.
I'd check on a full white pattern for burn in...that's more of a concern than phosphor half life.

[NYKing]

Re: LG 50PC5D-UC.....Score!

Yeah, 90pound 720p plasmas are not worth the trouble nowadays. A friend owned this exact model and could not sell it, even for $20 in perfect working/cosmetic condition so he gave it away to a neighbor.

[DXseekerMO]

Re: LG 50PC5D-UC.....Score!

This is good to know. In my area folks don't have a lot of disposable income so older TV's seem to still get some interest here.

It's still in my living room going strong and the picture looks great!

[nomoresonys]

Re: LG 50PC5D-UC.....Score!

That's 900 days or almost 3 years running and still going strong, that's a good tv.

[DXseekerMO]

Re: LG 50PC5D-UC.....Score!

It's a February 2007 model....that would make it about 6600 days old, and it has 21,652 hours UTT. I'm pretty sure it has a glass front screen too.

[DXseekerMO]

Re: LG 50PC5D-UC.....Score!

This is the final update on this TV. After 150 hours of testing in my living room and no further service needed this TV just sold for $175.00!

You all have been really kind and good to share your knowledge with me. The sale of this TV has led to the recovery of my entire investment in gas and cash invested in 16 TV's. I'm not in profit territory yet, but I'm even, and that's not bad to start! Thanks to all of you.

Now I have free TV's to learn on, and this is exactly what I hoped for. I may not get any more for now unless I know I have parts or it's super nice condition, or free.

As soon as I get time I'm going to post my parts TV's and board numbers on the site here. If you've taken time to help me through to a solution and I can help you with some parts you need I hope you will let me know.

[freakaftr8]

Re: LG 50PC5D-UC.....Score!

Nice job!

[DXseekerMO]

Re: LG 50PC5D-UC.....Score!

Thanks, and thank you for all your help freakaftr8! Maybe one of these days I'll have/get a board with your name on it?

[chrismurphy]

Re: LG 50PC5D-UC.....Score!

The fuse I put in is a temp, undersized at 125V 4A as opposed to the 250V 4A originally in the socket

A 4 amp fuse is 4 amps regardless of voltage

[tom66]

Re: LG 50PC5D-UC.....Score!

A 4 amp fuse is 4 amps regardless of voltage

The voltage rating is still important, though. It indicates the highest voltage the fuse can safely interrupt.

[freakaftr8]

Re: LG 50PC5D-UC.....Score!

V=I over R. I think.. I may be wrong.. But 4amp at 250v 8 amp at 120v. But these supplies have a dual sensing. I believe if the power supply is 120-220vAC.

[tom66]

Re: LG 50PC5D-UC.....Score!

V=I over R. I think.. I may be wrong.. But 4amp at 250v 8 amp at 120v. But these supplies have a dual sensing. I believe if the power supply is 120-220vAC.

Nothing to do with that.

It's just to do with arcing in the fuse.

If the fuse never blows, 4A 125V, 4A 250V heck 4A 32V are all equivalent.

And if the source has relatively high impedance (can supply little current), then those fuses are also equivalent even if the fuse blows.

The problem comes when the supply is low impedance - such as mains power - and can supply a lot of current. Short circuit current for domestic mains socket at 230V is well over 500A if your house is wired well. Slightly less in USA. You want the fuse to be able to interrupt that safely. The higher voltage rating of the fuse indicates the typical supply voltage that the fuse can safely interrupt without the arc reigniting and continuing to conduct after the failure...which could cause a lot more damage elsewhere.

[DXseekerMO]

Re: LG 50PC5D-UC.....Score!

Well just so everyone knows I pulled a 250V 4A fuse out of another TV and installed it about 1/4 of the way through testing. The 125V went in because was in the next room and was the same amp rating.