Any TV repair guys here? - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

pixelbend · 02-17-2004, 09:09 AM

I have a 35" RCA TV (probably a 1997 model) that I have been having some problems with. The set just turned off one day and wouldn't come back on. I took it to a local repair shop and the guy said it shouldn't be a problem. He had it for two months and finally called to say it was working (I think he replaced the power supply). I picked it up and got it home, we plugged it in and watched it for about four hours when it popped off again. I called the shop and took it back to have it re-repaired. He kept it for another 2 months and called to say it was ready again. He said they had ran it for several hours and had no problems with it. We got it home and watched it for about 30 minutes and *pop* off again. Well, by this time, I was just tired of carrying the thing around so I had the repairman just give us our money back and the TV has been setting in a spare room for about a year. Recently I have gotten the bug to get it fixed again, but this time I thought I ought to look inside to see what's going on. There was a 5 amp fuse at the power supply blown. So I replaced that. Plugged it in and and it blew right away. I would really like to be able to fix this myself, but I also know that the inside of a TV is no place to be monkeying around. So is it worth fixing and could I do it myself?

Redjake · 02-17-2004, 12:20 PM

Two things, take them with a grain of salt:

1) RCA televisions are the worst TVs ever made.

2) Be seriously glad the repairman gave you your money back.....that's practically unheard of.

I'm not too good with TVs, I usually throw them away if they go awry. My old RCA was the worst TV I ever owned. I bought another one, and sold it to my Dad 6 months later. It was terrible as well.

Be careful! You can die from the shock inside CRTs

Cynthetiq · 02-17-2004, 01:43 PM

have you checked the plug that the unit it plugged into? could it be that the power you are providing it isn't clean and has spikes?

pixelbend · 02-17-2004, 03:14 PM

nah, I've tried at least four different plugins in two different houses.

saltfish · 02-17-2004, 09:05 PM

When you're dealing with a flyback transformer that generates enough voltage/current to bring down a horse, I'd suggest not monkeying around with it.

Oftentimes primary rectification diodes can go bad in a TV, since they are the first components after the power enters the case. If you've already gone into the case, take a look at the board for blown components.

Just remember this...
You don't know the charge status of the tube, and without trying to tell you how to discharge the tube, just make sure that if you do get near the components, only use one hand. You want to avoid completeing a circuit across your chest with both hands.

So, yeah, look for small black cylinders with a silver ring around one end. If they appear blown, or there is a good amount of tar/smoke that has stained the board, you may be looking at a blown diode.

Other than that, you could have another repairman look at the TV, find a authorized RCA repairman, though cost may be near replacement cost.

On another side note, check with a highschool Vo-tech class that might be able to repair your TV for the price of parts, hell, thats how I learned to fix stuff.

-SF

pixelbend · 02-17-2004, 09:12 PM

Thanks for the advice.

I have looked all over the board and the only thing that really looks blown is the fuse at the power supply.

My next step will probably be to send it to another (rca authorized) repair guy, but I may try the vo-tech option, there is a big one nearby.

Cynthetiq · 02-19-2004, 11:10 AM

would it be cost effective to just buy a new one? I wouldn't go all out for a 35" but you can get a great 27" - 32" for not alot of money nowadays. Since everything is moving to HD in a couple of years, you're going to have to redo things anyways.

pixelbend · 02-19-2004, 01:30 PM

My thought was, if I can get it fixed for about $100.00, it would probably be worth it.

02-17-2004, 09:09 AM	#1 (permalink)
pixelbend Too hot in the hot tub!	Any TV repair guys here? I have a 35" RCA TV (probably a 1997 model) that I have been having some problems with. The set just turned off one day and wouldn't come back on. I took it to a local repair shop and the guy said it shouldn't be a problem. He had it for two months and finally called to say it was working (I think he replaced the power supply). I picked it up and got it home, we plugged it in and watched it for about four hours when it popped off again. I called the shop and took it back to have it re-repaired. He kept it for another 2 months and called to say it was ready again. He said they had ran it for several hours and had no problems with it. We got it home and watched it for about 30 minutes and pop off again. Well, by this time, I was just tired of carrying the thing around so I had the repairman just give us our money back and the TV has been setting in a spare room for about a year. Recently I have gotten the bug to get it fixed again, but this time I thought I ought to look inside to see what's going on. There was a 5 amp fuse at the power supply blown. So I replaced that. Plugged it in and and it blew right away. I would really like to be able to fix this myself, but I also know that the inside of a TV is no place to be monkeying around. So is it worth fixing and could I do it myself?

02-17-2004, 12:20 PM	#2 (permalink)
Redjake I'm a family man - I run a family business. Location: Wilson, NC	Two things, take them with a grain of salt: 1) RCA televisions are the worst TVs ever made. 2) Be seriously glad the repairman gave you your money back.....that's practically unheard of. I'm not too good with TVs, I usually throw them away if they go awry. My old RCA was the worst TV I ever owned. I bought another one, and sold it to my Dad 6 months later. It was terrible as well. Be careful! You can die from the shock inside CRTs __________________ Off the record, on the q.t., and very hush-hush.

02-17-2004, 01:43 PM	#3 (permalink)
Cynthetiq Tilted Cat Head Administrator Location: Manhattan, NY	have you checked the plug that the unit it plugged into? could it be that the power you are providing it isn't clean and has spikes? __________________ I don't care if you are black, white, purple, green, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, hippie, cop, bum, admin, user, English, Irish, French, Catholic, Protestant, Jewish, Buddhist, Muslim, indian, cowboy, tall, short, fat, skinny, emo, punk, mod, rocker, straight, gay, lesbian, jock, nerd, geek, Democrat, Republican, Libertarian, Independent, driver, pedestrian, or bicyclist, either you're an asshole or you're not. What's the best nation in the world? DO-NATION!

02-17-2004, 03:14 PM	#4 (permalink)
pixelbend Too hot in the hot tub!	tv nah, I've tried at least four different plugins in two different houses.

02-17-2004, 09:12 PM	#6 (permalink)
pixelbend Too hot in the hot tub!	Thanks for the advice. I have looked all over the board and the only thing that really looks blown is the fuse at the power supply. My next step will probably be to send it to another (rca authorized) repair guy, but I may try the vo-tech option, there is a big one nearby. __________________ But I don't want ANY Spam!

02-17-2004, 09:05 PM	#5 (permalink)
saltfish !?!No hay pantalones!?! Location: Indian-no-place	When you're dealing with a flyback transformer that generates enough voltage/current to bring down a horse, I'd suggest not monkeying around with it. Oftentimes primary rectification diodes can go bad in a TV, since they are the first components after the power enters the case. If you've already gone into the case, take a look at the board for blown components. Just remember this... You don't know the charge status of the tube, and without trying to tell you how to discharge the tube, just make sure that if you do get near the components, only use one hand. You want to avoid completeing a circuit across your chest with both hands. So, yeah, look for small black cylinders with a silver ring around one end. If they appear blown, or there is a good amount of tar/smoke that has stained the board, you may be looking at a blown diode. Other than that, you could have another repairman look at the TV, find a authorized RCA repairman, though cost may be near replacement cost. On another side note, check with a highschool Vo-tech class that might be able to repair your TV for the price of parts, hell, thats how I learned to fix stuff. -SF

02-19-2004, 11:10 AM	#7 (permalink)
Cynthetiq Tilted Cat Head Administrator Location: Manhattan, NY	would it be cost effective to just buy a new one? I wouldn't go all out for a 35" but you can get a great 27" - 32" for not alot of money nowadays. Since everything is moving to HD in a couple of years, you're going to have to redo things anyways. __________________ I don't care if you are black, white, purple, green, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, hippie, cop, bum, admin, user, English, Irish, French, Catholic, Protestant, Jewish, Buddhist, Muslim, indian, cowboy, tall, short, fat, skinny, emo, punk, mod, rocker, straight, gay, lesbian, jock, nerd, geek, Democrat, Republican, Libertarian, Independent, driver, pedestrian, or bicyclist, either you're an asshole or you're not. What's the best nation in the world? DO-NATION!

02-19-2004, 01:30 PM	#8 (permalink)
pixelbend Too hot in the hot tub!	My thought was, if I can get it fixed for about $100.00, it would probably be worth it. __________________ But I don't want ANY Spam!