[mythtv-users] Busted pcHDTV HD-5500

[Brian Wood]

On Tuesday 16 June 2009 11:31:05 Clay wrote:
> > From: Brian Wood <beww at beww.org>
> > Subject: Re: [mythtv-users] Busted pcHDTV HD-5500
> > To: "Discussion about mythtv" <mythtv-users at mythtv.org>
> > Date: Monday, June 15, 2009, 1:56 PM
> > On Monday 15 June 2009 14:50:52 Clay
> >
> > wrote:
> > > > From: Larry Sanderson <larry.sanderson at gmail.com>
> > > >...
> > > >
> > > > I have never seen a blown capacitor before, but
> >
> > google can
> >
> > > > help me there.  I
> > > > think I'll try looking the card over one last
> >
> > time, clean
> >
> > > > the leads, and give
> > > > it another shot.
> > >
> > > [OT]
> > > Google 'capacitor plague'
> > > I hadn't either until one of my LCD monitors died and
> >
> > I googled around a
> >
> > > bit. Pulled it apart and four of the six caps were
> >
> > popped.
> >
> > > Going to solder in $10.00 worth of caps and
> >
> > (hopefully) bring it back to
> >
> > > life.
> >
> > Be careful soldering, especially if the printed circuit
> > board is multi-layer.
> >
> > Use a sucker or "Soder-Wik" (tm) to get the holes cleaned
> > out well, and don't
> > over-heat the board.
>
> Got all that.
> Best tip: use a good iron with a fresh tip. Not the ancient beater I
> used...

The temperature-controlled irons are worth the cost IMHO. For a portable unit 
the Weller units with the curie point tips are great. You can change the 
temperature by simply using a different tip.

>
> > Clean up any electrolyte that has leaked out of the cap
> > from the board, it's
> > pretty caustic, and will attack the board if you leave it
> > on there.
>
> They weren't popped, just bulged on top.
> Replaced all 6 caps ($4.00 total) even though a couple looked ok.
> Monitor fired right up.
> btw, it is a 1.5 year old Viewsonic Q20wb. Evidently, a common problem with
> the low end Viewsonics. Probably explains why Viewsonic only warranties
> them a year.

A bulge is the first sign of trouble. Glad you got things working.

-- 
Brian Wood
beww at beww.org