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Amazing repair!

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Basil

Basil

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About a week ago, the flip-up LCD display on my Epson RX600 Photo printer went black! Now I could not access the menu! The printer and scanner still worked, but for all the internal functions (like cleaning heads, printing test patterns, etc) I was flying blind! The printer is probably 7 years old or so and I figured it probably would not be worth paying to have fixed. But before I gave up, I did an internet search looking for a replacement LCD screen. Instead, I stumbled upon a post on an obscure forum in which someone who had the exact same problem described in detail how he fixed it. I figured I had nothing to loose so I followed the instructions, which involved removing the LCD display assembly, then opening the display up to reveal the micro-circuit board inside. Then, I had to locate an extremely tiny fuse link that was likely blown (according to the instructions). I used a multi-meter with very small probes and checked the continuity. Sure enough, it was open! Now this micro-circuit was way too small to do anything fancy, like replace the fuse link (unless you did it under an electron microscope.) So, I got out my trusty small soldering iron and some very fine solder, and proceeded to place a small dollop of solder on the fuse link such that the little blob of solder made a short across the fuse link.

I put it all back together and applied power and BINGO! The display works perfectly! Mind you it's not an elegant solution, but it works and I will likely get some more milage out of this old printer!
 
No, no, no. You are breaking the rules in this throw away society. The lobotomy isn't working, you will have to be scheduled for another.

What's next; repairing your own car?
 
Not as "micro" as yours Basil, but a few weeks ago I disassembled my laptop screen to replace the fluorescent tube.
Man there must have been 8 or 9 layers of diffusers and a couple of micro cables to contend with.
Like yours, it is back in service...
A good feeling, way to go boss!
 
Wonder if that fuse was wired into a timer...
 
CYNIC!!!! :wink:

We live in the "lightning Capitol of the World" and had a microwave oven which, if left plugged in during a storm, would go Tango Uniform if surged due to a fuse link on the p.c.b. The solder 'blob' replacement worked just fine for years.

Good fix, Basil!!!
 
I'm gonna have to do something similar to a 3y.o. Samsung LCD TV. Seems for whatever reason, the manufacturer opt'ed to use 24V capacitors in the 18V power supply circuit, when the caps should have been 36V minimum. The 24V caps work great new, but over time operating so close to their limit wears them out "quickly". They're all bulging now, and turning on the television takes 2 minutes minimum (on a warm day; 5 when it's cool).

Planning to run down to Rad Shack and obtaining the appropriate number of 50V capacitors to fix this thing...
 
RS "out there" still has discreet components?!?! Wow. I had a heck of a time finding a couple resistors a while ago, stopped goin' there as a result.
 
Yeah, but they kind of camouflaged/hid the where they keep the components. They're no longer hangin' off of rods stuck in peg boards. They have a big beige drawer cabinet the blends in so well that i walked by it 5 times over a period of 15 minutes while trying to figure out what they did w/ all the components. I DID walk out of more than one store in the past before I figured it out...
 
Now I gotta go back an' have a recce. :thumbsup:
 
My garage door opener broke a couple of weeks ago.... turned out to be a blown cap. Went to Radio Trash and of course they didn't have anything close. While I was driving home I remembered an electronics repair shop in town. I drive over and much to my surprise (not!) he was out of business and the new store was now selling cable TV service. I go in and ask about the guy that used to be there... I was told he closed down and moved away. When I told the lady behind the counter what I came for she said "just a minute" and came back with a bin full of caps that were left behind. She said "I was going to throw this junk out, take what you want"... after going through it for 10 mins, I found two correct value caps.
My door is working fine thank you!
 
My lappy is gonna get tore down here soon. I think the power supply took a dive. Gotta see what I can do for a repair within the budget.
I call that store "Useless Gadget Shack" ever since the day I went in looking for a HAM radio and was told they don't sell them anymore.
Cant buy a radio at Radio Shack now. Can't get a "Dunkin' Doughnut" at Dunkin' Doughnuts anymore either.
False advertising I tell you!!!!
Mouser.com is excellent for electronic components.
 
I'd have taken the whole "collection" Elliot! And given her a Hamilton to buy lunch on me. :wink:
 
There were HUNDREDS of capacitors of all shapes, sizes, and values. In a lifetime I never would have used them, and probably never had the right one!
It's funny you mentioned "Hamilton"... I did go back the next day and pulled out a $10 to give her. She wouldn't take it and asked that if I get satellite TV to sign up with her.
Unfortunately, that is unlikely.
 
Nunyas said:
Planning to run down to Rad Shack and obtaining the appropriate number of 50V capacitors to fix this thing...
Click to expand...
Hey Rob,
I think those bins are to hide the fact that they don't have much stock. Couple places to check out would be Orvac in Pasadena. Or Apex on San Fernando Rd, off the 5 near Tuxford. I think you'd dig Apex, part electronics, part junkyard. Huge place. Then there's Fry's
 
And if no joy, there's always THESE guys. Been around forever, used to order stuff from 'em when I was a kid.
 
I did the DEW indicator on my SONY camcorder. Thing was just over a year old. Had to remove the sensor and replace with a fine wire.
 
GregW said:
Nunyas said:
Planning to run down to Rad Shack and obtaining the appropriate number of 50V capacitors to fix this thing...
Click to expand...
Hey Rob,
I think those bins are to hide the fact that they don't have much stock. Couple places to check out would be Orvac in Pasadena. Or Apex on San Fernando Rd, off the 5 near Tuxford. I think you'd dig Apex, part electronics, part junkyard. Huge place. Then there's Fry's
Click to expand...
You're probably right about the bins...

There's a place in Burbank on Burbank, blvd that I've been to for obscure'ish electrical component stuff. Found replacement battery for my Un-interruptable Power Supply there.. I think it's called Electonics City, Inc. They have lots of neat stuff, including zip ties large enough to tie people together at the belt-line...
DrEntropy said:
And if no joy, there's always THESE guys. Been around forever, used to order stuff from 'em when I was a kid.
Click to expand...
heard of them.. never done any business with them before..
 
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