Lightening Killed My TV

[N80]

Thanks for the advice. I have NO knowledge of electronics or electrical safety. So I'm taking your advice and if changing/testing this fuse doesn't work, them I'm done and it goes in the trash. I found a comparable Visio for about $475. Paid $800 for this one two years ago.

I'm not even a big TV or movie watcher. If it wasn't for football, Top Gear, televised auto racing and Wheeler Dealers I wouldn't even replace it!

 

[Kent B]

Look for blown capacitors. I have discovered that those things account for a large percentage of electronic failures.
I have had a few small electronics that I was able to repair with a 99 cent cap. replacement.
If it is about to go to the junk pile it wouldn't hurt to take a look under the hood.
Bad caps. can sometimes be spotted easily.
Good luck.

 

[Midniteoyl]

Thanks for the advice. I have NO knowledge of electronics or electrical safety. So I'm taking your advice and if changing/testing this fuse doesn't work, them I'm done and it goes in the trash. I found a comparable Visio for about $475. Paid $800 for this one two years ago.

I'm not even a big TV or movie watcher. If it wasn't for football, Top Gear, televised auto racing and Wheeler Dealers I wouldn't even replace it!

Exactly what I watch

 

[N80]

Called around. No TV repair places within about 20 miles. Talked to one local repair guy, sounded part time, a little nuts and very unreliable.....wanted me to call in a few days to get a time to bring it in a few days after that. :confused2: So, complete no-go on a professional diagnostic. I may try to remove the fuse using soldering iron and solder a new one back on. Crazy local guy did not think it would be the fuse but at this point I have nothing to lose. I'll probably get a new TV, fool with this one later and if by some miracle a new fuse, soldered on by me, fixes it, then I'll give it to one of my kids. I don't have any use for more than one TV.

 

[rekees4300]

I'll probably get a new TV

Yes, TVs have become so inexpensive people don't get them fixed anymore, they are classified as "disposable". You can replace your TV at H.H. Gregg for $449.

Sony 40" 1080p HDTV | hhgregg

 

[Larro Darro]

Every four or five years we have been getting a bigger TV. The old eyes are not what they used to be. Each time, the bigger TV was as cheap or cheaper than the old one. We paid about $800 for a 55" Sanyo a couple of years ago. I saw it in Walmart last week for $650. Eleven years ago when we built our house, we had two entertainment centers built. One has a 32" space, the other 36". Back then that was as big a TV as we dreamed we could afford. Now our big TV is sitting on top of the one in the living room and our next biggest TV, a 42" Sanyo, is sitting on the credenza here in my home office. If we upgrade again in a few years, we will have to get rid of the entertainment center in the bedroom, or leave the 36" there and take the 42" to my office at work.

 

[joshuabardwell]

Why on earth would they solder in a fuse?

Your guess about a robot is likely right. These boards are assembled by robots. It would cost them $0.0003 more per board to have a human put a fuse into a receptacle. And it would cost them $0.007 more per board to handle complaints from customers who get a unit with a fuse that was knocked loose in shipping. So they just solder it on and assume you're going to junk it when it blows.

FWIW, the TV may very well be repairable. A person I know rescued a nice flat-screen from a dumpster. The capacitors were bad, but he had the skills to replace them, and the TV is running strong today.

 

[joshuabardwell]

One more thing: before you throw it in the trash, put it up on Craigslist. Say that it died after a power surge, and offer it up to anybody who feels they may have the skills to repair it. You may be able to even get a few bucks out of it, but most likely not. Still, it's nice to hand it off to somebody who may be able to get some use out of it. Good karma. There's a fair chance you will make somebody's day if you give it away for free.

 

[Midniteoyl]

Ya, I would offer it on Craigs.. Ask $25-$50 bucks for it, If it doesnt go, put it in the freebie section and it'll prolly go in a few hours.

 

[TCJatko]

It's actually quite simple to replace the fuse. Just go to Radio Shack and get a replacement plus some wicking wire. Wicking wire is finely-stranded copper wire with a little flux. Turn the board over, apply the wicking to the solder joints, and then apply the soldering iron. Solder will liquefy and flow into the wicking. Cut off the used portion, do it again, until the joint is bare. Remove the fuse, solder in the replacement, and you're done.