Scepter x20wg screen problems

[Wrog]

Re: Scepter x20wg screen problems

I haven't been able to make more progress on this yet, but I do have a question.

If a bad CCFL is determined, is it then that I would determine the size of the replacement?

Also, given 1 out of 4 being bad, should the other three also be replaced?

Once you take out the CCFL it can be measured (just the bulb part). You'll find the two measurements that matter are the length and diameter. My personal opinion is that you should replace all 4 at the same time, otherwise you may be opening it back up and replacing others sometime down the road (maybe next week, maybe next year).

[retiredcaps]

Re: Scepter x20wg screen problems

If a bad CCFL is determined, is it then that I would determine the size of the replacement?

Also, given 1 out of 4 being bad, should the other three also be replaced?

Note that the problem could be just the ccfl wiring. The solder connecting the wire to the ccfl may be loose so you just have to resolder it. See this thread for example pictures ...

https://www.badcaps.net/forum/showthread.php?t=8978

These two vendors

http://www.ccflwarehouse.com/
http://www.ccfldirect.com/

have FAQs and tutorials on how to measure and replace ccfls. I have no experience with either.

As for replacing 1 or 4, I think it depends on how much the final costs are and how long you have used the monitor.

I believe ccfls have a life of 40,000 hours +/- 10,000 hours. So calculate how much you use the monitor. If the ccfls are close to 30,000 hour life, you may want to consider replacing them all.

Some monitors have a menu statistic on how long the monitor has been in sleep mode and "full on" mode.

PS. Replacing ccfls are a very delicate operation.

[Jules3084]

Re: Scepter x20wg screen problems

Someone else needed this Hitachi monitor this evening, so I made some voltage measurements as described
from an earlier post by PlainBill....

There are eight readings to take. I've marked points V1 through V4 (the voltage sense lines) and R1 through R4 (the current sense lines).

After double checking, and then checking again,
I got some very different readings.

V1 195mv
V2 196mv
V3 160mv
V4 270mv

R1 9.8V
R2 15V
R3 53V
R4 46V

R3 and R4 seem quite high?
Shouldn't they all be close within each group.
I'm not sure what to make of this.

Thank you.

[Jules3084]

Re: Scepter x20wg screen problems

I also returned C101 to a standard electrolytic, to eliminate that possibility.
It is a 150uFD 35V electrolytic like the others.

[PlainBill]

Re: Scepter x20wg screen problems

Someone else needed this Hitachi monitor this evening, so I made some voltage measurements as described
from an earlier post by PlainBill....

There are eight readings to take. I've marked points V1 through V4 (the voltage sense lines) and R1 through R4 (the current sense lines).

After double checking, and then checking again,
I got some very different readings.

V1 195mv
V2 196mv
V3 160mv
V4 270mv

R1 9.8V
R2 15V
R3 53V
R4 46V

R3 and R4 seem quite high?
Shouldn't they all be close within each group.
I'm not sure what to make of this.

Thank you.

Yes, that is much higher than I would expect. Ordinarily that would indicate aged CCFLs, but this voltage is so high I wonder if there is another problem. Can you hook the CCFLs that are connected to the first two connectors to the second pair, and those connected to the second pair to the first pair, then measure the R voltages again?

PlainBill

[Jules3084]

Re: Scepter x20wg screen problems

I switched CCFL 1 with 3 and 2 with 4, where they plug onto the board.

Took the readings again

V1 179mv
V2 244mv
V3 172mv
V4 191mv

R1 39V
R2 35V
R3 3.9V
R4 3.8V

[PlainBill]

Re: Scepter x20wg screen problems

I switched CCFL 1 with 3 and 2 with 4, where they plug onto the board.

Took the readings again

V1 179mv
V2 244mv
V3 172mv
V4 191mv

R1 39V
R2 35V
R3 3.9V
R4 3.8V

Definitely the CCFLs. IF you have the manual dexterity, it's time to open the
LCD panel and remove the CCFLs.

PlainBill

[Jules3084]

Re: Scepter x20wg screen problems

Thanks, I'm am looking forward to it!

[Jules3084]

Re: Scepter x20wg screen problems

Geezzz, the CCFL ends and wire connections are potted in the reflectors
with what looks and feels like white RTV.

One of the tubes has black spots at the ends in the glass.

I just don't know if I can get the tubes out without breakage.

[Jules3084]

Re: Scepter x20wg screen problems

After talking with a very helpful person at CCFLwarehouse.com, I'm back underway.

My mistake, they are not potted. The silicone end caps are just pressed
into the reflective rail, and can be carefully removed.

I decided to go with ordering a couple of assemblies from CCFLwarehouse,
but they will need to be put into the existing reflective rails.

No soldering needed and new wires and connectors included.

The panel I have is a AUO LCD panel M201SP01. They sell an assembly for a
AUO M201EW02. After sending CCFLwarehouse the measurements,
they think it will fit. We'll see!

[Jules3084]

Re: Scepter x20wg screen problems

Replaced the CCFLs assemblies with new ones from CCFL warehouse. They fit and the backlights are working now!!!

Another problem has come up. There is now a approximately 1 inch wide light grey vertical bar running down the screen top to bottom half way to the right of center.
Checked connections, and wiggled wires with no change.

Am I sunk? Can anyone please provide any advise?

Thanks

[Wrog]

Re: Scepter x20wg screen problems

Replaced the CCFLs assemblies with new ones from CCFL warehouse. They fit and the backlights are working now!!!

Congrats!!

Another problem has come up. There is now a approximately 1 inch wide light grey vertical bar running down the screen top to bottom half way to the right of center.
Checked connections, and wiggled wires with no change.

Pics? And which wires have you tried to wiggle?

[lucky13]

Re: Scepter x20wg screen problems

Replaced the CCFLs assemblies with new ones from CCFL warehouse. They fit and the backlights are working now!!!

Another problem has come up. There is now a approximately 1 inch wide light grey vertical bar running down the screen top to bottom half way to the right of center.
Checked connections, and wiggled wires with no change.

Am I sunk? Can anyone please provide any advise?

Thanks

Jules3084,

Can you post a pix of this issue? I don't like the sound of it. It could be panel problem.

However this turns out, you should keep the still working CCFLs you pulled out. They are extremely useful to help rule out 2-sec-to-black due to CCFL failure.

For troubleshooting sake, I have interchanged 19" to 22" and they all fire up for me to see if the issue is lamp or not. I normally leave it running for about 1-2 minutes than I can rule out the lamps.

[Jules3084]

Re: Scepter x20wg screen problems

The gray vertical barin the picture is the issue. It has appeared since replacing the CCFL
assemblies.

The ribbon cables along the top of the screen are the wires that when flexed would make other bars on the screen come and go, but this bar in the picture won't seem to go away.

[PlainBill]

Re: Scepter x20wg screen problems

The gray vertical barin the picture is the issue. It has appeared since replacing the CCFL
assemblies.

The ribbon cables along the top of the screen are the wires that when flexed would make other bars on the screen come and go, but this bar in the picture won't seem to go away.

Bad news. One or more of the connections between the flex ribbon and the glass LCD panel is broken. "He's dead, Jim."

PlainBill

[Jules3084]

Re: Scepter x20wg screen problems

Thank you all very much!

It has been a great learning experience.

Could anyone please advise on another monitor.
I can't say that the Sceptre X20WG lasted very long, 2 years 3 months
and maybe 15 hours per day, is only 12,300 hours. Not so good.

Any particular brand better than average?
Is LED better than CCFL backlighting?
Any particular deals?

Thank you again!

[shovenose]

Re: Scepter x20wg screen problems

led is more power efficient. im assumign that means it runs cooler, and thats always a good thing. and leds last longer, and wont crap out and arent so delicate as ccfl bulbs

[retiredcaps]

Re: Scepter x20wg screen problems

I can't say that the Sceptre X20WG lasted very long, 2 years 3 months and maybe 15 hours per day, is only 12,300 hours. Not so good.

I have seen references to some manufacturers offering 3 year warranties.

Other options would include possibly buying from Costco (maybe they include extra warranty as part of membership) or using a credit card to extend the warranty?