Questions tagged [repair]

Questions relating to electrical/electronic repair. Questions on the repair of consumer electronics, appliances, or other devices must involve specific troubleshooting steps and demonstrate a good understanding of the underlying design of the device being repaired. Please ensure your questions are somewhat generic in nature so they are likely to help future visitors and not too localized to a specific piece of equipment.

Meta posts on the subject of repair questions
Is asking on how to fix a faulty circuit on topic?

Web sites dedicated to repair issues
iFixIt.com

509 questions
33
votes
6 answers

How did smacking electron tube TVs help?

In old movies (or new movies playing in these times), I often see people smacking the top of electron tube TVs or screens. Somehow it seems to help to stabilize/sharpen the picture. But why? Are there any reasons an electronic circuit could go from…
OddDev
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5 answers

How do I fix an Omron d2fc-f-7n microswitch from unwanted clicks?

Omron d2fc-f-7n microswitches are used in computer mice all around, and they eventually start clicking several times per hit. AFAIK there is a flexible metal plate that wears out due to metal fatigue, so there must be a way to prolong its life. The…
user1306322
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4 answers

Why the arc when bonding-on during high voltage repairs?

When working on high voltage power-lines via helicopter the technician will "bond-on" with a steel wand called a hot-stick. During this process an arc is conducted from the line to the wand. Now, since the helicopter is floating both literally and…
Salbando Jones
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24
votes
9 answers

Wire broke off and stuck in a header

I'm working with an Arduino, and one of the stripped portions of the wire broke off at some point and managed to get pretty wedged into the 5V pin slot. Obviously, this wouldn't matter as much for a GPIO pin, but I sort of need to use the +5V…
sofly
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24
votes
5 answers

Cleaning Circuits with Compressed Air

I've been arguing with a colleague whether it is a sensible solution to clean dusty PCBs with compressed air. While I think this is the best solution (nothing touches the PCB), he claimed that spraying off the dust can cause ESD, because the charges…
Count Zero
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18
votes
4 answers

Can I safely use a 6 A, 600 V diode in place of a 6 A, 400 V diode?

Inexperienced electrical person here, but trying to save significant cost to repair an oven. The oven I have has a MR754 diode off the main convection heating element, that has failed. Unfortunately, since it is part of the wiring, the…
LTB
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18
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4 answers

Using diode mode on my multimeter to debug circuits. A good idea?

I've seen a few YouTube videos where the presenter, who appears to be experienced in board repair of Apple (and presumably other) circuit boards recommends to use your multimeter in "diode mode" to make measurements from a suspected problematic part…
Nick Gammon
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15
votes
4 answers

PCB Crack Repair

When replacing a component on my DJM450 (DJ Mixer) I stupidly cracked a small part of the PCB. Now, in terms of effect for me, it's minimal but very annoying. I want to repair it, if possible. Every video, walkthrough, etc I have seen has not…
Kyle93
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14
votes
4 answers

How do I buy and test an oscilloscope?

I am looking to buy an oscilloscope that will last me a few years. Application is everything but RF: digital and analog with as wide a frequency range as possible/affordable. I would like to buy used, but I would prefer Craigslist in the NYC area to…
Joe Stavitsky
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13
votes
4 answers

How can I cover PCB burn marks to identify burns later?

I'm repairing a receiver from the 1990s that has a few burn marks on the PCB where a few transistors overheated. After replacing them and any other offending circuitry I'd like to be able to know if the issue has been resolved -- i.e. I'd like to…
calcium3000
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13
votes
2 answers

How can I find a replacement for a transistor?

I have a circuit that uses BC106 and 2N3634, which can't find in store (where I live). Is there any website which could help me find an equivalent transistor? For instance I want to replace BC106 and 2N3634 with others that act the same. Any…
12
votes
3 answers

PCB Logic Board Reference Designator "E"

I'm looking for some help identifying what the reference designator 'E' on this Logic board is for. Can these pads be used as test points when trying to find a fault? The board is from a Datamax O'Neil / Honeywell industrial printer (I-4212e)
Nick
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12
votes
1 answer

Troubleshooting a faulty filter circuit in a PAL CRT display

I have an old CRT monitor (Phillips CM8833) which I am attempting to repair. When displaying a composite PAL signal, it only shows a black and white image, but it is still able to display RGB signals correctly. The composite signal is filtered into…
Kaz
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12
votes
4 answers

Choosing my first oscilloscope

I'd like to repair older computers, such as C64's, Atari's, Apple IIe's etc and their power supplies. I have a multimeter already but I'd like to get an oscilloscope. I've been offered an Owon PDS5022S really cheap, would this be suitable to start…
TheWombat
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11
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2 answers

What is this spongy material?

Hi, while I am tring to repair electronic circuit. I'm encountering this sponge. I wonder what is this sponge? and can I find out what it is used for. I often see this in sensitive circuits like in laptop board and near to cooling parts. Adheres…
mehmet
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