TV fixed!

So when my Element ELCHW402 gave up the ghost I said it was the power supply – yes indeed it was. However I did a quick bit of math and figured out that for me to troubleshoot the power supply would take inordinately longer amounts of time than to just search the board number. What I’ll do is havest (and test) parts off the old power supply board over time. That way I’ll identify the common failure nodes.

So I did, and the best price I found was $69 from Sears Parts Direct.

I had ordered it two weeks ago and on the 11th I checked the tracking information and noted it said it had been delivered. Now it’s a good size box, not one I could easily miss but it was sent via SmartPost which is hit or miss.

I called Sears Parts Direct and emailed. In the email I told them I’d noted it delivered but never received and that if no response within 7 days I would move to have my bank charge back the purchase.

But the call was more productive. I was told I’d have the part by the 14th and sure enough, UPS shows up today with it at 12:25PM.

I installed the board and pressed the power button and wonder of wonders I saw the little blue “Component” banner pop up and then a blue screen with “No Signal”. She works!

You can repair consumer grade gear – you just have to be in possession of the skills to do so. A screwdriver (philips, straight edge, torx, hex), a pair of pliers, a multimeter or two, and the gumption to tear it apart.

That last part is what stops a lot of people. It’s easier for them to go out and buy a new television at several hundred dollars, than to spend around $70 and effect the repairs themselves.

We’ve become such a throw-away society. But not me – don’t throw it away, take it apart!

Now I just need to put the case back on but I’m leaning toward leaving it off. It’s how I ran my early computers – covers off. Never know when you want to fiddle with something inside.

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