Wharfedale LCD37F180P Vestel

[Turnip]

Hi folks,

Have one of these that fell off the mantlepiece - screen appears unbroken but back-light goes out after a few seconds, sound OK.

First thought was a broken tube but set doesn't tinkle when shaken.

Is there a simple (hopefully cheap) way of testing tubes in situ  ?

Many thanks - Chris.

[dougc]

 Hi Chris, I'll be watching this one with interest!! Must be some way to utilise an old inverter. Doug

[sparky]

hi
have a look at this from Maplins there code A49GN
i found it tests ccfl tubes upto 37" individually also
on ebay
dave

[dougc]

I'm going to buy one in the morning. For £4.99 it's a 'must have'

[Turnip]

Hi Sparky,

Was first thinking £69 + at Wilts, then £24.99 on Ebay for a home made version. Your Maplin jobby saves quite a few pounds - now to make up some leads -

Thanks again - Chris.

[sparky]

hi
and it works ok just needs external 9 volt supply
good look
dave

[Turnip]

Hi Sparky,

Inverter came yesterday with computer power connections.

Thought either 5v but more probably 12v would be the biz - was wrong and promptly killed the pair of drive  8050SS.

Having a pile of monitor inverters found that if I connected +ve supply to the inductor feeding the output pair I could do without all that usual feedback and control business.

Upshot is that just my top two tubes don't light - thanks for the advice, probably wouldn't have tried without it - Chris.