Nordmende spectra color
 

Hi, i picked up a nordmende tv off the footpath near my house but it does not power up at all, there arn't any noises coming from the set. the model number is 8108, I think it's 68cm. It says on the front computer control 6. I know the set was working 2 months ago because I helped the elderly owners connect a dvd player to it. Can someone give me some info on this model and if it would be worth fixing and the likely cause of the problem.It's made in west germany. Thanks.

I'm not familiar with Normende sets. Around here they did have a reputation of being difficult to repair, but I don't know if this reputation was deserved. It may simply have been because the local service guys were not familar with them.

Assuming the set is completely dead (the standby LED does not light) I'd start looking on the primary side of the power supply. If the fuse is intact it may be something as simple as dried out capacitors. If the fuse has blown severely (blackened glass) you have a dead short somewhere. Check the rectifier diodes and chopper transistor. If anything has failed spectacularly (blown apart) the set may have been a victim of a power surge. If so you'll probably need to replace the controller IC, optocoupler and other semis on the primary side of the power supply. You may also find further damage on the secondary side.

It's hard to be specific without seeing the set.

You're location is listed as Melbourne. If that's Melbourne, Australia I am in Dandenong if that's not too far for you. I'm curious enough about these less common sets that I'd give it a go if you're not in a hurry.

nordmende
 

Thanks for your reply. If you could have a look at it for me that would be great. I live in Elwood so I am not too far away. Send me your details and I will get in touch with you. Thanks Rich.

I'll send you a PM shortly. Coincidently I just picked up a Normende Stereosonic 2401 which is a 63cm stereo set from around 1983. It's in pretty bad shape, but I may save it.

Nordmende
 

hello, what type of chassis has the set you picked up? It should start with the suffix "f" i.e. f15 or f11.
here in Italy Nordmende (thomson) set are very common sets. perhaps I could help...
best regards
Marco

Hello Marco, the chassis number is F11(82)C.

How to start to troubleshoot the F 11 chassis
 

Hi! The F 11 chassis is one of the most reliable made by Thomson. Since you saw it working month ago then you know the quality of the picture. Assuming that the picture tube was good then you might start to check around. The first thing I advice you to do is to check voltages that come out of the plug (BP03) mounted on the board on the upper side of the big transformer. You should measure a dc voltage of 90/100 V across pin 4 (+) and 3 (-). You should also have a dc voltage of 12 V across pin 5 (+) and 2 (-). There is another dc voltage of 12 or 24V (it depends upon the fact the tv is mono or stereo) across pin 1 (+) and pin 2 (-) of plug BP 07 but since this voltage is used to supply power to the sound stage then you may omit to check it.
Since you say you have a dead set with dead display I think the problem might be a lack of the mentioned 12V (the one you measure across pins 5 and 2 of BP 03). This voltage is brought to the main chassis through a (black?) single wire. If you have the correct voltage coming out at the BP 03 plug then check if the wire is corectly connected on the main chassis. If you have no 12V then check RP 43 (0,47 ohms) and DP 42 (bridge rect.). These components are mounted directly on the board directly soldered to the huge transformer. Not very easy to check...
Should you have the correct 12 V then have a close look at the battery mounted directly on the main chassis. It's not unusual a leakage of the battery and corroded printed side of the chassis and damage to the connections and microprocessor unit.
I think I gave you things enough to check for the moment. Please feel free to ask if you have further problems. I'll be more than happy if I can be of any help!
Have a nice time
Marco

Where else but on AK could a guy in Australia get help on an older color TV set from a guy in Italy ?!? Astounding...