Samsung PN50C430 no picture-just clicks

[Electronic M]

If you are going to service SS gear an ESR tester is essential. There are ESR testers on ebay for ~$15 that have the additional features of RLC component testing and transistor/diode testing....I have one and consider it one of the best pieces of cheap test equipment I've got.

[jr_tech]

Originally Posted by Electronic M

If you are going to service SS gear an ESR tester is essential. There are ESR testers on ebay for ~$15 that have the additional features of RLC component testing and transistor/diode testing....I have one and consider it one of the best pieces of cheap test equipment I've got.

Agree, but what do you use for probes? I just got a tweezer probe that is not up to the task on low esr smt caps... hate to have to spend more on probes than the meter cost.

jr

[Ed in Tx]

I "probed" around on ebay and found some long (maybe 2") needle-pointed probes that attach with banana plugs, and I added some shrink wrap. Been years though. You might find something similar.

[Electronic M]

Originally Posted by jr_tech

Agree, but what do you use for probes? I just got a tweezer probe that is not up to the task on low esr smt caps... hate to have to spend more on probes than the meter cost.

jr

I've never used it on SMD caps (never needed to test those), so I just soldered some solid core wire (which the stock connector on my meter grabs) to some alligator clips. If I need sharp point probes I just put some lead stubs in the alligator clips.

[Ed in Tx]

Originally Posted by Electronic M

I've never used it on SMD caps (never needed to test those)...

That's amazing, considering all the failures of SMD caps I've seen. Sony camcorders were some of the worst, 20 years ago. Many different devices come to mind... JVC hi-fi audio boards (no or distorted audio), Panasonic VCRs, just about any model including the AG "Pro line" models, I have a mint condition AG-1830 here with so many SMD caps bad it's hopeless. Used in so many electronic devices. I have a Icom 706 Mk IIG here with bad SMD caps all over. A $1000 radio.