Riddled TV Repair Forum

golem · Joined: 13 Nov 2010 Posts: 2 Location: Maryland, USA

make - RCA
model - 27F554T (CRT)
chassis - M34M31

This TV 2 years ago, while only 1 month old, got an indirect hit by lightning. The bolt struck the next door neighbors tree and took out everything electrical in her home while in mine, it effected only this TV and a clock (yes, single family homes 30 foot apart, lightning strike over 100' away!).

Anyhow, the unit has no audio or video. When first turned on the video produces a very short white burst combined with a slight audio pop followed immediately by a complete shut down. If I continue to cycle the on/off switch the video flash will get progressively stronger but never more than a simple flash.

I'd like to put this TV back on line but only if I'm advised it could possibly be something as simple as a self replaceable <$70 part. Anything much more and...well, it is a CRT. Wink

Cheers.

Google

golem · Joined: 13 Nov 2010 Posts: 2 Location: Maryland, USA

Finally decided to look closely at the innards of this TV. I've actually taken the board completely out for closer inspection. The fuse is fine and I visually find nothing that looks scorched by the lightning BUT, I do see 2 capacitors that exhibit moderate swelling at the top ends (sides of cylinders look norm). Are these likely weak spot components susceptible to the lightning strike? Should I just attempt replacement of these two caps or is there likely additional damage on the board?

The only reason I'm revisiting this is due to there being absolutely no walk-in TV repair centers any more. This CRT (albeit essentially new) is not worth a service call.

Cheers!