For all of you with a dead PVR80 (Vestel T810), this is a common fault C783 on the psu board (1000uF 16V) blows or bulges, replace with 1000uF 25V, when this happens sometimes spikes across the 5 volt rail cause D107 (C5V1 5.1V zener diode) in the main pcb goes short circuit, this diode is across the 5V rail, measure the resistance across the 5V rail on the hard disk power connector it will read almost short circuit.
As you look from the front of the unit with the lid removed C783 is at the top left of the row of 4 large diodes on the psu board and D107 is a SMD type and is just to the right of the power in connector (yellow wires with one red) on the main pcb between C777 and C778.
The unit will work with D107 removed for test purposes but it should be replaced as this protects the other components from surges and spikes if the caps break down on the psu.

Martin Blay

Seems mine has the same problem.??

I've taken out the board and it appears that C9 has blown on mine. Not sure about the diode, as I cannot find a D107.

I do have a D17 in the top left part of the board, but my wires are 3 blue and 1 red.?

Can't do too much at present as I am on holiday soon, but will look at changing the components when I get back.

The same thing happened to mine 2 days ago. The hdd sounded like it was constantly on. Pressing the menu button whist booting didn't help so unplugged it. When booting up it got to the scrolling disk check message and then just remained saying "disk ch". Unplugged it again and it wouldn't turn on after that.

Had a look under the hood but nothing seems to be blown and have no ideal how to replace the parts.

Seems to be a common power failure fault with these devices.

Hard disk in mine is fine.
I'm lucky enough to have a second unit and swapped disks and everything worked as should.

I have identified one blown component and will replace zener diode just in case.

Some people complain that the newer models have external power supplies, but this is one of the main reasons why it's a good move. A failure on the PSU board is one of the most common faults on the Vestel PVRs - in fact, almost all failures happen there, except for when the HDD fails obviously. At least if the PSU fails on the newer models, you can just buy another PSU adaptor. That said, my 4 year old T816 is still going strong - only failure was one of the scart pins shearing off.

Well to be fair, I've had mine over 5 years and this is the first problem I've had.

I'm going to leave it all until after my holidays and then see about fixing it.

Thanks for the post.

Might have to work on it sooner than I thought.

The new box records, but on playback I get about 10 seconds of audio and then the audio stops.

It is on V4.4 from 2006 and a manual update does not change anything.

Think I'll swap the PSU board from one to another for now.

Many thanks for this clear expose of Vestel PSU weakness - checked my old PSU and sure enough C783 is dome-headed!

Just to clarify for those struggling to find D107, it is on the main PCB (the one with the tuners attached), NOT on the PSU board...

Martin, I was wondering whether it would be acceptable to replace D107 with a discrete zener, rather than the SMD type originally fitted. My reasoning is that this PCB is all low voltage (12V tops??) and if done neatly, should provide an effective repair. My problem is I am getting a bit old () and am not totally enamoured with the prospects of messing around with this fiddly little SMD stuff!!

Finally, for those not willing (or able) to repair their own PSUs, and since it doesn't appear to have been mentioned previously, I have stumbled across new 16PW810-2 PSUs - these are an acceptable substitute for the original 16PW36-2, and were I gather, fitted to T816 PVRs.

The URL (assuming I am not breaking any rules, if so please remove, and interested parties are welcome to PM me) is:-

http://www.chsinteractive.co.uk/elec...-16pw810-2.htm

I have no connection with this company, have never purchased from them and so can't say how good their services are - I merely post it for information. Equally, I would say that they are not cheap (£38ish) and only a partial solution if D107 is cattled, but at least it might keep the inexperienced away from potentially lethal voltages...

Hope these ramblings help someone,

IanL

Nice find, but at that price I think I'd rather invest in a new more modern unit.?

I've still to try and fix my board, but your post has renewed my interest to resurrect the unit.

Happy to help lol

Did you find D107 btw?

IanL

BigIan5604.
I was given a dead one of these and thanks to this thread brought it back to life.
Used a discrete zener in place of the surface mount without any problems.
Regards

Thanks Oscar1 - I suspected it would be OK, but it is always wise to check these things....

IanL

No, I seem to recall that I thought it might be a typo and meant to be D17.?
Where exactly is D107 as I have found D106 but still looking.

Think I have found it now?, next to D101 and an empty L603.?

Indeed it is - I have just removed C777/8 to improve access, and D107 is immediately above C777, to the right of D101 and just below the empty space for L603. This is with the processor PCB orientated with the tuners towards you. As Martin suggests it is worth measuring the resistance across the HDD power connector (between red (+5V) and either of the black wires) to check that this zener has failed. On mine with the diode in place I measured about 2 ohms, and this improved to approx. 2k ohms with the offending article removed. The device itself measures approx 1.5 ohms out of circuit.

Further, to clarify wrt the failed capacitor on the PSU PCB, it is in fact C9 (1000uF/16V) as C783 is 100uF/50V. With the failed cap removed, you will see that the board legend says C9 at approximately 12 o' clock above the device, and C783 adjacent to the -ve pole marking (at approx. 7 o' clock). If you use the markings on the lower side of the board when removing, de-soldering C783 frees the wrong component lol. I have to say that the legends on the upper side of the PCB are somewhat ambiguous, hence Martins slight error in his original posting. I also suspect that it is worth checking the fusible link whilst overhauling this board - I don't know if they are prone to failure, but if you have a dead unit, just seems sensible to me It is marked F2 and is connected to the mains input connector via L85...

Given Futaura's comments elsewhere, and from past experience, I am somewhat inclined to replace all capacitors on this board, using higher quality and (where appropriate) up-rated components as required. This will hopefully remove one of the known weaknesses of these Vestel PVRs, particularly given my reasonable experience with the device over the last 4 - 5 years...

Hope this helps

IanL

Yes mine is the same one C9 or C783 at 7 o clock, but thanks for pointing out which connectors on the underside.

I'll measure for the zener as well.

Thanks again.

I'm not the best at soldering and it has been a long time since I've done any, but hey!, I have nothing to lose really.

If you are just replacing C9, and you have a reasonable de-soldering pump, you shouldn't have any problems

If you need to replace the zener, be very careful - whether with a discrete or SMD component, you will need a very steady hand and a fine point soldering iron...

The capacitor is Maplin part no DT69A for the same voltage (16V) but it may be worth considering DT70M for a 25V part - both of these are hi-temp components specified for use in PSUs etc.

Maplins don't seem to offer SMD, so I am proposing to use QH07H, a discrete 5.1V 0.5W zener diode - should do the trick...

Where are you based - if you are anywhere Newcastle, I would be more than happy to assist.

IanL

Cheers Ian,

Thank you for the order numbers, and the offer to help.

I take it a discrete diode is just one on wires.?
I'll also go for the 25V version.

Sadly I live in Swansea, else I would have jumped at the offer.

Used to work in Newcastle a good few years back, working for the PPA near the Tyne Bridge. Great place, loved the work and the people.

I have continuity between red and black on the HD power connector, so I believe my zener is stuffed.?

As I said, mine measured approx. 2 ohms with the zener in and something approaching 2 k with it removed - assuming 'continuity' is a very low resistance, then I think your assumption is correct

Got my box of bits today, (a pair of T810s in various states of disrepair...) One had the alternative PSU (16PW810-2) which is fine, in a Goodmans chassis with a 160GB HDD. I rebuilt it and during testing, it just kept locking up. I had checked the resistance across the HDD connector and got some larger readings than I had seen before - don't know if there is any connection but it is unusable in its current state. I shall keep experimenting (by substitution) and see if I can draw any conclusions...

The other box had no HDD, the 16PW36-2 PSU with a domed C9, and the processor board has a failed D107. Will be getting the required components tomorrow, so I might have 3 working boxes by tomorrow evening

I have my parts, now waiting for a desolder pump to arrive.

Have practiced on an old board from a coffee maker (been a long time since I've soldered )

Then I'll give it a go.

Rootin' for ya, Steely I've got a cheap soldering iron and have ordered some cheap solder wire (for electronics, it says) to practise with. Who knows, I may one day attack my dead T 816.

As am I Parthena, as am I....

Well, it has been a very successful day - all boxes fixed and working - just need to resolve the crashing issues with the 160GB mentioned earlier. In the absence of an oscilloscope (and therefore unable to prove my theory, I suspect that the PSU is putting out 'wobbly' volts - as and when time allows, I will check this out by substitution! In the meantime, I now need to sell at least 2 repaired boxes on - 4 is too many for anyone (plus the Sony, I guess makes 5 )

Incidentally, Maplins only had one of the 0.5W zeners mentioned, so I fitted the next one up (1.2W?) - works fine, just a little more tricky to fit with the heavier lead outs...

Vestel 0 - 3 Ian lol

Well am pleased to report, that I managed to fix my spare box.

I was lucky in that the diode had not died, so only had to replace the capacitor.

Didn't really need the solder pump after all, just put tension on the capacitor and applied the iron. Then added some solder to the new one.

I know I have a problem with recording on the spare which i found out when I swapped them over, but hey!! it is back up and running.

Many thanks to Martin for identifying the faulty parts and to Ian for giving me the incentive to get it fixed.

My parents Dual branded PVR80 failed yesterday.

As detailed above, the 16PW36-2 PSU with a domed C9 and the processor board has a failed D107.

Fixed with bits in my junkbox.

Thanks everyone.