My Sony PFM-42B1 is on the way out. It's not a surprise and actually I got 90% of the value from an extended warranty 18 months ago (I get vertical stripes in some very high contrast scenes, though the picture is fne the remaining 99% of the time) so it owes me nothing, though it is annoying as it was only bought in 2002. I think a fan may have failed as it it overheating and cutting itself off. Sometimes I get hours but today I managed 90 minutes and then after the shut offs started happening every five minutes or so I just turned it off complely. It is perfectly well ventilated and about as far from a heat source as I can put it. The software is not reporting any problems, but it is very warm to touch (even for a plasma) and the fan (I presume the remaining fan) sounds like it is straining as I am more aware of the noise (though in fairness I am listening for it so might be imagining it). I am posting asking for replacement advice, but before I do that and put this on eBay for parts, does anyone know if this sort of thing is easily fixable? Despite having no HDMI or DVI it is actually connected to a Mac mini which acts as my HTPC, connected by a VGA cable. It works perfectly (as a system) and I am not desperate to replace it just for the sake of it. Does anyone have experience with this kind of problem, or know if it is worth getting it fixed - or better to replace and put it on eBay for parts?
Plasma overheats - fixable?
Hi Alex,
I haven't looked at Plasmas so am unfamiliar with their operation but I would suggest that if it is just a fan gone it will be pretty cheap to replace. Fix the fan and you could then sell it as a working unit at a better price. These small fans have nylon bearings that wear out. Someone with a reasonable knowledge of electronics could pop the back off and take a look. Normally fans have their power rating on them and possibly how much air they shift in Cubic Metres per second, a spare can be obtained from the local Tandy or electronics shop. Just make sure you note which direction the fan is meant to blow before you remove it!
I haven't looked at Plasmas so am unfamiliar with their operation but I would suggest that if it is just a fan gone it will be pretty cheap to replace. Fix the fan and you could then sell it as a working unit at a better price. These small fans have nylon bearings that wear out. Someone with a reasonable knowledge of electronics could pop the back off and take a look. Normally fans have their power rating on them and possibly how much air they shift in Cubic Metres per second, a spare can be obtained from the local Tandy or electronics shop. Just make sure you note which direction the fan is meant to blow before you remove it!
I seem to remember Scotty in StarTrek episode TOS 1x15 having trouble with his Plasma injector relays ?
Maybe if you get a copy of this episode it might give you some clue's !
Maybe if you get a copy of this episode it might give you some clue's !
Originally Posted by Bobdk:
“Hi Alex,
Normally fans have their power rating on them and possibly how much air they shift in Cubic Metres per second, a spare can be obtained from the local Tandy or electronics shop. Just make sure you note which direction the fan is meant to blow before you remove it!”
“Hi Alex,
Normally fans have their power rating on them and possibly how much air they shift in Cubic Metres per second, a spare can be obtained from the local Tandy or electronics shop. Just make sure you note which direction the fan is meant to blow before you remove it!”
Tandy...that brings back memories. I have to go to Maplins now instead
