15-04-2015, 03:55 PM
Funnily enough, I've been a bit discouraged of late. I started out with 3 or 4 successful repairs (fairly easy ones) but now it's a bit like being in the deep end and a poor swimmer.
Does anyone ever get mental blocks or ever had a mental block? When it happens it's like all your knowledge of electronics goes out the window and you just get totally puzzled. I get like this sometimes and then, after a break, I try and think it over more rationally and then wonder why I had gotten so confused.
Anyway, now to update you all:
I decided to take the advice about changing the capacitors as it can't do any harm to roll my sleeves up and give it my best shot. Today I removed the stringing mechanism and made detailed diagrams. I also made a very detailed diagram of the ferrite rod connections and then snipped the wires. I left some wires partly on the rod just in case I get a mental block and then the colours will make it much easier. If I had 2 blue wires, I also marked one of them in biro if it needed to be fixed on a different lug. And I took pics.
Now, here is where I need advice: I removed the first main capacitor which I believe is a 6 volt 50 Mf (the one that was spotted by the ferrite rod) This turned out to be a hell of a job as I was at a loss as to how to match the component lead with the corresponding solder joint the other side. I had to try and count the holes and then use the meter till I got a safe zero (although other points could also give a zero). Anyway I got out the trickiest one out today but there is some lead left in the PCB pinhole.
Would it be possible to drill out these pin holes with a very fine drill from the component side and through to the solder side? I was thinking of a very fine but strong drill and straight through so I can then easily fit the new capacitor.
Lastly the transistors. I find those OC yellow sleeved transistors are bullet proof. They're not worth chucking away. I managed to repair it by making a tiny round hook on a fine wire and soldering it to the transistor. It seems robust and the P/N junctions still test fine.
Does anyone ever get mental blocks or ever had a mental block? When it happens it's like all your knowledge of electronics goes out the window and you just get totally puzzled. I get like this sometimes and then, after a break, I try and think it over more rationally and then wonder why I had gotten so confused.
Anyway, now to update you all:
I decided to take the advice about changing the capacitors as it can't do any harm to roll my sleeves up and give it my best shot. Today I removed the stringing mechanism and made detailed diagrams. I also made a very detailed diagram of the ferrite rod connections and then snipped the wires. I left some wires partly on the rod just in case I get a mental block and then the colours will make it much easier. If I had 2 blue wires, I also marked one of them in biro if it needed to be fixed on a different lug. And I took pics.
Now, here is where I need advice: I removed the first main capacitor which I believe is a 6 volt 50 Mf (the one that was spotted by the ferrite rod) This turned out to be a hell of a job as I was at a loss as to how to match the component lead with the corresponding solder joint the other side. I had to try and count the holes and then use the meter till I got a safe zero (although other points could also give a zero). Anyway I got out the trickiest one out today but there is some lead left in the PCB pinhole.
Would it be possible to drill out these pin holes with a very fine drill from the component side and through to the solder side? I was thinking of a very fine but strong drill and straight through so I can then easily fit the new capacitor.
Lastly the transistors. I find those OC yellow sleeved transistors are bullet proof. They're not worth chucking away. I managed to repair it by making a tiny round hook on a fine wire and soldering it to the transistor. It seems robust and the P/N junctions still test fine.
