Category Archives: Electronics

ViewSonic VP191b Computer Monitor Repair

A little while ago, I picked up a set of seven LCD monitors in various states of not working as a fun side project. The first one was quite easy – it just needed a wire reconnected internally and works … Continue reading →

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1953 Hallicrafters 8R40 Repair

This radio came from an electronics recycler, it’s the Hallicrafters 8R40. It looked like it had been stored very well, had all the tubes, the dial strings intact, no rust to speak of and not even very much dust. This … Continue reading →

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Westinghouse LCD Repair

After seeing the repair I made on the Samsung LCD monitor, a friend gave me a few-years-old Westinghouse LCD/TV that had quit working – it wouldn’t power on anymore. It’s a Westinghouse SK-19H210S, 19″ LCD accepting VGA or HDMI up … Continue reading →

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Testing Salvaged CCFLs

I scrounged these up a while back and just now decided to test them out as a part of another project I’m starting. They’re CCFL bulbs, cold cathode fluorescent lamps. Each driver powers two lamps; I have 8 connected. Naturally, they’re … Continue reading →

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Dumpster Diving: Samsung 225BW LCD Repair

I found a Samsung 225BW LCD sitting on top of my apartment’s dumpster, and figured I’d drag it upstairs. It’s a few year old model but it’s better than the current older Dell LCD that I’ve been using (1680×1050 versus 1440×900). … Continue reading →

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New Project Idea: Oddball Tube Hi-Fi Amplifier

I’m looking for a new summer project, and think I’m going to branch off from repairing radios to building some of my own gear. I’m interested in making a tube hi-fi stereo amplifier to go with my old speakers – … Continue reading →

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Found: Sansui SP1500 Speakers

It’s been a little while since I’ve gone on my rounds through the salvage and recycling centers nearby. There wasn’t much out there today, but I did find a very good condition pair of Sansui SP1500 speakers. I already own … Continue reading →

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Refurbishing Vintage Sansui SP2500 Speakers (Crossover Repair)

A look at refurbishing the crossovers in a pair of Sansui SP2500 speakers to improve their muddy sound weak highs from early in Retrovoltage’s history with audio repair. Includes links to buy the required parts from Parts Express. Continue reading →

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Review of Victor 3165 Frequency Counter

A frequency counter is an important part of any electronics service bench where it’s necessary to deal with unknown signals. I used them to verify the operation of my RF signal generator while performing alignments on tube radios, because I’m … Continue reading →

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Project Idea: Digital Vacuum Tube Tester

Update: I did pursue this project for a good while, and bought some parts and sockets, but ultimately decided that if I wanted to go this route I’d use a uTracer, but since I wasn’t going to be selling curve tracer … Continue reading →

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