Hi all,

A while ago I started suffering highly untypical randomness on my
trusty Topfield PVR 5800 STB. Replacing most of the caps in the PSU
seemed to fix it. ;-)

Now (a few months later) it's started suffering random audio cutouts
along with sporadic picture breakup and eventually (maybe 5-10 mins),
a total loss of picture / signal. If you try to re-tune it you get
nothing.

Turn it off, wait awhile (1/2 hour) turn it back on and (you can then
retune it) it starts off fine then after another 30 mins the audio /
video starts breaking up.

I've tried starting it with no TAPS enabled and done a factory reset
(not HDD format yet).

When the problems exist, a couple of other devices on the same feed
are fine.

I did find a reference to other components that could present
themselves like this but I wondered if anyone here had actually seen
this fault if so what the resolution was please?

Cheers, T i m

T i m wrote

A while ago I started suffering highly untypical randomness on my
trusty Topfield PVR 5800 STB. Replacing most of the caps in the PSU
seemed to fix it. ;-)

Now (a few months later) it's started suffering random audio cutouts
along with sporadic picture breakup and eventually (maybe 5-10 mins),
a total loss of picture / signal. If you try to re-tune it you get
nothing.

Turn it off, wait awhile (1/2 hour) turn it back on and (you can then
retune it) it starts off fine then after another 30 mins the audio /
video starts breaking up.

I've tried starting it with no TAPS enabled and done a factory reset
(not HDD format yet).

When the problems exist, a couple of other devices on the same feed
are fine.

I did find a reference to other components that could present
themselves like this but I wondered if anyone here had actually
seen this fault if so what the resolution was please?

Looks like either a classic dry joint/cracked
trace problem or you missed one of the caps.

On 09/11/2014 00:25, T i m wrote:
Hi all,

A while ago I started suffering highly untypical randomness on my
trusty Topfield PVR 5800 STB. Replacing most of the caps in the PSU
seemed to fix it. ;-)

Now (a few months later) it's started suffering random audio cutouts
along with sporadic picture breakup and eventually (maybe 5-10 mins),
a total loss of picture / signal. If you try to re-tune it you get
nothing.

Turn it off, wait awhile (1/2 hour) turn it back on and (you can then
retune it) it starts off fine then after another 30 mins the audio /
video starts breaking up.


I'd recommend that you post the same question in the Toppy UK forums
http://forum.toppy.org.uk/forum/

Heat related fault?
The 5800 can run hot and it doesn't have a fan (unless you have fitted
one yourself). Have you changed the stacking of you 5800 recently? Is
it now in a stack of other equipment that runs hot? The 5800 needs a
free flow of (cool) air. Turning the box off for 30 minutes would let it
cool down.

Is it one or both tuners giving problems? Is the problem on all TV
channels? The Signal Monitor TAP and the equivalent in the Topmanager
program for the PC can give you near real time information on the signal
levels, quality on all MUXs and both tuners on the same screen. If you
are not getting close to 100% quality on all MUXs then you will have
problems. Signal levels of 60%+ on a Toppy are OK.
http://myweb.tiscali.co.uk/emjbtaps/...nalMonitor.pdf
http://www.geeceebee.co.uk/

How have you got you 5800 connected to the aerial? Via a single cable
to one tuner and then a short cable to the other? Via two independent
cables, perhaps by way of a multi output amp/booster?


--
mailto: news {at} admac {dot] myzen {dot} co {dot} uk

In article ,
T i m wrote:
A while ago I started suffering highly untypical randomness on my
trusty Topfield PVR 5800 STB. Replacing most of the caps in the PSU
seemed to fix it. ;-)

Now (a few months later) it's started suffering random audio cutouts
along with sporadic picture breakup and eventually (maybe 5-10 mins),
a total loss of picture / signal. If you try to re-tune it you get
nothing.

I'd check the voltages at the PS again.

--
*The best cure for sea sickness, is to sit under a tree.

Dave Plowman London SW
To e-mail, change noise into sound.

On Sun, 9 Nov 2014 13:02:50 +1100, "Rod Speed"
wrote:

T i m wrote

A while ago I started suffering highly untypical randomness on my
trusty Topfield PVR 5800 STB. Replacing most of the caps in the PSU
seemed to fix it. ;-)

Now (a few months later) it's started suffering random audio cutouts
along with sporadic picture breakup and eventually (maybe 5-10 mins),
a total loss of picture / signal. If you try to re-tune it you get
nothing.

Turn it off, wait awhile (1/2 hour) turn it back on and (you can then
retune it) it starts off fine then after another 30 mins the audio /
video starts breaking up.

I've tried starting it with no TAPS enabled and done a factory reset
(not HDD format yet).

When the problems exist, a couple of other devices on the same feed
are fine.

I did find a reference to other components that could present
themselves like this but I wondered if anyone here had actually
seen this fault if so what the resolution was please?

Looks like either a classic dry joint/cracked
trace problem or you missed one of the caps.

Ok, thanks for that Rod, I'll keep those thoughts in mind. From memory
I know I did change *all* the caps typically recommended when
generally doing a 5800 PSU but may not have done them all. I also used
(what was advertised as) low ESR caps as well etc and am still pretty
good / careful re the soldering (even though my eyes aren't what they
were when at BT 40 years ago). ;-)

FWIW, I put the Toppy on standby last night and turned it back on at
9:30 this morning. It started suffering sound dropouts and picture
breakup within 5 minutes, (to the point of cutting out completely) but
now, at 11:15 it's been solid for over an hour.

If it wasn't for the fact that other devices on the same feed
(including another PVR5800 g) are all fine I'd think it was
interference from something.

Cheers, T i m

On Sun, 09 Nov 2014 02:26:42 +0000, alan_m
wrote:

On 09/11/2014 00:25, T i m wrote:
Hi all,

A while ago I started suffering highly untypical randomness on my
trusty Topfield PVR 5800 STB. Replacing most of the caps in the PSU
seemed to fix it. ;-)

Now (a few months later) it's started suffering random audio cutouts
along with sporadic picture breakup and eventually (maybe 5-10 mins),
a total loss of picture / signal. If you try to re-tune it you get
nothing.

Turn it off, wait awhile (1/2 hour) turn it back on and (you can then
retune it) it starts off fine then after another 30 mins the audio /
video starts breaking up.


I'd recommend that you post the same question in the Toppy UK forums
http://forum.toppy.org.uk/forum/

Will do Alan. It was only whilst Googling I came across some archives
to here. ;-)

Heat related fault?

Possibly ...

The 5800 can run hot and it doesn't have a fan (unless you have fitted
one yourself).

Nope.

Have you changed the stacking of you 5800 recently?

Nope. It's not been touched for *years*. (apart from when I did the
caps a while back).

Is
it now in a stack of other equipment that runs hot?

It's on the top of some stuff that is all off on the top of the unit
beside the TV (ie, not 'in' a cabinet of any sort). All the other
stuff is turned off.

The 5800 needs a
free flow of (cool) air.

Understood. I've always tried to give it that.

Turning the box off for 30 minutes would let it
cool down.

Turning it off (by say unplugging from the mains) rather that just
putting it on standby you mean? Not done that yet this time.

Is it one or both tuners giving problems?

I saw mention of that when Googling but I don't know the answer to
that I'm afraid. All I have seen on the few times so far I have seen
it is only mention of Tuner 1.

Is the problem on all TV
channels?

Seems to be.

The Signal Monitor TAP and the equivalent in the Topmanager
program for the PC can give you near real time information on the signal
levels, quality on all MUXs and both tuners on the same screen.

Oh cool, I'll check that out thanks.

If you
are not getting close to 100% quality on all MUXs then you will have
problems. Signal levels of 60%+ on a Toppy are OK.

Ok. We only have an aerial in the loft but the picture quality is
generally 'perfect' on all devices (STBs, TVs, PC TV cards) around the
house.

http://myweb.tiscali.co.uk/emjbtaps/...nalMonitor.pdf
http://www.geeceebee.co.uk/

How have you got you 5800 connected to the aerial? Via a single cable
to one tuner and then a short cable to the other?

Yes, been like that since I first got it when they first came out. ;-)

Via two independent
cables, perhaps by way of a multi output amp/booster?

I *think* the aerial comes down (though the house) and used to go to
the Cable box and from there back up to the distribution amp in a
bedroom and from there back down to the various rooms in the house.
However, I might have simply joined the aerial feed back to the amp
when I removed the cable box when we went over to Freeview. So, the
Toppy (and a TV card and another Toppy) are all on one feed and when
the output of the main Toppy is breaking up (even to the point of
cutting out), all the other devices on that same feed are fine.


As I mentioned elsewhere (but can now update), I took it off standby
at 9:30 and within 5 mins the audio was dropping out and picture
pixilating and breaking up. It persisted for maybe 30 mins and since
then (and right now at 11:35) it's perfectly solid?

Cheers, T i m

On Sun, 09 Nov 2014 11:06:15 +0000 (GMT), "Dave Plowman (News)"
wrote:

In article ,
T i m wrote:
A while ago I started suffering highly untypical randomness on my
trusty Topfield PVR 5800 STB. Replacing most of the caps in the PSU
seemed to fix it. ;-)

Now (a few months later) it's started suffering random audio cutouts
along with sporadic picture breakup and eventually (maybe 5-10 mins),
a total loss of picture / signal. If you try to re-tune it you get
nothing.

I'd check the voltages at the PS again.

Ok, will do.

From memory, only one (5v?) was quite bad but some of the others were
still a bit out after the cap change. However, it wasn't working very
well before and was fine after, till now that is.

I did write the before's and after's down at the time ...

Cheers, T i m

On 09/11/2014 11:19, T i m wrote:


[..] From memory
I know I did change *all* the caps typically recommended when
generally doing a 5800 PSU but may not have done them all. I also used
(what was advertised as) low ESR caps as well etc and am still pretty
good / careful re the soldering (even though my eyes aren't what they
were when at BT 40 years ago). ;-)

Did you source the caps yourself or buy a kit?
I know the guy who owns Satcure usually goes off on one about how
capacitor brands and ratings don't always match up with longevity...

In article ,
Lee wrote:
On 09/11/2014 11:19, T i m wrote:


[..] From memory
I know I did change *all* the caps typically recommended when
generally doing a 5800 PSU but may not have done them all. I also used
(what was advertised as) low ESR caps as well etc and am still pretty
good / careful re the soldering (even though my eyes aren't what they
were when at BT 40 years ago). ;-)

Did you source the caps yourself or buy a kit?
I know the guy who owns Satcure usually goes off on one about how
capacitor brands and ratings don't always match up with longevity...

Quite. The originals on my Toppy didn't last that long. I replaced them
with those recommended in the article I found on line. It's been fine
since - several times the life of the originals. They were easy enough to
source from CPC.

--
*Never kick a cow pat on a hot day *

Dave Plowman London SW
To e-mail, change noise into sound.

On 09/11/2014 11:38, T i m wrote:

From memory, only one (5v?) was quite bad but some of the others were
still a bit out after the cap change. However, it wasn't working very
well before and was fine after, till now that is.

I did write the before's and after's down at the time ...


I assume that you already found
http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/Topfield_5800/PSU_Repair
which gives additional link s including circuits for the power supply.

And Fraser does of topfiled repairs and his list of common faults is at
https://sites.google.com/site/andyfr...eld-pvr-faults
He can supply kits of quality parts for DIY repairs. He can be contacted
on the UK Toppy forum. He posts most days with the username andyfras.
However, I would still check the PSU voltages again first.

A few years back it was recommended that only 6 capacitors were changed
but now the recommendation is to change 18 capacitors.


--
mailto: news {at} admac {dot] myzen {dot} co {dot} uk

On Sun, 09 Nov 2014 13:08:30 +0000, Lee
wrote:

On 09/11/2014 11:19, T i m wrote:


[..] From memory
I know I did change *all* the caps typically recommended when
generally doing a 5800 PSU but may not have done them all. I also used
(what was advertised as) low ESR caps as well etc and am still pretty
good / careful re the soldering (even though my eyes aren't what they
were when at BT 40 years ago). ;-)

Did you source the caps yourself or buy a kit?

Myself, eBay?

I know the guy who owns Satcure usually goes off on one about how
capacitor brands and ratings don't always match up with longevity...

Hmm, whilst it could be the case I would have thought they would have
lasted a bit longer than this?

The Toppy has been off since lunchtime and I turned it back on at
about 5pm. It starts up ok, then gives the picture breakup thing for
maybe 20 mins and then seems to settle down again.

I'll have to drag it out and measure (and / or put a scope on) the PSU
outputs.

Cheers, T i m

On Sun, 09 Nov 2014 13:39:51 +0000 (GMT), "Dave Plowman (News)"
wrote:

In article ,
Lee wrote:
On 09/11/2014 11:19, T i m wrote:


[..] From memory
I know I did change *all* the caps typically recommended when
generally doing a 5800 PSU but may not have done them all. I also used
(what was advertised as) low ESR caps as well etc and am still pretty
good / careful re the soldering (even though my eyes aren't what they
were when at BT 40 years ago). ;-)

Did you source the caps yourself or buy a kit?
I know the guy who owns Satcure usually goes off on one about how
capacitor brands and ratings don't always match up with longevity...

Quite. The originals on my Toppy didn't last that long. I replaced them
with those recommended in the article I found on line. It's been fine
since - several times the life of the originals.

I think I remember mine going wrong within the first year and it being
replaced. It has been fine for *years* till the recent cap job, was
fine after that till now. ;-)

They were easy enough to
source from CPC.

I'll check the voltages and maybe get some 'known' brands from Rapid
Electronics if they look bad again. However, my gut feeling is that
it's something else (I don't know why I think that though). ;-)

Cheers, T i m

In article ,
T i m wrote:
I know the guy who owns Satcure usually goes off on one about how
capacitor brands and ratings don't always match up with longevity...

Hmm, whilst it could be the case I would have thought they would have
lasted a bit longer than this?

Have you got an ESR meter? Very useful devices and can be bought pretty
cheaply these days. Simple way to test caps.

--
*The colder the X-ray table, the more of your body is required on it *

Dave Plowman London SW
To e-mail, change noise into sound.

On 09/11/2014 16:26, alan_m wrote:


An additional link BUT if the transistor mentions fails you cannot tune
at all.
http://www.admac.myzen.co.uk/toppy_tuner/

--
mailto: news {at} admac {dot] myzen {dot} co {dot} uk

On Sun, 09 Nov 2014 16:26:57 +0000, alan_m
wrote:

On 09/11/2014 11:38, T i m wrote:

From memory, only one (5v?) was quite bad but some of the others were
still a bit out after the cap change. However, it wasn't working very
well before and was fine after, till now that is.

I did write the before's and after's down at the time ...


I assume that you already found
http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/Topfield_5800/PSU_Repair
which gives additional link s including circuits for the power supply.

I did indeed Alan (but thanks anyway).

And Fraser does of topfiled repairs and his list of common faults is at
https://sites.google.com/site/andyfr...eld-pvr-faults
He can supply kits of quality parts for DIY repairs.

Yup, I found that as well and was interested in the 'No Tuning'
entries, one pointing to the PSU and the other the mainboard. The
thing is, this is 'Intermittent sign / no tuning'.

He can be contacted
on the UK Toppy forum. He posts most days with the username andyfras.
However, I would still check the PSU voltages again first.

Will do. I am watching the TV though the Toppy right now and it's as
good as gold.

A few years back it was recommended that only 6 capacitors were changed
but now the recommendation is to change 18 capacitors.

I did a good few but I'm not sure it was as many as 18. I think I
changed all the caps that were anything to do with the PSU outputs as
seen on the PSU schematic.

Maybe the next time the fault goes hard I'll get in there with a
freezer spray and a screwdriver handle. ;-)

Cheers, T i m

"T i m" wrote in message
...
On Sun, 9 Nov 2014 13:02:50 +1100, "Rod Speed"
wrote:

T i m wrote

A while ago I started suffering highly untypical randomness on my
trusty Topfield PVR 5800 STB. Replacing most of the caps in the PSU
seemed to fix it. ;-)

Now (a few months later) it's started suffering random audio cutouts
along with sporadic picture breakup and eventually (maybe 5-10 mins),
a total loss of picture / signal. If you try to re-tune it you get
nothing.

Turn it off, wait awhile (1/2 hour) turn it back on and (you can then
retune it) it starts off fine then after another 30 mins the audio /
video starts breaking up.

I've tried starting it with no TAPS enabled and done a factory reset
(not HDD format yet).

When the problems exist, a couple of other devices on the same feed
are fine.

I did find a reference to other components that could present
themselves like this but I wondered if anyone here had actually
seen this fault if so what the resolution was please?

Looks like either a classic dry joint/cracked
trace problem or you missed one of the caps.

Ok, thanks for that Rod, I'll keep those thoughts in mind. From memory
I know I did change *all* the caps typically recommended when
generally doing a 5800 PSU but may not have done them all. I also used
(what was advertised as) low ESR caps as well etc and am still pretty
good / careful re the soldering (even though my eyes aren't what they
were when at BT 40 years ago). ;-)

FWIW, I put the Toppy on standby last night and turned it back on at
9:30 this morning. It started suffering sound dropouts and picture
breakup within 5 minutes, (to the point of cutting out completely) but
now, at 11:15 it's been solid for over an hour.

You don't usually get that sort of effect with bad caps, but do
sometimes. Much more common with a dry joint or cracked trace.

If it wasn't for the fact that other devices on the same feed
(including another PVR5800 g) are all fine I'd think it was
interference from something.

Yeah, that is certainly vital info.

I haven't read the other responses yet, it will be interesting
to see what you have to say about the separate tuners and
the cabling to them.

On Sun, 09 Nov 2014 18:39:24 +0000 (GMT), "Dave Plowman (News)"
wrote:

In article ,
T i m wrote:
I know the guy who owns Satcure usually goes off on one about how
capacitor brands and ratings don't always match up with longevity...

Hmm, whilst it could be the case I would have thought they would have
lasted a bit longer than this?

Have you got an ESR meter?

No?

Very useful devices and can be bought pretty
cheaply these days.

Ok thanks, I'll look into it.

Simple way to test caps.

I have on occasion used the capacitor testers that are on a couple of
my DMMs but they rarely cover anything of any size. ;-(

checks eBay

Is that right, they read up to 100,000 uF?

Cheers, T i m

On Mon, 10 Nov 2014 06:21:16 +1100, "Rod Speed"
wrote:

snip

I haven't read the other responses yet, it will be interesting
to see what you have to say about the separate tuners and
the cabling to them.

As it's been since I bought this Toppy new when they first came out
Rod, aerial in on Tuner 1 and the output looped to Tuner 2.

I did read suggestion of bad jumper cables but the one in mine hasn't
moved much since I got it, possibly not even when I replaced the caps.
;-)

But you have just reminded me that there is a TAP that can display
tuner related stuff I can try, I'll give that a go now ...

Cheers, T i m

On Sun, 09 Nov 2014 18:43:06 +0000, alan_m
wrote:

On 09/11/2014 16:26, alan_m wrote:


An additional link

Ah, not seen that one so thanks for that Alan. ;-)

BUT if the transistor mentions fails you cannot tune
at all.
http://www.admac.myzen.co.uk/toppy_tuner/

But what if it's only intermittent?

I have had one instance so far of the Toppy cutting out signal all
together (the menu was ok etc) and a Factory reset re-scan revealed
no channels. Switch it off for a bit (can't remember how long now)
back on and it does a full scan. ;-)

Cheers, T i m

p.s. I've been (half) watching TV through the Toppy all evening and
it's been fine?

On 09/11/2014 22:19, T i m wrote:

But you have just reminded me that there is a TAP that can display
tuner related stuff I can try, I'll give that a go now ...

The signal monitor tap will confirm that both tuners are working, or
both maybe failing together. You have to run it manually.
http://www.toppy.org.uk/newusers/manual6b.php

If you install Topmanager on your PC you can get similar functionality
by only using your PC. Topmanager helps with installing some TAPs
including an up-to-date version of a signal monitor function.

Perhaps check
http://forum.toppy.org.uk/forum/view...=222288#222288

If you need to search the Toppy forum do it from the first search box on
this page
http://www.toppy.org.uk/search.php
rather than any other search box on the site.

More info on the second link can be found from searching for 'U20'

--
mailto: news {at} admac {dot] myzen {dot} co {dot} uk

On Sun, 09 Nov 2014 02:26:42 +0000, alan_m
wrote:

snip

Is it one or both tuners giving problems? Is the problem on all TV
channels? The Signal Monitor TAP and the equivalent in the Topmanager
program for the PC can give you near real time information on the signal
levels, quality on all MUXs and both tuners on the same screen. If you
are not getting close to 100% quality on all MUXs then you will have
problems. Signal levels of 60%+ on a Toppy are OK.
http://myweb.tiscali.co.uk/emjbtaps/...nalMonitor.pdf

Sorry I forgot to do this earlier Alan: edited slightly because it
wrapped

Signal Monitor 0.54 Results

Measured on 9/11/2014 at 23:41
Data format: T1 Levels, T1 Quality, T2 Levels, T2 Quality, all as
Min:Average:Max %

PSB1BBC ONE Lon on RF Ch 23
91: 91: 91 | 100:100:100 | 97: 97: 97 | 100:100:100
PSB1London Live on RF Ch 29
66: 66: 67 | 99: 99:100 | 69: 69: 69 | 99: 99:100
PBS2ITV on RF Ch 26
92: 92: 92 | 99: 99:100 | 98: 98: 98 | 99: 99:100
COM4ITV3 on RF Ch 25
91: 91: 92 | 99: 99:100 | 97: 97: 97 | 99: 99: 99
COM5Pick on RF Ch 22
92: 92: 92 | 100:100:100 | 98: 98: 98 | 100:100:100
COM64Music on RF Ch 28
93: 93: 93 | 100:100:100 | 100:100:100 | 97: 99:100

Settle time: 500 milliseconds - Sample time: 5 seconds

http://www.geeceebee.co.uk/

I have the Toppy plugged directly into my Windows Home Server and can
access it using the Console to run Altair etc. I can then transfer any
recordings between the WHS and Toppy a view them on any PC on my LAN.

Cheers, T i m

"T i m" wrote in message
...
On Sun, 09 Nov 2014 02:26:42 +0000, alan_m
wrote:

snip

Is it one or both tuners giving problems? Is the problem on all TV
channels? The Signal Monitor TAP and the equivalent in the Topmanager
program for the PC can give you near real time information on the signal
levels, quality on all MUXs and both tuners on the same screen. If you
are not getting close to 100% quality on all MUXs then you will have
problems. Signal levels of 60%+ on a Toppy are OK.
http://myweb.tiscali.co.uk/emjbtaps/...nalMonitor.pdf

Sorry I forgot to do this earlier Alan: edited slightly because it
wrapped

Signal Monitor 0.54 Results

Measured on 9/11/2014 at 23:41
Data format: T1 Levels, T1 Quality, T2 Levels, T2 Quality, all as
Min:Average:Max %

PSB1BBC ONE Lon on RF Ch 23
91: 91: 91 | 100:100:100 | 97: 97: 97 | 100:100:100
PSB1London Live on RF Ch 29
66: 66: 67 | 99: 99:100 | 69: 69: 69 | 99: 99:100
PBS2ITV on RF Ch 26
92: 92: 92 | 99: 99:100 | 98: 98: 98 | 99: 99:100
COM4ITV3 on RF Ch 25
91: 91: 92 | 99: 99:100 | 97: 97: 97 | 99: 99: 99
COM5Pick on RF Ch 22
92: 92: 92 | 100:100:100 | 98: 98: 98 | 100:100:100
COM64Music on RF Ch 28
93: 93: 93 | 100:100:100 | 100:100:100 | 97: 99:100

Settle time: 500 milliseconds - Sample time: 5 seconds

http://www.geeceebee.co.uk/

I have the Toppy plugged directly into my Windows Home Server and can
access it using the Console to run Altair etc. I can then transfer any
recordings between the WHS and Toppy a view them on any PC on my LAN.

You need to do that when its exhibiting the fault.

On Mon, 10 Nov 2014 11:08:28 +1100, "Rod Speed"
wrote:
snip
Signal Monitor 0.54 Results

Measured on 9/11/2014 at 23:41
Data format: T1 Levels, T1 Quality, T2 Levels, T2 Quality, all as
Min:Average:Max %

PSB1BBC ONE Lon on RF Ch 23
91: 91: 91 | 100:100:100 | 97: 97: 97 | 100:100:100
PSB1London Live on RF Ch 29
66: 66: 67 | 99: 99:100 | 69: 69: 69 | 99: 99:100
PBS2ITV on RF Ch 26
92: 92: 92 | 99: 99:100 | 98: 98: 98 | 99: 99:100
COM4ITV3 on RF Ch 25
91: 91: 92 | 99: 99:100 | 97: 97: 97 | 99: 99: 99
COM5Pick on RF Ch 22
92: 92: 92 | 100:100:100 | 98: 98: 98 | 100:100:100
COM64Music on RF Ch 28
93: 93: 93 | 100:100:100 | 100:100:100 | 97: 99:100

Settle time: 500 milliseconds - Sample time: 5 seconds

snip

You need to do that when its exhibiting the fault.

Ah, ok, I also wondered if the signals were marginal etc. Anyway, at
least now I am ready if / when fault returns. ;-)

Cheers, T i m

On Sun, 09 Nov 2014 18:39:24 +0000 (GMT), "Dave Plowman (News)"
wrote:

In article ,
T i m wrote:
I know the guy who owns Satcure usually goes off on one about how
capacitor brands and ratings don't always match up with longevity...

Hmm, whilst it could be the case I would have thought they would have
lasted a bit longer than this?

Have you got an ESR meter? Very useful devices and can be bought pretty
cheaply these days. Simple way to test caps.

Before I buy the wrong (or not ideal / tried) think, would you be so
kind as to recommend a model you have used or know of please Dave?

There are loads on eBay at about a tenner, but if a 'good' one was 15,
I might rather buy that.

Cheers, T i m

On 10/11/2014 00:49, T i m wrote:
On Mon, 10 Nov 2014 11:08:28 +1100, "Rod Speed"
wrote:
snip
Signal Monitor 0.54 Results

Measured on 9/11/2014 at 23:41
Data format: T1 Levels, T1 Quality, T2 Levels, T2 Quality, all as
Min:Average:Max %

PSB1BBC ONE Lon on RF Ch 23
91: 91: 91 | 100:100:100 | 97: 97: 97 | 100:100:100
PSB1London Live on RF Ch 29
66: 66: 67 | 99: 99:100 | 69: 69: 69 | 99: 99:100
PBS2ITV on RF Ch 26
92: 92: 92 | 99: 99:100 | 98: 98: 98 | 99: 99:100
COM4ITV3 on RF Ch 25
91: 91: 92 | 99: 99:100 | 97: 97: 97 | 99: 99: 99
COM5Pick on RF Ch 22
92: 92: 92 | 100:100:100 | 98: 98: 98 | 100:100:100
COM64Music on RF Ch 28
93: 93: 93 | 100:100:100 | 100:100:100 | 97: 99:100

Settle time: 500 milliseconds - Sample time: 5 seconds

snip

You need to do that when its exhibiting the fault.

Ah, ok, I also wondered if the signals were marginal etc. Anyway, at
least now I am ready if / when fault returns. ;-)

Cheers, T i m


Andyfras of www.toppy.org.uk is a very good source of advice.
He supplied me with a new set of caps.


--
Michael Chare

On Mon, 10 Nov 2014 11:24:56 +0000, Michael Chare
wrote:

snip

Andyfras of www.toppy.org.uk is a very good source of advice.

Yes, I have read his pages on the subject with interest. ;-)

He supplied me with a new set of caps.

I might get an ESR meter and a set of caps from him and compare them
with what I fitted (OOI).

Cheers, T i m

In article ,
T i m wrote:
Have you got an ESR meter?

No?

Very useful devices and can be bought pretty
cheaply these days.

Ok thanks, I'll look into it.

Simple way to test caps.

I have on occasion used the capacitor testers that are on a couple of
my DMMs but they rarely cover anything of any size. ;-(

checks eBay

Is that right, they read up to 100,000 uF?

It's not the capacitance they're testing but the impedance. Low impedance
is vital for correct operation in some applications.

--
*Where there's a will, I want to be in it.

Dave Plowman London SW
To e-mail, change noise into sound.

In article ,
T i m wrote:
On Sun, 09 Nov 2014 18:39:24 +0000 (GMT), "Dave Plowman (News)"
wrote:

In article ,
T i m wrote:
I know the guy who owns Satcure usually goes off on one about how
capacitor brands and ratings don't always match up with longevity...

Hmm, whilst it could be the case I would have thought they would have
lasted a bit longer than this?

Have you got an ESR meter? Very useful devices and can be bought pretty
cheaply these days. Simple way to test caps.

Before I buy the wrong (or not ideal / tried) think, would you be so
kind as to recommend a model you have used or know of please Dave?

There are loads on eBay at about a tenner, but if a 'good' one was 15,
I might rather buy that.

Cheers, T i m

I've got two. My older one which resembles a DVM cost about 200 quid as a
kit. ;-)

I also bought one of those component tester PCB only ones off Ebay for
about 30 quid which works very well (it also tests other types of
components) - although most would prefer one in a case. Looking just now
they seem to be cheaper - under a tenner as you say. But of a slightly
different design so have no actual experience of those exact ones.

--
*Why is it that to stop Windows 95, you have to click on "Start"?

Dave Plowman London SW
To e-mail, change noise into sound.

On Mon, 10 Nov 2014 13:10:17 +0000 (GMT), "Dave Plowman (News)"
wrote:

In article ,
T i m wrote:
On Sun, 09 Nov 2014 18:39:24 +0000 (GMT), "Dave Plowman (News)"
wrote:

In article ,
T i m wrote:
I know the guy who owns Satcure usually goes off on one about how
capacitor brands and ratings don't always match up with longevity...

Hmm, whilst it could be the case I would have thought they would have
lasted a bit longer than this?

Have you got an ESR meter? Very useful devices and can be bought pretty
cheaply these days. Simple way to test caps.

Before I buy the wrong (or not ideal / tried) think, would you be so
kind as to recommend a model you have used or know of please Dave?

There are loads on eBay at about a tenner, but if a 'good' one was 15,
I might rather buy that.

Cheers, T i m

I've got two. My older one which resembles a DVM cost about 200 quid as a
kit. ;-)

Nice. ;-)

I also bought one of those component tester PCB only ones off Ebay for
about 30 quid which works very well (it also tests other types of
components) - although most would prefer one in a case.

Ok.

Looking just now
they seem to be cheaper - under a tenner as you say. But of a slightly
different design so have no actual experience of those exact ones.

Ok, well, I'll give one of the more popular looking ones a go and see
how we get on.

Thanks again, cheers, T i m

In article ,
T i m wrote:
Looking just now
they seem to be cheaper - under a tenner as you say. But of a slightly
different design so have no actual experience of those exact ones.

Ok, well, I'll give one of the more popular looking ones a go and see
how we get on.

Thanks again, cheers, T i m

They are incredibly useful for other things too. As a transistor tester
they not only show if one is working or not but give the pinout and type.
Saves having to look it up.

--
*Growing old is inevitable, growing up is optional

Dave Plowman London SW
To e-mail, change noise into sound.

On Mon, 10 Nov 2014 14:24:18 +0000 (GMT), "Dave Plowman (News)"
wrote:

In article ,
T i m wrote:
Looking just now
they seem to be cheaper - under a tenner as you say. But of a slightly
different design so have no actual experience of those exact ones.

Ok, well, I'll give one of the more popular looking ones a go and see
how we get on.

Thanks again, cheers, T i m

They are incredibly useful for other things too.

Yeah, I read though the list and looked at the pictures of them in
use.

they not only show if one is working or not but give the pinout and type.

That is clever (well, if not actually clever, very handy). ;-)

Saves having to look it up.

Good point. So, say I had an IR sensor device with 4 pins (2 pins = IR
LED and 2 pins = photo transistor), could I just plug all 4 pins in
and press go and it work out one or both of the connected devices? Or
would you typically just use pairs of pins and see what it comes up
with?

What would it think of a photo transistor (a transistor with no
'base')?

Hopefully I'll be able to find out for myself soon. ;-)

Cheers, T i m

In article ,
T i m wrote:
They are incredibly useful for other things too.

Yeah, I read though the list and looked at the pictures of them in
use.

they not only show if one is working or not but give the pinout and
type.

That is clever (well, if not actually clever, very handy). ;-)

It's clever to me as I have no idea how they do it. ;-)

Saves having to look it up.

Good point. So, say I had an IR sensor device with 4 pins (2 pins = IR
LED and 2 pins = photo transistor), could I just plug all 4 pins in
and press go and it work out one or both of the connected devices? Or
would you typically just use pairs of pins and see what it comes up
with?

An optocouple? Don't think it would test one of those in one go.

What would it think of a photo transistor (a transistor with no
'base')?

Dunno either - it should say in the spec what it will and won't test.

Hopefully I'll be able to find out for myself soon. ;-)

At under a tenner I'd guess you'll be well chuffed. ;-)

--
*ONE NICE THING ABOUT EGOTISTS: THEY DON'T TALK ABOUT OTHER PEOPLE.

Dave Plowman London SW
To e-mail, change noise into sound.

On Mon, 10 Nov 2014 17:28:29 +0000 (GMT), "Dave Plowman (News)"
wrote:

In article ,
T i m wrote:
They are incredibly useful for other things too.

Yeah, I read though the list and looked at the pictures of them in
use.

they not only show if one is working or not but give the pinout and
type.

That is clever (well, if not actually clever, very handy). ;-)

It's clever to me as I have no idea how they do it. ;-)

Yes, and me, I meant that it probably isn't that clever in comparison
with some really clever things. ;-)

Saves having to look it up.

Good point. So, say I had an IR sensor device with 4 pins (2 pins = IR
LED and 2 pins = photo transistor), could I just plug all 4 pins in
and press go and it work out one or both of the connected devices? Or
would you typically just use pairs of pins and see what it comes up
with?

An optocouple?

More IR Opto-Sensor (proximity sensor) but would look (electrically)
just like an optocoupler yes. IR LED as the TX with photo transistor,
all in the same plastic block. [1]

Don't think it would test one of those in one go.

Ok ... just wondered ...

What would it think of a photo transistor (a transistor with no
'base')?

Dunno either - it should say in the spec what it will and won't test.

They generally state what they will (or should) do and what you
shouldn't do. ;-)

Hopefully I'll be able to find out for myself soon. ;-)

At under a tenner I'd guess you'll be well chuffed. ;-)

I hope I will be Dave and thanks again for the heads up.

Cheers, T i m

p.s. A mate, not know for particularly wise words once said something
that fits this sort of situation / test-gear very well and that is
'You can manage what you can measure'.

Along those lines, a mate bought one of those cheap / 20Mhz USB scopes
the other day and I set it up and showed him how to use it. We watched
two PWM outputs on an Arduino Minicontroller thingy and it worked
quite well. I can remember how often I turned to my scope (when an
electronics service tech), not just to scope 'signals' but as a
voltmeter. Having something as big (small) as an external hard drive
on my PC all the time (or available portably on a laptop) plus the
ability to print, snapshot etc, could be very handy / interesting
(like the USB microscope). ;-)

[1] I'm experimenting using an Arduino (or two) to provide an
automates section to my BILs OO model railway layout. I have managed
to butcher an existing 'Sketch' (program) to slowly take a train from
standstill to full speed, hold full speed (set medium by a bench PSU)
and then quicker than it accelerated, decelerated to a standstill,
pausing for 5 seconds before doing the same in reverse (using an 'H
bridge'). My next task is to build the PIC based 'chopper' IR sensors
(that sense the trains position / movement) and then try to make it
all work. I'm pretty confident with the wiring / electronics, I not
very confident re the programming. ;-(