I came up on a NEC 42" plasma TV for free a couple days ago... It was broken and the guy was going to take it to the recyclers.

It is broken though and I took it to a TV repair shop to get it fixed. They said it was the power regulator circuit. They want 450 to fix it and then 30 in parts.

I really want this TV and I really don't want to pay 450 to get it fixed. I was thinking about taking it home and having a go at it myself. I'm pretty electronically competent, but I haven't messed with flat screens at all.

Does anyone have any tips on where the power regulator circuit is or what it looks like? Also, where to find this part would be good as well.

In the end if I have to I'll just pay the 450, but I would definitely like to avoid that if possible.

 

Call the manufacturer and have them tell you who distributes that part. Order it and when it comes in you will know what it looks like. Then all you have to do is pull the back of the TV off and replace it once you have visually identified it.

At least thats what I would do

 

try to fix it your self.....
its not worth if you pay to fix it....
hate plasmas just because of the stupid burn in problem....people always call us complaining how in 6 months their tv has a bunch of shadows when their kids play video games on it 24/7 or like to pause movies...
they run hot as hell and use quite a bit of energy....
and they dont last that long. most people replace them every 6 years because it burned out or its faded as hell.
LCD fTW.

 

^^ true

and dont waste that kinda money on a plasma. LCD is where it is at for a slim model. TI's DLP is nice as well if you have a footprint to work with.

 

most DLP's and LCD projection encounter the problem of burned bulbs, but they are really easy to replace. 3min process.