Tips, Tricks & Gadgets
This page includes "Secret Tips, Tricks and Gadgets" from our associated electronic repair technician network. Most of these have been submitted by members of our old email discussion groups over the years, but are now available to all.
If you have a favorite TIP, a TRICK or a GADGET that you would like to share with others, please send tech@alltronics.com and we will share on this site.
CAUTION!
Electronic equipment contains dangerous voltages and can be hazardous to unqualified service personnel. Only those with adequate training, equipment, facilities and experience should attempt to repair any electronic equipment. The information offered on these pages is intended for electronic repair professionals only. Anyone not qualified or lacking the equipment, facilities or experience for proper and safe electronic repair should consult with a electronic repair professional.
Test Instruments, Jigs and other Gadgets
- Spray Can Tube Keeper
- Sync Problem
- Com Port Tester
- Testing Power Supplies
- Test Jig
- Homemade CRT Restorer
- SMPS Test Jig
- An adapter to operate an Apple monitor from a PC
- 10 amp Power Supply
- High-Current Transformer
- G2 Pot Bypass
Troubleshooting Techniques, Tips
- A Universal Convergence Technique
- Repairing LCD's
- Testing TV/Stereo/VCR infrared remote control
- Testing remote control using ordinary AM radio receiver
- Remove IC's with tiny PC runs and clearances
- Repairing speaker amps
- Capacitor Alert
- Replacing a tyr for cassette players
- Repair plastic cracks and rebuild any surface
- Infrared Remote Control Test
- Repairing VCR's
- Clearing CRT shorts
- Capacitor Leakage
- How to determine a zener diode's voltage
- Service tip on Philips 9" portable TV
- Quick CRT Test
- Troubleshooting a unit that blows fuses
- How to quiet noisy transformers
- How to clear CRT shorts
- Checking resistors
- Locating the component that is causing the fuse to blow
- Looking for bad connections
- Circuit Transistor Test
- Troubleshooting uc3842
Tricks of the Trade
- Soldering a flat pack IC
- Replacing the HOT
- Temporarily repair a worn down pinch roller
- Custom build a VCR belt
- HK shorts in CRT's
- Repairing leaky flybacks
- Depopulating old circuit boards
- Riveted mode switches for VCR's
- Replacing EEprom's in RCA's
- Cleaning capstan shafts and rubber pinch rollers
- Removing labels to reuse
- Removing labels
- Solder wick for FBT and rivits
- Cleaning capstan spindle
- Capstan roller refurbishing
- Plastic repair
- What is DAS and why do I need it?
- Cleaning tape drives
- Keeping track of screws
- Cleaning Video Heads
- Scope ESR
- Eliminating cockroaches