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Audio Problems - Part 4: Components
Thanks to your support, year 2000 was our busiest one on record. Demand
for service for other formats has been increasing. We will be adding
other products to our specialty service list as soon as we are geared
up. We too are getting excited about the new "Digital Age" we are
entering.
Now for the Maintenance tips
Audio problems can also be caused by electronic
components that aren't subject to wear and tear but instead are affected
by heat and age. All video equipment uses electrolytic capacitors in its
circuits for filtering, coupling, or bypassing signals. These "caps" are
constructed and act a lot like common batteries. Simply they are
constructed with metal plates separated by an insulator soaked with an
electrolyte fluid. This fluid is corrosive and can leak out of its case,
resulting in both electrical failure in its circuit, and/or damage to
the printed circuit board.
Audio problems that are caused by bad "caps" usually begin with popping,
distortion, frequency response, noise, and level problems. They often
act intermittently and are usually temperature dependent. Generally
these components last a very long time and usually well over 10 to 15
years, but with miniaturization, that life expectancy has dropped to a
point where we often begin to see problems within 6 to 8 years. Earlier
models used the larger, longer life components, but over the last ten
years or so with the change over to surface mount technology, most
equipment seems to be using these short life caps.
What can you do about this problem? Being aware that it is a real
problem is a start, because there are things that you can do to extend
their life and minimize problems. First, make an effort to keep your
camcorders, cameras, and decks cool remembering that heat accelerates
the aging process. Power it down whenever possible, and store your equipment in a cool
place.
What can we do to help you? Our preventive maintenance procedure usually
includes visual inspection of all capacitors. If you replace the leaking
caps before the printed circuit board is badly damaged you may "save"
the board and not have to replace these generally expensive circuit
boards. Dulling of solder connections are the first signs that corrosion
has begun which is a good time to replace these questionable components.
Throughout my career as a maintenance technician, I have had the
responsibility to maintain many cameras and decks. As with every
manufactured product there are two ways to maintain them. The first is
to fix only what fails and hope for the best, which is the least
expensive in the short term. The
alternative is preventive maintenance where parts are replaced according
to there life expectance resulting in much less of a chance of failure
in the field. While more costly in the short term, the improved
reliability will substantially reduce long-term costs by reducing
frequency of repairs, less down time, repair and shipping costs, and
possible client loss.
We hope that you have picked up some hints that can help you
trouble-shoot problems in field, reduce long term maintenance costs, and
improve not only equipment reliability but also your client
relationship.
Take care,
Roger |
