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 Is this a dead transistor
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max807
Apprentece

6 Posts

Posted - Jul 09 2007 :  2:23:03 PM  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
Hi. I'm trying to find out what's wrong with my multitrack cassette recorder. The cassette motor and mechanism works, but the power light and LEDs and all other functions are out. There is no fuse on the circuit board, but I was able to spot a transistor which is badly chipped on one side, so that the copper inside is showing through. Unfortunately I don't have any testing equipment to hand.

Circled in red in this pic:
http://xs.to/xs.php?h=xs217&d=07281&f=transistor.jpg

Is it possible, that this transistor is to blame for why the unit doesn't work? Would this kind of damage be enough to kill a transistor? Thanks

tim
Mad Scientist

198 Posts

Posted - Jul 11 2007 :  08:32:08 AM  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
of course a transistor showing copper is bad but you have to look at other conponets . diodes that reversed polarity in the power supply section, i would start there but befor doing anything try to get a number of that transistor first.
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max807
Apprentece

6 Posts

Posted - Jul 11 2007 :  2:42:46 PM  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
Yes thanks Tim for your input. I agree it's not looking good for that transistor. On Usenet I found out that the transistor has actually exploded.

I am curious about what you're saying about diodes reversing polarity. Is it possible for a diode to change direction like that?

Also, I have a couple of very domed capacitors in the vicinity of the power input. Could this be a cause?
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tim
Mad Scientist

198 Posts

Posted - Jul 11 2007 :  3:23:48 PM  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
hi, does this unit plug into an outlet? if so then if i were you i would go from the power supply in from there. and yes diodes will change direction and can reak havak on other conponents, ive had similer problems with an inverter where a diode reversed polarity and burned up several transistors and a few caps.
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cyclopsitis
Nobel Prize Winner

Canada
732 Posts

Posted - Jul 11 2007 :  9:13:46 PM  Show Profile  Click to see cyclopsitis's MSN Messenger address  Reply with Quote
I've had some nasty diodes do that to me too! I had one blow up in my face once! After that I always ware safety glases when soldering or checking a powered circuit.

K
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max807
Apprentece

6 Posts

Posted - Jul 13 2007 :  08:26:48 AM  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
Thanks for the help guys. This is looking like a much bigger repair job than I initially expected. Thanks to the suggestions I received over the internet here and elsewhere, I know where to start.
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SamRadford
Apprentece

United Kingdom
10 Posts

Posted - Jul 21 2007 :  06:46:08 AM  Show Profile  Visit SamRadford's Homepage  Reply with Quote
For the record, diodes don't "reverse polarity". They just go short-circuit.

(56 year old electronics engineer).
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cyclopsitis
Nobel Prize Winner

Canada
732 Posts

Posted - Jul 21 2007 :  11:46:31 PM  Show Profile  Click to see cyclopsitis's MSN Messenger address  Reply with Quote
Sam, your a god to me! Do you know Randy Slone? He has written a few books on electronics that you can find on amazon!

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss_gw/103-9719592-8955816?initialSearch=1&url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=randy+slone

I like shooting the breeze with him. he worked for SEAL electronics in the states for a long time. I was just wondering if you knew him!?

K
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