Camera Charger Repaired With the Help of My New Peak Atlas LCR45 Meter
I was going to disassemble my laptop computer to see if it needed to be cleaned. I wanted to take some pictures of the inside of it. I got my camera out, and the battery was dead. When I went to charge it, my charger was dead! So it’s time to fix my charger. I went ahead and ordered a new charger with 3 extra batteries on Ebay. Now when one charger quits I’ll have a spare, after I fix this one.
I took it apart using a screwdriver because it looked like it just snapped together. I couldn’t take many pictures beforehand because I didn’t have a camera. But I had my digital microscope.
When I opened it up, I checked for voltage on the primary side e-caps, and there was no voltage. So I removed the SMD Bridge Rectifier # ABS10, and it was bad. I ordered some new ones # MDB10V from Mouser.com. I also ordered some NTC Thermistors because the one on the PCB # SCK053 has a little crack at the top of one lead; but it checked ok after I removed it, using an Analog meter on X1Ω – it showed a low Ohms reading as it should. And the fuse beside it was good also.
It still wouldn’t come on and the LED didn’t come on. The LED checked ok. When I took it apart, I noticed the hot-side e-caps were charged, but not the e-caps on the cold-side. All of the e-caps checked ok, and the transistor also.
So I crossed my fingers and checked the transformer – it checked good. I was going to put some fresh leaded solder on it anyway. The charger still wasn’t working so I checked the resistors & diodes and they were good. I was hoping there was a bad connection on one of the pins; but the charger still wasn’t working.
I ordered the new Peak Atlas LCR45 because I didn’t have a good meter for testing inductors. The PCB had 2 through-hole inductors on the top side. I was going to get the LCR40, but when I went to their website at Anatekcorp.com. I noticed the new meter was available – the LCR45 with many improvements. So I bought it. I left the charger alone until my new meter got here.
After my meter got here, I removed the 2 inductors on the top side of the PCB and checked them. Here are some pictures:
As you can see in the photos, the LCR45, can check in Auto or Manual mode for component type, and test frequency for Inductors, Capacitors, and Resistors (LCR). It also gives the primary & secondary component values (such as DC resistance of inductors). It features continuous fluid measurements (with “hold” function). It also checks the Complex Impedance, Complex Admittance, Magnitude, & Phase.
It tests in DC, 1kHz, 15kHz, & 200kHz. It performs an AC impedance analysis for caps less than about 7uF; and DC charge analysis for larger caps (about 7uF to 10,000uF, and of course, displays the test method on the screen.
It has enhanced measurement resolution, comprehensive probe compensation, enhanced compensation for component parasitics such as core losses, dielectric losses, etc. It does more than I’ve mentioned. It also uses a 23A, V23A, GP23A, MN21, or suitable quality 12V alkaline battery. It is backed up by a 14 day (for any reason) money back guarantee, and a 2 year warranty.
Thank you Anatek for these great meters at affordable prices, and to Mr. Yong for his great e-books and electronics repair blog www.JestineYong.com! Having good books and good meters makes electronics much more enjoyable, not to mention, easier.
Ok, back to my charger: as you can see in the photos, the inductors are good!! I put the charger together with a rubber-band to hold it together and plugged it into my Variable Isolation Transformer, turned it on and YEAH, it’s alive!! It is fixed and charging great! There must have been a bad connection in one or both inductors.
Here are some extra pictures:
My collection of Anatek’s Peak Atlas Component Analyzers. I love them!
I hope you guys/gals enjoy this article and please ask questions or make comments if you would like. And have fun learning & repairing electronics!!
Have fun everybody and Happy Father’s Day!
This article was prepared for you by Robert Calk Jr. from USA and he is a Hobbyist that loves learning & repairing electronics. He welcomes any comments and suggestions you care to contribute.
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You may also check out Robert’s previous article below:
http://www.jestineyong.com/trick-for-testing-smd-components/
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