Self-Sacrifice Of A SONY LED TV Adaptor Model VGP-AC19V32 To Save Its Master From Lightning
My neighbor called me one day to inform that his Sony LED TV was dead after a lightning attack and asked me to go there to check up. He is elder to me and like my own brother and I immediately responded to his call and went there.
The plug where this adapter was connected showed signs of charring. In order to assess whether the TV also got hit, I came home and picked up an adaptor which could be adjusted from 12V to 24V with a suitable pin. The TV was found working with that adapter and I left it there for him to use until the defective one was rectified.
Back home, I applied petrol on all four sides of the Adapter where both the top and bottom cases joined, which loosened the gum paste and I could easily separate it. I desoldered the DC wire for an easy access for service. The fuse was found open and I removed it, which showed black marks on the PCB.
I guessed that other components would have also got hit. The bridge rectifier was found short and the tank capacitor showed a funny value when checked:
You can perhaps make out that 68uF/400V capacitor was reading as 0.178nF! The ring test of the transformer showed healthy. I also checked the other components in the primary and secondary and did not find anything defective. But I got thrilled on getting a chance to replace all the electrolytic capacitors and did it gladly!
Replaced the 3.15A fuse with a similar box type and fixed a new bridge rectifier. Then carried out dry solder patch up and cleaned the board thoroughly. The green LED gleamed happily when the power was applied and the output showed a healthy reading too:
The adapter was fit back and delivered to my neighbor and connected to his TV! The TV looked very happy to get back its childhood companion and showed its gratitude by displaying crystal clear pictures for the viewers to rejoice!
Following picture would prove my statement:
Mission accomplished very easily giving double satisfaction, which the collection bag gulped greedily, indeed!
This article was prepared for you by Parasuraman Subramanian from India. He is 76 years old and has more than 30 years’ experience in handling antique equipment like Valve Radio, Amps, Reel Tape Recorders and currently studying latest tech-classes conducted by Kerala State Electronics Technicians’ Association. He has done graduation in BBA degree, private diploma in Radio Engineering and retired as MD of a USA company. Presently working as Consultant to Hospital and other institutions.
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Albert van Bemmelen
September 12, 2026 at 10:02 pm
It must be a nice thrill immediately being able to help out your neighbor.
Why we still need an old analog meter for the semiconductors while using a digital meter for measuring the caps beats me.
Parasuraman S
September 12, 2026 at 11:26 pm
Kindly refer to our Jestine Yong's world famous SMPS book and other publications. It is he who taught me the importance of using an Analogue Multimeter to check diodes and transistors. Even a slight leak can be detected then. But Digital Multimeter would only indicate the voltage reading and there is no standard for it. The digital multimeter, on the other hand is very useful to check capacitors as it will indicate the value. Many thanks for your expert comments, dear Albert!
Mark J j
September 13, 2026 at 3:12 am
Good job on the repair Parasuraman. Sometimes it is hard to get those adapters open. I use finger nail polish remover. That works for me most of the time.
Parasuraman S
September 13, 2026 at 9:29 am
That is a good idea, provided it does not have any color on it. Many thanks for your comments, dear Mark!
Imoud.O
September 13, 2026 at 5:05 am
Can we say last picture is really cystal clear!!,take a look again.
Parasuraman S
September 13, 2026 at 9:31 am
It is a moving picture, and we cannot click it unless it stands still or takes a little longer time to change, like a news reader etc. You can rest assured that the picture indeed was crystal clear on my visual examination of it at their house! Many thanks for your keen observations and comments!
Philip
September 13, 2026 at 4:59 pm
Thanks Engineer Parasuraman. Lightening can turn out to be so ruthless to the helpess adapters, for example, burning down completely the smd regulating assembly (diodes, capacitors, resistors etc components whose values are unknown) thats linked to 817 and 413. The smps transformer smd driver IC too may be a victim of the ravage, leaving no chances for repair. We got so much used to seeing your repaired tvs with comparatively clear Sherlock Holms images, no wonder .....
Parasuraman S
September 14, 2026 at 4:50 pm
Many thanks for your comments and sharing of experiences.
Yogesh Panchal
September 13, 2026 at 6:09 pm
Good Job!Sir,
It's always helpful to have an extra multi-voltage adapter for testing.
Old tools work well too; sometimes I even use an analog meter. It keeps things up and running—and preserves some old memories as well.
Parasuraman S
September 14, 2026 at 4:51 pm
Yes, very true. Many thanks, Yogesh Bai!
Waleed Rishmawi
September 14, 2026 at 11:38 am
Good job my friend on the repair. I find it strange to power a tv set through a power adapter, I have seen that on LG TV’s as well but not the new sets. Of course replacing capacitors brings good joy and satisfaction lol. Be blessed today.
Parasuraman S
September 14, 2026 at 4:51 pm
Many thanks for your much awaited comments, dear friend!
Philip
September 14, 2026 at 11:52 am
Point of correction. In my earlier on reply there is 817 and 413, it should actually be 431 instead of 413. I meant to identify the smps optocoupler and its associated transistor, respectively. Ooooh ! I almost made another mistake in this correction !
Parasuraman S
September 14, 2026 at 4:52 pm
Already understood! Many thanks for your clarification!