So I was offered a free dual screen setup the other day that was "probably broken". I plugged them in and saw a flash of life and the screen searching for an image, I didn't notice until I got it home that the backlights cut off after a few seconds. I did some research and found that it most likely was the caps inside the monitor. I popped it open and didnt find any caps that looked bad: I thought since the monitor had an external brick, that those could be the culprits so I popped one open: Sorry for the blurry pic, but you can see the swelling here. Clearer shot of both bricks opened up: It looks to me as if the caps in the power brick need to be replaced, but if that is that is the solution, then since I know that the adapter provides 12vdc 3.5a, is there a way to use a computer PSU to provide that power? Will a conventional PSU provide enough juice for both of the monitors? So my questions are: 1) Are the caps in the power brick the problem? If not, any ideas? 2) Would modding a PSU be a viable alternative to replacing caps? (I have a few extra PSU's around so it would be more convenient in the short term.)
You can buy replacement power bricks, wouldn't that be an easier option? Example: http://cpc.farnell.com/1/1/33955-psu-42w-12v-3-5a-t3241st-stontronics.html Google: "12v DC 3.5A <insert monitor brand here> LCD power adapter" and see what turns up. If you buy one, you can try it with both monitors to confirm that it is indeed the PSU's that are faulty.
Sure, buying a new power brick is one option... but wheres the fun? And before buying a new power brick, I want to know that they are actually the problem. Hopefully someone around has some insight to this... or maybe I will just dive in later on tonight.
If you have something to hand to dismantle maybe have a go, but for £30ish plus P&P just get the new PSU's TBH? Alex.
and the inverter may have been damaged by the faulty bricks, but yes you could use a 12v rail from a pc power supply, so long as the rails are heavy enough for everything.