Consumer Electronics Repair, Reuse, and Recycling

Table of Contents

• Chapter 1: Workshop Environment, Tools, and Electronics Planning

  • 1.1 Organization
  • 1.1.1 Organizational tips
  • 1.1.2 Procurement and storage of items
  • 1.1.3 Other storage tips
  • 1.1.4 Keep or discard?
  • 1.2 Work Environment and Fixtures
  • 1.2.1 Electrical power and lighting
  • 1.2.2 Heating and cooling
  • 1.3 Resourcing Existing Materials for Setting up a Workshop
  • 1.4 Work Gear
  • 1.4.1 Recommended work gear
  • 1.5 Planning Your Repair
  • 1.5.1 Management of unforeseen delays and failed outcomes
  • 1.5.2 Planning strategies for repairs

• Chapter 2: Workshop Electronics Tools and Practices

  • 2.1 Working with Hand Tools
  • 2.1.1 Overall practice
  • 2.2 Tools and accessories used for electronics
  • 2.2.1 Screwdrivers
  • 2.2.2 Screwdriver types
  • 2.2.3 Fastener removal
  • 2.2.2 Other commonly used hand tools
  • 2.2.3 Other principal servicing aids
  • 2.3 Tool Maintenance
  • 2.3.1 Electrical safety of power tools and equipment
  • 2.3.2 Regular Inspection and maintenance of tools
  • 2.3.2.1 Cleaning and sharpening a grindstone
  • 2.3.3 Cleaning and lubricating your tools
  • 2.3.4 Storing tools with care
  • 2.4 Tool quality
  • 2.5 Innovative ways of using tools

• Chapter 3: Soldering

  • 3.1 Soldering Irons
  • 3.2 Soldering Bits
  • 3.3 Solder Types and Sizes
  • 3.4 Soldering & Desoldering
  • 3.4.1 Tinning preparation
  • 3.4.2 Procedure for soldering
  • 3.4.3 Procedure for desoldering
  • 3.4.4 Working with SMDs / SMA parts
  • 3.5 Other Soldering Aids
  • 3.6 Dry Joints
  • 3.7 PCB Repairs
  • 3.9 Soldering and Safety
  • 3.10 Solder Equipment Maintenance

• Chapter 4: Fix, Restore, or Hack?

  • 4.1 Understanding the Product
  • 4.2 Planning Your Repair
  • 4.3 Initial, Basic Checks
  • 4.4 General Disassembly Procedures
  • 4.5 General Reassembly Procedures
  • 4.5.1 Wiring and cables
  • 4.5.2 Ribbon cables and sockets
  • 4.6 More Disassembly and Reassembly Tips
  • 4.7 Other Assembly Considerations
  • 4.7.1 TV Panels and displays
  • 4.7.2 CRT TVs and monitors
  • 4.7.3 Smartphones and tablets
  • 4.7.4 Portable Electronic MP3 and MP4 Players (Old and New)
  • 4.7.5 Receivers, compact cassette decks, and audio amplifiers
  • 4.7.6 Speakers, remote controls, and other connecting accessories
  • 4.7.7 Laptop and desktop PCs
  • 4.7.8 CD and DVD players
  • 4.7.9 VCRs and Camcorders
  • 4.7.10 Portable compact audio cassette players
  • 4.7.11 Turntables

• Chapter 5: Repairing Audio and Hi-Fi Products

  • 5.1 Breaking Down the Key Areas of a Product for Examination
  • 5.2 Common Problems with Audio and Hi-Fi Products
  • 5.2.1 Portable electronic MP3 and MP4 players (old and new)
  • 5.2.2 Receivers, compact cassette decks and audio amplifiers
  • 5.2.3 Loudspeakers, remote controls, and other connecting accessories
  • 5.2.3 Portable compact audio cassette players
  • 5.2.4 Turntables
  • 5.2.5 CD and DVD players

• Chapter 6: Repairing Video, PC, and Phone Products

  • 6.1 TV Panels and Displays
  • 6.1.1 Vintage CRT TVs and Monitors
  • 6.1.2 Plasma (PDP) TVS
  • 6.1.3 LCD TVs
  • 6.2 VCRs and Cassette Tape Camcorders
  • 6.2.1 VCRS (Video Cassette Recorders)
  • 6.2.1.1 Tape transport adjustments
  • 6.2.1.2 Video head cleaning, wear, and management
  • 6.2.1.3 Cleaning, lubricating, and maintaining mechanical parts in tape path
  • 6.2.1.4 Servo and Motor Issues
  • 6.2.1.5 Luminance and Chroma issues
  • 6.2.1.6 Understanding and management of video tapes
  • 6.2.2 Tape based Camcorders
  • 6.2.2.1 Functional sections of the tape-based Camcorder
  • 6.2.2.2 Mechanical operation and faults
  • 6.3 Laptop and Desktop PCs
  • 6.4 Smartphones and Tablets

• Chapter 7: Finding Product Information and Replacement Parts

  • 7.1 Identifying Product Information
  • 7.1.2 Manufacturer's information
  • 7.1.3 Obtaining vintage product information
  • 7.2 Other Sources of Product Information
  • 7.2.1 Sourcing by Internet searching
  • 7.2.2 Data reference books and periodicals
  • 7.2.3 Tertiary education and government sources
  • 7.2.4 Circuit tracing (manual approach or using software)
  • 7.2.5 Obtaining information from a working duplicate product
  • 7.2.6 Shared Knowledge
  • 7.3 Identifying and Finding Replacement Parts
  • 7.3.1 Common parts that fail
  • 7.3.2 Identifying replacement parts
  • 7.3.3 Identifying faulty discrete semiconductors without a schematic
  • 7.3.4 Finding spare parts for your workshop
  • 7.4 Specific Component Considerations
  • 7.4.1 Hardware
  • 7.4.2 Power source, switching and related components
  • 7.4.3 Lighting components
  • 7.4.4 Passive and active components
  • 7.4.5 Selecting a suitable replacement part
  • 7.4.6 Difficult to get critical replacement parts

• Chapter 8: Using Salvaged Parts for Your Workshop

  • 8.1 Guidelines to Salvaging Components
  • 8.2 Assessment of Reusable Common Components
  • 8.2.1 Capacitors
  • 8.2.2 Resistors
  • 8.2.3 Other passive components
  • 8.2.4 Semiconductors
  • 8.2.5 Power source, switching and related components
  • 8.2.6 Switches
  • 8.2.7 LEDS, lamps, and displays
  • 8.2.8 Hardware, wiring and connectors
  • 8.2.9 Motors and associated mechanical components
  • 8.2.10 Audio sound transducers
  • 8.2.11 Relays
  • 8.2.12 Accessories and external components
  • 8.2.13 Vintage audio and video products
  • 8.2.14 Other miscellaneous parts
  • 8.3 Examples of consumer part teardowns and parts obtained
  • 8.4 Tools for the Job
  • 8.5 Using Salvaged Parts for Your Workshop
  • 8.6 Salvaged Components Organization

• Chapter 9: Consumer Product Testing – An Overall Approach

  • 9.1. Safety Matters in the Workshop
  • 9.1.1 PPE (personal protective equipment) and environment
  • 9.1.2 Electrical safety
  • 9.1.3 Chemical security
  • 9.1.4 Mechanical safety
  • 9.1.5 Safe handling practices for components
  • 9.1.6. Actions to avoid when repairing consumer products
  • 9.2 Essential Gear for Your Workshop: Specifications and Features
  • 9.2.1 Power supplies
  • 9.2.2 Multimeters
  • 9.2.3 Oscilloscopes
  • 9.2.4 Other test gear
  • 9.3 Component testing
  • 9.3.1 Testing Resistors
  • 9.3.2 Testing Capacitors
  • 9.3.3 Semiconductors

• Chapter 10: Benchtop Repair and Parts Rescue Demos

  • 10.1 TV Remote Control (R/C)
  • 10.1.1 Initial assessment
  • 10.1.2 Finding information and sourcing parts
  • 10.1.3 Diagnosing the fault
  • 10.1.4 Tools and aids used
  • 10.1.5 Product disassembly and reassembly
  • 10.1.6 The repair process
  • 10.1.7 Testing and commissioning
  • 10.1.8 Preventive Maintenance
  • 10.2 Household Vacuum Cleaner
  • 10.2.1 Initial assessment
  • 10.2.2 Safe-practice procedures
  • 10.2.3 Finding information
  • 10.2.4 Product disassembly and reassembly
  • 10.2.5 Diagnosing the fault
  • 10.2.6 Tools and aids used
  • 10.2.7 Parts sourcing
  • 10.2.8 The repair process
  • 10.2.9. Testing and commissioning
  • 10.2.10 Preventive maintenance
  • 10.3 Korg 800 Music Synthesizer
  • 10.3.1 Initial assessment
  • 10.3.2 Finding information
  • 10.3.3 Product disassembly and reassembly
  • 10.3.4 Diagnosing the fault
  • 10.3.5 Tools and aids used
  • 10.3.6 Parts sourcing
  • 10.3.7 Salvaging spare parts and uses
  • 10.3.8 The repair process
  • 10.3.9 Testing and commissioning
  • 10.3.10 Preventive maintenance
  • 10.4 Boss (Roland) Reverb Unit
  • 10.4.1 Initial assessment
  • 10.4.2 Finding information
  • 10.4.3 Product disassembly and reassembly
  • 10.4.4 Diagnosing the fault
  • 10.4.5 Tools and aids used
  • 10.4.6 Finding parts
  • 10.4.7 The repair process
  • 10.4.8 Testing and commissioning
  • 10.5 Sandwich Press
  • 10.5.1 Initial Assessment
  • 10.5.2 Safe Practicing procedures
  • 10.5.3 Finding information
  • 10.5.4 Disassembly of Product
  • 10.5.5 Diagnosing the fault
  • 10.5.6 Tools and aids used
  • 10.5.7 Testing of salvaged parts
  • 10.5.8 Salvaging parts and uses
  • 10.6 VCR (VHS)
  • 10.6.1 Initial Assessment
  • 10.6.2 Finding information
  • 10.6.3 Disassembly and Reassembling Product
  • 10.6.4 History of faults and maintenance
  • 10.6.5 Tools and aids used
  • 10.6.6 Finding parts
  • 10.6.7 Repair and Maintenance processes
  • 10.7 Turntable
  • 10.7.1 Initial assessment
  • 10.7.2 Finding information
  • 10.7.3 Disassembly and reassembly
  • 10.7.4 Diagnosing the fault
  • 10.7.5 Tools and aids used
  • 10.7.6 Finding parts
  • 10.7.7 Repair Process and commissioning process
  • 10.7.8 Maintenance
  • 10.8 Portable Radio/ Cassette Player
  • 10.8.1 Initial assessment
  • 10.8.2 Finding information
  • 10.8.3 Disassembly and Reassembly
  • 10.8.4 Diagnosing the fault
  • 10.8.5 Tools and aids used
  • 10.8.6 Finding parts
  • 10.8.7 Repair Process
  • 10.8.8 Commissioning
  • 10.8.9 Maintenance
  • 10.9 Faultfinding Summary