JVC HR-S5500EA S-VHS VCR Power Fault (1988 Vintage) - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / repair

author: bighalf
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: November 23, 2021, 11:02:29 am
content: I recently inherited a S-VHS VCR from my grandparents, along with their tapes. I want to digitise them, however the unit doesn’t power on, and emits a horrible buzz instead - see linked video.I have had a look inside and can’t find any visual issues near the power section aside from dust. Fuses are in tact. There’s a couple bad electrolytic capacitors in position C6 of the mechanical control board but no other obvious defects / burns / bulging caps.I’ve attached a photo of the unit, the bad caps in position C6 of the mechanical control board. I can't attach the service manual as it's too large, but I got it fromhttps://www.hifiengine.com/manual_library/jvc/hr-s5500.shtml(Section 3 is charts and diagrams)Can anyone point me to what I should do or replace to get the unit working? I don’t want to recap the whole thing because there’s quite a few in there, and they're not the cheapest to get quality. Plus when the tapes are digitised I probably won’t use the unit again.Any helpful advice would be greatly appreciated! Thanks guys.https://youtu.be/Ou1NPP4C7Pg

author: bighalf
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: November 23, 2021, 12:38:53 pm
content: Started the slightly painful task of pulling it apart, and obscured in the heat sinks are a couple of totally stuffed caps. I have a definite starting point!

author: fzabkar
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 23, 2021, 07:52:25 pm
content: Here is an alternative source for the service manual (no registration required):https://elektrotanya.com/jvc_hr-s5500am_s5500amea.pdf/download.html

author: bighalf
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: November 23, 2021, 11:55:54 pm
content: Thanks, but this is not the correct unit. It has a strangely similar model number! I have tried to attach them here but the file size limits don’t allow (30MB).

author: commongrounder
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 24, 2021, 03:06:31 am
content: Recapping the power supply will likely get the unit to power up again. The heat from the sink eventually cooks the already hard working caps in close proximity. The black material on the two caps in the photo in the previous post is just adhesive to add mechanical stability. Focus on the power supply section first. I rebuilt uncountable VCR and other switching power supplies during my electronics servicing business years. Running 24/7 just killed the caps in them. Don’t forget to replace the little ~4.7uf cap typically found on the “hot” side of the switching circuit. That one is notorious for failing and will stop a switcher in its tracks. Good luck. Looks like a nice machine.

author: fzabkar
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 24, 2021, 04:12:27 am
content: Quote from: bighalf on November 23, 2021, 11:55:54 pmSorry. Maybe you could ZIP the file as a multipart archive.

author: BradC
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 24, 2021, 04:47:53 am
content: Wow, I haven't seen actual exploded caps like that for years. Yes, re-cap the power supply.If you are worried about the cost, you'll have no trouble moving it on once you're finished with it to recoup the value.

author: Haenk
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 24, 2021, 10:24:57 am
content: consider using brand name (Nichicon, Chemicon etc.) 105oC parts (for all caps in the PSU)...

author: bighalf
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: November 24, 2021, 01:37:48 pm
content: Thanks guys, will aim to replace every cap on the power supply board. The big ones look like they’ve been leaking out the bottom, too.Yes, lol very exploded indeed! When I lifted the power supply out, the cap’s outer shell fell out the bottom. Had a wide-eyed moment lol. It probably stayed plugged in like this for a couple years, too.Thanks for the info on the dark goop on those mech control board caps. It looks like the only place they’ve used it. Will start trying to source some decent caps for the power section and see how it goes.Looking at the cap legs and solder it seems this is not the first recap this board has had! I now remember my Grandad had a love hate relationship with this VCR. Great when it worked, but had a couple expensive service bills. There’s a couple screws missing, too (how rude of them lol).Will post back if I end up with success or.. magic smoke!

author: TheBay
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: November 24, 2021, 03:20:23 pm
content: Quote from: bighalf on November 24, 2021, 01:37:48 pmI wonder if during the previous re-cap some of the capacitors had been put in backwards or they were the wrong voltage rating?Double check any service data to see what the actual capacitor values/ratings should be.