diff --git a/content/posts/2017-09-11-denon-avr-4520-repair.md b/content/posts/2017-09-11-denon-avr-4520-repair.md index 2398b7c..a80eefb 100644 --- a/content/posts/2017-09-11-denon-avr-4520-repair.md +++ b/content/posts/2017-09-11-denon-avr-4520-repair.md @@ -108,17 +108,60 @@ of the scope output. {{< youtube rtnBzLxHoA0 >}} -This means one (or two) of two things: +This is good. I now have a provable and reproducable fault condition. The output of the `SBR` channel will get +a load of DC voltage during start up and seems to have trouble stabilizing when hot. Cooling down resolves the issue. +The `SBR` channel is not in use, so any heat it takes is from the heatsink. - 1. There's a bad capacitor on the `SBR` amp board - 2. The output transistor(s) are faulty when warm - -Next step: take out the board and check the capacitors. +Now as to what is causing this and how to fix it! ![](/img/denon-avr4520-sbr-amp-board.jpg) -I always mark the capacitors with a permanent marker by ticking one side (e.g. ) +Above is the `SBR` amp board taken out of the amp. I have three things I'd like to check: + + 1. The 1/4W and more resistors (basicall all non SMD resistors on top). I'd like to check for any shorts, open loops, or a deviation in resistance from the spec? + 2. All electrolytic capacitors: how does their capacitance and ESR compare to the spec? + 3. Power darlington transistors: any obvious shorts? How do they react to heat? + +I always measure resistors in circuit first. This works fine most of the time and when I get a weird +read out I can desolder them when I'm working on the capacitors. All of them seem fine. + +Next I desolder one (or two) legs of each electrolytic capacitor. I always mark their orientation in +relation to the board before taking them off. Some PCBs have polarity indicators, some do not. All +electrolytics measure within their specifications for capacitance and ESR. So no issues there. + +That leaves the darlington transistor pair. My gues is that they start to misbehave when hot. Keep in +mind that the `SBR` channel is not used in my stereo configuration, so they do not produce any heat +themselves. They get heat from `FR` that's mounted on the same heatsink. The plan to test these +darlingtons is simple: + + 1. Run them amp until it gets hot + 2. Try to get the amp hot enough to get into the DC Protection mode. + 3. Freeze spray each of the darlingtons to see if it resolves the problem + +Freezing the `DHCT-A3` has no effect on power protection. Freezing the `DHCT-C3` however makes +the problem go away. + +![](/img/denon-avr4520-darlingtons.jpg) + +With that, I've narrowed the problem down to `Q808`, a `DHCT-C3` darlington transistor. ## Repair +As with almost every project, diagnosign the issue is much harder and time consuming than the +actual repair. The process is quite simple: + + 1. Order a new pair DHCT-A3/C3 (they are sold in pairs) + 2. Replace both `Q808` and `Q809` with the new pair + + Done. + + ## Conclusion + + Replacing the DHCT-A3/C3 darlington transistor pair has resolved the power protection mode + issues. I've been running the amp in my living room for a few days now and not seen any + issue at all. + + So, for the cost of a used entry-level AV receiver and €40 in parts and shipping I've got + an almost brand new Denon AVR-4520 top-of-the-line AV Receiver. :-) + [hifiengine]: https://www.hifiengine.com/manual_library/denon/avr-4520.shtml \ No newline at end of file diff --git a/static/img/denon-avr4520-darlingtons.jpg b/static/img/denon-avr4520-darlingtons.jpg new file mode 100644 index 0000000..80e2a69 Binary files /dev/null and b/static/img/denon-avr4520-darlingtons.jpg differ