LCD TV, which stands for liquid-crystal display television, is lighter and thinner than cathode ray tubes. It is more practical, highly efficient and produces better image quality. It looks beautiful, classy and elegant compared to bulkier TV sets. However, it is subject to damage and other problems, some of the most common of which include faulty power supply and no picture with sound. To help fix these problems, it is very good to know a lot of things about LCD TV repair.

Steps

Before anything else, start by determining the real cause of the problem. One of the common problems associated with this type of TV is a condition where there is no picture with sound. If this happens, the screen can go black but the speakers continue to produce sound after turning the TV on.

To diagnose the problem of your TV, you have to check the input settings first. When the input is unplugged or turned off, a dark screen will usually appear. This usually happens when you are trying to connect the TV with a DVD player or a video game system. In case this is the problem, try to reconnect the different wires or cables located at the sides or at the back of your TV. You can also check the wires or cables for possible damage.

When your LCD TV is not responding to any action you make, whether you turn it off or on, the problem may be related to the power supply. This is a persistent problem, specifically if the supply is broken or defective. This is a very difficult thing to do, which often requires the skills of experts to complete. For this reason, it is not advisable to fix this kind of problem yourself. Because of the high technicalities involved, expect to pay a hefty sum of money for professional services. Usually, a new power supply may cost about $150, which is often combined with labor costs amounting to more or less $250.

Additional Tips and Other Helpful Information

If you feel that your LCD TV is broken, check its warranty right away. You are lucky if your television set is still under warranty. Check the terms if your TV is still covered, especially whether it is covered for a year, 2 years or even 3 years. Upon purchase, keep the bill of sale as well as other important documents. Having your TV fixed outside the warranty period is not a very good thing because it can be very costly.

It has to be stated right away that in some cases, repairing a grandfather clock may require professional help. But before you call for assistance, try the following solutions to see if it’ll solve the problem.

Fixing Grandfather Clock Problems

Required Tools and Materials

Screwdrivers

Fixing a Slow Grandfather Clock

Try to fix the weights. Most grandfather clocks have a right and left weight and others a center weight too. Position the weights properly to see if it’ll help the clock run.

If it’s still slow, set the pendulum bob towards the shaft. Do the exact opposite if the clock is moving too fast. You’ll need to utilize a screwdriver to loosen the bob.

Stuck Pendulum and Moon Dial Problems

If the pendulum is stuck, open the glass and disentangle the clock hands. Be certain the weights are pulled up. If you’re repairing a grandfather clock’s moon dial, start by checking the phase. Open the glass and push gently on the dial. Turn it slowly to the current phase.

Ways to Clean a Grandfather Clock

Sometimes all a grandfather clock needs is a bit of cleaning. You may use the following procedure.

Required Tools and Materials

Three soft cloths
Wood polish
Glass cleaner (no ammonia)
Feather duster
A helper

Step 1

To make cleaning easier, move the clock some distance from the wall. You’ll need someone to help you here.

Step 2

Use the cloth to remove dust from the clock. For dust, use the feather duster. Dust the glass carefully to avoid scratching it. When cleaning and repairing a grandfather clock, you need to be careful about hitting the pendulum.

Step 3

When dusting is finished, you’ll need to apply some polish. Get a soft cloth and put some wood polish on it. Refer to the wood polish’s instructions for specific info on how it is to be applied. Generally however, you apply the polish in a circular manner. When cleaning grandfather clocks, always begin from the top.

Step 4

Get rid of the cloth you used for putting on the polish. Grab another clean piece of cloth. Take off the wax you applied. Remove them by wiping the cloth in a circular manner. Work from the top and proceed downwards.

Step 5

You’re almost finished cleaning and repairing a grandfather clock. Get another clean cloth and spray a bit of the glass cleaner on it. Wipe the glass surface. Follow any other directions on the glass cleaner.

Tips and Warnings

It is best if the clock is not moved around too much. This may have an adverse effect on the pendulum. You should also avoid moving the clock alone; you might end up banging it against the wall.

If the damage is extensive, have a professional look into it. However you should do some shopping around first. Depending on the extent of the damage, the cost may run into the thousands of dollars.

Repairing a grandfather clock requires patience and careful handling on your part. If the problem isn’t too severe, chances are you can fix it yourself.

You can still repair an antique wall phone when it is broken due to some missing parts. There are two ways to do the repairs. One is to use the exact replacement parts and two is to use the modern replacement parts.

Exact Replacement Parts

Finding the exact replacement parts at online vendors and antique dealers is a good idea. The following elements must first be identified before buying the replacement parts to repair an antique wall phone.

1. The exact missing part of the antique wall phone.
2. The dependent parts of the missing part – for example – when a receiver is missing, a cord may also be needed.
3. Identify the manufacturer of the antique wall phone – it is usually written on a decal or metal plate.
4. Identify the antique wall phone model.

You may have some hard time looking for the original parts to replace the missing parts since antique collectors and dealers are always skeptical to disassemble antique phones and retail the individual parts. Disassembling of antique phones could only happen if they are already beyond the possibility to be repaired.

Modern Replacement Parts

Using modern replacement parts is an easier way to repair an antique wall phone since the price is cheaper and there are lots of choices available. You can look for modern replacement parts on various online vendors. Once repaired, an antique wall phone will make a great display piece in your residence.

However, there is an inherent drawback in using modern parts to repair an antique wall phone. The total value of the antique wall phone may lessen compared when it has the exact original parts. But this is really unavoidable and it is better to have an antique wall phone that works than have an unusable one.

Use of modern replacement parts that are made from plastic may have a different appearance than the original parts since they are shaped from a different kind of plastic. A trained eye can really see the difference and oddness of the whole antique wall phone. Using model replacement parts that are made from metal to repair an antique wall phone are much better because they are usually painted black or polished brass.

Repair of the Magneto

Repairing or replacing the magneto is considered to be the hardest part. Enough knowledge and skill is needed to repair an antique wall phone with a damaged magneto. It is best to just look for an antique wall phone specialist in your place to repair the damaged magneto or more harm will be done if you do the repairs yourself.

If you don’t want to pay someone to install a satellite dish, here’s how to do it. First, get these utilities and equipment ready.

Required Tools and Materials

6” magnetic level
Dish
Drill
1/2" nut driver bit
Six 2” lag bolts
RG6 coax cable
Compass
Screw clips
Staples or zip ties
Satellite signal meter
7/16" wrench
Receiver’s manual

Step 1

Mount the dish so that there’s an unobstructed line of sight. The direction is usually the southwest. Take a look at how other satellite dishes are setup in your area.

Step 2

Secure the mast with the bolts. Use the level and be certain the mast is plumb. Double check just to be sure, as this is very important. When you’re certain, fasten all the bolts.

Step 3

The next step to install a satellite dish is to put the dish antenna onto the mast. Don’t fasten the bolts.

Step 4

Get the coax cable and run it through the dish. It should go out the LNBF or the eye. Join the cable to the LNBF. Join the LNBF to the dish. You should use the screws that come with your dish. When securing in the screws, make sure they are fit but not too tight.

Step 5

Look at the manual to determine the proper elevation and skew configuration setup. Make the proper adjustments. Others just use the settings used by their neighbor’s; it’s up to you.

Step 6

Join the end of the coax cable to the meter. If there isn’t one, you can get it at any electronics store. But you don’t really need one to install a satellite dish. You can employ the TV to determine the signal. Refer to the manual for other information.

Step 7

Turn the meter on (if you have one). Sweep the dish until the meter informs you a satellite has been found. The meter will light or make a sound (check the manual). If you don’t have a meter, look at the signal strength on the TV.

Step 8

Sweep the dish right and left. When you get the strongest signal, fasten in all the bolts. If using the meter, turn it on while fastening the bolts.

Step 9

If after you install a satellite dish there are problems with the vertical, loosen the elevation screws a bit. If necessary, move the reflector in an up and down motion to get the best signal. Tighten the bolts when you get the best signal.

Step 10

Run the coax cable from the dish to your receiver. You can use the zip ties and / or clips to join the cable to the dish.

Step 11

Drill a 3/8” hole in the wall and get the cable through your house. Link the cable to the receiver. This port will usually state “in from satellite”. Connect the receiver to the TV.

After you install a satellite dish, check the manual for information on how to run any other tests. Afterwards, you can start watching TV.

You have an old table lamp but you don’t want to throw it away, then rewire it to be use again instead of just putting in into storage. Learn how to rewire a table lamp effectively and extend its years of usage in your home.

Tools Needed

You will need the following materials to rewire a table lamp: electrical tape, wire strippers, and rewire kit for table lamps.

Follow the Instructions on the Rewire Kit

Before you start to rewire a table lamp, you need to read and understand the instructions written on the rewire kit that you bought. Every rewire kits has its own set of instructions to be followed carefully to make the rewiring task effective.

Unplug the Table Lamp

This is an important step when you rewire a table lamp. Your life will be endangered when you allow the table lamp to remain plugged into the electric circuit. Never forget to unplug the table lamp for your own safety and protection.

Dismantle the Table Lamp

Take apart every piece of the table lamp one by one and place them on a level surface so that no parts will be lost. Take time to clean the table lamp completely and the old wires must be disposed properly to prevent any untoward accidents.

Strip the Wires

Strip the wires from the repair kits with the aid of the wire strippers that you have. Once stripped, twist the ends of the wires together in a clockwise direction.

Wind the Wires

As you continue to rewire a table lamp, you will need to wind the wires along its middle tube. Then connect the socket to its proper place on the table lamp. Then wind the wires going to the base of the table lamp.

Connect the Wires

Connect the wires that you have wound on the base to the electrical cord of the table lamp. Intertwine the wires altogether in a clockwise direction. For added security on the wires, binding them with some electrical tape is recommended when you rewire a table lamp.

Test It

Now that you have done the rewiring job for a table lamp, you need to test if it works. Attach a light bulb into the socket of the table lamp. Plug the electrical cord and switch the lamp on. If the light bulb lit up then it means that your have a successful rewiring project. But if it doesn’t work, then you need to check the wires one more time to see if everything were attached securely and properly.

Putting off repairing air conditioners could lead to deterioration. If you are the do it yourself type, you can do some of the basic repair tasks yourself.

Lubricating the Motor

Required Tools and Materials

Safety goggles
Electrical tester
Work gloves
Small pliers (wrap in it tape)
Screwdriver
High speed lubrication oil

Step 1

Look for the house breaker. Turn the breaker off and twist the fuses. If the air conditioner comes with a thermostat, turn it off too.

Step 2

Put on your goggles and gloves. Use the electric tester for the voltages. Go over the entire unit. The results should be negative.

Step 3

Remove the screws connecting the grill to the unit. Before you continue repairing air conditioners, put the screws in a safe location so they don’t get lost. Lift the grill. Carefully flip the grill. Put it over the air conditioner. You can see both the fan and motor now.

Step 4

Look for the lubrication ports. Look for a hole by the motor. There should be plastic there. It is concealing the ports.

Step 5

Use the pliers to take out the port plugs. Do this carefully so you don’t damage any parts. Apply the lubricating oil. Put in a few drops at a time. Keep adding oil until the ports cannot take any more.

Step 6

Get a rag and rub the excessive oil off. When repairing air conditioners, the next step is to spin the fan. This is necessary so the oil can flow around the motor.

Step 7

Take the grill and reinstall it. Put in the screws and fasten it. Be certain the grill and unit holes are aligned correctly. Set the breakers on. Put in the fuses. Turn on the air conditioner. It should run properly.

Tips

When looking for an electrical tester, get one that doesn’t require making contact with the air conditioner. Take a long careful look at the positions of the wirings. Depending on the damage, you may need to repair them too.

Notes on Car Air Conditioners

To determine if the refrigerant is leaking, get a fluorescent dye. Install it according to the instructions. This will help detect any leaking refrigerants. Anyone repairing air conditioners needs to be familiar with the compressor. It is the one that has rubber and metal hoes linked to it.

To determine if the compressor is working, look for it below the hood of the car. The vehicle has to be running.

To fix the air conditioner (for cars or home), you need to be familiar with its major pars. These include the expansion valve, receiver / dryer, the condenser etc. Study the manual of your unit; familiarity with its features will be a tremendous help.

Warnings

Be careful when you remove the grill as the blades will be near your arms. Take all necessary precautions so you don’t get cut when spinning the fan.

To avoid major problems, you should have the unit cleaned regularly. If it is well maintained, then repairing air conditioners won’t be that difficult.

A device primarily designed to produce heat, a furnace is a household heating system classified into two main types, namely non-condensing and condensing. The basic components of a modern furnace include the blower, controls and the burners. Aside from these, do not forget the venting, draft inducer and heat exchanger. Without proper maintenance, it is possible for this device to be damaged. This problem can be solved by knowing how to repair a furnace.

Steps

Fixing common furnace problems is very easy. First, check the thermostat. Be sure to set it on ‘heat.’ Normally, the temperature setting of the thermostat must be hotter than the room temperature. In case of a programmable thermostat, be sure that the program is running well. Check the condition of the battery as well.

Next, be sure that the interlock switches, fuses and breakers are all turned on. Check the main switch as well, which looks like an ordinary switch of light. Look inside the cabinet that holds the heating unit and then switch on the blower unit. In case this is switched on, check the secondary breaker boxes and especially the circuit breaker. At the bottom-most part of the furnace, the door of the blower compartment must be in place.

Check if the blower motor is functioning properly. Search for the reset switch. It is very important to press this whenever there is an overload. It usually takes about 30 minutes for the motor to cool down. After cooling, push the reset button once more to check if the motor will now work.

If the furnace still does not work, proceed to the circuit box and then turn the main switch off. Look for the fuse. In case it is busted, change it with the same kind of fuse. Refer to the owner’s manual for the precise kind of fuse necessary for this device to function well.

Turn the main switch on once more to check if it is now working. If it still fails to work, look for other possible causes like stuck buttons, broken dials as well as loose wires. It is possible to fix the problem by releasing the stuck buttons, by changing the broken dials or by reconnecting loose wires properly. After doing all these steps, go back to the programmable thermostat and then reset it to default settings. Turn on the main switch and enjoy the efficiency of a fully restored furnace.

Additional Tips and Other Helpful Information

This task can be very dangerous, especially if you lack knowledge about electrical wirings. If this is the case, just hire the services of professionals. Always wear protective gears including work gloves and safety masks while working with this device to prevent any kind of accident.

Just like other machines, an air conditioner also needs to be lubricated regularly in order to function smoothly. If not maintained properly, it can succumb to different kinds of damages as well as many other problems. Fixing it can be a moderately challenging task. However, with the proper information and all the necessary materials available to complete the job, it is easier to perform DIY air conditioner repair.

Materials Needed

Although the following steps cannot treat all kinds of damages affecting an air conditioner, doing this can somehow improve the performance of your unit at home. For this, you need small pliers with tape, an electrical tester and high-speed lubrication oil placed in a small dispenser. For safety purposes, it is important to have work boots, safety goggles and work gloves. In addition, bring in a Phillips and flat screwdriver.

Steps

Find the fuse box or house breaker of the air conditioner. Shut it off and then remove all the fuses first. Turn the thermostat off as well. After that, protect yourself by wearing work boots, work gloves and safety goggles. Get the electrical tester and then check the air conditioner for voltages. Be sure to check all over the device and that there is no more voltage running through it.

Remove the screws holding the top part of the grill onto the unit. Keep the screws in a safe place for later use. Slowly remove the grill because it can make the job more difficult. Be careful when moving because the fan blades are very sharp. Put the grill on top, giving you a better access to the motor and to the fan.

Look for the ports where lubricants are usually applied. At the sides of the fan motor, search for these small holes covered with plastic. Get the taped pliers and then use it to remove the lubrication port plugs. Be careful not to damage them. Slowly pour in some lubricant into the ports. Be patient and do this slowly.

After putting enough oil, put the plugs back in place. Get a rag and then use it to wipe away excess oil. Hold the blades and then try to spin them. Be careful so as not to be cut by their sharp edges. This way, the oil can spread all throughout the different parts of the motor. Slowly return the grill to its original place. Put the screws back tightly as well. Check if the unit holes line up with the grill holes.

Just to be sure, replace the old fuses with new ones. After that, you can now turn on the breakers once again. Turn it on and experience a better performance from your air conditioner. 

Additional Tips and Other Helpful Information

In case you are having a hard time lifting the fan motor and grill, it is good to request for some help. If the lubrication plugs are damaged, replace them with new ones right away. Never touch the internal parts of the air conditioner without checking first if there is any voltage left.

A new ceiling fan can easily go well with a newly constructed house. Likewise, it can also serve as a very good replacement for that old fan hanging on the ceiling. However, to have it installed by somebody else, especially by a professional, can be quite expensive. In fact, either a man or a woman can do this moderately challenging task free of charge. With all the right tools available, things are much easier by learning how to install a new ceiling fan.

Materials Needed

To be able to perform this task, you need to have a brand new ceiling fan, a screwdriver and a ladder. Aside from these, you must also bring in the remote control or switch, the metal junction box and the manual for installing its different parts.

Steps

Before installing the ceiling fan, you need to shut the power off first inside the house. Do this by turning off the circuit breaker. Slowly remove the old fixture piece by piece. Take out the new fan from the box. Be sure to check if all the major components and other parts are complete.

Create a hole in the ceiling that is big enough to fit the new junction box. In case there is one, take it out and replace it with a new one. Screw the new box to the beam or joist. If there is no place to attach the junction box, you may add a header first. After that, install the bracket. This will keep the fan connected to the junction box.

Cover the hole you have created earlier so that no one can see it with the junction box already fixed tightly in place. If the fan comes with a larger cover, there is really no need to patch up the hole as this is enough to cover it up.

Follow the instructions enumerated in the manual. Attach the blades and then secure them in place. Likewise, connect the appropriate wirings as stated in the directions. Be sure to follow them carefully to ensure your safety. Search for the ground wires and then connect them to the right places. They usually appear as bare copper or as green-covered wires. Hang the fan and then screw it firmly in place. After that, install the switch. Check if the remote control is working fine.

Additional Tips and Other Helpful Information

In case the fan wobbles when switched on, this is indicative of unbalanced blades. Fix this by switching a couple of adjacent blades. You can add putty to lighter blades to equalize their weight. Proper airflow can be assured by allotting a space of about 12 to 18 inches between the blades and the ceiling. Injuries and accidents can be prevented by following all the right instructions as stated in the owner’s manual.

You shouldn?t wait for the lamp to break down before trying to figure out how it works. To learn about repairing a floor lamp, you can refer to the following methods.

Rewiring a Floor Lamp

Required Tools and Materials

Lamp wire
Wire nuts

Step 1

Determine the wire configuration. Check if there are 1 or 2 lights. Also note where the wires go through. Note down the wire length too. When you have the info, get the supplies at the home improvement store. To avoid problems, take a photo and show it to the store personnel.

Note: if the floor lamp is old, you should get all new electric components just to be sure. This way you don?t have to guess which parts are working and which aren?t.

Step 2

You can begin repairing a floor lamp by disassembling the lamp. A majority of floor lamps are comprised of threaded pipes joined by screws. To take it apart, start by taking the screws off the foundation. Do not lose any of the pieces.

Step 3

Get the new wires. Run it in the lamp and then through the socket. Get the new socket (the one with the nuts). Be sure the colors are matched right. The black wire should go to neutral and the red to the hot. Ensure no wire is visible when attaching these.

Step 4

You?re done rewiring and repairing a floor lamp. Put the pieces back together. Plug the device into a ground fault receptacle. If it doesn?t work, go over the wirings again; you may have made a mistake.

Fixing an Unsteady Floor Lamp

If the floor lamp starts getting wobbly, use the following technique to set it right.

Required Tools and Materials

Plumber?s tape
Adjustable wrench

Step 1

Wait for the lamp to cool down. When it does, take off the lamp. This is necessary so the bulb doesn?t get damaged.

Step 2

Carefully put the lamp on its side. Examine the base?s underside. If there is a felt, take it off with care. Before proceeding to repairing a floor lamp, check the underside?s middle; the cord will be emanating from the middle of the post. This is linked to the base underside. It?s the one with the bolt and the threaded end post.

Step 3

Fasten the bolt using a wrench. Do not fasten it too much or the thread will be wrecked. Put some plumber?s tape around the threads if they are tattered.

Step 4

Put the felt back on. Restore the light bulb. Plug it back on. The floor lamp should be steady now. If it?s still shaky, move it to another place; the flooring there may not be even.

Tips and Warnings

Take the utmost care when rewiring. Be certain the wiring you use and install meets the safety standards in your area or region.

Repairing a floor lamp can be a straightforward affair if you know the process. By following the instructions above, rewiring and straightening that lamp should be easy.