Sony RDR recorders - help with front panel display illumination

My Sony RDR-HX725 recorder of two years age has a problem with its front
panel display which is getting increasing dim. There is a setting where
the display can be switched off but there is no dimming control so when the
recorder is on it should be at full brightness.

Now it is almost impossible to read if the room is at normal brightness. The
recorder is otherwise working okay.

The switched mode power supply only has one potentiometer but I am reluctant
to adjust this.

Has anyone experienced the same problem with this or similar Sony recorder?

Coincidentally my Cambridge Azure A/V amp display is also starting to go
dim.

Anyone help?

regards,

Beemer

On Wed, 14 May 2008 11:33:18 GMT, "Beemer" <nobody@nowhere.com> put
finger to keyboard and composed:

>My Sony RDR-HX725 recorder of two years age has a problem with its front
>panel display which is getting increasing dim. There is a setting where
>the display can be switched off but there is no dimming control so when the
>recorder is on it should be at full brightness.
>
>Now it is almost impossible to read if the room is at normal brightness. The
>recorder is otherwise working okay.
>
>The switched mode power supply only has one potentiometer but I am reluctant
>to adjust this.

I would leave it alone.

>Has anyone experienced the same problem with this or similar Sony recorder?
>
>Coincidentally my Cambridge Azure A/V amp display is also starting to go
>dim.
>
>Anyone help?
>
>regards,
>
>Beemer

If you're a smoker, then try cleaning the display(s). Someone posted
this actual "fix" to sci.electronics.repair not long ago.

Otherwise, I've seen this kind of problem in other appliances. The
fault was dried out electrolytic capacitors feeding the display's
filament, assuming it's a vacuum fluorescent display. It's a simple
fix if you know how.

I've taken the liberty of crossposting your question to
sci.electronics repair where you may get better advice.

- Franc Zabkar
--
Please remove one 'i' from my address when replying by email.

"Franc Zabkar" <fzabkar@iinternode.on.net> wrote in message
news:rjjn24dmvjpimdjk96304t3kf99tdhsr5m@4ax.com...
> On Wed, 14 May 2008 11:33:18 GMT, "Beemer" <nobody@nowhere.com> put
> finger to keyboard and composed:
>
>>My Sony RDR-HX725 recorder of two years age has a problem with its front
>>panel display which is getting increasing dim. There is a setting where
>>the display can be switched off but there is no dimming control so when
>>the
>>recorder is on it should be at full brightness.
>>
>>Now it is almost impossible to read if the room is at normal brightness.
>>The
>>recorder is otherwise working okay.
>>
>>The switched mode power supply only has one potentiometer but I am
>>reluctant
>>to adjust this.
>
> I would leave it alone.
>
>>Has anyone experienced the same problem with this or similar Sony
>>recorder?
>>
>>Coincidentally my Cambridge Azure A/V amp display is also starting to go
>>dim.
>>
>>Anyone help?
>>
>>regards,
>>
>>Beemer
>
> If you're a smoker, then try cleaning the display(s). Someone posted
> this actual "fix" to sci.electronics.repair not long ago.
>
> Otherwise, I've seen this kind of problem in other appliances. The
> fault was dried out electrolytic capacitors feeding the display's
> filament, assuming it's a vacuum fluorescent display. It's a simple
> fix if you know how.
>
> I've taken the liberty of crossposting your question to
> sci.electronics repair where you may get better advice.
>
> - Franc Zabkar
> --
> Please remove one 'i' from my address when replying by email.
>
Franc,

I'm not a smoker but thanks for the lead to the sci.electronics.repair

Beemer