I recently noticed that both of the phone numbers and manufacturer website are unavailable as contact options for Viewsat. Is there any one who knows how to get warranty service through viewsat? Btw, i have a max hd the factory software works flawlessly, but the signal input recently quit. My coolsat is receiving signal flawlessly so i can rule out dish alignment any ideas, lmk? -SG
viewsat returns / rma warranty
- Thread starter satgazer
- Start date
Probably a Blown Tip42C Transistor on your Main Board.
Courtesy of setwire
First check for Voltage at sat in connection
Need a voltmeter set at DC Volts
Connect a short piece of coax to the Sat IN connector on the back of your receiver---Make sure you have Power turned off with back switch when doing this.--- turn power back on --- and check for voltage between centre copper and the screw connector.
With receiver ON you should be getting voltages switching between 13V-18V DC when changing between Vertical and horizontal TP's
.
If no voltage present or only 20V present then most likely you have a blown Tip42c or KA317 transistor.
These unit switches the voltages to your LNB 13V and 18V
18V = Horizontal TP's
13V = Vertical TP's
When they
fails you will either get No Voltage showing at your Sat In connector or it will lock at 20Volts and not switch to 13V.
If it is locked at 20Volts you will only be able to get Horizontal TP's on your STB
If it is locked at 13V then you will only receive Vertical TP's.
If no voltage present then you will get No Signal Message
Take the top off your box look on circuit board for a little black transistor ( it has metal top with hole, the heat sink, and three pins on bottom) located about one inch in front of where you hook sat wire.
It could or could not be attached to an aluminum heatsink.
Make sure you get right one, part Tip42c or in the case of Viewsat, CNX and Sonicview KA317.
The Tip42C is located directly in front of the shiny box that your sat in coax connects to.
It is Black and plastic with metal extending above it with a hole in metal and has 3 legs which are soldered to the board,
Tip42C or KA317 is printed on the black plastic face.
Viewsat ultra's,Sonicview and CNX Receivers use the Fairchild KA317 Transistor and it is Mounted to a Heatsink
**********If the KA 317 goes bad on a CNX Receiver you will get LNB F error on the display.
----
Take note of the way it is oriented, if mounted backwards it will not work.
If you are getting NO Signal Message and have No Voltage at your Sat In Connector Hook up sat wire and take a small screwdriver and touch first two pins toward back of box together.
If you get a signal, then this transistor is bad and should be replaced.
NTE332 transistor is a direct replacement if you can't find the Tip42C.
Tip42A or Tip42B will not work.
Cost on these is under $2.
It has to be Tip42C or NTE332 or in the case of the Viewsat, CNX and Sonicview--- Fairchild KA317
Replacement for Fairchild KA317 is Fairchild LM317T.
The NTE332 is about $5 but are more robust and worth the extra $.
.
Available at most decent electronics stores.
To replace make sure you take note of the way it is oriented,Unscrew from heat sink if one is present, pull out your main board,from the bottom desolder the 3 legs using solder wick or solder sucker, insert new transistor and resolder, Connect heat sink if one was used originally.
setwire
thanks setwire, that was very informative i always wondered how that worked. i am only getting 19V no matter what channel i select so it looks like i'm on the search for a KA317 transistor, however I've checked the entire motherboard starting at the sat in area and turned up no matching transistors the only ones i'm seeing (aside from the power board) are labeled AZ1117D thanks again for taking the time to help
p.s. this is on the viewsat hd max model
p.s. this is on the viewsat hd max model
I have never repaired any of the VS Max HD units so I can't post up any pics.
I have a .jpg of the KA317A transistor in a VS Ultra but it appears I can't post it as an attachment here.
Is there a reason members can't post up .jpg files as attachments.????
It is NOT a simple job replacing a tuner in any model of STB.
Even a decent repair shop with the latest in equipment have great difficuties doing this task.
im not to worried about soldering I've done playstation mods before. but i do have an ultra and i can see the ka317 with a monster heatsink and the az1117d transistors too. but there is nothing like the ka317 in the vs hd max??