Topic: HELP! Transformer get spoil when used by LG BD390 Bluray player

[morning]

Dear All,

I just want to ask for assistance on my situation.  Here it goes...

I bought my LG Bluray BD390 sa US and had it shipped here in Singapore, as to my excitement I used it immediately without knowing the voltage 110V, the thing is I have used the player and was able to almost finished a movie before it explodes... :-( lots of smoke went out from the player, then i just realized that i have plugged the unit to 220V.  Henc, I knew it was the power supply which exploded.

Then I searched for repairs, then luckily found one.  He went to our house to check it out and quoted me for repairs, after 5-6 days, He delivered the player and surprisingly it has been repaired (Thank God).  I ran stress test using it for almost 4 BD movies already using a transformer which converts 220V to 110V and nothing happens.  I've been using this one for several days already, without unplugging the transformer.  However, i have unplugged once the transformer and when the time I will be using it again, our house current Tripped thus black out...I wonder why? Then I noticed my transformer smells burned...I bought a new transformer and use the BD player again, and to my surprise it is working fine.  Then, after several days, it tripped again and the culprit is again the transformer.  Can anybody explain why it is happening?
I checked the wattage of the player and it is only 20W while I am using 50W and 100W for the two transformers I've used.  I wonder why is the transformer always get's spoiled. 

Hope someone can assist me on this...My apology for the long story but i just want to explain so you could understand the situation. Thanks

[morning]

Actually, I'm a bit surprised with the handling power of this player because it can withstand the 220v for several hours even though it is only 110V, I know usually when a 110V is being plug to a 220V it blows up immediately.

Please help.

[markcrenz]

just a guess.. there is still a semi defective component in the BD power supply that your repairman was unable to replace. after plugging there is an inrush of current and that component will either (1) work fine or (2) resemble a short circuit. the latter situation would force much more current through the transformer which eventually burns.

as i said it is just a guess, a more appropriate answer should come from our electronics masters tonyt & jojod. just the same have it rechecked by your technician.

[morning]

just a guess.. there is still a semi defective component in the BD power supply that your repairman was unable to replace. after plugging there is an inrush of current and that component will either (1) work fine or (2) resemble a short circuit. the latter situation would force much more current through the transformer which eventually burns.

as i said it is just a guess, a more appropriate answer should come from our electronics masters tonyt & jojod. just the same have it rechecked by your technician.

Ok Thanks for the input...actually i've called already the repairman and we still have yet to schedule as to when is our free time...

But I notice that it is when I am re-plugging the socket of the transformer that make things go wrong.  I've been using the first transformer for several weeks before and when I unplugged and re-plugged the transformer that's when it went go wrong...same thing with the second transformer.  I'm thinking if I will be leaving my transformer on with the socket, but still I'm worried that it might short anytime...

[Macmon]

Since na repair na po. Baka hindi na 20W ang true wattage niya.

[markcrenz]

kung may auto voltage regulator ka dun mo na lang i-plug sa 110v out. at least fuse lang papalitan mo kung may short circuit nga instead of a transformer.

[morning]

kung may auto voltage regulator ka dun mo na lang i-plug sa 110v out. at least fuse lang papalitan mo kung may short circuit nga instead of a transformer.

Thanks for the suggestion.  So the connection would be from the BD player to AVR then to 110V transformer then to 220V wall socket? Tama ba?  Hence i just need to buy first an AVR.  I'll try this one.

[markcrenz]

AVRs have 220V & 110V out. dun mo na lang iplug sa 110V out ang BD

[TOY 01]

Thanks for the suggestion.  So the connection would be from the BD player to AVR then to 110V transformer then to 220V wall socket? Tama ba?  Hence i just need to buy first an AVR.  I'll try this one.

BD Player to AVR (110V socket) to 220V wall socket

[dips15]

What is important if you decide to use and AVR is not to use those cheaper computer AVRs.

On a similar note, make sure the transformer you are using are made by a reputable company.  What brand is yours and where did you get it?

But let me clarify first.  When do you experience a problem?  Is it when you connect the player to the transformer or when you connect the transformer to the AC outlet of your house?  What do you connect first?

[morning]

What is important if you decide to use and AVR is not to use those cheaper computer AVRs.

On a similar note, make sure the transformer you are using are made by a reputable company.  What brand is yours and where did you get it?

But let me clarify first.  When do you experience a problem?  Is it when you connect the player to the transformer or when you connect the transformer to the AC outlet of your house?  What do you connect first?

To answer your question, I have already used two brands of transformer first is Powerpac (with switch) and the other one is Panther (direct).  First i plug in the BD player to the transformer then I plugged the transformer to the wall socket.  But the tripping of current happens when i unplugged the transformer from the wall socket for quite sometime and then plug it again, that is when i experience trip of the current.  And discovering that the transformer is already burned.

So If I use a branded AVR, I will no longer use a transformer? Is this correct?  And when the tripping of current occurs, the AVR will not be burned only the fuse? Correct me if I'm wrong.  I'm thinking of not pulling the plug anymore and not switching off the AVR, will just leave it on stand-by mode, is this ok?

But I also realize that my first transformer already has a fuse on it but still the current trips and the fuse was not affected...why is it so?

[markcrenz]

medyo mahirap sagutin why. but here's another theory: di kaya nakagat ng daga ang power cord ng bdp mo at may instances na nagdidikit kaya nasusunog ang transformer? similar thing happened to me before, nagpo-protect ang amp ko yun pala nginatngat ng daga ang speaker wires kaya shorted. check mo rin. kung ayos ang wires pa-recheck mo na lang bdp mo. better yet bring it to a specialist shop and have the root cause of the problem fixed by experts rather than deciding whether to buy another transformer or avr and worrying that it might fail again. another thing: fire hazard yan!

[morning]

Just wanted to give update lang on this topic.  I decided to buy a higher wattage transformer and it solved the problem.  Now I am enjoying my bluray player with fear of busting anymore.  Thanks to all who give their suggestions.