CurtPalme.com Home Theater Forum

MacDad22 · Joined: 22 Jan 2008 Posts: 3

Hello all-

I greatly enjoy this forum and have loved my G70 for seven years now. About two months ago I did the Fan mod as prescribed on this web site. Post modifications, which now I love the quietness of the G70, I have an intermitent an issue that occurs usually after the projecter had been on for an hour and either watching hi def sports or xbox. The CRT shuts down and comes up with error code 29 and sometimes 23 then 29. The projector will turn back on with the remote after several tries but within 20 minutes it usually happens again. Any ideas? I used the exact fans from the procedure.

Also I need to get new tubes, as my blue has some burn in that is affecting the picture very slightly. I have and continue to really enjoy my CRT projector, but I'm beginning to wonder if maybe I should throw in the flag and get a JVC RS2 or something.

Thanks,

Chris

**AnalogRocks** · Posted: Tue Jan 22, 2008 3:13 am Post subject:

Have a look here:

http://www.curtpalme.com/docs/SonyG70_Error_Codes.pdf

Code 23: an abnomality in the 50volt line
Code 29: abnomality of the power line on the B board

probably related. Maybe the power supply is over heating from the fan mod? Just guessing...

**Curt Palme** · Posted: Tue Jan 22, 2008 3:19 am Post subject:

Having seen a number of thermal failures in the G70 lately, a fan mod (unless it's to INCREASE air flow) is strongly NOT recommended by me.

ecrabb · Posted: Tue Jan 22, 2008 3:43 am Post subject:

Given what Curt said about seeing thermal failures and that you just did the fan mod, and that your shutdown happens an hour or so after you turn the projector on, and then happens again shortly thereafter, it sure sounds heat-related to me. One easy way to tell would be to put your OEM fans back in and use it for awhile and see what happens. Of course, if some part was borderline, the additional heat load from the reduced airflow could have been the proverbial 'nail in the coffin'.

Your post is particularly timely, because I was just getting ready to order the SilenX fans from Newegg to do the mod (I have an OEM fan that's failing). Now that I read your post (and Curt's advice), I think I'll look for a couple of OEM replacements instead. I'm putting a hushbox on it, anyway which should actually keep the projector cooler than it would be in the open air.

As for 'upgrading' to an RS2, I can think of better things to do with your money. Assuming the heat hasn't damaged a neck card or deflection board, you can buy a blue tube for about $900, and get quite a few more years out of your G70 - let's say 4 for argument's sake. Compare that to dropping $5-large on an RS2 that'll be worth $350 in 4 years when you might be deciding to retire the G70. Keep the other $4k and save it for 2-3 years from now when something is out that will be superior to the RS2 - for 1/2 the money. That's my opinion.

SC

MacDad22 · Joined: 22 Jan 2008 Posts: 3

Thanks to all of you for replying. Can you describe in detail the husbox?

Chris

**Curt Palme** · Posted: Tue Jan 22, 2008 3:56 am Post subject:

ecrabb · Posted: Tue Jan 22, 2008 5:07 am Post subject:

Here's a thread from last year where a few guys were discussing - in great detail, I might add - the G70 fan mods:
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=788782

Even our very own Kal was in on the discussion having modded his Zenith/Cine 8. He had poor results from the aftermarket fans, too and reinstalled the OEM fans.

Hey Chris - Did you use the SilenX 14's or the 18's? Even the 18's are way underrated, I think after reading that thread. The 14's would be bad news for sure.

I'm back to thinking I don't want to mod the fans at all now, but if Curt doesn't have them, I have no friggin' idea where to get an OEM fan to replace the flakey one I have. The damn thing only has 150 hours on it, but I suppose after sitting idle for the better part of 10 years unused, the bearings/race have developed a gooey spot or something. Curt, do you have an OEM fan from a parts chassis by chance?

Chris, a hushbox just wraps the projector in a box to absorb the fan noise - and attenuate it. It's pretty involved because you have to have an exhaust fan to remove the warm air from the box, and the exhaust fan must be sized properly. Not exactly an afternoon project, but it is absolutely necessary for a quiet projector.

Kal's hushbox:
http://www.curtpalme.com/Hushbox1.shtm

A whiz-bang example:
http://www.curtpalme.com/HushboxSupercooled1.shtm

Curt, now that I think about it, you should probably consider adding your warning/recommendation regarding G70 cooling modifications in red right at the top of the G70 fan mod page. This afternoon, I was ready to pull the trigger on the SilenX fans to do the mod figuring it was totally kosher, but after reading your comments and doing a little research this evening, I think I'm going to stick with the OEM fans - assuming I can find a replacement.

Thanks guys!
SC

**AnalogRocks** · Posted: Tue Jan 22, 2008 5:17 am Post subject:

Isn't it Ile that has a hush box around a dropped projector?

ecrabb · Posted: Tue Jan 22, 2008 5:18 am Post subject:

Oh, yeah - the crazy formed 'dark helmet' fiberglass wrap-around thing... I think you're right.

SC

**AnalogRocks** · Posted: Tue Jan 22, 2008 5:25 am Post subject:

Hey that was way to easy to find!

Have a look here: https://www.curtpalme.com/forum_archived/viewtopic.php@t=7330.html

fireanimal · Joined: 17 Jul 2007 Posts: 231 Location: Stayner, ON

I would recommend these fans for a replacement for the OEM fans on the G70, I would not do a fan mod ever, they only way to greatly decrease fan noise, is a decrease in air flow, I do not like SilentX fans, and I think they have greatly overrated specs from comparing them to other fans will building computers. I have had 40 cfm fans that move more air than a SilentX rated at twice that.

http://www.frozencpu.com/products/2480/fan-18/Panaflo_M1A_120mm_Fan.html?tl=g36c15s562

**Curt Palme** · Posted: Tue Jan 22, 2008 4:30 pm Post subject:

There are disclaimers all over the site. My above post is MY opinion, yours may vary. I didn't write up any fan mod articles here at all, any non Curt articles are usually credited somewhere in the writeup.

fireanimal · Joined: 17 Jul 2007 Posts: 231 Location: Stayner, ON

I agree with you, and fans should only be replaced if they are the same rating or better. The panaflo fans are excellent HIGH CFM fans, and would increase air flow from the stock G70 fans. Manufactures and Engineers spec these things for a reason, electronics worst enemy is heat.

Axatax · Posted: Tue Jan 22, 2008 4:38 pm Post subject:

**Curt Palme** · Posted: Tue Jan 22, 2008 4:46 pm Post subject:

Turns out I have one too, but take Axatax's.

ecrabb · Posted: Tue Jan 22, 2008 5:51 pm Post subject:

Curt, I know your opinion on the fan mod is just your opinion, but I tend to weigh your opinion pretty heavily, as I'm sure many others here do. You see borked projectors all the time, you know what typically fails - and probably why most of the time, and you fix them. So, when you say you wouldn't mod the fans because you'd be concerned about heat, I'm going to listen to you.

Now, as for a disclaimer... The way I read your disclaimer, it basically says that if we screw up our projector doing these things, don't cry to you about it 'cause it ain't your fault... That's fine, and a necessary and excellent warning - you're excluding yourself from liability. A warning, though would say, "I think this mod is a bad idea because it's bad for your projector, and here's why." It's an advisory - your expert advice - as a repair tech. See how the two are different? You're hosting (and by enlarge basically supporting) a modification which you don't recommend anyone actually do to their projectors.

I know I would have dismissed the fan mod summarily had I known your feelings on the mod before you posted in the thread. I'm just guessing, but I bet the OP would be of the same opinion.

Oh hey - any luck finding a mounting plate?

Axatax - that rocks. I sent you a PM.

SC

**Curt Palme** · Posted: Tue Jan 22, 2008 6:25 pm Post subject:

Keep in mind though that I've only seen heat related failures of G70s in about the last 2-3 months. That mod has been up for over a year. That's the problem with mods. Without significant R&D, you can't determine whether some aftermarket mod will have long term effects on a set. I know the fan mod on the NEC PG I took apart worked fine, in fact I marvelled at the quietness of the unit when I fired it up.. before I saw the PC board with the regulator on it. As soon as I pulled out the F and C boards, I saw the long term damage that the lack of airflow did.

What I'm seeing now is that even the stock fans don't seem to be doing a good job on areas in the G70. I will put up a disclaimer specifically on the Sony fan mod though.

(sorry, I'm being pissy, I'm on hold with ^%$&^%$ UPS claims department. Again. For a length of time)

Hey, for the fun of it, anyone with a speakerphone, call 1-800-651-2352 ext 4507 and ask to speak to Shawna Wilkerson, the claims supervisor. She's not available right now, so ask to get put on hold. I wonder if a couple of 100 of us get put on hold for hours waiting for dear Shawna at UPS claims, if they'll see a spike in their 800 bill. A non violent protest, so to speak. Very Happy

**Curt Palme** · Posted: Tue Jan 22, 2008 6:33 pm Post subject:

Sumpin' like this:

'Please be aware that many of the modifications on this website have been developed by end users that may lack the R&D to ensure that these mods will not shorten the lifespan of the projector or the components therein. Proceed at your own risk with any repairs or modifications to your CRT projector.'

ecrabb · Posted: Tue Jan 22, 2008 6:35 pm Post subject:

**Curt Palme** · Posted: Tue Jan 22, 2008 6:41 pm Post subject:

Yep, then add all of the set flaws that are inherently built into any piece of electronics that the manufacturer missed (can you say HDM effing I?) and you get a real mess.

I did get through to the 'unavailable' supervisor after 5 minutes, and I enjoyed harassing her for about 10 minutes. I told her that I'd have 100 people waiting for her on hold if I didn't get an answer to my claim question by Thursday.

I think it would be hysterical if a bunch of us actually did that, quote the same claim/waybill number and ask the same question. One phone call right after another for a whole afternoon. Groundhog Day!

'Yes, I'm Curt Palme, can you tell me what's going on here"

Very Happy