Repair guide for Vu+ Duo red light problem
Even though I do not use my Duo anymore, I decided to replace infamous C807 capacitor with the new one. Capacitor is known to fail after 2 or more years of everyday operation. What happens if capacitor fails? When the receiver is switched on, it does not boot into Enigma. Instead you get permanent red light with black VFD screen.
What do you need?
1. Tool for soldering and soldering iron. Here is my basic kit:
2. Electrical pliers for removal of old capacitor.
3. New capacitor. I bought this one on ebay: 330uf 25v 105c Panasonic FC Low
Process explanation
1. First you need to cut away old capacitor. Be careful not to cut to much as you will solder new capacitor on leftover pins from old capacitor.
2. Prepare your sholdering tool. When ready, apply soldering iron on the tip of the tool.
3. Grab new capacitor and put it on the base of the old capacitor. Make sure that the negative polarity in connected to the white part of the old capacitor base. Negative polarity on capacitor is labeled with “-” signs. Put some soldering iron on the pins of new capacitor and you should be done. Please check pictures below if you are not sure.
4. Power on the receiver and hope that it will boot without any problems. It is recommended to replace old capacitor before red light appears. If you do not, you can risk failure of not only capacitor but also nearby transistors. In such case new capacitor does not help.
For discussion please visit this thread:
Leave a comment
My machine(~2year old) broke down a day ago and was already looking for a new box. I was considering this as a long shot but it worked! Just watched a youtube video on how to solder, bought the capacitator (no idea what i does though), soldered the thing and voila!
Thanks a million! You just saved me a couple of hundred bucks!
Alex
December 21, 2013
Great that my tutorial helped you.
admin
December 30, 2013
Good tutorial. Never soldered on a pcb but bought a soldering kit and a DT64 220µF 50V 105°C Radial Electrolytic Capacitor from Maplin. Taking the extra heat gives it a longer life. Fired up first time. Quicker boot time as well.
Thanks
Alan
January 10, 2014
Your tutorial just saved me about 300€. I was ready to buy a new receiver, but a last minute Google search showed me your blog and …voila!!! My 4yo Vu Duo is alive again!
Thank you very much!!!!
Nick
February 11, 2014
Another success story – Fixed two boxes today and both now work again.
Thanks for this info!!
Niels
April 23, 2014
Great to know that you have good results with this easy fix!
admin
April 24, 2014
Hello,
I got a Vu+ Duo2 stuck in white led.
Do you know if there’s anything like posted in this tutorial do help me?
Thanks in advance!
Nether
August 26, 2014
Sadly no
admin
September 2, 2014
Hi!
Thanks a lot!!!
Have now 3 working box again 😉
One question, I did’t have any 220uF or 330uF, but I had 470uF so I tested to use this one on one box first and it´s worked perfectly so I did the same on the other two box as well, do you think that could be a problem?
Thanks again 😉
Olle
February 8, 2015
Thanx for hint, it really works. I measured the bad condensator and the value was 33uF instead 220uF i change it for the same value but for 105°C and it works well. onew more time thanks ! (y) Petr Nespor
Petr Nespor
April 14, 2015
Brilliant tip! It just works. Thanks!
Jeff
August 16, 2015
Just did this hasn’t worked :/ still same red light – any ideas?
Mo
November 23, 2015
can you tell me which ones the capacitor on the board the board
lyn
March 25, 2016
The capacitor is named C807
Frank
September 16, 2017