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How to Check CD Player Laser Output

Hi,

I service TVs & VCRs. My mom asked me to check her Emerson CKD5809 clock radio/CD player. It won't play a CD. I cleaned the lens (looked clean) and checked operation. The CD disk spins. The sled moves and I can see up/down movement of the laser unit.

Do you know a technique or device for determining if there is output of the laser? Note: What I use for VCRs & Remotes doesn't respond.

Thanks in advance, Brad

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Reply to
Brad
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Well you read the FAQ,

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Sam goes into what's involved in the thing even moving, and I suspect the explanation will help.

Michael

Reply to
Michael Black

I think you've already diagnosed the problem. :) They are built about as cheaply possible.

They probably should if they simply read IR, but the laser will only be for any length of time if there is a disc in place with component units (not portables).

Right. :)

In general, most people will see the output of the laser as a tiny red dot of light in the lens if safely viewed from an oblique angle a foot or more away. This won't tell you whether the output power is acceptable though.

--- sam | Sci.Electronics.Repair FAQ:

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Repair | Main Table of Contents:
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+Lasers | Sam's Laser FAQ:
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| Mirror Sites:
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Important: Anything sent to the email address in the message header above is ignored unless my full name AND either lasers or electronics is included in the subject line. Or, you can contact me via the Feedback Form in the FAQs.

Reply to
Sam Goldwasser

I had one that had an adjustment on the laser board. when I adjusted it I could get some playback but it was bad enough that I couldn't make it workable. Never replaced as JVC made me not want to buy one at $98.

Reply to
bill

Bingo.

I repaired a CD player alarm clock for a friend..and was a little suprised at what I found,but not much.

Complaint #1 It hums,always has. Complaint #2 It suddenly quit reading/playing CD's.

The 16V filter capacitors had buldged,and dried up.. Sure enough,the raw voltage across them was closer to 18.5-19Vdc. Pop in a couple 25V caps,and it was golden. Removed the hum she had been complaining about also.It had been humming since the day she bought it.

Reply to
PhattyMo

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