Pioneer D-07 DAT dead vacuum fluorescent display repair

The failure of these vacuum fluorescent displays is apparently quite common in this generation of equipment, because these displays can in fact wear out. Another reason is that the "high voltage" needed to drive the display can often fail.
In the first case, you need to replace the display, which is not easy. However, in the seconds instance, repairing a supply failure can be quite straight-forward.
Which case do I have here? We'll see.
FYI, lots of inspiration and ideas for this repair is owed to 12voltvids, especially the following video:
• Troubleshooting vacuum...
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Full info on this model:
www.hifiengine.com/manual_lib...
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[@GeorgeChristofi]

I love a seemingly complex problem turn into a simple fix. Great Repair.

[@nathanbrown8530]

I very rarely reply to KZbin videos, but this was excellent. It solved a challenge I have been having for weeks. I do like 12VoltVideo's channel that you reference, but your very clear communication approach, including a well shot and clear view of the board, schematics, and easy to follow explanation of these schematics was some of the best I've seen (and I have spent tons of time learning stuff via KZbin and forums). Hats off to you sir. This video will help many people for years to come.

[@hicknopunk]

I have one freaky VFD which used to be mostly blue with some red. After using it for 30 years, it began to fade and it got to where it was so dim, I could only see it in the dark. About a year later when I turned it on once, the display came back with eye bleeding brightness. Ths blue became a bright white, the orange a very deep red. Another decade later and it is still very bright, but not as bad.

[@autoarcheologist]

Super helpful explanation. I’m chasing a bad display on an Onkyo receiver and will check for the negative voltages. I found the AC filament voltage is good.

[@richardsteinbeck2429]

Super video and well explained. My pioneer had exactly the same problem. With the help of your video, the display will now shine again. Many thanks and best regards from Switzerland, Richard

[@dougmcartin3881]

As that famous engineer from down under would say, "A thing of beauty and a joy forever." The first commandment of electronic troubleshooting stills applies, "Thou shalt take voltage measurements before all else." Well done.

[@phillipyannone3195]

Excellent bit of trouble shooting there. A pleasure to watch and learn.

[@lyntonprescott3412]

Great job. Well deduced. I have watched most of Dave’s videos too. Very clever chap who can fix almost anything, especially TVs which was his bread and butter for many years. Had a bit of a yarn with him a while ago about Mullard valves which used to be made in the town I grew up in.

[@davidwhite9751]

I have consulted this excellent video again as I am tinkering with another receiver that has a dim display. Despite your logical explanation, I found the bias between the plate and filaments discussion (at about 16min50sec) puzzling, until I redrew the circuit diagram in a text-book format, with the zener diode, on its end, current limiting resistor above, and the load (in my case, the centre tap of the transformer secondary feeding the filaments), to the right. This tip may be useful to other subscribers who find some of the circuit design a bit of a puzzle. I hope this video remains posted for many years, as its relevance continues to be valid. Owners want to keep their cherished vintage equipment out of the landfill.

[@goncalodumas]

Thanks for sharing, loved the walkthrough process.

[@brettkaufman2299]

Thank you! I really like the way you explain things -- very helpful in learning electronics.

[@bugdrvr]

Very nice repair. I wonder how many perfectly good units were condemned as having faulty displays when it was a power supply problem all along. Glad you got this one up and running.

[@rossthompson1635]

Nice fix, and a good shout out to 12voltvids. I really like the way that many of the channels I enjoy reference each other, creates a really good worldwide community atmosphere - the internet showing its very best side!

[@DavidTipton101]

That's a great fix EOaN. Great explanation too. Most surprising was I keep up with you 😃 That is a brilliant piece of equipment, makes me want to build a HiFi system like we had back then 😊😉

[@wingho5751]

Thank you very much ~ my d-07 screen problem fix!

[@mohanperera]

Thank you for sharing the video and your knowledge. I had a similar issue with my Pioneer SX-312R. The ac supply from the transformer was not coming and I added a small transformer for that but still the display was not working. After seeing video, I checked the V(FDP) and very same thing had happened. It works perfectly after replacing the resistor, capacitor and of course the transistor. Thank you again....

[@davidwhite9751]

Very interesting and helpful video. My Yamaha RX-V390 had a dim display. As it turns out, the filament and bias voltages checked out OK, suggesting that the age of the VFD was the problem. Then I noticed that the VFD had a peel-off orange optical filter. I removed it, revealing a blue-green display at an acceptable brightness. Not sure why the optical filter was there, but I'm happy to get a few more years out of this equipment.

[@JacGoudsmit]

This inspired me to try and repair an old 300 CD changer that I once picked up at the Goodwill store, and plays fine but has a weak VFD.

[@danielsaturnino5715]

Well done! Thanks for sharing.

[@clintt5266]

What a great video - thanks! Hopefully I'll be able to fix my Sony using similar tactics.