Hi,
I have an amp which works fine sound-wise, but has no display. The VFD is blank. Doesn't matter what buttons are pushed, I also reset the processor, still nothing. Some suggested it might be in “audio-direct” mode, but its not.
Looking at the Vacuum Fluro Display itself it seems to have everything it needs, it has 6VAC to the cathode (the thin wires running horizontally) and they glow slightly when its powered on, and the processor is sending signals to the other pins for the characters (which is consistent with proper operation). So I have verified the VFD is getting power and the display processor is functioning. Yet still the VFD doesn’t display anything. I thought maybe its not got vacuum, but it has as the black dot in the corner hasn’t turned white (the black dot turns white when the vacuum is broken).
I tested all the components in circuit from the transformer to the VFD, they test fine. Is a simple circuit (maybe 3 resistors and 2 caps).
The only thing odd is the circuit diagram says the VFD cathodes should be -24V, but I’m measuring it at 6VAC. But nothing in the circuit appears to be faulty. The transformer puts out 6 VAC (to power the circuit).
Only thing I can think of is the transformer is putting out 6V, when it should be 24v. But this seems very unlikely. It would either short circuit (and then go open) or just go open circuit.
I’ll post below the circuit diagram (it's quite simple) for the cathode power. Has me perplexed why the display won’t start.
Any help or ideas would greatly appreciated - I'm completely stuck where to go next.