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“I use the same password for everything, how can I expect to remember all these different logins otherwise?”  Does this sound familiar?  Many folks use the same practices for Internet security that were employed during the 1990s, but in today’s modern environment, these methods are inept.  Just think about the number of websites that you and your business deal with that require separate logins and passwords:

• Nearly every Parts Distributor has their own platform requiring a login to order parts
• Every manufacturer, assuming you are authorized, has their own login/password to look up technical documentation
  –Some have separate apps requiring a login/password to access educational material
• If you are working on warranty calls, the platform to submit your claim
• Third party directories that list your business like Yelp and Yellow pages
• Your accounting software and bank accounts
• Your credit cards

The list goes on and on, and it’s not going to get any simpler.  Many of you may think this doesn’t apply because you call in parts orders or don’t bank online.  However, you are still at risk.  Your banking information is online, your credit card information, your warranty claims, and your part orders are all stored online.   All that information is available to hackers whether you agree to use those services or not.

Let’s lay out a scenario that has happened already.  You have a credit card with Target. You decide not to use any online features, but Target as a company gets hacked.  What hackers tend to do is seize login information.  They are banking on the fact that you use the same login and passwords for other accounts.  Once they have your “master password,” they start trying to use it on other websites, like your bank or social media accounts or your email.  This is how an identity gets stolen, and the ones most at risk are the folks who do not use online features.  They are not getting notifications that someone just accessed their online account and are not being alerted that money has moved from one account to another until it’s too late.  Now you have an uphill battle to recover anything that was stolen, along with having to prove your identity to each affected account.

So what do you do? If you use the same password on everything, you may have a problem. Although nothing is 100% secure, you may consider a password manager service such as Lastpass​. Here are a few of the Lastpass features you receive for a monthly fee:

• Sets up a Master Password for your account.  Even LastPass doesn’t know what it is.  There is a lengthy process on recovering the password if you forget it, but it’s designed to prevent a hacker from accessing your information.
• Helps you generate unique passwords with various characters like C42$%!asdRTW492
  –Now if your Target account is hacked like in our scenario from earlier, there’s no need to panic.  Each password in your LastPass account is different.  Just update to a new password and go about your day.
• The tedious part is adding each website you use to the LastPass Vault. But once you do, you launch every site you want to access from the vault.  It takes you to the page and, in some cases, auto-logs you in.
  –If you are a service manager, this is a HUGE benefit.  You can set up a folder in your vault with all the login/passwords your technicians need (tech support websites, part lookups, etc.) and share the entire    library in a couple clicks.  You can even restrict your employees from seeing the password so they can access the account but not change the password.
  –If you have to let an employee go, you simply unshare the folder. Simple, fast, and the peace of mind knowing your accounts are secured from a disgruntled employee.

Getting a password manager configured is just the first step.  Look for future articles from us as we continue to discuss appliance repair and ways to keep your online accounts secure.

Special thanks to Fred’s Appliance Academy for this valuable tip!

CE Professional Tech Tip Sharing
May 2017

**NOTICE**

Due the danger and complexity of electronics repair, the following shared technical tips are intended for professional reference only. Please refer to manufacturer’s recommendations as Encompass does not guarantee the accuracy, reliability or safety of this information.

Emerson TV,  LC320EM1F
Reason for Service:  Takes many tries to get the set to start
Solution:  Replacing Q1970 and D1979 on the inverter board fixed the set.

Emerson TV,  LC320EM2F
Reason for Service: Dead set, no LED
Solution: Check and replace as necessary:  Q600, K10A50D,  Q601, 2SC2120,  R608, 0.18ohm,  D604, 27V zener, D607, NTE177,  D610,  36V zener,  D640, SK2B 

Hitachi TV, 60SDX88B
Reason for Service:  Shuts down
Solution: Q777, Q657 and EP98

Mitsubishi TV, WS55413
Reason for Service: Shuts down when you power on with error 2-2
Solution: On the main board, replaced open fuse F9B01, IC9B02, 270P668020 and D9B07,  264P484030.

Philips TV, 42PFL3704D/F7
Reason for Service:  Set clicks when you plug it in, but won’t turn on
Solution:  Replacing the Digital Main Board fixed the set.  A91H5MMA-002 

Sharp TV, LC32D47U
Reason for Service: Set requiring password, but customer has forgotten it.
Solution:  Initialize set to out-of-box state. While holding down the volume down and input on the set, plug it in.  When you see a ‘K’ on the screen, let the buttons go, then hold down volume and channel on the set.  You should see initialize on the second page. When you see a green screen, unplug the set. 

Sony TV, DA4
Reason for Service:  Shuts down intermittently or will not power up at all
Solution: Was not the MCX3001DB repair.  Replacing the inrush relay, RY6502 fixed the set.

Westinghouse TV, LD-4655VX
Reason for Service:  No backlights
Solution: Set known to have short problems on the ribbons to the LED strips.  Disassemble, inspect and insulate anywhere the ribbons are touching metal.

**NOTICE**
Due the danger and complexity of electronics repair, the following shared technical tips are intended for professional reference only.
Please refer to manufacturer’s recommendations as Encompass does not guarantee the accuracy, reliability or safety of this information. 

This tech tip addresses Whirlpool Cabrio washer bearing replacement when the inner basket is seized/frozen. A customer may call stating that his/her washer is making a lot of abnormal sounds in the spin cycle. As the technician, you arrive at the home and find the tub bearing to have failed, causing the abnormal loud sounds during the spin cycle. The customer is quoted for the repair and agrees to have the unit fixed. After returning from the truck with parts, tools and floor protection, you find that the inner basket is seized/frozen to the drive shaft. By following the steps below, you should have no problem repairing the unit to get it to perform back to normal factory operation.

Take your time, and remove the wash plate and tub ring first. You’ll then want to secure the lid using a bungee cord or painter’s tape. Next, lay down plenty of floor protection and place the unit on top. Remove the rotor and stator assembly to access the drive shaft nut. Once the nut is exposed, use a blue lock nut plate and a pair of channel lock pliers.

Once the nut is removed, use a mini sledge hammer to remove the drive shaft and basket assembly as one piece using the mini sledge on the bottom of the drive shaft to remove the shaft out of the bearings. Once the basket and shaft are free, hit the top of the shaft with the sledge hammer to free the shaft from the basket. After all the old parts are removed from the unit, thoroughly clean the basket where it slides down over the shaft using a scrubbing sponge to remove all debris.

Now that all the hard work is done, follow the information in this video to reassemble the unit. Follow each step carefully, and test the unit with a load of six towels in a rinse and spin cycle looking for abnormal sounds and any possible leaks. This type of call may take some time out of your day and put you behind, but it’s a good money maker especially if you stock the parts and tools in the truck.

Special thanks to Fred’s Appliance Academy for these valuable tips!

Consumer Electronics Professional Tech Tip Sharing
April 2017

**NOTICE**

Due the danger and complexity of electronics repair, the following shared technical tips are intended for professional reference only. Please refer to manufacturer’s recommendations as Encompass does not guarantee the accuracy, reliability or safety of this information.

Hitachi TV, 57UWX20B
Reason for Service: No video
Solution: Found L306 open, replacing fixed the set.

Mitsubishi TV, LT-52246
Reason for Service:  Dead, no standby
Solution: Found two bad resistors on the power board:  R9A19 and R9A20.  Both 68kohm

Panasonic Plasma, TCP50S30
Reason for Service:  Shuts down with 8 blink code
Solution:  Discovered loose ground screws on the SS board.  Replacing them with Panasonic kit XYN3+F6FJ-18PK fixed the set.

Philips TV, 50PFP5332D/37
Reason for Service: Set powers on with the run light, but panel doesn’t prime
Solution:  Replacing the logic control board fixed this set.

RCA TV, F36650,  ATC113
Reason for Service: Partial loss of vert on top and bottom; has white lines in picture
Solution: Replaced DF01,  #155276.

Samsung TV, LN32C540
Reason for Service:  Has standby, but nothing works
Solution: Common problem is CM808 in the power supply board.  0.018 polyethylene/800V cap (18nF), use a higher voltage.

Viewsonic TV, N3252W
Reason for Service:  No video, sound okay
Solution:  Replacing the T-Con fixed the set:  320WA01

Vizio TV,  SV471XVT
Reason for Service:  Won’t come on.  In standby, amber logo is visible, but nothing happens after that.
Solution: Check two 470uF/35V caps on the inverters.  Replace as needed.

Vizio TV,  VX37LHDTV10A
Reason for Service:  Power comes on with backlight, but no audio, video or OSD.  Logo does turn to white.
Solution: Replacing U7, AMC1117 and U9, K1117 fixed the set.

**NOTICE**

Due the danger and complexity of electronics repair, the following shared technical tips are intended for professional reference only.
Please refer to manufacturer’s recommendations as Encompass does not guarantee the accuracy, reliability or safety of this information.

When servicing a Gas or Electric dryer, no matter the complaint, a technician should always first make sure the unit is unplugged or turned off at the breaker to prevent accidental short or electric shock. Dryers have many moving parts, such as rollers, idler pulleys, rear drum bearings, motors and blower wheels that need maintenance and inspection during each service call.

There are many things that can cause one or more of the components listed above to fail.  For example, excessive lint built up inside the unit that is abrasive to the bearings in the motor, and rollers. When servicing or maintaining the bearings and rollers make sure to only use a 3 in 1 turbine oil like ​Zoom Spout​.  Never use just any grease as the lint will stick to the grease causing the component to bind or seize. If the component is making a noise, it has failed and by just lubricating to cure the noise is only band-aiding the issue for a short time and the part will need to be replaced.

When it comes to maintaining or replacing the rear drum bearing in the GE (some models) or Frigidaire models, it is important to apply a good amount of white lithium grease to help maintain the lifespan of the new or old part. The white lithium grease should only be applied to the rear bearing.

Good practice when servicing dryers is as follows:

• Check venting making sure the customer has proper vent: for example, semi-rigid, galvanized steel or aluminum with the proper elbows attached (no plastic or foil venting as they are considered fire hazards).
• Check all moving parts and apply the correct lubricant (white lithium grease for rear bearings and 3 in 1 turbine oil for rollers and pulleys).
• If the part is making noise, replace.
• Vacuum out the unit with a Shop Vac to clear all excessive lint that builds up on the floor and inside the blower.
• Check lint filter by running under water, checking for restrictions built up from too much fabric softener. Use soft bristled brush to clean the filter of any fabric softener. Check airflow of the unit outside and advise customer if venting needs cleaning; this should be done about once a year.
• For electric units, check cord for heat marks on the terminal blockand prongs.
• For gas units, check to make sure gas shutoffs and lines are updated.

Following these steps will not only increase the lifespan of the unit, but will also satisfy customers by demonstrating you care by taking the extra time to be thorough.

Special thanks to Fred’s Appliance Academy for these valuable tips.

**NOTICE**

Due the danger and complexity of electronics repair, the following shared technical tips are intended for professional reference only. Please refer to manufacturer’s recommendations as Encompass does not guarantee the accuracy, reliability or safety of this information.

Hitachi TV, 60SX2K
Reason for Service:  Loss of audio in the surround mode only
Solution:  Replaced defective three-way surround board.

LG plasma, 50PA4500-UMAW-DUHR
Reason for Service:  Plays okay for a short while, then LG logo appears and no buttons work.
Solution: Check to see if C802 has turned black; if so, replace it.  22nF/1250V

Mitsubishi TV, LT-52246
Reason for Service:  Dead, no standby
Solution: Found two bad resistors on the power board:  R9A19 and R9A20.  Both 68k ohm.

Philips TV, 50PFP5332D/37
Reason for Service: Just clicks when you plug set in.
Solution: Found several bad caps on power supply board: DC8404, 8405, 8413 & 8414, all 680uF/50V and DC8013,  1000uF/16V.

Sanyo TV, DP50747
Reason for Service:  Turns off while playing
Solution:  Found bad solder on Q110, and replaced three domed caps.  C175, C176 & C177,  2200uF/10V.

Sony TV,  KDL40V4100
Reason for Service:  Picture very bright; bright control has no effect
Solution:  This one was a bad panel.

Toshiba TV, 62HMX94
Reason for Service:  Bad lamp (shattered); installing new lamp did not fix the set. Crackling noise in ballast area.
Solution:  Replacing the ballast allowed the set to work with the new bulb.

Vizio TV, VX37LHDTV10A
Reason for Service: Set will turn on with back light, but no Video, Audio or OSD.  Logo turns white.
Solution: Found regulator U5 bad, AMC1117.