BeoSound Century – IR Board Blowout!

[machineage]

Hi all!

Why did it take me so long to acquire a BeoSound Century… I LOVE this thing! Got it for my Mum who’s in her 80s, she wants to listen to CDs again… 🥰

I bought it in the knowledge it wasn’t receiving IR instructions. Having done the usual Standby > Sound > 1 > Store without success, I suspected the IR PCB caps, a known issue. Having removed the board, I found this! Looks like R13 (820K) has committed an act of immolation, and R9 (10K) looks to have blown its top! Has anyone come across anything like this before? I wonder what could have caused it?

Thoughts welcome 🙂

[Madskp]

machineage wrote:

Hi all! Why did it take me so long to acquire a BeoSound Century… I LOVE this thing! Got it for my Mum who’s in her 80s, she wants to listen to CDs again… 🥰 I bought it in the knowledge it wasn’t receiving IR instructions. Having done the usual Standby > Sound > 1 > Store without success, I suspected the IR PCB caps, a known issue. Having removed the board, I found this! Looks like R13 (820K) has committed an act of immolation, and R9 (10K) looks to have blown its top! Has anyone come across anything like this before? I wonder what could have caused it? Thoughts welcome 🙂

Yes the Century is a very nice unit. I had one for several years, but parted with it at one time when I started implementing Sonos for streaming music. I might consider getting one again at one point though.

One thought about your issue, the caps a notorius for failing i some of B&O’s IR receivers. I would think that if C4 is failed it could actually be shorted and it could make some trouble for R9 and R13, but I do not know if other parts can affect this or have been affected by it like the IC.

I also notice something between R9 and R13 that looks like corrosion and might be touching another trace. Maybe check if there is a short there, and the scrape it away and clean it.

Hope this can be helpfull and maybe other members can chime in

 

[machineage]

Thanks @Madskp!

I cleaned the board up yesterday, and carried out a few (amateur) tests!

R9 revealed itself as not to have blown its top. I think it was the detritus making it out to be headless. It tested out just over 10K, all good. However R13 was O/C. The track between them was also O/C. Yes, there was some corrosion. I bridged the two resistor pads with a hair’s breath wire! This required a very steady hand, and it’s a good job I’m short-sighted! 🤓

I strapped in a couple of resistors via some wire to make 820K as good as. Alas, it’s still not working. Of the two 22uF caps – in circuit C1 is measuring 12.2uF, and C4 16.4uF. Neither are S/C. I’ll place some on order!

[Madskp]

machineage wrote:

Of the two 22uF caps – in circuit C1 is measuring 12.2uF, and C4 16.4uF. Neither are S/C. I’ll place some on order!

Ok so slightly of specs. interesting to hear if it helps replacing them or if the short on the resistor did more damage than on it self. I could be a little worried about the IC

[machineage]

An update…

Replaced R13, C1 & C4 with SMDs. Powered it up, pressed ‘Standby > Sound > 1 > Store’ on the unit itself, which results in the number 1 briefly making an appearance on the display. Fully expecting no response as per when pressing anything on the BL1000 – I pressed Radio, and it sprung to life – it’s working! 😃

I wonder if the break in the track between R9 & R13 caused an over-current situation in R13?

Anyway, I’ve since removed & disassembled the gearbox & door slider, removed the old grease & applied new grease (Molykote EM-30L), and a new belt. The mechanism is now running very smoothly.

I’ve been enjoying my old CDs again, with the unit set up in my bedroom. There’s something about having a smaller unit like this, set to the side playing music in the background (and LOUDER when one desires!), without having / wanting to fire up the main audio system.

I’ll carry out a couple more jobs, like cleaning the CD lens / mirror, cleaning the fabric frets etc, before handing it over. This is staying in the family, but I’ve become so attached to it, I’ll be getting one for myself!

[Guy]

Great news – thanks for letting us know the outcome, and enjoy the search for your own Century! 😀

[Madskp]

Yes allways good to hear when repairs go well and the end result can be enjoyed 😀

[Author]

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