[SOLVED] LE37B550 --> B650 by changing PCB

[sbav1]

Ok so I've got a LE40B652T4WXXU PCB on order which I believe it CI, will post back with results when I get it

Interesting idea, probably worth a try. A little bit risky, though.
50Hz vs 100Hz shouldn't be a big problem by itself; B650 mainboard is in principle able to drive 50Hz panels.
But, AFAIRC, there are multiple panel connector variants in B530/B550/B6XX. By general rule, they are not necessarily interchangeable.
LVDS connectors might be seemingly identical (most likely 51pins in B-series), but there is substantial risk involved: LVDS connector pinout might be completely different for your B530 panel.

The same warning applies for mainboard <-> power board connector. It's 30pin connector in many LCD B-series models, but pin-out is not always identical.

So, please be extra careful; otherwise you may see some smoke .

[twisted89]

Thanks for the heads up, it did not occur to me that the pin outs might be different, I had a look at a picture of the new board and saw all the same cables so assumed they would be fine.
Do you know anyway to check if they are the same? Of anywhere documenting the pin layouts?
Also I made a typo and I actually have a b550.

[sbav1]

Do you know anyway to check if they are the same? Of anywhere documenting the pin layouts?

Checking/comparing service manuals for both models will be a great start. Original (Chelsea based) B550/B650 service manual is easy to find ( just google "samsung N68A chassis), e.g.:
http://www.filestube.com/6d4c7a2aaa2f33 ... x-67x.html (it's a little outdated, but your new LE40B652T4WXXU mainboard shouldn't be very much different).

No idea about service manual availability for 'revised' (Saturn4 based) B550 model.. Anyone?

Also I made a typo and I actually have a b550.

That's much, much better (I see you posted an exact model number in subject, I just overlooked that, sorry).
IMO, there is a pretty good chance it will work without any smoke involved

BTW, can you check part numbers for:
1) panel (i.e. FRC/T-con & panel combo)
2) IP (power/inverter) board
in your TV?

How many pins are there in 'IR & function' connector (10 pins, 12 pins) ?

[twisted89]

Ok I think I got everything you asked for, I'm quite new to the whole TV hacking so sorry if it isn't totally correct. If it is wrong just say and I'll try again! took some pictures as well encase there's anything I missed or got wrong:

1) panel: T370HW02/37L6AF1C (first image is a bit blurry but you can still see the model codes)




2) IP: H37F1-9SS
BN44-00262A



wasn't totally sure as to which one the 'IR & function' connector was but I think its 12 and I took a picture of the one I looked at:

[sbav1]

1) panel: T370HW02/37L6AF1C

Most important LVDS connector pins (12V panel power, etc.) are in the same places for both versions (B550 panel: T370HW02 VC, B650 panel: T370HW02 VE). But there are some notable differences as well. I think it rather shouldn't explode or something , but is there a chance it will work properly?
Curiously, I found 50Hz panel string "37L6AF1C" in B650 firmware (v2005.0 non-CIP+, in Factory.dat and exeDSP binary), so perhaps there is a chance it might actually work with the right settings. Obviously, B650 firmware will be unable to detect FRC hardware on 50Hz panel T-con board. I have no idea how it will behave in such circumstances.

2) BN44-00262A

In my LE37B650T2W, power/inverter board is "BN44-00262B". According to many (but who knows how trustworthy ?) internet sources, BN44-00262A/B boards are interchangeable.
Yet, I noticed that BN44-00262A is also used in some LE37B530 models; in LExxB530 service manual, power connector pinout is an exact reverse of the B650 pinout.
Beware of the Samsung service manual inconsistencies . Maybe it's just different numbering scheme (???). I guess you need to ensure that before connecting any cables; 30-pin power cable (mainboard side) should follow B650 service manual pinout exactly. With power board connected to mains, and 30-pin power cable not connected to the mainboard, there should be 5V on pin 27 ("A5V"). Do you have a multimeter? If measurement on pin 27 is 5V, I think you are on the reasonably safe side .

wasn't totally sure as to which one the 'IR & function' connector was but I think its 12 and I took a picture of the one I looked at

It's 12pin all right, but I'm not sure those connectors are fully compatible on hardware level in B550 / B650 models . On my B650 mainboard, it is a little bit different [picture attached].
AFAIRC, B550 have traditional panel keys, while B650 have "touch sensitive" keys (?). According to service manual, B650 IR & function pinout is:

Code: Select all

1   IR
2   GND
3   A3.3V
4   LED_STB
5   BUZZER
6   KEY_INPUT1
7   KEY_INPUT2
8   MSDA_5V
9   A5V
10  MSCL_5V
11  LED_CNTR
12  A5V

[twisted89]

Ok so I've got a multimeter but will be a couple of days before I have the time to test it out and check pin 27 for its output.
As for the IR & function connection mine is a little different with:

Code: Select all

1   IR
2   GND
3   A5v
4   LED_STB
5   NC
6   KEY_INPUT1
7   KEY_INPUT2
8   GND
9   A5V
10  NC
11  GND
12  12 NC

Although I have touch keys on the bezel like a b650 and not traditional panel keys.
Also do you know where pin 1 and pin 30 are on the IP board as looking at the wiring layout its hard to tell which one is which as the table listing the pins doesn't say unless I assume pin 1 is the top left one when looking at the IP board when attached to the TV as in the table?

Code: Select all

1	GND			16	5V
2	GND			17	5V
3	DET_5V		18	5V
4	NC			19	GND
5	PWM_DIMMING	20	GND
6	GND			21	GND
7	SW_INVERTER	22	GND
8	ANA_DIMMING	23	12VS
9	13V			24	12VS
10	13V			25	GND
11	13V			26	GND
12	GND			27	A5V
13	GND			28	GND
14	GND			29	SW_POWER
15	5V			30	FRC_M_SYND

[sbav1]

Ok so I've got a multimeter but will be a couple of days before I have the time to test it out and check pin 27 for its output.
As for the IR & function connection mine is a little different with:

Code: Select all

1   IR
2   GND
3   A5v
4   LED_STB
5   NC
6   KEY_INPUT1
7   KEY_INPUT2
8   GND
9   A5V
10  NC
11  GND
12  12 NC

Although I have touch keys on the bezel like a b650 and not traditional panel keys.

There is A3V instead of A5V on pin 3 on B650, but IMO it's close enough , shouldn't be too dangerous to test it as it is.

Also do you know where pin 1 and pin 30 are on the IP board as looking at the wiring layout its hard to tell which one is which

I don't know that unfortunately; on mainboard side they are nicely labeled . But I guess instead you can closely compare power connectors on both B550/B650 boards, looking for pin clusters (pins 9-11: 13V, 15-18: 5V, 19-22: GND etc.). If pin layout looks identical, or nearly identical on both mainboards ( and power connector itself is not reversed), we can assume they are interchangeable.

[twisted89]

was it the pin outputs from the IP board that I needed to check or the output from the cable leading from the IP board? as I Just went to test the board with my multimeter and noticed that all the pin outputs are labelled on the board, not sure how I missed this before! and according to the layout pin 27 is 5 volts although when comparing the rest to the ones described in the manual they seem to be reversed... I've attached a picture so you can see what I mean.



Also just an idea, but if it is the reverse of a bn44-00262b board would it be possible to simply cut off the plastic bits on the side of the cable to stop it from getting put in the wrong way round then plug it in upside down?

[sbav1]

was it the pin outputs from the IP board that I needed to check or the output from the cable leading from the IP board? as I Just went to test the board with my multimeter and noticed that all the pin outputs are labelled on the board, not sure how I missed this before! and according to the layout pin 27 is 5 volts although when comparing the rest to the ones described in the manual they seem to be reversed... I've attached a picture so you can see what I mean.

That's good, power-board-side pinouts of BN44-00262B and BN44-00262A are seemingly identical. Mainboard-side power connector pinout is most likely reversed for both B550 and B650 mainboards (power board pin3 "Stb5.3V" becomes mainboard pin27 "A5V").

For extra safety you can compare power connectors on both mainboards, etc.
Standby 5V should appear on mainboard-side connector on pin 27 (A5V) for B650 board.

[twisted89]

haha it worked! And so far I cant see any problems When I first hooked it up the remote didn't seem to work correctly but unplugged it then plugged it back in and it all works great .
Thanks so much for all your help, couldn't have done it without this forum and especially sbav1.
Now time to mess around with it and try some games, attempt to hack it with samygo ect.... Will post back with any issues which occur and successes.

and here are some pics showing it working: