[freakaftr8]

Cutting the pins are a good idea, but with all these LG Y and Z sustain boards the IPM''s are a little different on pin configurations. Ususally I find that the 18v supply side seems the same. I made a template out of 303 stainless and with small holes for the pins to protrude, I use a butane torch and pull on the heat sync. Works like a charm. The first time I did this I made a half assed template and scoarched the board on a 50X3 Toshiba branded 50" LG plasma Y sustain board. Then I swapped the Y sustain IPM module. Set still works fine ass the area of scoarching had no bearing of effect on the circuits (luckfully) I tell ya, they made these LG's with big heat syncs but no fans. So I used some of my supply and zip tied a fan to each of the four IPM's. (2 on the Y and 2 on the Z) The upper modules rare the ER (error return) modules. They seem to generate more heat than the Sustain IPM's. Then I wired all four fans to a wall outlet 12v supply I cracked open and wired to the power supply. That will prolong the modules but high rates of frequency will still eventually take them out. That Vizio, along with Toshiba, Zenith, Fujitsu, Sensi, Maxent and some other off the walls are all Korean made LG sets. The only propriatary's that I am aware of are Samsung, Pioneer, and Panasonic. Probably others, but LG sets seem to be the troublesome units when it comes to heat and nil on ventilation.

When it comes to these newer plasma sets, the best thing you could do to prolong your investment is put fans on them and keep the back dust bunny free and cool. If not, two to three years is all you are going to get outta them.

BTW. Pioneer PDP units are made in Japan. (surprisingly)