Re: Monitor Problems

["Warren Ernst" <wernst@gmail.com>]

Mike,

Like I said, I am an amateur monitor repairman of at least 10 years.
I'm repaired at least 8 monitors successfully, out of maybe 12
attempts.

Regarding a charge: a monitor left unpowered for at least a day or so
should have next to no residual energy, but you always need to
discharge the tube before doing any work on ANYTHING on it.

A monitor that was powered on as recently has 45 minutes in the past
still makes a huge ZAP!!!! when you discharge it. From what I hear, the
charge is likely to travel from your right hand to your left hand,
right through your heart, if you are careless. That's where the real
hazard lies.

To safely discharge a tube, you can use: a long screwdriver, a good
lenth of insulated heavy wire with aligator clips on each end, some
insulating gloves (optional, but I always use them.) Here's the
procedure:

1. Unplug the monitor and open the case. Don't touch anything
electronic inside. Optional: get a grounding wire and connect the metal
monitor chassis to an earth-ground. I don't bother with this anymore.

2. Clip the wire to a metal part of the chassis and to the base of the
screwdriver, near the handle.

3. Put on your gloves. Poke the end of the screwdriver under the
suction cup you see attached to the side of the tube (called the
annode). There is a metal clip at the center of the suction cup: make
sure the screwdriver tip touches the metal clip at the center. You may
hear a ZAP!!

4. If the monitor has been powered recently, I usually wait 5 minutes
and do it again, just to discharge any residual energy.

5. If you want, lift the edge of the suction cup to see the center
clip. Then upclip the annode.

6. You're now good to go.

Hope this helps,
Warr


Michael J. Mahon wrote:

> All things considered, I believe we overstate the danger when
> we warn people about monitors.