Very noisy monitor.

[MoreEbolaForYou]

Hi, I just got my first arcade cab from a friend, and I don't really know much about them. It wasn't in working condition when I got it from him, but I've since got it up and running. It's a MKII machine in a converted cab, not sure what game was in it before, but anyway, the monitor is has a very loud hum or buzz. It changes in pitch sometimes, and occassionaly when you are playing the game it flickers a little bit. When the machine is running there's some sort of glow coming from the back of the tube, which dare i say, almost looks like a blue spark arcing between the metal plate and a metal box. I really have no idea what's going on here, any ideas? I've already played it for hours, and besides the buzzing and occasional flicker, everything seems fine.

[Arcade Antics]

When the machine is running there's some sort of glow coming from the back of the tube

Normal...

which dare i say, almost looks like a blue spark arcing between the metal plate and a metal box...

NOT normal. It shouldn't be arcing - if it really looks like that, unplug it and leave it OFF until someone can help you determine what the problem is. My guess is that it isn't arcing - if it had been, the monitor would have sustained some pretty serious damage already.

Is there anything else odd - any odd smells, smoke, anything?

[MoreEbolaForYou]

yeah, it's not some sort of wild lighting bolt looking like a jacobs ladder or something, so maybe i shouldn't have said "arc", but it's definitely odd looking. i will try to get a picture of it later perhaps.

no smoke, but now that you mention it, it may smell a little weird.

i already keep it unplugged when it's not being played, so i'm not afraid i'm going to burn down the house or anything.

[tholly]

like everyone said...blue is bad, glow is normal, pic is needed

but, are you sure the weird smell isnt just age, dirt, mildew, etc...

now, if it smells like smoke, burning etc then you have a problem

if it just smells bad, it may have some water in the wood or just from age

[MoreEbolaForYou]

so this blue 'arc' thing is a known thing? i'm not going crazy here? it's loud as hell when the thing is on. i'll try to get a picture later.

[Arcade Antics]

so this blue 'arc' thing is a known thing?

It's a known BAD thing, yes. To reiterate, it shouldn't be happening. And if it is, it's extremely unsafe.

i'm not going crazy here?

We're not qualified to comment on that.

i'll try to get a picture later.

That would most certainly help, but if it's arcing like you say it is, I wouldn't stand too close. And for safety's sake, keep one hand in your pocket at all times.

[tholly]

i'm not going crazy here?

unlike arcade antics, i can comment, cuz im a psychology major...so thats like a psychologist....and yes, you are going crazy.....check yourself into a mental hospital right now.....hurry...i know the voices in your head are telling you to

[FABombjoy]

Sounds like corona discharge from the anode lead. Does it resemble anything described here:

http://repairfaq.ece.drexel.edu/REPA...html#TVFAQ_011

[MoreEbolaForYou]

hmm sounds similar. that's actually what my brother told me also, he's had to repair the monitor on a cnc at his work and said it had a similar problem. he was told to just clean the suction cup and then put a coat of vaseline over it.

only one problem, the arc isn't coming from the suction cup. i'm really going to try to get a picture tonight...although work on this might slow down, since yesterday i bought 6 cabs, a pinball machine, and a dart mahcine in a lot, but that's all for another thread...

[DogP]

Yeah, a picture of where it's happening would be very helpful... I'm assuming you're talking about arcing from the flyback though, which does happen if they flyback cracks... it's not good, and you should either replace the flyback, or use some silicone caulk stuff to fill/cover the crack (it usually works, and when the stuff dries, it's a very good insulator).

DogP

[DogP]

Just got my weekly email from MCM... noticed this: http://mcm.newark.com/NewarkWebComme...KU=20-2575&N=4 ... that looks like the "right" way to rig an arcing flyback since it specifically talks about fixing that problem... although I've never heard of problems from using regular caulk.

DogP

[MoreEbolaForYou]

still trying to find time to get a picture. it's definitely arcing though.