First machine, replacing monitor.

[mercatfat]

Hey there.

So, I recently bought myself my first cabinet and almost immediately broke the monitor.

I'm not sure how mad I should be, considering the thing is over 25 years old and clearly has never had a cap kit touch it. In any case, I'm replacing it with a 19 inch Pro Vision, which I don't yet have in hand.

Here's my problem:

The old monitor was an Electrohome (G07, I imagine), and thus required an isolator transformer. The Pro Vision does not. Will this impede my progress in any way? Can I use the same power connector as before? If not, what the heck do I use?

Further, will the monitor connect to the JAMMA unit with the same connector as before?

I guess what I really want to know is how easy the thing is going to be to install, and if it's essentially plug and play to my current setup. I can't figure out how universal it is from any of the diagrams I've found.

On a side note, if anyone in the Seattle area wants the old monitor, it likely just needs a cap kit (and a new HOT) to be good as new. I'd be willing to give it away for basically free.

[mills]

dunno lol

[shawnbo42]

Hey there.

So, I recently bought myself my first cabinet and almost immediately broke the monitor.

Exactly what do you mean, "broke"? As in, broke the neck off the tube? Or, no picture on the screen broke?

I'm not sure how mad I should be, considering the thing is over 25 years old and clearly has never had a cap kit touch it. In any case, I'm replacing it with a 19 inch Pro Vision, which I don't yet have in hand.

And the reason for this is? (if the monitor is physically trashed, I understand, but if it's able to be used, why spend the money?)

Here's my problem:

The old monitor was an Electrohome (G07, I imagine), and thus required an isolator transformer. The Pro Vision does not. Will this impede my progress in any way? Can I use the same power connector as before? If not, what the heck do I use?

You should be able to wire through the transformer without any issuses (someone correct me if I am wrong on this). You also should be ablr to use the same power connector, as long as it plugs in to the new monitor. If it doesn't match up, you should get a new connector (local electronics shop should have these). In theory, you could just twist-tie your power wires together (black to black, white to white) and it will work, just don't let them touch each other or anything else! (Clearly, this is NOT recommended, but for test purposes by someone who knows what they're doing....)

Further, will the monitor connect to the JAMMA unit with the same connector as before?

On a G07, it should. You might need to change the pins for the sync, but the connector should slap right on to the new monitor's RGB input.

I guess what I really want to know is how easy the thing is going to be to install, and if it's essentially plug and play to my current setup. I can't figure out how universal it is from any of the diagrams I've found.

Hard to say without seeing any pics/description of your cab. I've changed 19" monitors on cabinets that are 4 bolts, and plug it in. I have also changed 19" monitors on cabinets where it's changing the mounting frames on the tubes, cutting the wood in the cabinet, changing connectors, wiring extra power in, etc, etc. Best I can tell you is USUALLY on a G07, you shouldn't have too much trouble to change the tube out.

On a side note, if anyone in the Seattle area wants the old monitor, it likely just needs a cap kit (and a new HOT) to be good as new. I'd be willing to give it away for basically free.

Unfortunately, I am in New Englad, otherwise I'd take you up on the offer. I'm sure someone here is out your way. Anyhow, hope some of this info helps you out.

[mercatfat]

Hey, thanks.

I want to replace the entire monitor for better picture quality, and because I'm afraid of saudering. Like, completely terrified of it. Considering I only paid $150 for the cabinet, I'm not hurting over an extra $200 too much.

I removed the monitor today without and difficulty. It bolts in, so from the sounds of what you're saying, this should be a cinch.

Tell me more about what you mean by "changing pins for sync," if you could. I'm not sure what that entails.

It sounds as though the monitor has an actual grounded power plug; by which I mean like, a standard plug that could go into a grounded wall outlet. There is such an outlet inside the cabinet, which I assume I can plug into, as it seems to be powered. Tell me if this is a bad idea.

My setup appears to have a relatively new power unit, so I'm not too worried there. It's an altered Altered Beast cabinet, as far as I can tell, if that means anything.

[shawnbo42]

If you can post pics of the cabinet, especially the monitor area, that would help out some. At least I could see what exactly you are trying to do. When you look at your monitor connections, you'll see two connectors that are your color inputs from the JAMMA harness (I don't recall what pins exactly on the JAMMA tail, if you need them, I can get them to you). One will be 5 pins (I think), and the second is 3 pins. They connect on the G07 kinda near the center of the board right next to each other.

The larger of the two connectors is the RGB input (Red, green, blue color drives), there also will be a video ground wire there.

The smaller, three pin connector is your Syncronization wires. You'll have Vertical Sync (V-sync), Horizontal Sync (H-Sync), and possibly composite sync (most newer monitors use this, also known as comp.sync). Older monitors usually will use one or the other, whereas a newer monitor uses comp sync.

Basically what you do is when you get your new monitor installed, just play with the sync wires until you get the right combination to get a picture on the screen. It won't damage your monitor, it'll just give you distorted picture on the screen. Your VisionPro should be marked right on the circuit board R,G,B,Gnd,Sync (in that order). Those are your color inputs R-Red, G-Green, B-Blue, G/Gnd-Ground, Sync-Monitor Sync. Just plug them in accordingly. (you should be able to use your G07 connector to plug right in to the new monitor. If you have to change the sync pins, use a jeweller's screwdriver, or a precision screwdriver to pop out the pin from the harness, and either let it hang, switch it to another pin (there's only three, so the combinations are limited), or tie it in with the other one together. (Horizontal and Vertical sync twist-tied together to make composite sync).

Anyways, hope this helps you with your project, let me know if there's anything else I can help you with.

[mercatfat]

Thanks a ton.

I just took a look at the wires, and I want to confirm what exactly is up. The one you described as having five pins does have five slots, but there's only a red, green and blue wire in it. From what you're saying, this sounds right, but I just want to make absolutely sure. The small one is a three slot, with a brown on the left side, a yellow on the right, and a second yellow wire that is in the middle, but connects into the yellow wire's slot as well. Is that how comp sync works, or will I need to alter that beast?

I found the mounting diagram, which was in front of my face the entire time on the Happ website, and the looks of the bolts seem to be extremely close to that of the G07. I'll post pictures if I have any trouble, but I'm getting progressively less worried and subsequently much more excited.

Here's a completely oddball question, but still somewhat related. Let's say that I want to learn how to sauder with some amount of skill. Basic stuff like removing items and then replacing stuff. Is there a kit like you used to be able to order from the Tandy Shack catalog that would do the job? I'm the kind of person who learns by doing, but typically messes things up while doing so the first time I do it. So basically, I want a project that I could buy, even if it's technically a project for "kids," that would teach me the basics while actually constructing something worth the effort.

Other small question: When I discharged the monitor, there wasn't so much as a spark or shock when I did it. In fact, the anode actually just popped straight off, so I must have hit it from just the right angle. I tapped the screwdriver on both the metal anode and the part it connects in, and got nothing. Does this mean that the capacitor blew, since there wasn't apparently much of a charge? Or does discharging, done correctly, rarely cause shocks or sparks?

I'm just glad I didn't have to be commanded to rise from the grave after the discharge process, frankly.

[shawnbo42]

Yes, the five pin connector with the three pins (red,greeen and blue wires) is your RGB input. The second connector with the brown and the yellow wire jumped to the second pin is your video ground and your sync wires. You'll more than likely have to relocate the video ground right next to your green wire on the 5 pin connector (I believe that's where your v-gnd will be on the new monitor). Also, you might need to cut that jumped wire when you install the new monitor, it might not be necessary anymore, if you have composite sync on the new monitor (which you should). Happ's website should give the pinouts for the VisionPro, so it should be pretty straightforward for you.

If you are looking to learn to solder, I don't think Radio Shack carries anything like what you are describing, they got rid of most of that type of stuff a LONG time ago (When they decided it was more profitable to pretend to be Toys'R Us crossed with a little Circuit City and Office Max thrown in). However, if you have a local electronics shop, or a hobby shop, you could probably find something like what you are describing. Check around online for a soldering guide, I am sure SOMETHING exists. Or, if you'd prefer "hands on" instead (before you go on your own), check with your local TV repair shop. Ask them to speak to one of their techs, tell them what you want to learn, and see if they're willing to teach you live, or at least watch.

As far as your third question, first of all, be *VERY* careful when discharging monitors. They can do some SERIOUS damage to you, if you don't know what you're doing. Not that I am saying you do or don't know what's going on, I just want you to be aware of this before you get more involoved with monitors. It's possible that your monitor did not have a charge. With a G07, I am surprised though. Usually those monsters hold quite a bit for a while. There's a couple liknks out there how to properly discharge your monitor. I'd suggest reading up on those, if you haven't already. It sucks to take a hit from a monitor (trust me on this one). And yes, it's a good thing you didn't have to rise from your grave in beast form in order to type your last post....lol.