Anyone ever discharge a monitor before?

[Sylentwulf]

Well, I have a cap kit on the way, and I unplugged my machine. Will probably be unplugged for about a week or so before I go to discharge it.

I have a computer PSU Cord bare at the ends, and my flathead screwdriver, and probably some rubber gloves (just because). I've read about 6 friggin FAQ's on discharging an arcade monitor, is there anything anyone else can think of I should be careful with?

As of now, it's gonna be a wrap wire around monitor chassis, wrap wire around scredriver, shove screwdriver under suction cup until I hear a pop. (Obviously the most untechnical way of putting it, but that IS what it comes down to)

Edit - No alligator clips as I've heard (and from personal use) that they can fall off. Should I at least electrical tape the wire on to where it's connected or will it nuke the electrical tape into a melting burning mass?

[TheRedEye]

Discharging something that big sounds painful. Good luck, man.

[Sylentwulf]

Well, it's a fairly newer Monitor I'd imagine (I think it is the original monitor, and it's a soul edge machine, from mid 90's) so, it SHOULD be self-discharging from what I've heard. So I'm hoping I get lucky :)

[Flack]

The one thing I do know is if it discharges, wait an hour and do it again. Keep doing it until it's dead.

[Arcade Antics]

As of now, it's gonna be a wrap wire around monitor chassis, wrap wire around scredriver, shove screwdriver under suction cup until I hear a pop. (Obviously the most untechnical way of putting it, but that IS what it comes down to)

Right on the money. And I learned from The Master, superstonic. As long as you're careful, sounds ike you're good to go. :) Good luck with the fixit-job!

[98PaceCar]

What kind of monitor are you working on? There can be some special things you need to do based on the particular chassis.. More than likely you will be ok, but better safe than sorry (trust me, it hurts!!)

98PaceCar

[Sylentwulf]

SI-327 Monitor

[SoulBlazer]

Stupid question -- I thought I knew a lot about computers, but I've never heard of discharging a monitor before. :hmm: What is it, and why would someone want to do it?

[Sylentwulf]

Releases all the stored electrons in the monitor so I don't get electrocuted and die while installing a new capacitor kit so my arcade game doesn't look like crap (OK, it looks great, but I can tell it could look better)

Besides, I can never leave well enough alone. If it ain't broke, upgrade it.

[SoulBlazer]

Would'nt it be cheaper and less hassle to buy a new monitor, especily so you could use it for your own MAME setup or something else as well? LOL

[TNTPLUST]

Take it seriously man. I used to work for compusa as a technician back in the 80's. This was the time of the Original Mac, SE, and Classics. They were infamous for their discharge woes. We used a kit from Apple to discharge them. It consisted of aligator clips which were attached to the case and a long metal probe that was inserted under the plastic cap (suction cup) onto the anode tube. As another indicated you might here a pop and feel static electricity. Take it seriously because I have seen a tech get zapped. He was ok but it knocked him on his ass @_@

Good Luck!

[Sylentwulf]

Would'nt it be cheaper and less hassle to buy a new monitor, especily so you could use it for your own MAME setup or something else as well? LOL

A new arcade monitor this size is a good $600. The cap kit is $10.
This isn't a computer monitor. (Although a 27" computer monitor would PROBABLY be around $600 as well.)

[SoulBlazer]

Really? I thought monitors had come down in price. I could pick up a 19'' monitor for $150 now.

[Sylentwulf]

http://www.happcontrols.com/

Can't link to individual pages on that site, but click on games, then monitors, and look for ANY 27" monitor. I came up with:
$500
$720
$720
$650

as the first four 27" monitors I looked at. I found a couple 19" monitors for around $200, but most of the decent ones are around $250-$400.

[SoulBlazer]

I was looking at Newegg's prices myself, actually. But I still have my Dell monitor from my older computer, going on about three years now. I'd love to get a 21'' -- I can't see needing anything bigger for a computer -- but the price they want for that size vs 19 is comical. :)

[Sylentwulf]

Newegg doesn't sell Arcade monitors.

[DogP]

I've never been zapped... but you should discharge yourself (in the toilet), unless you want to be another person that peed their pants after getting shocked :D . Better to be safe that sorry... good luck :) .

DogP

[SoulBlazer]

Sorry, I should have said more clearly in my original post -- I was talking about REGULAR monitors, not arcade ones. I don't know how much that arcade monitors are, but it just seemed it would be cheaper to buy a second regular monitor. When are you doing the 'operation'? :)