An Arcade Monitor Question Help!

[Anonymous]

I've got a cocktail Frogger game that works fine except for one problem. The monitor turns off after about 5 minutes of play. I've been told that it needs a new condenser and that condensers are easy to get and fairly easy to install. I've also been told that before I do this I have to discharge the monitor or suffer an electrifying pants pooping death.

Well, the monitor has been sitting in the garage for almost 11 months now. I'm ready to brave the dangers IF someone can give me a little advice!

[Raccoon Lad]

After 11 months, I'm pretty sure it's already discharged fully.

But I guess you can never be too carefull.

[DogP]

No... the capacitors in a monitor will stay charged for a VERY long time if never discharged... you should make sure to discharge them before working on it.

Here's a pretty good site on repair of that kinda stuff... http://www.repairfaq.org/REPAIR/F_monfaq.html . it goes over the safety stuff that you should know, and if you don't see it there, do a search on google or something... it's better to know more and be safe than try to rush through it and as you put it "suffer an electrifying pants pooping death" .

DogP

[xertcev]

also check out :

www.arcadecontrols.com

There is a section on monitors and also
a whole monitor section on the message board.

But seriously, be careful, it could kill you, and/or cause collateral damage. (like when the shock jerks your hand into sharp boards/parts and stuff.)

[Anonymous]

I can't believe nobody's made a "discharge" joke yet @xertcev, I've been looking for that place for awhile, it was a favorite but I couldn't remember it! Thanks for the input guys, I'll try it out once I've moved and let you know how it works and if I'm not dead.

[xertcev]

I forgot to mention:

www.therealbobroberts.com

He has some great write-ups on monitors,
and you might be able to find parts through him too.

[Balloon Fight]

bobroberts site is a great one. I've found parts through his site very easily. Highly recommended!

[christianscott27]

i learned a little about this with my machines, thankfully i havent needed to discharge them myself. when i was visting an arcade collector in his workshop he demo'd how to do it with a screw driver with a rubber bike grip on the handle...still scared me. make sure to take off any rings or watches first. if you're really in need of exacting advice try the rec.games.arcade newsgroup, a very helpful and active group.