Main > Monitor/Video Forum
Cap Kit - questions on soldering and PCB.
MonitorGuru:
Well the picture tube is the largest capacitor (yes, it's a capacitor at it's most basic (but not primary) function).
The only other cap you should generally worry about is the AC power filter one (the largest one on the board---we're taking at least 1" across, usually 1.5" and 2.5" to 3.5" tall).
You 'can' discharge it by simply shorting it, but that is bad as you can wreck other components or the capacitor itself.
You can test to see if it has any voltage in it... set your meter at the voltage range it could hold per it's markings (should be a 250 volt cap I think usually) and see if there is any power in it. If there is, then find a suitable resistor and use that to discharge it slowly (set it across the terminals)
From the SCI.ELECTRONICS FAQ on monitor/tv repair:
http://repairfaq.ece.drexel.edu/REPAIR/F_monfaq3.html#MONFAQ_003
Here's more info:
http://repairfaq.ece.drexel.edu/sam/captest.htm#ctdtk
RayB:
To suck solder out of the holes... use the solder sucker! (duh)
You have to learn how to properly use the sucker. It's kind of like a vacuum. There won't be much suction unless you try and close off the opening completely. What I do is heat up the solder, then very quickly move the sucker right onto the hole, such that there's no gaps, then hit the sucker's release (all done REAL quick).