Monitor Repair bench / etc?

[ChadTower]

So, I'm back trying to get the WG in my POW working again.  I'm getting what appears to be high voltage, but no picture at all.  The fuse tests good.  I took a look at Fromm's troubleshooting chart and it points to testing one of the ceramic resistors while the monitor is on.  The question is... how?  I can't get at that while the monitor is still in the cabinet.  If I take the monitor out, it won't be attached to the PCB and power supply anymore.

What do people usually do in this situation?  Make a longer cord for the power and video signals so you can use the monitor next to the cab?  Build a sort of monitor test station with power supply and PCB already on it?  I'm in the range of someone who owns a few cabs so a small, storable test bench may not be a bad investment if I don't have to spend $100 on the parts to make it.

Advice?

[menace]

clip an alligator clip to the point needed to be tested and then test as normal (neg to frame, pos to lead)  just make sure the alligator clip doesn't ground out while you are futzing around--I often hook up several clips while the power is off, then test a few points with it on.

[Ken Layton]

To run the monitor outside of the game cabinet on a bench where it's nice and easy to get at things here's what you need:

Isolation transformer with the correct power connector to mate with the monitor you're working on.

Video pattern generator with the correct video sync connector to mate with the monitor being worked on.

High voltage probe.

Multimeter.

Monitor service manual/schematic.

[ChadTower]

To run the monitor outside of the game cabinet on a bench where it's nice and easy to get at things here's what you need:

Isolation transformer with the correct power connector to mate with the monitor you're working on.

Video pattern generator with the correct video sync connector to mate with the monitor being worked on.

High voltage probe.

Multimeter.

Monitor service manual/schematic.

That doesn't sound so hard... I've seen the HV probes for around $30... there are only so many monitors, so it can't be that hard to pick up a few of the power connectors and video sync connectors...

Now, if you had those connectors, it wouldn't be that hard to simply run some 10 foot wires out of the isolation transformer and a pattern generator, right?

[Ken Layton]

It'd be a snap. I also have a Street Fighter 2 board with extra long video cable so I can hook it up to a monitor for actual video signal tests/burn in after a capkit.

[ChadTower]

How would you recommend acquiring those necessary connectors?  Running extended cables out of the cab itself is definitely better for me than building a test bench for something I hopefully won't be doing more than a couple of times a year.

[Ken Layton]

Bob Roberts has the necessary connectors and cables.

[ChadTower]

Awesome.  Thanks, will contact him.

[ChadTower]

Wow, talk about solving the problem:

http://www.homearcade.org/BBBB/rgbcable.html