Build Your Own Arcade Controls Forum

Arcade Collecting => Restorations & repair => Topic started by: KevSteele on October 26, 2011, 05:43:00 pm

Title: Robotron monitor advice
Post by: KevSteele on October 26, 2011, 05:43:00 pm
Just snagged a Robotron cab for free!

Of course, that means it needs some work. I've managed to get it up and running, but the monitor has seen better days - bad burn-in, and the blue is completely gone.

I'm torn between spending the time to repair it, or just buying a new monitor. Are there even modern "drop-in" equivalent 19" arcade monitors for the Electrohome G07-CBO? Heck, I'd even consider LCD, as blasphemous as that sounds...

I'm looking forward to the rest of the restoration effort, but monitor repairs make me nervous, and I'd just as soon have a new, fully working one.

Oh, and if anyone knows of a source for a Robotron Bezel, let me know - ArcadeShop doesn't seem to have them anymore.  :'(
Title: Re: Robotron monitor advice
Post by: opt2not on October 26, 2011, 07:42:29 pm
A free Robotron....waaaaaaah??

For the burn-in, you could do a Tube swap if you find the right tube (http://www.junknet.net/donor-tvs).

You'd have to discharge the tube first.
Arcade Repair Tips - Safely Discharge An Arcade Monitor (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mV9Td8vAb0Y#)

The monitor could probably use a cap-kit as well.
Title: Re: Robotron monitor advice
Post by: KevSteele on October 27, 2011, 10:52:21 am
Frankly, working on monitors skeeves me out, and they're fiddly beasts to keep running right, especially when they're 30 years old...

I'm seriously thinking of a new monitor - there's a guy selling new 19" CRT arcade monitors on eBay, and I can also go with a 19" arcade LCD for the same price.

I'm torn between the two.
Title: Re: Robotron monitor advice
Post by: Justin on October 27, 2011, 12:53:54 pm
Stick with tube.   Youll thank me later.
Title: Re: Robotron monitor advice
Post by: Spyridon on October 27, 2011, 03:39:08 pm
Quote from: Justin on October 27, 2011, 12:53:54 pm
Stick with tube.   Youll thank me later.

Thank him now as that is good advice.  New monitors are available (I put one in my Robotron).  Probably will run you $200 - $300 for a new one. 
Title: Re: Robotron monitor advice
Post by: HaRuMaN on October 28, 2011, 10:47:19 am
Quote from: Justin on October 27, 2011, 12:53:54 pm
Stick with tube.   Youll thank me later.

+2

At the local arcade here, there is a Pac Man that had an LCD monitor replacement.  Just didn't look right, and bugged the crap out of me.
Title: Re: Robotron monitor advice
Post by: fredster on November 09, 2011, 11:20:27 pm
Here's one for $180
http://www.hollandcomputers.com/productcart/pc/viewPrd.asp?idproduct=6003&idcategory=2071 (http://www.hollandcomputers.com/productcart/pc/viewPrd.asp?idproduct=6003&idcategory=2071)

I have a joust, with a nice monitor.  I've thrown out monitors (Im sorry to say) that had better tubes that that one.  I get them at auctions in whole machines cheaper than you can buy one.

The above link has a good replacement, but folks, I'm telling ya, those old ones are dying off. The barium in the guns has a limited life.  You can't fix burn in. LCD's are what is going to be powering that PacMan into 2030.

Title: Re: Robotron monitor advice
Post by: KevSteele on November 10, 2011, 10:30:29 am
I got a nice WG monitor off eBay - you all are right: I can't imagine this game with an LCD...
Title: Re: Robotron monitor advice
Post by: opt2not on November 23, 2011, 06:28:02 pm
(http://www-scf.usc.edu/~ryanbruc/ChosenWisely.jpg)