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Main => Monitor/Video Forum => Topic started by: quarterback on December 10, 2005, 11:34:54 pm

Title: Question about thin red wire coming from Space Invaders Monitor
Post by: quarterback on December 10, 2005, 11:34:54 pm

I don't have a photo, so I'll have to describe what I'm looking at.

I have a Space Invaders cab.  I've gotten it to play blind, and the neck of the monitor glows, but I'm not getting a picture.

One odd thing is that there is a long red wire that's hanging off of the chassis.  When I say "wire", I mean uninsulated, hair-thin wire that is red.  When I look in from the back of the machine, it hangs down below the monitor and isn't attached to anything.

Okay, I just now took off the CP and looked at the 'front' of the monitor chassis (I say "front" in quotes because in Space Invaders, the monitor is pointing straight up, so I'm just referring to the side that's visible from the front of the cab)  ANYway, the red wire leads back to a component on the board that is basically uncoiled.

When I look in through the CP 'hole', it's on the right hand side (The PCB has the word "width" printed just below it).  it's a cylinder shaped thing with a lot of this thin red wire wrapped around it.  But about three feet of this wire is unravelled and just hanging off the front of the board.

Does anybody know what this is, what it does and why this might be unravelled like that? 

Also, anybody have any suggestions for getting a picture on the tube?  Like I said, it'll play blind and the neck glows, but even after 'warming up' for over an hour, I get no picture.  OTOH, when I power it down, I definitely get a 'flash' on the screen.

Thanks

Title: Re: Question about thin red wire coming from Space Invaders Monitor
Post by: Doughbroz on December 11, 2005, 10:56:32 am

Sounds like the horizontal width coil fell apart, which often happens as the plastic holding it together disintegrates with heat and age.

Title: Re: Question about thin red wire coming from Space Invaders Monitor
Post by: quarterback on December 19, 2005, 08:07:37 pm

Quote from: Doughbroz on December 11, 2005, 10:56:32 am

Sounds like the horizontal width coil fell apart, 

It looks like you are exactly correct.  It does, indeed, say "width" underneath it.

Quote from: Doughbroz on December 11, 2005, 10:56:32 am

Unless you have some experience working on monitors and know the dangers, take it to a repair shop.   

I've not worked on any monitors but I am aware of the anode dangers.   How tough would it be to replace this particular part?   

Is there a spcific part number for this so I can find a replacement?

Would this 'unraveling' be responsible for NO picture on my monitor or is there probably something else going on as well?

Thanks

Title: Re: Question about thin red wire coming from Space Invaders Monitor
Post by: Doughbroz on December 19, 2005, 10:54:11 pm

Replacing it simply involves desoldering it and installing a new one.  As to a part number and/or availability, one of the experts here should be able to provide that info.  A model number of the monitor chassis or the numbers on the circuit board would no doubt be helpful, or a pic of the entire monitor board.  Given the age of the monitor, there could be any number of bad solder connections, capacitors, etc.  It might be best to do some checking into parts availability before deciding what course to follow.  The pros on this site can advise you far better than I along that line, so I leave you in their hands.  Whatever it takes, a working Space Invaders should be worth the effort.  Good luck.