NEO GEO : MVS-2-225 : Monitor Replacement

[ryanpaulyoung]

I'm looking to replace the monitor in my 2 Slot, Classic Red, Neo Geo MVS Cabinet (http://www.hardmvs.com/manuals/MVS-2-25.pdf).

(1) Any idea where I might find one? Or...
(2) Anyone have experience installing a different type of monitor with this cab?

Any help would be most appreciated!

[mgb]

So it's a 25" monitor I assume.

You have a few options to check.
There is Betson and neiman displays.

Problem is that the available CRTs now appear to be 27".

A few years ago, I got a couple of 25" tri syncs from betson. Im not sure if they still carry them.
You really don't need a tri sync but it will work for your neo geo.

Have you thought about repairing the original one or that not an option.

Arcade cup does repairs where you can send him the chassis board.

Or depending on the monitor you have, you may be able to get a generic chassis board for replacement.

[ryanpaulyoung]

Thanks MGB.

Ses, it's a 25" monitor.  I searched around and found this > http://www.betson.com/products/parts/WGE-WGM2575-U4GS27J
Not sure if it would work or not.

One arcade owner in STL recommended something like this > http://na.suzohapp.com/amusement_products/monitors/49-2861-20



The main issue with the monitor is it will no longer re-size correct, ie. the image won't fill the screen vertically/horizontally, even after I've played around with the monitor controls.
Perhaps a cap kit would fix this? I've never done one, so I'm wondering how difficult they are?

I appreciate your help, thanks!

[DLinkOZ]

I tend to throw a cap kit at older monitors as a cheap bit of insurance.  They're not a silver bullet, but for usually less than 10 bucks and half an hour of your life it's crazy not to at least try.  If you can de-solder components, then you're golden.  Super-simple work.  Even if it doesn't resolve the problem, I go back to the cheap insurance bit - you know you won't get something else fixed just to have to do caps anyway in the near future.

[mgb]

You wouldn't wanna use that 7500 at Betson that you posted there.
That's a medium resolution where neo-geo needs a standard resolution monitor.

I'm not so sure about the lcd. I put a 19" wells gardner one in for a customer once and I guess it was alright.
here is a link to a video of someone who put a visionpro 26" lcd in a MK cab.


the video not filling the screen sounds like it very well can be a cap issue.

Cap kits are easy to do. The first step is to learn how to discharge the tube (not as scary as everyone makes it sound).

can you post pics of the board for your monitor so we can determine what you've got

One thing I forgot to mention before is if you do find a 25" crt, it will probably be a 24.8" actually, but I'd say fix (or have someone fix) the existing one you got.
that monitor's got some time still in it.

[ryanpaulyoung]

Ok. I'll leave the 26" LCD as a plan B and dive head long into the cap kit abyss.

Just please forgive my noob questions 

- - - - - - - - - - - -
BOARD PICTURES
- - - - - - - - - - - - - -
(1) Regarding the board pictures, do I need to discharge the monitor first, then take it out? Also, where IS the board and how big will it be?

- - - - - - - - - - - - - -
MONITOR DISCHARGE
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
(1) I see in most videos, people use a macgyver'd flat head screwdriver with a wire & rabbit clip, but being my first time, should I purchase this : http://therealbobroberts.net/safeback1.html ?
(2) My cabinet has been unplugged for almost 3 months, so I'm guessing I won't hear a pop when I discharge it correct? Do I still need to discharge the monitor, wait 5 minutes, and repeat a few times?
(3) Can you send over the best video / tutorial for doing this?

- - - -
CAP KIT
- - - - - -
(1) Will I need more than just a basic soldering kit for this?
(2) Any recommended videos / tutorials?

Thanks again for your time & help, I really do appreciate it!

[jrose78]

Here is a cool video on soldering a cap kit.   

[mgb]

Noob questions are not a problem. We all gotta learn somehow.

for pics of the board, you should be able to leave the monitor in place and just take the pics through the back door opening.
I've attached a picture for an example of the boards on the back of the monitor.
don't worru about pics of the tube. Get pics of the larger board from different angles so it can be identified.
there also may be a sticker that identifies what monitor it is. don't worry about the sticker on the tube.
somewhere on the metal chassis may be a sticker with that shows something like "25k7000"
you can also check your monitor board against the monitor id page at realbobroberts.

you can get the discharge tool from bob roberts or make your own.
I use a long screwdriver which I flattened out on one side just above the handle and then I drilled a hole and ran a wire through it and wrapped a few times and taped. it has a clip at the other end.
in a pinch, I have discharged using 2 screwdrivers held to eachother but your best off not going that route if nervous.

More than likely you won't hear a pop when discharging after it being off for so long but you still should discharge it.
The pop really isn't like some would have you beleive. I have discharged monitors a minute after shutting them down and the pop isn't much

I will find a link to the videos I watched before doing my first cap kit. I found them very helpful.

[ryanpaulyoung]

Thanks for the video jrose, it's sure to be a huge help once I get going.

MGB, I'll upload a couple photos of the board later on so you can see what I've got. I purchased that discharge tool from Bob Roberts and now hunting for a soldering station. Any recommendations? Will this work? http://www.amazon.com/Weller-WES51-Analog-Soldering-Station/dp/B000BRC2XU/ref=sr_1_1?s=hi&ie=UTF8&qid=1368735929&sr=1-1&keywords=weller+soldering+station

Thanks again.

[mgb]

Oh yeah.
That'll work. Personally I use a cheap 15 or 20 watt iron from Radio Shack.
But there's nothing wrong with buying something of better quality like that weller unit.

No offense but you would've been best off waiting on ordering the discharge tool from bob until after the monitor was identified so you can order the cap kit with it and save on shipping.

[ryanpaulyoung]

Sorry for the delay - I didn't realize that the backside of the cabinet had those hex pin safety screws 

Here's 3 images of the monitor, let me know if you need more or something specific. There is a sticker on the bottom of the chassis labeled Model No. CGM-2500. And look at all that dust 

Thanks mgb.

[mgb]

Wow. That is dusty.
  Looks like by the sticker, you saw, its a Qnic CGM-2500.
I have never heard of that monitor before.
But still I'd start with a good cleaning if the dust and then a cap kit and resoldering of joints to clear up possible cold solder joints.

I found this schematic posted over in klov
http://www.freeinfosociety.com/electronics/schemview.php?id=2195

[mgb]

Bob Roberts has the cap kit for that monitor

[ryanpaulyoung]

Ok, cap kit & soldering station are on the way.

Guess I can proceed with discharging the monitor & dusting everything off?

(1) Once discharged, how many cables will I need to disconnect to remove the monitor?
(2) What's the best way to remove the dust?

[mgb]

1) first off make sure the cab is off, unplugged and unplug the power that goes to the monitor.
you will need to disconnect 2nd anode which is that big suction cup looking thing that you will be discharging.
The other cables to disconnect are:
   - the yoke, this cable shows in your 3rd pic. Make sure you remember the orientation of this connector. I usually either just snap a pic or make a little picture.
    - neck board, just gently pull off of tube neck.
   - degaussing coil, orientation doesn't matter when replacing but if you pull the whole monitor out, make sure this cable isn't caught up in the frame. I had one short out on me once because I rushed.


2) canned air and a vacuum should work for dusting.
I used a leaf blower once on a real filthy one.

[jrose78]

I use this in place of canned air it really works good.  http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001J4ZOAW/ref=wms_ohs_product?ie=UTF8&psc=1

[mgb]

I use this in place of canned air it really works good.  http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001J4ZOAW/ref=wms_ohs_product?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Looks pretty nice. I've been looking for an alternative to canned air myself but most if the alternatives have been kinda lame.
Does this one vacuum or blow?
Is it pretty powerful.

[jrose78]

Looks pretty nice. I've been looking for an alternative to canned air myself but most if the alternatives have been kinda lame.
Does this one vacuum or blow?
Is it pretty powerful.

Trust me I had my doubts about it as well. It blows a little stronger than canned air. The only downside is it is loud (like vacuum loud)