Monitor Testing/Repair

[IG-88]

If this has been covered before please point me to the correct thread.

I am looking to increase my skill set and I am wanting to set up my own CRT testing/repair bench. What all would you guys recommend getting for tools and diagnostic equipment? The basics first I guess..

[Amra]

There is some specialized equipment for television repair, and much of it is getting harder to find as CRTs become less common (prices will go up).

For CRTs, here are a few of the more common specialized test gear you might need:
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A CRT tube tester/rejuvenation machine (Sencore CR7000 is a popular choice)
A CRT test pattern Generator (such as a Sencore CG169, though any such generator should be fine)
High Voltage Probe (CRTs usually run upwards of 25kv)
Blue Ring Tester (for testing transformers, such as flybacks)

Some more general, but necessary, pieces of gear would be:
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Oscilloscope w/10Mohm 10x Probe (an old scope is fine, but bang for buck the best buy right now is the rigol ds1054z, hands down)
Function Generator
Frequency Counter (most modern scopes have this built in)
Several good Digital Multimeters (need at least two, to measure voltage and current at the same time)
ESR Meter (to test caps, which are a common failure in pretty much all TVs, old and new)

There are a lot of additional things you need, but those seem obvious enough that I won't list them (soldering iron, lighted magnifying lens, screwdrivers, etc) but honestly, one of the most important pieces of gear you will need is the service manual for the chassis you are working on.  You can get away without some of the gear above if you have patience and a schematic, though the above can make your life much easier.

[IG-88]

Thank you for the reply. I have some of this and will be adding the others to my "wish" list. Fascinating things these CRT's

[Amra]

No Problem, forgot to mention one additional item, one that is *extremely* important when working on TVs: an isolation transformer usable for tech work, preferably one that can do up to 5amps.

Be careful on this one, there are isolation transformers that are *not* usable for tech work, as the ground is not floating/isolated/decoupled from the earth ground in your house (these type of isolation transformers are meant for things like audio gear or medical equipment, they decouple the input from the mains, but have a ground wired in for noise reduction).

[IG-88]

I am actually in need of that very thing. Do you have any recommendations? Perhaps a linky or 2?

[Ken Layton]

Arcadeshop sells the isolation transformer:

http://www.arcadeshop.com/parts.htm#Monitors

[Amra]

Well, its pretty easy to turn a non-tech isolation transformer into one usable for tech work, but the ones designed for arcade monitors may be more than sufficient and aren't that expensive. The one on the page linked above is only 19 dollars. The ones you can purchase specifically for tech work (say for example a b&k precision TR110 or 1604A) are going to run quite a bit more. Good luck!