Monitor flashing problem

[cack01]

Hi one of my arcade monitors has started to flash very badly.  The best way to describe it, is that it looks very simmilar to when a VCR's tracking is way off.  The problem only exsists for about 3-5 minutes, and then the picture becomes crystal clear.

I doubt a capkit would help as the picture is very good.  I am guessing its voltage, but I have no idea what to check or look for.

thanks for any insight.

[Ken Layton]

Picture tube could have a heater to cathode intermittent short circuit. It's also possible you have numerous bad solder joints on the monitor circuit board. Even when the picture apparently looks good it may still be in need of a cap kit.

[cack01]

Well.. wouldn't both of those problems show for more than just the first 5 minutes.  It not a solder joint, as I have hit the cabinet numerous times, and can not get it to improve nor can I get it to repeat the problem.  It only at the begining.

The heater term is unfamiliar to me (monitor wise) what exactly does it do?

thanks

[StephenH]

The heater is nessecary for the CRT to emit electrons.  In fact, the CRT is in fact a vaccum tube device.   It keeps the CRT cathodes warm.