Discharging Monitor... did I do something wrong?

[mmmPeanutButter]

Well, before discharging my monitor, I was suficiently terrified.  I put one end of the wire onto the metal of the case and the other end to my screwdriver.  I causiously slid the screwdriver under the suction cup (and touched it to the metal piece).

I was expecting to hear a zap or something and half expecting to die.  Neither happened.  The suction cup popped off and thats it.

Did it get discharged?

How can I tell for sure?

Did I do something wrong?

(btw, the monitor was last used yesterday)

Here are a couple pictures:

[mmmPeanutButter]

Picture #2

[Ken Layton]

If you stick the screwdriver in the hole of the tube and there's no spark or snap it should be discharged.

[mmmPeanutButter]

so if I do that and I still don't hear anything, then it is discharged?

Isn't it normal to hear something?

[Ken Layton]

It all depends on the make & Model of the monitor AND the tube. Generally if you don't see or hear anything then the tube is discharged.

[menace]

if its been down for awhile the charge can dissapate (sp?)  I had a sharp image 19" that would only snap if you discharged with a few hours of having it on.  

Just as a check use an ohmeter on your discharge lead (away from the tube) and make sure that electricity would flow from the far lead (the one typically connected to the chassis) and the screwdriver tip.  if its not a good path then it won't dishcarge and you'll still have a "live" monitor on your hands.

[JasonF]

I've had monitors that would discharge themselves within seconds of killing the power.  Others would hold a charge for hours.  And the stubborn ones would usually build up charge again once discharged (after minutes), so be aware that you might have to discharge multiple times to fully "drain" it.  Or, IOW, you might want to discharge again before trying to reconnect the anode lead.

Also, I just picked up a high-voltage probe--what a great tool!  Not only can I use it for discharging, but it will tell me how much kilo-voltage the tube has (i.e., while running).  If you can find these cheap, they're worth adding to your arcade tool collection IMHO.

[Thenasty]

just wanna add this. Even tho the tube is been discharge, treat it like its not. Don't be sticking your tongue or your best friend head named Dick in the hole just because you discharge the tube  

Always be carefull....I been Zzzapp once  . There goes one of my 9 lives again. I wonder how many I have left ?  

[Zakk]

I should mention that the 'snap' is sometimes very quiet.  I remember the first time I did it, I was expecting a firecracker to go off, and it was more like a cricket farting.  A bit of a relief actually (for me and the cricket).