Mounting isolation transformer

[Ash...Housewares]

Is there anything wrong with mounting an isolation transformer to the wood at the base of my WG7131 or will this cause distortion (or later damage) to the monitor?

-Ash

[SirPeale]

I'd mount it on the floor of the cabinet.  IIRC they generate a magnetic field you don't want near your monitor.

[Ash...Housewares]

Will-do.  Thanks for the tip!!

[Ash...Housewares]

An isolation transformer should work the same in either direction right?  (Since it is just windings of wire) That is to say, I don't have to worry about accidentally connecting it backwards do I?

[SirPeale]

An isolation transformer should work the same in either direction right?  (Since it is just windings of wire) That is to say, I don't have to worry about accidentally connecting it backwards do I?

Again, AFAIK, you're correct.

[DYNAGOD]

copper shielding couldnt hurt either.

[Ken Layton]

The isolation transformer as with ANY transformer generates a magnetic field. Mount it at least two feet away from the monitor.

[seibu]

The isolation transformer as with ANY transformer generates a magnetic field. Mount it at least two feet away from the monitor.

Hmm. This is worrying. I have my iso transformer in a cocktail and it's nowhere near two feet away from my monitor - nor would this be possible. Furthermore, there is indeed an intermittent band of discolouration which appears just off center of the screen.

What would you chaps say is my best option? Run a separate cable for the monitor out to an external box containing the iso transformer (inelegant), or is there some way I could shield it?

[Ken Layton]

Generally cocktail cabinets have SHIELDED isolation transformers installed in them because they are closer to the monitor. You should try changing yours to a shielded one (they cost slightly more than a standard one).

[shadowdrak]

I don't know exactly where you could buy it(because I never have), but it should be relatively easy to come by some copper wire mesh(pretty fine wire).  Check some electronics catalogs or maybe radio shack.  If you put that between the transformer and the monitor or wrap the transformer in it, it should shield against the magnetic field relatively well(probably enough to get rid of the distortion).  The other alternative is to try to buy a transformer that is already shielded, but that would probably be more expensive.  moving the transformer out of the cabinet is probably a little drastic, but if nothing else works, you might have to.