Just bought a new Betson Imperial monitor....in over my head?

[nathan118]

Well I just bought the new 27" betson imperial multisync reviewed over at retroblast, so I've been reading up even more now. My question is, as an arcade novice have I gotten in over my head? I read about all the dangers of electrocution and maintenance issues with arcades....but how big a deal are these really? Is this thing going to be a major pain in the butt that requires constant attention, or should a good solid install and minimal transportation keep me happy for years to come?

I'm moving next summer, so I'm already worried about moving the arcade and discharging the monitor.   S-video on a TV was giving me headaches, I just couldn't stand it. Thanks for the help guys.

[mwoody]

Don't stick a fork in it.  Don't lick anything.  Plug it in, hope it works (check that screen geometry with Nokia's monitor tester!).  You'll be fine.

[paigeoliver]

A monitor like that requires almost nothing in the way of service and likely has a remote adjustment board anyway, so you have little to worry about.

As for electrocution. I have been sticking my hands in the back of running monitors for years. And I finally got shocked the other day when I took the FULL HIGH VOLTAGE from a Vectorbeam vector monitor. I had neglected to hook up a certain spring and that certain spring (unknown to me at the time) is the ground for the high voltage. I had my hand in the back trying to adjust something and felt the lovely sensation of the full voltage from the tube travelling through my body to ground.

And I am still standing!!!  

[nathan118]

So it sounds like I should just take some precautions, be smart, and I shouldn't have too many problems. It's exciting to be so close.

[KevSteele]

Nathan,

Just don't grab the "BIG RED WIRE" attached to the tube, and you'll be fine. In fact, most modern arcade monitors seem to be self-discharging, so hopefully there's very little risk of a high-voltage zap when it's turned off.

Once you've gotten it installed in a cab, there's no problem at all, and until then, just handle it by the frame.

You think you're in over your head? I had to do a board swap on my D9200 (my first arcade monitor), which required me to remove the dreaded "BIG RED WIRE" from the tube...I followed all the steps I could find, used a screwdriver wired up to a ground, and discovered that the D9200 has an autodischarge circuit. No "POW" no "ZAP", nothing...almost anti-climatic (but in a good way   )

Kevin

[nathan118]

Good to know Kevin. Thanks also for the great review, went a long way to helping me make my purchase. You know if the Betson is self-discharging also?

One other note I didn't see in your review, when I opened the box I found it had a Samsung sticker on the monitor, which made me SUPER excited. I love samsung products, so that was icing on the cake. Is Kortek a samsung company, or is just a part of the monitor made by samsung?

[KevSteele]

Nathan,

I'm guessing the tube may be a Samsung tube - I don't think Kortek is part of Samsung.

Kevin

[nathan118]

Last question for now...is the betson multisync self discharging like the d9200? I'll go take a gander at the manual posted in the review as well. Thanks.

[DYNAGOD]

i think most,if not all modern monitors are self discharging, but i still would not depend on that circuit to completely deplete the tube of any capacitance charge.that circuit could fail, or fail to complete its task completely..just think if it as a courtesy, but not something to bet your life on..

i would treat that monitor like a firearm..as always loaded..
regardless of if it is or not..