Discharging Monitors (1st time)

[tetsu96]

I've got 2 monitors I wanted to drain before doing a bit of cab work, and the theory has me a bit confused (using the screwdriver technique).  I can see clipping a screwdriver to the chassis of the monitor and then touching the anode with the screwdriver tip, but does the charge simply vanish when looping through this temporary circut?  I'd think if the monitor wan't plugged in, the power may dissapate somewhat but wouldn't be "grounded" and rendered discharged as it were.

Would having the cabinet on carpet also be a factor during this process?

Heh, so much apprehension before the first time discharging a monitor...  anyone in the Phoenix / AZ is welcome to show me before I post here for the last time.   

[rookie]

Think of the monitor as a really big capacitor, unless there is something across it, it will hold a charge almost indefinitely.
Read the monitor FAQ above. There is a pretty good link in there:
http://www.arcadegames.net/sightsound/discharge.ppt to give you an idea.
The cab on the carpet shouldn't matter, but you definitely want to be sure it is unplugged and for safety remove any rings etc. I like to use a small long screwdriver so the jumper is closer to the end then me, but has enough length that you won't knock the jumper off when sliding under the boot.  It will make a loud snap, but nothing to it once you do it a couple of times

[Harpal]

cheers for that link the persentation on that is awesome, even a child can do it.....
but i will read it another few times before i try it, as it says there remove the chassis at the end, what about if the chassis is already removed then what do you do???
is it still alright to discharge it??

[rookie]

Yes,

As a matter of fact the link recommends to dishcharge the tube again just in case a residual charge has built back up from moving it or something.
Same thing use, the shield wire around the tube and discharge it.
The chassis it's self should not hold a charge separate from the tube.

[thebrownshow]

I was ultra-paranoid before discharging my monitor too, so don't sweat it.

I unplugged my cabinet for a few days and followed those directions, was very careful and cautious, and everything was fine.  I actually didn't even get a spark, as most of the charge in my monitor dissipated over time by itself.  (I actually would have preferred hearing a CRACK or SNAP, then I would have known I was doing it correctly)

Anyway, here's another link that might be helpful:
http://www.instantarcade.com/discharge.php