Blurry Vector Monitor

[csa3d]

This weekend at the auction I was checking out some Asteroids machines.  One of them appeared to be blurry, which got me wondering about what's required to fix that.  Would a cap kit fix blurry vectors?  If not, what causes this blur and what exactly does a cap kit fix?  I'd like to pick up a vector game, but don't feel I know enough about vectors to know If I'm getting a good deal or not.

Thanks
-csa

[grantspain]

maybe just the focus or contrast too high,the worst case scenario is a dying tube

[Level42]

Grantspain is right: first thing is try to adjust the focus a bit. It could also be running with too high brightness/contrast. If this has lasted long enough, it is possible that it has burned the phosphor......

A capkit is not likely to solve this I guess.

[D_Zoot]

capkit is not likely to solve this I guess.

Actually, it *could* fix it if a bad cap was causing low HT.

If it won't adjust out:

I assume the monitor is one of the G05 variations?   Would be handy if you had the means to measure the High voltage.   If you don't have, or can't put your hands on an HT probe try capping the HT section.  If it's still out of focus with fresh caps it could be a bad HT diode or a failing HVT (rare).  Lastly would be a poor tube.

Does the focus issue seem to get worse the more that's on the screen or the brighter the images get?  If so, that could be more of a "blooming" issue and would point the finger square at the HT section.


D

[csa3d]

All,

I don't actually have this monitor.  After the last auction, my curiosity about vector monitors grew and I was basically just asking to get an idea on what to stay away from and what is fixable.  Sounds like in general, there's a 50/50 chance of fixing a blurry vector monitor.  From a quick inspection, there's probably not an easy way to tell, you just bring it home and start messing I guess, right?

Assuming the worst, how much does an asteroids vector monitor cost to replace?  I'm pretty sure I'd like to do a full restore on an asteroids for my next project.

Thanks again yall!
-csa

[Level42]

Well, vector monitors are not exactly the kind of things you go to the store for and bye one
So replacing one means hunting one down on f.i. e-bay, pay a good stack of money and hope it will survive shipping....

If the CRT is burnt, you can easily see it when the monitor is off. Pretty much all other things are fixable with patience and a little knowing what you're doing, so no you DON'T start "messing". You start with READING, get all the info you can on the particular monitor cab. There's loads of info on the internet. This could be a good starting point for Asteroids:  http://www.ionpool.net/arcade/asteroidtech/asteroidsrepair.html

Before I even got my SW cab I had read loads of info about it, especialy the Amplfine monitor. This really helped me in finding the problem and fixing it.