one week after repair, my kortek died ARGH!

[tony.silveira]

so one week after repair, she dumps on me and i'm wondering if it may be because i have it plugged into a smart strip (as i've read some feedback like that).

so, to all you monitor pros out there, could that be the problem?  the weird thing is, it died in mid use, after being on for hours.  i would think any smart strip issues would be caused when turning on / powering down.

as for my set up...

monitor is plugged into an extension chord with an on/off switch.  this extension is plugged into one of the switched outlets on the smart strip.

i have this switched extension in place so that i can turn off the monitor but still leave the pc on for use on my projector.

also, my desktop, mamewah and all emu's are set to run at 800x800, 32bit, 60hz so as to avoid all of the monitor resolution switches.

to make a long story short, is this kortek just bad mo-jo or my smart strip causing it to fry?

many thanks, tony

[Nipedley]

Presuming that you have the monitor on a proper isolation transformer should it be required, then I can't see why it should cause you any problems. Checked the fuses?

[tony.silveira]

this monitor doesn't require an isolation transformer.

no idea whats wrong with her now.  i pulled her to take a good look .  plugged her in and i can see a spark firing every have second in the center of the chasis board, not good.

off to betson i go.

t

[Nipedley]

Nay that isn't particularly great! If you got a repair then you probably have a warranty on it anyway right? Would recommend you go that way if you can.

Hope you get it sorted out easily

[tony.silveira]

dropped her off.  i mentioned to the guy what my history was with this monitor:

* bought in 11/08 ($399)
* went bad 3/09
* finally got around to taking it in 8/31/09 ($200)
* popped again 9/8/09

he mentioned that the 60 day repair warranty is on the parts and labor of what they fixed and not if it were anything else.

i asked him to call me if it turned out to cost anything because if it did, i told him i wouldn't spend another $200 on repair, that i would just pick it up and end up getting a makvision or betson.

we wheeled it in, found the tech who worked on it last time, i explained where i saw the spark and then the first guy told the tech "um, let's fix this as a warranty repair" and then shot me a quick look as if to say "we got you".

he was really helpful after hearing my story and hopefully when i get the call, it won't be a charge but we'll see.

fingers crossed, tony

[tony.silveira]

called betson, they said it should be done tomorrow, that they are replacing the entire chasis board as a warranty fix, whew...

quick question if i may on this.  let me see if i can explain the way this is powered.

i have a 3 prong extension cord plugged into one of the switched outlets on the smart strip.

i cut the positive line on the extension cord and spliced in an off switch (it is rated for ac power, 120v i believe).  fyi, i am 100% positive that the wiring is solid and properly shielded with heat shrink and electrical tape.  i've also triple checked the connection and have tested with many home appliances (vacuum, toaster, can opener, etc.) to ensure power is flowing correctly.

i mounted this switch on the top of my cab so that i can easily turn off the monitor when not in use (keeping the pc on).

does the above frighten anyone?  anything i should keep an eye out for?

also, what exactly does an isolation transformer due?  i believe they are mostly used in cabs for true arcade monitors that don't have a pre-attached ac cord, is this correct?

thanks all for any input.

tony

[Nipedley]

I'm no electrician but as a hobbyist I wouldn't see any problem with that setup, I would be wary of overloading your smart strip (not sure how those things work as we don't get them here) but other than that adding in a switch shouldn't cause any problems

It's my understanding that an isolation transformer electrically isolates the monitor from the rest of the machine. There are dangerous voltage potentials in a monitor and it's possible that it could damage/destroy game boards, or in your case your computer. I wondered the same thing myself for years, this is the understanding I picked up on but I may be wrong.

Both of my monitors are wired into isolation transformers for both piece of mind and necessity as I'm on 240v (brings it down to 120v)

[mvsfan]

smart strips are real cool things. i didnt even know about these until someone pointed it out to me when i was explaining how i did my cabinet switching.

ive read about some of the smart strip problems but dont have any experience with it at all.

the only bad thing about my setup is that relays are just like vacuum tubes they burn out, and then all hell would break loose for a monitor cause before they burn out they start clicking on and off randomly and more and more rapidly until they finally do burn out.

so basically i run mine for 2 years well under the so called lifespan of them, pull it out spend 15 bucks and replace it before it goes bad.

sofar ive never had issues with it.

called betson, they said it should be done tomorrow, that they are replacing the entire chasis board as a warranty fix, whew...

quick question if i may on this.  let me see if i can explain the way this is powered.

i have a 3 prong extension cord plugged into one of the switched outlets on the smart strip.

i cut the positive line on the extension cord and spliced in an off switch (it is rated for ac power, 120v i believe).  fyi, i am 100% positive that the wiring is solid and properly shielded with heat shrink and electrical tape.  i've also triple checked the connection and have tested with many home appliances (vacuum, toaster, can opener, etc.) to ensure power is flowing correctly.

i mounted this switch on the top of my cab so that i can easily turn off the monitor when not in use (keeping the pc on).

does the above frighten anyone?  anything i should keep an eye out for?

also, what exactly does an isolation transformer due?  i believe they are mostly used in cabs for true arcade monitors that don't have a pre-attached ac cord, is this correct?

thanks all for any input.

tony

[tony.silveira]

so let's say i added an isolation transfer into my mix, just to eliminate my smart strip as a potential cause.  it would be wired as such?

smart strip > isolation transformer > my extension cord with on off switch > monitor

if, for some reason, the smart strip is sending a random spike, the isolation transformer will "catch" and stop it?

sorry for my noobishness but if the below is a correct understanding, i certainly don't mind spending a couple of extra bucks as a security measure.  if my thinking is correct, anyone have any links / suggestions on which one to get?

many thanks, t

[MonMotha]

It doesn't sound like your smart strip caused anything.  It sounds like you just got unlucky.  The problem some people seem to have with smart strips is the standby power many PCs consume confusing them and causing them to cycle on and off rapidly without supervision.  These monitors don't like being rapidly cycled.

An isolation transformer will do nothing with this monitor.  The monitor has a SMPS for all its internal rails.  The design is already isolating.

Can you identify any major components in the area of the spark or at least take a picture and highlight it?  Arcing indicates roaming high-ish voltage, which would generally suggest something in the horizontal output section since G2 is generated by the flyback on this sucker.

If you don't have it, a service manual is available from retroblast or I can provide the PDF for you.

[tony.silveira]

hey monmothma, if you have a pdf, i'd be happy to point out where it was sparking.

from off the top of my head.  the main board under the monitor, almost dead center.  there are two pieces made of metal that stick up off the board about an inch and are VERY close together.  the spark was at board level, between these two pieces.

it's funny that you mentioned the horizontal output since what i've been reading on here is that the 'turn signal' clicking may have something to do with the horizontal output.  that was the first issue i took the monitor in for. 

so maybe this arching is still related to that and thats why they decided to do this under a warranty repair.  it sounds like i'll be getting a whole new board and it'll be ready tomorrow so i'm keeping my fingers crossed.

but still, i would love to learn more about monitors, it's my gaping hole of knowledge, so if you have any insight, i'm a sponge to learn new things.

many thanks!  t