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Main => Monitor/Video Forum => Topic started by: ericball on June 21, 2021, 01:21:45 pm

Title: could a dying CRT be dangerous?
Post by: ericball on June 21, 2021, 01:21:45 pm

Many years ago I squeezed a decased IBM P200 (19.1" viewable, 1600 x 1280 at 60 Hz) into the Tempest cabinet I salvaged.  While I never 100% completed the project, I've been using it to process MAME ROMsets.  But it looks like the monitor is dying:

• top (actually left side) has pincushion distortion
• the screen extends off the bottom (actually right side), might have some distortion too
• occasionally & randomly the screen flickers

Given the monitor is ~15 years old, I suspect some of the capacitors etc are going.  However the flickering has me a little worried that something could be arcing (although I don't hear or smell anything) which would be a potential fire hazard.

Yes, I probably could / should replace it with an LCD.  (I even have a spare Dell 2007 which has similar specs).  However, the look of a CRT is significantly closer to the original color vector monitor and that beast was a pain to get in the cabinet so will probably be even more difficult to get out.

Title: Re: could a dying CRT be dangerous?
Post by: bobbyb13 on June 21, 2021, 06:28:00 pm

Run it in a dark room and look for a fireworks show!

If it isn't arcing due to anode wire insulation problems then I can't imagine it being dangerous unless you mess with the high voltage stuff without discharging it properly.

Definitely sounds like it needs some capacitor work though.