Discharging tool questions

jcroach

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OK, I'm a total noob and I need to discharge my first monitor (Sanyo 20EX).

I bought a screwdriver to use and I'm having second thoughts about it. It's 12 inches, flat tipped with a thick plastic handle. It was kind of cheep (Menards Tool Shop brand). Here's the main question: It has a magnetic tip. Will that cause me any problems?

Also, will a standard Radio Shack variety alligator clip test lead will sufficient for this task, or do I need something beefier?

Thanks!
 
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I don't know about the magnet thing though. Some screwdrivers with the magnetic tip have some kind of coating on them and it may not be fully conductive. I'd get a plain regular screwdriver for the job.

If there's no coating and the tip is just steel then I would think it would be ok though. But don't blame me when you are writhing on the floor in pain if I'm mistaken.
 
I don't know about the magnet thing though. Some screwdrivers with the magnetic tip have some kind of coating on them and it may not be fully conductive. I'd get a plain regular screwdriver for the job.

Yeah, that was my first inclination as soon as I got it home. I can test conductivity with a multi-meter thought, right? (That's something else I need to buy)
 
"the screw driver and alligator test clip will work just fine. Its all ive ever used"

This.
 
"the screw driver and alligator test clip will work just fine. Its all ive ever used"

This.

Yeah, what they said. I also throw a rubber glove on just to be sure. Just make sure you do it a couple of times, even after you have the flyback off, let it sit for a minute or two and do it again.
 
You don't need a special screwdriver. Just use a normal flat blade screwdriver. Attach one end of an alligator clip lead to the screw driver shaft, and the other end to the monitor frame. No need for a special tool, and buying a HV probe solely for discharging monitors is a silly waste of money.

Honestly, some of you guys just love spending money, don't you?

-Ian
 
You don't need a special screwdriver. Just use a normal flat blade screwdriver. Attach one end of an alligator clip lead to the screw driver shaft, and the other end to the monitor frame. No need for a special tool, and buying a HV probe solely for discharging monitors is a silly waste of money.

Honestly, some of you guys just love spending money, don't you?

-Ian

When you find a screwdriver and alligator clip that measures the HV on a monitor let me know. I seriously can't believe how many people work on monitors and won't pony up for a HV probe. Its saved me a lot of time and effort by being able to know if I have HV and just exactly where its set at.
 
When you find a screwdriver and alligator clip that measures the HV on a monitor let me know. I seriously can't believe how many people work on monitors and won't pony up for a HV probe. Its saved me a lot of time and effort by being able to know if I have HV and just exactly where its set at.

Agreed. If you are going to discharge one monitor and never touch one again, then use a screw driver. If you are going to do any real monitor work at all, get a HV probe.
 
When you find a screwdriver and alligator clip that measures the HV on a monitor let me know. I seriously can't believe how many people work on monitors and won't pony up for a HV probe. Its saved me a lot of time and effort by being able to know if I have HV and just exactly where its set at.

I have a HV probe. It's a very handy tool. I use it when I actually need to measure the HV. But I am shocked at how many people suggest buying one just for discharging monitors. I never use it for that. Aside from being awkward and clumsy to use for discharging, it's yet another tool to carry around, and the cases where you need to *measure* HV are few and far between. Discharging monitors, on the other hand, is something you need to do all the time.

-Ian
 
If you are doing the screwdriver trick w/ alligator leads this will work for the colour monitors. But never do this with a black and white monitor. It will blow the HV Diode in those type of monitors. In those cases you need to create a 1 m-ohm resistor, in-line. Simply solder end to end 10 100K ohm 1/2 watt resistors, put alligator clips with a wire leads at ends and cover with shrink wrap tubing.
There you go a discharging tool that will work on most, if not all, monitors.
 
The screwdriver is perfectly fine for discharging. When I need an HV probe I borrow one from Fry's Electronics on their tool loan program. :)
 
Here my discharging tool. I adding plastic pvc for peace of mind
 

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Thats a great idea! Can you take more pics? Want to see the alligator clips better.

The alligator clips are from Radio Shack, they came from a bundle pack (Insulated Test/Jumper leads). It would probably be better to use the 2-1/2" Insulated-Grip Alligator Clips, it has a screw terminal.
 

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I just use a flat bladed screwdriver and an aligator clip lead, just remember that the tube will appear to regain some of its charge after a few minutes, its wise to re-discharge anytime you are planning on going near the anode hole, you will often find it has a bit more to let out. An HV probe is a rather expensive way of checking whether you need to discharge it again, or at all, would take longer to connect the probe up to the meter than it would to just to try to discharge it again. Afterall you don't care how many volts are there, you just want them gone.
 
Remember, any monitor WILL slowly discharge on it's own if it's not powered on for days.

The charge normally bleeds off from lack of use.

Let the monitor sit for a week or two, then use the made screwdriver dischrage tool (same as I have) and discharge the monitor.

You either get no snap discharge, or very little. Use the screwdriver again a couple times if it makes you feel better. You'll be fine!
 
I also use the alligator clip method. I went to radioshack and bought the alligator clips which aren't shielded and soldered two clips to a 2 ft length of wire. Anytime I need to discharge a monitor, I clip one end to my flat bladed screwdriver and the other to the metal monitor frame. My screwdriver has plastic handles and I've never had to go to any extremes (rubber gloves pvc etc). It seems pretty scary, but once you do it, the snap is minimal (or you won't even hear a snap at all). Maybe it's reckless but I guess I'm a loner - a rebel :)
 
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