Installing a cap kit

drwicket

New member
Joined
Feb 17, 2011
Messages
204
Reaction score
0
Location
Nebraska
I am trying to fix up my pacman monitor and am at the point where a cap kit is going to be the only fix. How difficult are these to do and does anyone have any pointers for me?

I haven't ordered one yet. Want to make sure it's within my capabilities to do it before I waste any money on one.
 
I am trying to fix up my pacman monitor and am at the point where a cap kit is going to be the only fix. How difficult are these to do and does anyone have any pointers for me?

I haven't ordered one yet. Want to make sure it's within my capabilities to do it before I waste any money on one.

Have you ever used a soldering iron? That would be the first thing we need to know.

As long as you're patient, you can do it.

I was a bit nervous my first time. But enough about my personal life. :eek:
 
I am trying to fix up my pacman monitor and am at the point where a cap kit is going to be the only fix. How difficult are these to do and does anyone have any pointers for me?

I haven't ordered one yet. Want to make sure it's within my capabilities to do it before I waste any money on one.

There are some helpful videos on YouTube that I used when doing my 1st cap. Use that ask lots of questions, double check everything and go nice and slow. That's advice anyways...
 
A cap should be readily available from several sources. Probably the most well known source would be Bob Roberts. First you need to identify what model of monitor you have. You look at the monitor's chassis (the circuit boards with all the fun electronic parts on them) to identify what model it is. A common mistake is to look at model numbers on the picture tube itself, but that's not what you want. Take a look at this page and compare it to what you see in your machine. If you don't see it or aren't sure, just post a few pictures of your monitor and it should be easy to identify.

http://www.therealbobroberts.net/monitor.html

A couple of other small, but very important tips: Make sure when you put the new caps in that they are oriented properly since one leg of the cap is the positive end and the other is negative. Bob's website (same site as linked above) has cap maps for a several of the real common models and they show you where the caps are and usually which way they are oriented. You also want to be careful not to bridge 2 things together with excess solder. Overall it's not terribly hard to do. Just take your time and ask questions, but dig around on youtube, google, and this forum to read up on more tips. The other major thing you'll need to deal with if you do this cap kit yourself is discharging the monitor before removing the chassis. There's plenty of info out there too on how to do it. Good luck and don't be afraid to ask for help. A cap kit is a very basic and common thing you'll very likely do over and over if you get more into the hobby.
 
Last edited:
I am decent with a soldering iron. Thanks for all the info. Im going to order a cap kit and give it my best.
 
Just wanted to post a few pics to make 100% sure a cap kit is what is needed for my problem. Here is the game in action. As you can see the color is completely wrong in the center of the monitor.

First time including attachements so I am hoping they get put on here :)
 

Attachments

  • IMG00026-20110313-1925.jpg
    IMG00026-20110313-1925.jpg
    68.2 KB · Views: 38
  • IMG00028-20110313-1926.jpg
    IMG00028-20110313-1926.jpg
    70.3 KB · Views: 42
  • IMG00030-20110313-1927.jpg
    IMG00030-20110313-1927.jpg
    59.5 KB · Views: 34
Im not the best guy to answer this so it may be wrong but it may just need to be degaused or at least tried before you do a cap kit. Im sure someone with more knowledge will be along soon to tell you the right answer.
 
I haven't tried anything yet. Just trying to get all my research before I attempt to do anything to it. How do you degaus one of these monitors? It is a wells gardner 4600.
 
I haven't tried anything yet. Just trying to get all my research before I attempt to do anything to it. How do you degaus one of these monitors? It is a wells gardner 4600.
The monitor actually has a built in degaussing coil. It's the fairly thick wire that runs around the edge of the tube on the backside. It will only activate when the monitor is powered up from a "cold" state which I've read is usually 20 minutes at least from the last time it was on. It's also very possible that the built in coil isn't strong enough to remove that magnetization or it may even be malfunctioning. You can buy a degaussing coil which very well might clear that up. The Earth's magnetic field can also effect a monitor so rotating the cabinet, as smalltown guy has said, could also help.
 
A soldering gun or a corded drill, use it in the same fashion as a DG coil, start in the middle and make small circles, I have even used an electric fan, it did help dissipate that rainbow color effect and get it looking sharp again.
 
If using fridge magnet or even a degaussing coil do you just wave it around the front or back of monitor?

You would do this on the front of the monitor. But I wouldn't expect good results from this method. But if the OP cn at least see a temporary improvement in the discoloration with this method, he would be able to determin if it is a degaussing issue.
 
Tried using the power drill method. The picture on the monitor got distorted but it didn't improve the color. Back to the drawing board. Anyone else have any ideas? Should I try using an actual strong magnet instead of a power drill?
 
hi

get a speaker and from the back of the speaker you will notice its magnetic.

put the speaker in front of the monitor while its turned on approx like 1 cm away.. your screen will go funny , dont worry..

now in a circular motion do circles and at the same time slowly move the speaker away from the monitor.

hopefully this will pull it.. if not you need a deguising wand.

get one off ebay , they cheap.. 20 or 30 bucks
 
Back
Top Bottom