Is my insulated screw driver too insulated to perform a discharge ?

GunSmoke Guy

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Is my insulated screw driver too insulated to perform a discharge ?

I just bought an insulated screw driver and the entire shaft is insulated including I think the tip of the screw driver looks like it's black (painted) do I need to sand the paint away and attach the aligator clips at that point. Is my insulated screw driver too insulated to perform a monitor discharge ?

 
Yes, those are too insulated. The shaft has to be able to pass the charge from the tip to your alligator clips. I would just get another one rather than sand those down, though.
 
I just use an alligator clip lead, and clip it onto a normal screwdriver. Those are insulated too far down - you won't have a good place to attach the cliplead.

-Ian
 
The best screwdriver that I have found so far is a Craftsman. They are diamond shaped down the shaft, and hold the alligator clips the best IMO.
 
I bought one of those whole sets of the Craftsman screwdrivers, of the bigger flatheads, I took the one that I think was a 1/4" blade, but slightly longer than the other 1/4" and made it into my dedicated discharge tool. :)

I did this with an alligator clip, cutting off one end, stripping that part, and wrapping it around the base of the metal, then insulating that part with electrical tape.

unfortunately, I lost the damn thing. I can't remember what I used it on last!
 
I definitely wouldn't try sanding those. Those look like "electrician's" screwdrivers, and as such, probably don't have any metal in that tip at all. Don't take the risk of destroying your screwdrivers for nothing, and just buy/borrow a more appropriate screwdriver.
 

Like swatting a fly with a sledgehammer.

There is nothing at all special about a discharge "tool". An 88 cent screwdriver from Lowe's and a cliplead. That's all you need. Yeah, you can make some fancy purpose built tool for it... but you don't have to.

But, then again, I know some guys just love making/buying that special only-one-use tool, so have at it :D

-Ian
 
can you post a link or picture to the High Voltage Probe you use?

Retro is right, but bob was asked many times to make that available and fully supports Retro's idea. but maybe some people like the press drilled hole in bob's and don't have access to a press.

I looked for HV probes on google and they range from 3$ to 200$ and there's a huge difference between them
 
Asking guys here to purchase and use a high voltage probe for discharging a monitor is like telling someone to purchase a cement mixer to install a fencepost. Sure it will get the job done, but do you really need it?
 
I paid $30 for mine. One of the best things i ever bought. Its a B&K Precision HV30, they also make a HV44 i think. Heathkit makes a decent one too. If you are patient, you can get one for less than $40.

Here is an example :

http://cgi.ebay.com/BK-HIGH-VOLTAGE...061?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4cf70f2f8d

I really don't see how $30 to $40 is like buying a cement mixer...

edit: to answer your question, yes, you really need it, at least in my mind.
 
Sorry, I'm not trolling, but rather playing devil's advocate for the super casual hobbyist. Most guys that need to discharge a monitor are probably doing it for the first time (or first few times) and don't want to wait to find a good price on a HVP.

After spending many hours reading and learning about CRT and electronics repair, I MYSELF can now appreciate why a HV probe would be useful, but I still don't see where the weekend warrior arcade owner is gonna care. He'll use a long handled screwdriver and jumper cables. It's crude, but it will get the job done.

I'm a big fan of Bob's setup just because it's already made, and already available at the place where the cap kit is too.

Guys who do repair seriously? Sure, get a probe.
 
If you're having problems with yours, I can send you my professionally made prototype for only 3 installments of $29.99. I'll even include an alligator clip.

3544443296_79ca20891f_o.jpg
 
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