Tempest help again

jonathan1138

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Hey all.... So the other day i noted the Tempest was running hot, causing let side monitor not to show up. It fixed itself after it cooled down.

Anyway, i pulled the boards (the neckboard and big board - not the HV board in the cage) and reflowed some solder to the best of my ability. Since i have the boards out, i dishwashed them. Now, before the gasps of dishwasher fear come in, ive washed about 50+ boards in my life and havent had a problem. Yet :).

Put everything back in. Plugged it in - turned it on - and quickly (QUICKLY) off - the HV cage was sparking. Could be me being paranoid - as i always am - but it didnt seem right. It was very loud crackling and visible sparking from the flyback.

A. I could have something connected wrong to either the neck board or the big board. On the neck board, there are two prongs in the upper right hand corner - i put a three posted connector there (orange and red) - is that correct (it connects up to the HV board).

B. Could this be a symptom of not letting my boards dry long enough (nearly 2 days)? Dumber question of the day - what is the effect of water in the circuit (just a little bit).

C. I am just being paranoid and should flip her on and hope she doesnt blow.

Thanks everyone for some help here.
 
Bump. I checked wiring again, think i am ok. If no advice on this one, i am going to turn her on again tonight and hope for the best...... cross your fingers!
 
If its been as humid wherever you are as it has been here, and its in a garage or basement environment, you may be ok, although it literally could be that the flyback was already shot and just jostling things around now causing it to arc, but I've seen where its really humid out and have a fly arc.
 
Ok - i hear you guys - the most important question - if A LITTLE water got in there (causing the arching that i saw, sparks flying before i switched it off) - could that cause permanent damage where i would need to replace the flyback or transistors? Or, would the drying out phase return it to working order. I understand its all theory as i dont know whats going on just yet (could be the fly just died - it is original).
 
Good news everyone.

So, fired it up tonight - no issues - plays great.

Last night, there must have been water in there because it was sparking. Fortunately, no long lasting damage and plays good now.

Thanks KLOV!
 
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