Dim monitor. What do I test/look at next?

[Desolis]

Hey all,

So I picked up my first cabinet a couple of weeks ago. It plays but the monitor (WG K4914) is incredibly dim. To see anything, lights that are in the room have to be off. I've managed to get the colors and focus looking good, but turning up the brightness from the flyback just makes the picture worse. The previous owner told me he already capped the monitor (though I'll probably do that again anyway to be sure), and now I'm trying to figure out what I should do/test next.

I've tested voltages from the power supply and the board and they check out fine, but I'm not sure where on the chassis to test the b+ voltage or what else I can test for that matter. Can I find this information in the manual? Is there information in the chassis diagram? I'm new to reading these diagrams and I'm not really sure what I'm looking for.

[iankellogg]

What does the image look like when you turn up the brightness?
Pictures help a lot.

[Desolis]

Of course. My apologies, I had some on my phone, and I should have thought to post them when I started the thread.

Night: (the camera picks up a bit more than just my eyes do in the night photos, it's a little bit dimmer than what appears.)

With screen brightness turned up from flyback:

http://i.imgur.com/FhJzb9K.jpg

With screen brightness lowered and focus a little more dialed in:

http://i.imgur.com/9200JtK.jpg

Day:

Without changing anything from the previous image.

http://i.imgur.com/eujB1GE.jpg

[iankellogg]

if you crank the brightness on the flyback up all the way is it still really dim?

[Desolis]

Yeah, It just kind of washes the colors out, but there's no actual increase in brightness/glow.

[iankellogg]

It may be possible that the tube is just tired. If you can find someone with a rejuver that would be the best place to start I think.

[Desolis]

Hm, okay I'll have to see what I can find, thanks for taking a look. Maybe this is a good excuse to buy a rejuver

[jtslade]

Maybe just replace the fly back


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[Desolis]

Yeah I thought about trying that, but I'd like to do some further testing to try to figure out if that's indeed necessary. From what I've read they don't go bad very often and I'm not at all sure how to determine the likelihood of that being the case. I still need to find where/how to test the b+, little by little I'm working my way towards either a fix or a scrap and replace. Hopefully not the latter, as that's pricier than I can afford right now. Here's hoping I can get my hands on a rejuver fairly cheaply too.

[offset]

I have a WG K7000 that is doing the same thing, tried rejuv, still dim.    The only thing left for me to try is a new flyback, otherwise I'll assume the tube is worn out.

[Desolis]

Hopefully that does it for you. The thought of having to  buy a whole new tube...My wife would not be pleased with me.

[KennyL]

Just remember, if a cap kit and new flyback don't fix the issue you do at least have a full spare chassis and board set.  All you'd really be tossing out would be the tube it's self.  Try everything you can before you toss anything, though.

[offset]

I've not tried it myself, but from what I've seen on forum posts, the K7000 chassis is pretty good for matching with donor crt tubes.

[jtslade]

Any update, pics or just any thoughts.. Hope all is arcade goodness


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[iankellogg]

i have not ever run across a situation where the flyback was marginal and causing color problems.