Monitor repair help needed

Well guys, I'm thinking about bringing my MVS cab back to life. I'm not sure, but I think it has a Wells Gardner monitor. The picture tube glass was made by Zenith. I need a little advice. The last time it was powered up I got a sudden sizzle and smoke. Up until this time everything was working ok. About two weeks ago I said what the hell...pulled the cab out and removed the back panels. I could not find any bad/blown capacitors. I'm thinking the problem is with the flyback? Could it be blown, if so how would I know.

Should I just toss this damn monitor and get one off eBay or something?
I have pictures and can take more to post here.

Well, if it were me, I'd start with the basis that either the isoltation transformer, CRT or the chassis (electrical components) are dead and work back from there.

Isolation transformer is easiest to check, by far. If it doesn't sound like the monitor 'turns on', it's most likely the transformer. It's a little coil-looking thing at the bottom of the cab.

CRT is next easiest to check. If you've got a TV or three, you can take them apart and see if the neckboard is the same type as that of the WG's CRT. If it is, it's as simple as connecting them together. Be careful working with the CRT of both the monitor and the TV, either carries enough current to kill you if you're not careful.

If you get it to work, it's not going to look 'right', but it will be good enough to tell if the CRT is OK.

If it passes those two tests, that's when you start getting into harder stuff. At that point, it may be easier to look for a working 7000-series chassis than trying to fix the old one.

TerryMathews said:

Isolation transformer is easiest to check, by far. If it doesn't sound like the monitor 'turns on', it's most likely the transformer. It's a little coil-looking thing at the bottom of the cab.

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I can hear the monitor power on when I power up the cab.

TerryMathews said:

CRT is next easiest to check. If you've got a TV or three, you can take them apart and see if the neckboard is the same type as that of the WG's CRT. If it is, it's as simple as connecting them together.

Click to expand...

I have a 20'" Sony Wega. I'd guess everything inside is made by Sony. Plus there is no way I'm gonna risk F***ing it up...it's still less than a year old. I'd catch hell if I screwed up my parents TV...even though my dad hates it and thinks it's a piece of sh**.

Do you see the heaters glowing inside the neck of the CRT ?

Neo Ash said:

I have a 20'" Sony Wega. I'd guess everything inside is made by Sony. Plus there is no way I'm gonna risk F***ing it up...it's still less than a year old. I'd catch hell if I screwed up my parents TV...even though my dad hates it and thinks it's a piece of sh**.

Click to expand...

There are three industry-standard CRT neck connectors; it's not specific to a praticular manufacturer.

Wiring it up like that wouldn't hurt anything. I'm talking WG electronics to Sony CRT. The other way around might hurt something.
You've got to realize, a CRT is designed to deal with current measured in amps and voltage in 100s of volts. The slight difference between a chassis designed for it and another chassis would make the slightest bit of difference for the minute it would be on.