Cinematronics Vector Monitor Repair Guide v.1.0
The Cinematronics Vector Monitor FAQ and Repair Guide by McClintock Version 0.96 February 28, 2003
Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...... 2 THEORY OF OPERATION ...... 4 MONITOR TYPES AND DIFFERENCES ...... 15 VARIABLE INTENSITIES...... 17 HIGH VOLTAGE SUPPLY ...... 19 TUBE AND YOKE...... 23 MONITOR ADJUSTMENTS ...... 24 FACTORY SERVICE UPGRADES...... 26 RECOMMENDED MONITOR UPGRADES ...... 28 TROUBLESHOOTING AND TEST PROCEEDURES...... 30 SYMPTOM DIAGNOSIS...... 35 Appendix A: Operator's Guide To Troubleshooting...... 43 Appendix B: Replacement Parts...... 46 Appendix D: Testing Transistors...... 48 Appendix E: Using an Electrohome G05 or Wells-Gardner V2000...... 50 Appendix F: Installing A Cap Kit...... 51
Page 1 of 53 Cinematronics Vector Monitor Repair Guide v.1.0
INTRODUCTION
Note: Very little, if any, of this document is my own work. Information in this document has been taken from official factory manuals, technical updates, practical experience by others, etc. In many instances I have paraphrased or omitted information from the original documents for readability and/or clarity purposes. I thought it would be helpful, not only to myself, but to others having trouble with their Cinematronic vector monitors. Please read through this entire document before working on your malfunctioning monitor, and make sure you have a set of schematics on-hand. Also, in order to properly test your Cinematronics monitor, it is imperative that you have a known- working game board and power supply to provide a good input signal to the monitor. A bad game board and not the monitor can actually cause some of the symptoms of a ‘bad’ monitor. It is also important to say that an oscilloscope is a piece of test equipment that is necessary to work on Cinematronic vector monitors. Without a scope, you will find it almost impossible to solve your problem(s).
DISCLAIMER
CAUTION!!! LETHAL VOLTAGES ARE PRESENT IN ARCADE MONITORS. SUITABLE PRECAUTIONS SHOULD BE TAKEN BEFORE ATTEMPTING TO SERVICE YOUR MONITOR. REMEMBER, NO WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, ARE GIVEN. USE THIS INFORMATION AT YOUR OWN RISK. I AM NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY DAMAGES THAT MAY OCCUR TO YOUR PERSON OR PROPERTY.
Acknowledgements
The following people have contributed to the development of this document (knowingly or otherwise): Gary Akins Jr.; Rodger Boots; David Fish; David Haynes; John Hermann; Mike Inglem; Mark Jenison; Al Kossow; Rich Marquette; Matt McCullar; Zonn Moore; John Robertson; Matt Rossiter; Mike Saul; Mark Shostak; Sam Verlander; Joe Welser; Simon Whittam; and Gregg Woodcock (let me know if you want to see your name here – or don’t want to!)
The Cinematronics design was created by one man - Larry Rosenthal. It is very elegant, and astounding that Larry’s design could do so much with so little.
Cinematronics – related patents