I'm getting arcs across the exterior back of the tube!! HELP!!

The high voltage is arcing between the high voltage output connection to the CRT, and the ground of the CRT. It's likely there is excessive high voltage due to a regulation failure, or it's just dirty.

Nothing to do with ratty extension cords. :)

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That suction cup looking thing is an insulating cap over where the anode lead clips onto the tube. The most common cause of arcing there is collected dust that absorbs moisture and becomes conductive. The arcing burns it into carbon which is even more conductive and the problem gets worse.

What I do to fix these is to discharge the tube, then clean the area around the anode real well with simple green or something similar to get all the grime and carbon off, and clean the anode cap as well. Then get some dielectric grease from an automotive store (look in the spark plug section) and smear a coat of it on the bottom of the suction cup and reassemble, should be good as new.

And don`t stick your finger in the hole in the glass tube! even after you discharged it

Ron

Nor your tongue (he said, tongue in cheek). :-)

Tom

Ahh well, unless he is Homer Simpson he will only do it once!

David

Tom Mac> >

My favorite episode of the "Beverly Hillbillies" - where Jethro tried to X-Ray the bear!

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N