Tatung 26MDA monitor with Sparking sound

Dear Rodney

Sounds like you have done most of the fault tracing and the tubebase panel is in question.

Tubebase connector Focus spark gap would be my first port of call.

Assuming it is arcing in error, you can try locating the sparkgap with a view to checking/maximizing its gap.

regards

Frank

The spark gap for the focus is an air gap in the tube socket. I used a piece of paper to block the gap and still got a spark sound and no mark on the paper. Have been unable to find any trace of arcing anyware on the board. After listening a bit more the sound could be coming from the lopt it's hard to tell due to position of the boards and me been not to keen to get my head too close to the eht. I have removed the lopt but found no trace of arcing.

It also looks like someone has worked on the monitor before as all the spark gaps on the neck board have been cut.

Thanks Rodney

Dear Rodney

Here is a good one. Try viewing the LOPT and Tubebase in reduced ambient light (Total dark if you can). Light from spark may be visible (if you are lucky) or a corona visible near the offending part.

Tatung monitors are great for the price and generally are better than most that are out there so it may be worth that extra bit of effort.

regards

Frank

Hi Guys,

Sometimes the tube itself can be the cause of "Sparking Problems". If air gets in the tube (due to a very slow leak over years or a cracked tube neck) then it will flash over INSIDE the tube. To diagnose this, turn off the room lights and look for blue/violet light inside the neck of the tube. If you get this then there are only 2 possibilities, Air in tube, or too many volts. You will need to measure the EHT to eliminate the latter.

Good luck!

Ian.