Bill I am sorry you have had problems with your 'new' unit, but your problem reminded me of something that should be important to all collectors.
Any device you have that has a CRT display should be brought out and powered up at least once a year, twice a year if it is important to you and older than say 20 years or so.
This little cap popping episode reminded me to get out my backup Vectrex. When I powered it on it was almost 5 seconds before all the Caps in the high voltage section came back up and started working. I had clearly waited to long to bring this out and cycle it.
I also keep a original VT100 with video overlay input as well as a original ADM3A terminal, both that have HV caps for the CRT. They get fired up at least once a year whether I use them or not just to keep the power supplies in shape.
So plan on a maintenance day once in a while and get those PET's, TRS80's and what not out and let them 'warm up' for a hour or so to keep the electrons in shape :)
Bill I am sorry you have had problems with your 'new' unit, but your problem reminded me of something that should be important to all collectors.
Any device you have that has a CRT display should be brought out and powered up at least once a year, twice a year if it is important to you and older than say 20 years or so.
This little cap popping episode reminded me to get out my backup Vectrex. When I powered it on it was almost 5 seconds before all the Caps in the high voltage section came back up and started working. I had clearly waited to long to bring this out and cycle it.
I also keep a original VT100 with video overlay input as well as a original ADM3A terminal, both that have HV caps for the CRT. They get fired up at least once a year whether I use them or not just to keep the power supplies in shape.
So plan on a maintenance day once in a while and get those PET's, TRS80's and what not out and let them 'warm up' for a hour or so to keep the electrons in shape :)
-Cecil
-Cecil