Posted by jakdedert on 11/09/07 15:50

Igor wrote:
> On Tue, 6 Nov 2007 12:20:43 -0700, "Bob Myers"
> <nospamplease@address.invalid> wrote:
>
> <snip>
>
>> And realistically, a CRT monitor cannot be "refurbished"
>> without replacement of the tube. <snip>
>
> Would replacing the tube be prohibitively expensive?
> --

When they quit making them (soon), and when NOS runs out (eventually),
yes...depending on your definition of 'prohibitive'. Just when the
above will happen is a guess; but crt plants world-wide are shutting
down NOW. Most models--and there are thousands--are probably not easily
available even now, due to the fact that crt replacement hasn't been a
common procedure for decades. Given the hour or so required for
alignment of a new crt, it's long been more economical to replace the
entire set except in specialty or industrial applications.

That said, if a demand exists, someone will fill the vacuum. It's still
a question of price.

Most other parts of a monitor are stock, replaceable (or rebuildable)
devices. Building new crt's is not something easily taken up as a
'cottage' industry.

In early-tv hobby circles, crt's are reportedly still 'refurbished'.
This involves opening the glass envelope and replacing the electron gun
assembly (all the electrical parts in the neck of the tube), then
evacuating and resealing the tube. This cottage industry is largely
dependent on availability of NOS replacement 'guns' or electron beam
assemblies, and the reported cost for doing a monochrome crt is around
$250. Of course, this depends on the availability of replacement parts.

A color unit will cost more...and all is dependent on the condition of
rest of the tube--shadow mask and screen phosphors--being worthy of the
effort. Even these problems can be overcome, but again, price is the issue.

I did an extensive web search and was unable to definitively locate a
price for the above. I found a few that claim to do the work, but
require a request for quote. I'm sure it wouldn't be cheap.....

jak

> "Those of us whose brains did not die in college are
> actually stunned by just how stupid academic ideas
> are." -- Robert W. Whitaker, http://readbob.com/
>

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