CRT TV

RyanIsntAlive · Wed 24/02/2021 21:03:35

Sat next to me as I type is an old CRT tv, no remote, just buttons for 8 channels, and I'm so intruiged by it, this TV is older than I am.

I was just wondering if anyone had done anything like this, or if anyone had any stories about their old CRTs?

My plan tomorrow is take the screws out and have a look inside, and safely remove parts from it.
As part of a photography project, I plan on scooping out it's insides and turning it into a wearable helmet. It's gonna be a fair amount of work, but the end project could be one of the coolest projects I've ever done.

Mandle · Wed 24/02/2021 21:43:32

Is this the beginning of an ARG thread?

blur · Wed 24/02/2021 21:47:43

There can be high voltages in some of the components even for a long time after the TV had been disconnected from the power socket. Good luck!

RyanIsntAlive · Thu 25/02/2021 00:28:37

Quote from: blur on Wed 24/02/2021 21:47:43
There can be high voltages in some of the components even for a long time after the TV had been disconnected from the power socket. Good luck!

Thanks for the advice, I'll make sure to ground myself before I start.

Quote from: Mandle on Wed 24/02/2021 21:43:32
Is this the beginning of an ARG thread?

...Stay tuned.

CrashPL · Thu 25/02/2021 09:36:29

Ah, CRTs, yes, yes. I still keep my beautiful Sony Trinitron around, it's an absolute beast for old computers or consoles!

Quote from: blur on Wed 24/02/2021 21:47:43
There can be high voltages in some of the components even for a long time after the TV had been disconnected from the power socket. Good luck!

Yeah, since there's a lot of high voltage components inside, it's always a good idea to discharge it before attempting further disassembly (depending on whether you have a bleeder resistor inside or not, discharging capacitors/transformers by themselves might take from 10 minutes to several days).

eri0o · Thu 25/02/2021 11:55:19

Hey, don't ground yourself. Grounding is to discharge YOUR static so YOU don't blow sensitive components.

In a CRT TV I don't think there are sensitive components like in modern smd electronics... Grounding yourself will reduce your impedance, this make easier to find a path through you, which you kinda don't want when dismantling a CRT TV. Look into flyback transformers.

Edit: also, please post pictures of the thing and the pieces as you disassemble it!

Mandle · Thu 25/02/2021 12:40:51

Quote from: eri0o on Thu 25/02/2021 11:55:19
Edit: also, please post pictures of the thing and the pieces as you disassemble it!

Also, please be sure to tell us about the weird note/electrical component/etching or whatever you find inside that leads us off on our first step of this adventure!

CrashPL · Thu 25/02/2021 13:19:09

Adding to what eri0o said (because I totally missed the part about 'grounding yourself') - indeed, that's a huge no no. Do this instead:

Granted it's for a CRT monitor (an old compact Mac in this case), but it's the general idea for all kind of CRTs - discharge it via the anode cap and a grounded flathead screwdriver.

RyanIsntAlive · Thu 25/02/2021 14:27:00

Hey guys

Just an update before I disassemble, Thank you for the grounding advice, I'll make sure to not do that!
As for the TV itself, it's a sanyo black and white thing, I haven't been able to find any information on it online, but I have attached pictures.
I purchased it on Facebook marketplace for Â£10, and according to the listing, video didn't work, only audio. It was up for Â£15 but the guy quickly accepted my offer. I purchased it a few days ago but don't know when it was last plugged in.
https://imgur.com/a/xGf67YC
(I don't know if that's worked, I'm still new to forums)

I've only worked on newer PC towers so not sure how to go about this.
Once I open it up, I'll add photos.

Thanks again.

eri0o · Thu 25/02/2021 14:37:52

If you use a link directly to the image and put between tags on the forum, the image shows up

Code: ags

[img]MY_URL[/img]

On imgur, in the sharing options there's a BBCode option that already places these tags and places the direct image url inside.

In imgur direct links starts with i.

RyanIsntAlive · Thu 25/02/2021 14:44:51

Had some trial and error but I got it

eri0o · Thu 25/02/2021 14:48:40

This is an example of a direct link in IMGUR:

https://i.imgur.com/K6szfw3_d.webp?maxwidth=640&shape=thumb&fidelity=medium

(Notice the i. at start)

Now place it between the tags.

RyanIsntAlive · Thu 25/02/2021 14:51:24

I managed to get it, Sorry for the trial and error, I don't quite understand forum posting yet

RyanIsntAlive · Thu 25/02/2021 16:03:28

The TV is open.

It had 4 screws but the insides are now open, It's very dusty, but also really cool!
[imgzoom]https://i.imgur.com/USszpy7.jpeg[/imgzoom]
[imgzoom]https://i.imgur.com/QoemW1b.jpeg[/imgzoom]
[imgzoom]https://i.imgur.com/Ve81J9L.jpeg[/imgzoom]

I haven't touched anything inside yet, I'm not sure where to start on this. Any pointers?

RyanIsntAlive · Thu 25/02/2021 17:12:39

Update, Took some parts out, I'm not dead!
My hands are filthy so I hope this is worth it.

[imgzoom]https://i.imgur.com/g0kt22C.jpeg[/imgzoom]
[imgzoom]https://i.imgur.com/l51pgXr.jpeg[/imgzoom]

With all the components out, I can start disassembling, But this is going to be much bigger than I could've imagined.

Quote from: Mandle on Thu 25/02/2021 12:40:51
Also, please be sure to tell us about the weird note/electrical component/etching or whatever you find inside that leads us off on our first step of this adventure!

As excited as I am, all I've found inside so far is this? A canadian cent from 1980, and, um, mayor McCheese?

eri0o · Thu 25/02/2021 17:21:42

Weirdly dust has settled very uneven! Also I see a Mitsubishi semiconductor there!

Also one of the buttons in your hand is reversed.

RyanIsntAlive · Thu 25/02/2021 17:34:32

Theres alot of dust on the front knobs, but thats all fine, I've probably got some compressed air somewhere. Yeah, I didn't notice till you said, but its just there, weird to think of mitsubishi making electronics.
The buttons popped off when I pulled that board out, I put them back on to keep everything together.

Is it safe to remove the big chonky bit from the screen?

RyanIsntAlive · Thu 25/02/2021 18:30:49

Theres a cable connecting the screen block thing, to the circuit board, its a thick red one that has a black sucker connected to the screen, I don't know if it's safe to remove. Any advice?
I think it's the anode Connection

eri0o · Thu 25/02/2021 18:49:05

I don't know, but if you stop writing I will assume you died trying.

RyanIsntAlive · Thu 25/02/2021 20:35:39

I'm back, not dead yet!

In the end I couldn't quite remove the anode cable, but I was able to cut it off safely.
And now its in parts.
[imgzoom]https://i.imgur.com/EtYOEkM.jpeg[/imgzoom]

Still alot of work to make it wearable, but its a start. Main issue is the screen, the glass isn't attached to the case. its part of the CRT system, so without being able to disassemble that, I'll have to get new glass there.
everything past that is just additional stuff, I have a raspberry pi sitting somewhere, I could probably steal some code and slot it in, get a cheap screen around the same size, but it's not essential.
The majority of the project is weirdly done, this took much less time than I expected.

I'll give you updates on glass and stuff as they come.

Mandle · Fri 26/02/2021 08:52:19

Quote from: RyanIsntAlive on Thu 25/02/2021 17:12:39
As excited as I am, all I've found inside so far is this? A canadian cent from 1980, and, um, mayor McCheese?

Can you show us the back of both items found inside the TV?

heltenjon · Fri 26/02/2021 10:32:57

This "Live from the bomb squad" thread is amazing!

Darth Mandarb · Fri 26/02/2021 14:20:43

How is nobody drawing parallels between this guy constantly telling us he's still alive and his chosen username...

RyanIsntAlive · Fri 26/02/2021 22:45:13

Hey guys, sorry for the late reply, Much like glados I'm still alive, it's been kinda a long day, I went outside for a while, that was nice.

I didn't really touch the TV much today, I set up the frame, and put the screen block back in for ease of storage, the parts are in a separate box, I might have a look into them later, see if you guys need anything, but its nice to have everything mostly working fine, I've had nightmares about this tv the other night.
Little fun fact, This TV was made December 4th 1986! This is older than a sega master system says Wikipedia.
Things I need to do so far, I need to get glass to cover the giant face hole, it needs to be that recognisable curve to it, thankfully I have the actual screen so I know the shape, and possibly work in some kind of screen arrangement so I can put different visuals on. But I also need to make some kind of brace for this, I don't want all the weight on the shoulders, or on the top of the head. I'm thinking of basing it off a safety helmet, as I may be able to find one of them, maybe I can add a few things to that before I screw it in. The knobs on the front are part of the circuit,
Oh I also have to make the neck hole so people can wear it, and maybe make it safe so people cant cut themselves on the plastic.

Mandle, sorry to disappoint, its weird, But not as weird as I hoped, I'm not sure the coin has anything. The, token I guess, it has a white circle, that's broken on the right.

I like that name heltenjon, maybe once I've finished my first ags game I can make a new one, "Tales from the bomb squad" Reckon it could be fun!

This thread means alot to me, this is quite a cool little DIY project for me, so having you guys interested in my progress is kinda helping push me to continue, so thank you.
As always, any questions, I check the forum daily so drop them in here, and I'll get back to you as soon as!

heltenjon · Fri 26/02/2021 23:28:48

Quote from: RyanIsntAlive on Fri 26/02/2021 22:45:13
I like that name heltenjon, maybe once I've finished my first ags game I can make a new one, "Tales from the bomb squad" Reckon it could be fun!

Maybe like a live feed where the main character suggests to do something, and you control him by liking or other emojis.

It would be cool if you used the title.

RyanIsntAlive · Fri 26/02/2021 23:39:13

I've had the idea to use live streaming as a narrative device, perhaps "Live from the bomb squad" is just the answer

eri0o · Sun 28/02/2021 23:50:36

QuoteI plan on scooping out it's insides and turning it into a wearable helmet

Eth, now that I reread the beginning... This kinda reminds these comics:

RyanIsntAlive · Wed 03/03/2021 14:43:16

That's kinda the plan, Make it look like the is no head, only TV

Mandle · Fri 05/03/2021 09:15:41

What happens if you try peeling back the split in the back of the token?

(Dammit! I was sure this was the start of an ARG but, if it's not, I'm gonna try my best to turn it into one!)

Cassiebsg · Sat 06/03/2021 11:54:51

Adventure Reality Game?

RyanIsntAlive · Sat 13/03/2021 18:28:17

Hey Guys, sorry I disappeared on you for a while, don't worry I'm still alive.

There's not been too much progress, I'm waiting on some Plexiglass to be delivered and need to figure out how to mount it right, I'm thinking maybe clips?.
In the meantime there is one more thing I wanna talk bring up, an email I received the other day. it arrived at my personal one and just wanna say that if it was related to this, was pretty creepy to do so.

I'll be back to update you guys when the glass arrives, but I'll also be working on a head mount for it hopefully on Monday.
Thanks for now guys.