How to SAFELY Discharge and Release the Vacuum from a TV / CRT / Computer Monitor Display tube. 

I have a crt that works but is dusty and had a spider on the bottom. Do you think it’s worth opening up to clean? Like would their actually be bugs inside? I really don’t want to open it up, but I also don’t want to bring it in the house lol

You ask if I think it's worth opening up an old CRT to clean it? In short, my answer is "probably not" (in my humble opinion). Flat panel displays are so cheap these days; they take less room; and they cost less to operate. The ONLY reason I would consider opening any CRT these days is for disposal and recycling purposes. Additionally, I wouldn't do this in my house, even if I knew there were no bugs. My patio, my garage, or simply outside... that's where I would do this work. Good luck with the spiders!! ;-)

@@mystfoundung3362 i would do it those crt tv’s can be really good for retro gaming and i stil have one to

Hello, I've just find a CRT TV without the electronics inside. To not waste it do you think if I put a lamp behind the phosphor glass from the inside I will have a green light? I would like to transform it in an ambiance light

@@alter5102 I don't think so - not without breaking open the back of the tube - which I would NOT recommend (toxic and dangerous). I think that the SAFEST thing to do would be to remove the whole tube (and discard it safely), and replace the tube with a sheet of clear plastic or glass - cut to fit into the opening, and then use Spray Paint of your desired green color on the inside of this new screen. Light it up from the inside using an LED bulb so it doesn't generate much heat. This is what "I" myself would do if I needed something like this. Let me know what you decide to do! :-)

Thanks. If this video helps keep ONE person from getting injured, it will have been totally worth the time and effort to film and post this information! :-)

Hello, and thanks for the comment. Several people have expressed an interest in turning a TV into an aquarium, and some even want to use the front glass of the TV as the front of the aquarium. I have never seen this done successfully, and the ONE that I saw which appeared successful, didn't have any fish in it. It is my belief that it would be very difficult to make it non-toxic enough for the fish to survive for long. I imagine people spending a lot of time and money trying to make something that looks cool - but only end up killing their fish. If you DO attempt this, be sure to document everything and share what you learned! :-)

@@ToddMcMahon Hello there! I've followed your instructions and successfully discharged the electricity and released the vacuum in a safe manner! The screen however might need some unscrewing to do, since it's latched onto the inner body of the TV. I'm only building this aquarium for decoration! Keeping a live fish in there would be extremely harmful and abusive to them 😓. Not to mention the laborious effort needed to properly waterproof the structure.

@@hiparifu6889 - I'm glad to hear that you were successful doing the discharge and the vaccuum release! 🙂Yes, the picture screen/CRT itself is typically held in place to the front bezel with 4 or more screws or bolts - usually in the corners. Good luck! :-)

I am happy it worked for you! :-) I am glad you were skeptical about breaking the glass. It's simply yet another example of how just because a lot of people do a certain thing a certain way, that doesn't mean that they are doing it the RIGHT way. Unfortunately, this holds true for many aspects of life! ;-)

Happy to help! :-) How did your costume turn out?

@@ToddMcMahon Awesome! I used a Sylvania television almost identical to this one and gutted it for a TV head costume. It looks sick! I also salvaged the wires and copper from inside for other crafty uses.

@@daft_mervy ooo could I see it? And how did you make it, what tv did you use, and could you make a yt vid on what it looks like?!

@@justapineapple8464 I could make a vid about it in the future if I have time. Here's a short explanation in case I dont: Like I said, the TV is nearly identical to the one in this video, Sylvania brand. Once the innards were removed I cut a hole for my head in the bottom. I used a large piece of flat plastic (such as one from a storage box) and tinted it with car window tinting. I put that in the place where the bulb once was, and painted the exterior in bright paint spatters. I also put some foam inside to help it sit on my head. The plastic 'screen' can be seen through by you but not others if you use dark tint, and looks just like a real tv. I decorated mine like the TV's seen in Twenty One Pilot's newer music videos for SAI. Also, save cords or cables that come in the tv to use on the exterior for a messy, cyborg-ish look. I even kept the main plug to glue to the back! It's very fun but a little cumbersome to wear (I would use a smaller tv in the future) It's perfect for Cons or Halloween! Good luck if you decide to make your own!! :)

Dude cosplaying as pyrocynical

Sorry to hear that. Yeah, it pays to be careful. Even after I had been trained on how to safely discharge that stored electricity - I managed to STILL get shocked on a couple of occasions, because I wasn't being careful enough! Glad you're OK!

😂

Hi Tatum! Thank you! I'm glad you found the information useful! How big was that Television? Was it one of those built into a piece of wooden furniture? :-)

You are very welcome. Thank YOU for the nice comments! There have been a couple people making an aquarium from an old TV or Monitor - but I have yet to see one myself. I wish you luck. Why not make a RU-vid video of your project? I'd love to see it! Good luck! 🙂

@@ToddMcMahon I didn't shot video throughout the project but I did take pictures. I will link you when I am all done.

why.. why you had to ruin a tv to make an aquarium?

Because you touch yourself at night @@sgtreznov9869

Having worked at a place where they manufactured high-resolution CRTs for military use, I was able to learn a lot from the technicians who built and repaired them. I am happy to be able to share this knowledge. 🙂

I have discharged the electrical current, and released the vacuum on dozens of monitors over the years, and I find those sounds to be very satisfying. 🙂 It actually feels GOOD when you know you are doing something the correct way, and that your actions might help keep others from getting injured. Thanks for the comment! 🙂

Just did it. No mess, super easy. Thanks again.

Hi Dandur! Thanks for the comments. Yeah, I know what you mean. I was looking at videos for copper recovery, and smelting, and every single one of the videos where they took deflection coils from CRTs - IF they even bothered with discharging the electrical current and releasing the vacuum, their processes left a bad taste in my mouth. I had the opportunity to work for a company that had this one department which manufactured very high resolution CRT displays for military AWACS airplanes, and I learned a lot from those technicians.

Todd McMahon I’m glad you put it out here. I searched on google afterwards, and found some people who suggested your method, but very few. And they were buried under a plethora of answers and comments discussing where to break the glass and how to protect yourself from the resulting mess. I started learning about electronics last year with a beginners book and a breadboard to build small circuits. I learned a lot from that book, unfortunately I reached the end and think getting a new book will be my next step, since information on the Internet is so varied. So glad I saw your video, because finding the best solution can be difficult at times when only reading them, but seeing them can make the winner very clear.

Trust me, I understand. It has happened to before as well when I worked as a technician. Little shocks for the most part here and there, but once got a serious jolt when I was adjusting the contrast on the main board of a high resolution 21-inch monitor that was powered on. Hot day, and my hand was wet with sweat. We were supposed to be using plastic or fiberglass tools, but I couldn't find any (another tech had taken them all for a service call), so I used a regular metal screwdriver with a plastic handle. I figured it would be safe enough. My hand was sweaty, and when I leaned forward to look at the picture screen while I was adjusting a potentiometer - my hand slipped off the handle an onto the metal shaft of the screwdriver. My hand jerked, and the tip of the screwdriver hit some live contact. My forearm was leaning on a metal RFI Shield, and I was shocked severely from my hand, and thru my wrist. The jolt was strong enough for my metal watch band to arc against the RFI shield, and both were discolored by the spark that passed between the two pieces of metal. My hand and forearm were completely numb, and I was shaking like I was suffering from too much caffeine, and my arm was more-or-less useless for days. I can only presume that the sweat on my skin allowed the jolt to pass over the surface of my skin instead of deeper thru my arm (maybe?). I consider myself fortunate to have survived, and with no lasting effects.

:-) I am glad that the information helped! So many people just don't know what they are doing, and end up doing something that can be quite dangerous.

Thank you! Glad you enjoyed the video! 🙂

Sounds like a cool project! Please send me an image once you have it completed! :-)

Seems like a really cool idea!

The glass is leaded to absorb X-rays.

Yep. 😁

Hi Alex, I typically get my electronic components from DigiKey. With one exception, they have always had the components I needed, and at reasonable prices.

Hi Randy! I am happy to be of assistance. :-)

Thanks! Glad you liked it. Hope you found it informative! :-)

I am glad to hear that you didn't injure yourself! On the up-side, if you ever have to do this again, you know more than you did before!

I had the exact same experience it was sooo scary but luckily i didn’t get hurt

I'd love to see it! 🙂

My pleasure. Thanks for the comment! 🙂

That's great! :-)

@@ToddMcMahon Yes'r. Learned a lot, very useful.

Hi Kirk! You're right - those are both great points. One hand behind the back for anything with LIVE power for sure - especially if you are unfamiliar with the device or process. In this case however, we are dealing with "residual" power, and it's probably not deadly unless you have a pacemaker or a some other heart problem - it sure will hurt though! As for eye protection, you caught me there, which is sad as I am a true proponent of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). I suppose that because I have done this a hundred times or more, I'm a bit more "lax" about it. Good catch though! 🙂

Hi Kaz! :-) The grounding wire that stretches across the back of the tube is your best choice. Grounding to something outside of the device electronics is a bit problematic - as it is not part of the electronic circuit that you are attempting to discharge. Grounding to a nail in a piece of wood is a waste of time, as the wood is an insulator. Just use the grounding wire that is inside the CRT. The point that you are grounding to must be part of the circuit.

Sure sounds like it, doesn't it? Fortunately, the electrical charge was shorted to ground already, so there was only minimal current remaining. :-)

Do NOT release the vacuum if you want to ever use the CRT again. Personally, I think gloves get in the way. Just be careful and do not touch anything metallic.

Hi James! Before releasing the vacuum, you should discharge the electrical current as I did in the video before I pierced the tube to release the vacuum. The tube is "fairly" safe to remove at that point. There are typically four large screws in the corners of the tube holding the tube against the bezel of the TV housing - but remember that the back end of the tube is made of thin glass, and it will still shatter and make a mess if dropped (but if the vacuum is released first, at least it will not IMPLODE on you). It is probably important to mention that if you remove the tube, the whole thing comes out. there is no additional piece of glass or plastic, so there will be a huge HOLE where the picture tube once was. Good luck! 🙂

As long as the CRT is powered off and unplugged, if you can short out the High Voltage Anode to ground, it should be safe enough. I doubt that you need a PVC pipe. Just be safe, and don't touch or hold anything metal as you do the discharge. I'm curious about this modification for RGB you are doing. Why are you making this modification?

@@ToddMcMahon for retro gaming

I suppose that wearing thick rubber gloves like a dishwasher in a professional kitchen would wear could probably provide a decent amount of insulation, but personally I think that the reduction in manual dexterity would make it too cumbersome to be worthwhile. Alternatively, while wearing one or two layers of thin rubber gloves like a medical professional might wear could provide a minimal amount of protection with improved dexterity, they would tear easily. My suggestion would be this: If you can gain access to the "solder-side" of the boards where the capacitors are mounted, all you would need to do to ensure that the capacitors are discharged is to ball up a wad of aluminum foil, grab it with some pliers, and press it against those solder points. The capacitors would discharge immediately, but there would probably be no sound. No gloves required, in fact, the pliers are optional. Hope this helps! 🙂

Yes, it sounds like it is already discharged, if you were making good contact. Just be careful, and maybe do it again just to be sure.

Hi Patty! Right there at 10:34, you will see that I am using a screwdriver-bit in my drill , and I am loosening a silver-colored metallic clamping ring which holds the defector coils in position. The position of this assembly needs to be "adjustable" in the factory, so it will have a clamping mechanism of some type. I am sure that if you keep looking, you will find it. It might be covered by a plastic shroud (etc.). Good luck! 🙂

Yeah, good point. My arm is covering that part a bit. Take a look at this photo I found on the internet. Just take a couple screwdrivers; place one under the ground strap; place the other under the rubber "Anode Cap" (with the screwdriver touching the metal clip under the cap); then short it out by touching the two screwdrivers together. www.electronicrepairguide.com/images/anode%20cap%20discharge.jpg

Hi Kevin, Replacing the cathode ray tube might not be the answer. Many times, a bad solder joint is the problem. Can you solder? If not, do you know anyone who can? I have often seen bad solder joints on the circuit board(s) where things get very warm. Remember to unplug and discharge the tube like I showed in the video. Look at the connection at the back end of the tube, sometimes you can find bad solder joints there. Check any areas that look like they are getting hot - often discoloring the circuit boards; Check the contacts of the Fly-back Transformer; Check all resistors for discoloration, and all capacitors for bulging. Also use your nose and sniff the components to see if they smell burnt. You wouldn't believe how many things I have repaired just by doing these few diagnostic checks first. GOOD LUCK!

Thanks Todd I been over a tv licence if repair centre telling me The cathode tube has packed up I did some soldering on minor crack joints on circuit boards and circuit board behind the cathode tube made no difference seen a video mentioning the capacitors need replacing the 400v 180 uf

@@ToddMcMahon sorry I meant tv repair centre

@@shorty5346 - No worries, Kevin. I was able to understand.

Unfortunately, there are very few (affordable) electronics techs these days, and most of them only do board swaps. It is uncommon to find a repair shop where they are willing to do component-level replacements. Based on your problem description. it sounds like a simple contact problem. To answer your question though - "YES" - it would be wise to discharge the electrical current in the tube before working on it. This being said, some monitors/tvs have a "bleed resistor" that allows the tube to discharge over time once it's powered off... I'd still attempt to discharge it first though. Better safe than sorry! I think your biggest issue will be where to buy the replacement connectors. Good Luck! 🙂

NO. If you release the vacuum the CRT will no longer work. These instructions are for recycle and disposal. NOT for repair.

I am happy for you! However, when it is time to dispose of that CRT, please remember how to discharge the electrical current and the vacuum to make it safe! :-)

As explained in the video, you should discharge the electrical current stored in the picture tube by shorting it to ground; After this, you should release the vacuum by piercing the thin metal of the anode contact (where the cable from the fly-back transformer connects to the tube) using a nail or sharp ice pick. What is the project you will be working on?

Also this video is the most helpful video I've come across thank u sm

The display will no longer work once the vacuum is released, and it will be much safer to dispose of or recycle because that big vacuum tube can no-longer implode. Be sure to discharge any stored electrical current first though!

While you still need to discharge the "Vacuum", discharging the electrical current might not be necessary any more after such a long time. This being said, it is a simple thing to do, so why not go ahead and do it just to be sure?

@ToddMcMahon thank you for the reply 😊 I probably will do it just in case then. Thanks for the easy to follow video too. Hope you have a good rest of your weekend !

@@copyshy You're welcome! 👍 I'm glad you found the information useful! 🙂

A lot depends on how OLD the TV is. Older TVs were really good at keeping their charge, and that charge would help the tube power-up much faster. Newer TVs do not take as long to power up, so they started incorporating a "bleed resistor" to slowly discharge the tube. Either way, if you discharge the current like I show you, you should be fine, even if you do not hear a "pop" from a spark. To be sure you can short it out for a longer amount of time. Long story short - just be careful what you touch - and avoid touching anything metal.

@@ToddMcMahon Thank you so much! I really didn't expect you to respond so fast!

@@audreyellacho - My pleasure! 🙂

Unfortunately, no, due to the glass shards this can create. MANY people do it the way you describe because it is EASY. Being easy does not mean it is correct, nor safe. If you insist on breaking the glass nipple, be sure to wear safety goggles and use a thick cloth rag over the nipple to catch the glass - and then throw the cloth rag away. However, I would HIGHLY recommend that you use the method described in this video (just use a sharper ice pick!).

@@ToddMcMahon I appreciate your reply mate. Never too old to learn. Thank you very much!

@@pauljcampbell2997 My pleasure! 🙂

Hi Joseph. Unfortunately, there is no practical way to accomplish this, due to the toxicity of the inside of the tube (your fish will die, because you would never be able to clean it well enough), as well as the dangers involved with cutting the tube open. If you WERE able to safely open the tube and gain access to just the thick glass front, it still would not be advisable because of sharp edges of glass, as well as the tube components up near that front glass. Besides the very poisonous hazardous waste (mainly phosphorous), there is also a "Shadow Mask", a screen, as well as an inner magnetic shield that you would have to remove. Each of these provides an opportunity to injur yourself, or break the glass. I recommend that you keep the tube intact - except to vent it as shown in my video, and then try to come up with an alternative for the front glass. Maybe you could get some plexiglass, or some other form of clear plastic, and mould it over the tube, using it as a "form". Remove the tube from the tv cabinet and support it with the front glass pointing UP; heat up the clear plastic in the oven (research this part), and then lay it on top of the tube. Not sure if it would work, but it is worth a try. Be sure to clean the inside of the tv cabinet extreemly well, and rinse thouroughly several times. You will also need LOTS of "Aquarium Safe" (100%) Silicone. Other sealants will have acids and other chemicals for curing which would also be deadly for your fish. I hate to sound so negative, as it would be a pretty cool aquarium - I just do not think that using the actual picture tube will provide a good environment for the fish. My guess is that you would spend a lot of time and money, and then just kill the fish. Please let me know what you decide to do! This could still be a fun project! 🙂

I would NOT advise that. Please use either a (sharp) Ice-Pick, or a Nail that cn be held easily by hand or with a pair of pliers - and strike either of these with a hammer to pierce the thin metal plate. Better safe than sorry!

@@ToddMcMahon Ok thanks

Be sure to unplug the power cable from the wall first. If it was powered on recently, there could be residual voltages inside, and some of them are powerful enough to cause injury. You can increase your safety level by wrapping the exposed metal of tools (like screwdrivers, etc.) with electrical tape. Perhaps wearing rubber gloves could help as well. Just be careful.

@@ToddMcMahonThank you so much for the reply. I won't be touching anything. I'm just removing the back cover and just getting an idea of how that button board is connected. Hopefully, it's not soldered in there.

Typically, there is a bare wire running across the back of the tube against where the glass of the tube is painted black or dark grey. You want to short out between that bare wire, and the connection that is under the rubber cap on the tube. This being said, 20 years is a long time, and there is probably no electrical charge left. Your biggest concern will be the Vacuum inside the tube.

​@@ToddMcMahon thank you ! I'm trying to remove the parts to turn it into a costume, after connecting to this braided bare wire will is be safe to cut other wires around the motherboard out ? without touching the capacitors of course : )

​@@ToddMcMahon I got in contact with the friend I sourced it from & it was about 12 years not 20 ! is it still most likely safe anyway ?

@@skttrbrain - Nice! Yes, once the "Annode" connection of the tube (under the rubber cap) has been shorted to ground, you should be OK to touch and remove the electronics safely. Just remember to also release the vacuum inside the tube so that it doesn't implode.

@@skttrbrain - Yes, once the "Annode" connection of the tube (under the rubber cap) has been shorted to ground, you should be OK to touch and remove the electronics safely. Just remember to also release the vacuum inside the tube so that it doesn't implode.

It's safe, and SIMPLE. Once you know what to do. :-)

@@ToddMcMahon for certain.

The tube is actually considered Hazardous Waste, and needs to be disposed of correctly. It seems that every City does things differently, so it would be best to try to find out what you need to do from your City's waste management office, or environmental services department. Just remember that these days it is usually not only Illegal to dispose of them improperly, but it will typically involve a huge fine as well.

@@ToddMcMahon awesome, thank you!

A buddy of mine suggested we take another TV out to the desert and do exactly that! LOL! While it would indeed be fun, the clean-up would not be, and I'm not the kind of person who would just leave toxic waste out in the desert.

WOW! That is a VERY small CRT! Well, first of all, simply because of the toxic nature of the contents of the tube, I would recommend doing this. This being said, if you are going to attempt this anyways, please keep in mind how thin the glass is in the neck area. Remember to release the vacuum before you do ANYTHING. I did happen to see a video of someone cutting glass bottles using a string, wetted down with a flammable liquid. The string is lit on fire, and the bottle rotated to even-out the heat distribution, and then while the burnt string area is still hot, the bottle is dipped in cold water, and the glass fractures along where the string was. Here is a similar video: ru-vid.comXMwB0HcRs5g?si=CHKFUgR_Uhc_vHGV Please note that the water will become contaminated by the contents of the CRT, as well as whatever bucket or pan you use to hold the cold water. These items should be discarded as toxic waste in such a way that there is ZERO chance that anyone might use them again. I have no idea how to clean any of these items well enough to make them non-toxic, and I certainly would not allow anyone other than yourself to handle the open tube - do not let students touch it. Wear thin rubber gloves and a dust mask when handling these items. Again, I think using drawings, diagrams, and photographs from the internet would be the better and safer choice. Either way, please let me know what you decide to do, as I am very curious about this!! Good luck!

@@ToddMcMahon thank you very much for your help!!! Will keep you posted !!

@@finnishsnow3182 - You are very welcome. I'm looking forward to hearing back from you.

Many TV makers (but not all) add a resistor to the circuit between the High Voltage power and ground to very slowly bleed off any residual electrical charge. But why risk it? It's a simple thing to do, so just discharge the current in the tube to be safe. This being said - there WILL still be a large amount of Vacuum in the tube - so be sure to release it! Better safe than sorry!

HaHaHa! :-) Maybe as a Door-Stop?

A lot depends on the electrical design of the monitor/tv. Older models, which take a while to "charge up" before an image appears will tend to bleed off the built-up electrical charge over time. In later years, consumers wanted a tv that displayed an image quickly - and these models are able to do this because the circuit design retains an electrical charge for a longer period of time. So I guess the short answer is "maybe"? I know that doesn't help much - sorry. In my own opinion however, the discharge of the tube really is fairly easy, and it's not difficult to do this safely. Will you be releasing the vacuum inside the tube as well?

@@ToddMcMahon Thank you for your response! I appreciate it! I have probably 3 crts with a vcr or dvd player in them and they are all broken down. I bought used and they've been unplugged for a number of months. Just trying to make sure I do this safely. I didn't know about the vacuum until today.

I want to see if I can repair the vcr or dvd player.

@@SolidNate99 - Sounds like a cool project! Good luck! :-)

Discharging the electrical charge, and releasing the vacuum as I demonstrate in this video makes it "SAFER" to dispose of, however, it still contains hazardous materials which require special handling so that these hazardous materials do not enter the environment. So "NO" - It should NOT simply go to the dump. Whether or not it would be FREE to dispose of depends on your city or state environmental programs. Here where I live, things like monitors, TVs, microwave ovens, florescent tube lightbulbs, electronic-waste - basically anything bad for the environment are free to dispose of at hazardous waste disposal centers, just to keep them out of the landfills. Anyone caught disposing of hazardous waste incorrectly are charged HUGE fines. It makes sense to dispose of such things correctly.

@Flam1ngo - Sounds like a fun project! Good luck! Just be careful. 🙂

@Colin White: Some CRTs have a slow-bleed resister that will discharge the electrical current over time, but unfortunately, there is no way to tell without first looking at a schematic. I think it is best not to risk it and follow the processes I outline in this video. If you are cautious, and not touching anything metalic, or any of the electronic components, you will be fine I'm sure. If you are still nervous about it - ask a friend to watch this video (AND SUBSCRIBE ;-) and then ask if that friend would be willing to help you out!

@@ToddMcMahon thanks friend!

@@colinwhite4710 My pleasure!

The short answer is "no". While that might hold true for other types of devices, most Monitors and TVs are specifically designed to retain and preserve this stored energy to speed-up the power-on process in order to be able to display an image that much faster.

Technically, the "yolk" starts where the deflection coils mount on the back of the tube; which then tapers into a longer and more narrow "neck". So I guess I could have said the end of the neck? ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

@@ToddMcMahon Technically, the deflection yoke isn't even part of the tube. Evacuation is done through the stem.

@@WilliamDaGalloway - I guess you win the internet for the day. Congratulations. It's kind of hard for me to remember details from 40 years ago at my age.

There are some manufacturers who would first fill the tube with an inert gas (like nitrogen) before applying vacuum, but most just warm-up the tube then apply vacuum and suck out the air before sealing the back of the tube. The dangerous part is primarily the phosphor coating inside the tube, however, the GLASS itself is also hazardous waste, as the glass contains a mixture of several heavy metals (primarily lead, but several others including mercury). Either way - it's nasty enough to warrant extra care and propper disposal!

@@ToddMcMahon now that’s pretty scary, I used this video to take apart a bigger crt tv and the only thing I haven’t token apart is the crt tube. I’m worried since the tube is so big, it will implode when I use the nail

@@Dipplers - Use a SHARP Ice Pick or Awl - and tap it with a hammer until that metal plate has punctured, in the place where I show you, and you should be fine. The glass around that metal contact is thicker and it is made that way exactly for this reason.

@@ToddMcMahon ok, that sounds easy, all I want to do is remove the electron beam gun to look at it closely and throw all the glass away

Where did you get the idea that this TV was fully functional? Besides, it was way overdue for an UPGRADE! ;-)

@@ToddMcMahon My CRT TV that I use for retro gaming is starting to shut off by itself randomly usually once per night. Also the video sometimes ripples across the screen. I just want to repair my CRT. Do I need to discharge the electrical charge and vacuum to disconnect the motherboard safely? I just want to replace all the capacitors.

@@festeezy Hi Mike! Do NOT discharge the vacuum of the tube if you ever want to use it again!!! This DESTROYS the tube's ability to function! Discharge of the vacuum is ONLY done prior to Disposal or Recycle. Yes, you should discharge the electrical current before working on it. With regards to the repair, be sure to check for bad solder joints, and carefully resolder anything that looks "dull" and not bright. Be careful not to over solder, or allow one solder joint to bleed into another. Just remember that repair of a CRT is actually the work realm of a trained and experienced electrical technician, and should not be attempted by a novice unless you are willing to sacrifice or ruin the device you are attempting to repair in order to gain knowledge. Just be careful.

Hi Maria, I hope he (or she) is OK?

After so much time has passed (20 years!!) I am confident that the electrical current has dissipated. This being said, the Vacuum will still be a safety issue, and if not released in the manner I have shown in this video, there will be a LOT of hazardous waste and shattered glass that will be a pain to clean up properly. Yanking on a rope could simply cause the CRT to tip over or fall to the floor and shatter, causing an even bigger problem! Be careful.

@@ToddMcMahon Ok, thank you! I think I could try your method, but I will cover the tube with a blanket or something, in case something goes wrong that should protect me from flying glass shrapnel.🤔😅

@@russojap1864 - That should work fine, although probably not necessary. The glass in that area is very thick for that reason. Just be sure that your hammer doesn't hit the yolk (neck) and you will be fine.