How to identify and replace fuse for ViewSonic E771 CRT?

[Ichinisan]

I opened it up and tested continuity on an opaque fuse and determined that it is blown. I shorted the socket with a screwdriver and the monitor works just fine. The fuse indicates 240V, but the amperage is not indicated. A label on the back of the monitor housing says "100-240V ~2.0 Amps"

On another note...
Display manufacturer's *really* p.ss me off. Originally, most monitors had detachable VGA cables. This was necessary because the pins inside the connector could be easily crushed. When CRT's started to get (*slightly*) cheaper, nearly every monitor manufacturer made the cables permanently attached. Considering that monitors are not user-serviceable due to high voltage capacitance even after power is disconnected, this is absolutely intolerable. Manufacturers profit because users have to buy entirely new displays when a cable is damaged. Manufacturers will always hide behind "signal-quality" as their excuse for this action, but the most high-end monitors are still the ones with detachable cables! A more broad trend in the electronics industry is to hide fuses inside a non-user-servicable device. A simple panel cover giving the user access to the fuse is all that is necessary. A fuse is designed to protect a device; but when it serves it's purpose, the device must be "repaired" by a qualified technician?! My monitor is long out-of-warranty! They would have me pay a huge fee just to open it up and insert a $.10 piece of glass and metal? Capitalism is fine, but this is simple greed. Manufacturers should be monitored and repremanded by international agencies.
Grrrr:|
/rant

 

[Ichinisan]

^

 

[CrispyFried]

Sometimes the rating is printed on the circut board.

I agree about hiding fuses and non detachable cords.

 

[FlyingPenguin]

If the rating on the unit is 2 amps I'd say you're safe with a 3 amp fuse.

As for your rant, it's very unusual for a fuse to blow on a modern CRT without the monitor being damaged. Most monitors don't even have fuses anymore (just like PSUs don't have fuses anymore either). There's usually a fusable link somewhere which is required by law for fire safety - in case all the other safety features fail. If your fuse blew at all I'd be suprised if the monitor is perfectly fine. Leave it running long enough and it'll probably blow again. Probably an intermittent current spike. Something has to be causing it. Fuses don't blow for no reason on a modern CRT.

 

[CrispyFried]

Youre probably right about the monitor being toast cuz as you said, it had to blow for some reason, but on the off change is was just a glitch and the monitors OK it would be nice to have an easy way to check.

I figure its mainly because its cheaper to have a fuse clip mounted on the circut board as opposed to a separate holder on the case as well as to prevent some electronic genius with replacing a 2 amp with a 20.

 

[JimPhelpsMI]

Hi, The 2 amp rating indicates that a 3 amp fuse should do the job. Give it a try and go to 4 if the 3 doesn't make it. Fuses do fatique and blow under their rating , but it usually takes years for that to happen. I agree about the cable. I have had to patch several. It's a pain. Luck, Jim