Replacing the bad flyback transformer in Apple's Studio Display 17"
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Re: Replacing the bad flyback transformer in Apple's Studio Display 17"
#2> The focus knobs should be tuned so that the screen image is sharp. I don’t really have a good set of steps for this, so just play around with them until the monitor is as sharp as can be.
This explains my methodology for a lot of things in life
Re: Replacing the bad flyback transformer in Apple's Studio Display 17"
#3Nice job and write-up.
As the author says CRTs are dangerous. Even when they're off they can still carry insanely high voltages. The flyback transformer is one of the more dangerous components of them.
I'm great at electronics repair and I tend to avoid them. Luckily these days that's easy :)
If you don't know what you're doing, you shouldn't attempt it. Just get a more technical friend to do it.
If you do know what you're doing you probably wouldn't need this guide in the first place :)
Re: Replacing the bad flyback transformer in Apple's Studio Display 17"
#4I find your accent soothing.
Re: Replacing the bad flyback transformer in Apple's Studio Display 17"
#5Thanks for sharing! I had a brand new one of these displays in 1999 when they first came out and it developed the same problem a year later. The replacement from MacMall’s warranty company (which was graphite instead of blue) also eventually developed the issue too. Good to know there’s a solution if I ever decide to fix it.
I think Apple should have recalled these.
Re: Replacing the bad flyback transformer in Apple's Studio Display 17"
#6The sad reality of externality-removed capitalism is why would you do that? In our disposable economy, a new monitor can be had for cheap. Repairing things is for the poor or nerdy. which I resemble the latter pay. Incentivizing fixing things, rather than buying a new shiny flashy thing is not a thing that we do well. Oh well. Hopefully room temperature superconductors and solar and batteries can lead is to a place of victory for the environment in place of coal.
Re: Replacing the bad flyback transformer in Apple's Studio Display 17"
#7Nice job and write-up. As the author says CRTs are dangerous. Even when they're off they can still carry insanely high voltages. The flyback transformer is one of the more dangerous components of them. I'm great at electronics repair and I tend to avoid them. Luckily these days that's easy :) If you don't know what you're doing, you shouldn't attempt it. Just get a more technical friend to do it. If you do know what…
I've never worked inside a CRT (but may need to soon) and am not great at electronics repair, but I'm a little surprised you describe yourself as having a lot of skill but still tend to avoid them. From my understanding, it's straightforward to reliably discharge them and make them safe to work on. Do you think it's easier to get this wrong than I've understood or do you just feel uneasy about it in general? Just curious!
Re: Replacing the bad flyback transformer in Apple's Studio Display 17"
#8The sad reality of externality-removed capitalism is why would you do that? In our disposable economy, a new monitor can be had for cheap . Repairing things is for the poor or nerdy. which I resemble the latter pay. Incentivizing fixing things, rather than buying a new shiny flashy thing is not a thing that we do well. Oh well. Hopefully room temperature superconductors and solar and batteries can lead is to a place…
Even with the externalities accounted for, if you must use a monitor, it might be better to buy a new one than repair the old one.
The replacement parts have a footprint, and a newer monitor might use so much less power in operation that it’s more efficient to make and use it than to continue to use the older CRT.
I really wish there were an easy way to work out if this was where the ‘efficiency crossover happens in X years of use’ point was. For example, I have a perfectly usable Thunderbolt 1 [edit: Thunderbolt 1 dock] that meets my needs. But it uses 5-10W of power more than a new Thunderbolt 3 or 4 one would. Should I continue to use it or switch to a newer one?
Re: Replacing the bad flyback transformer in Apple's Studio Display 17"
#9The sad reality of externality-removed capitalism is why would you do that? In our disposable economy, a new monitor can be had for cheap . Repairing things is for the poor or nerdy. which I resemble the latter pay. Incentivizing fixing things, rather than buying a new shiny flashy thing is not a thing that we do well. Oh well. Hopefully room temperature superconductors and solar and batteries can lead is to a place…
A new monitor can be had for cheap, yes. But a new CRT monitor cannot be had for cheap. If you have reason to prefer a CRT, repairing a monitor you have is probably the least cost option towards getting a working CRT.
Many people don't have reason to prefer a CRT, and that's fine too. Lots of non-CRT options out there to use.
Re: Replacing the bad flyback transformer in Apple's Studio Display 17"
#10Thanks for sharing! I had a brand new one of these displays in 1999 when they first came out and it developed the same problem a year later. The replacement from MacMall’s warranty company (which was graphite instead of blue) also eventually developed the issue too. Good to know there’s a solution if I ever decide to fix it. I think Apple should have recalled these.
The 21” version was supposed to be solid but I have never seen anyone with one or seen it for sale. The price tag was probably too steep compared to the faulty 17” one. Sad to hear that the graphite model was just as bad though.