Cracking open the (rest of) the Apple IIc monitor
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Cracking open the Apple IIc Monitor
Our Apple IIc came already partially cracked. Its monitor did too. Because it wasn’t functional, we decided it would be a good candidate to rip apart. Here’s what’s inside of a typical CRT monitor.
Old plastic
The plastic on the monitor case was old and yellow. It was very brittle and couldn’t survive the packing. As you can see, it’s basically gone.
Front cover removed
It now looks like a classic 50’s TV! The remaining plastic was barely held on and came off by hand.
More damage
As you can see the monitor was made in January 1985. There’s a Liberty Bell crack in the case. This monitor was made in Taiwan.
Even more damage
You can see the heat vents at the top are severely cracked. The screw mount in the lower left is also damaged.
No Damage!
This side wasn’t damaged and showed little yellowing. Maybe it was protected from the sun.
French!
This was inside of the back cover of the case. Basically a warning in French saying to be careful not to get zapped.
Fuze warnings
Here’s the metal shielding in the rear. There’s a manufacture date of 1/22/1985.
Heat vent removed
The top vent is now removed and you can see more shielding and the CRT.
More French
I guess they must not care if English speakers get zapped.
No Case!
Pliers, cutters, and screwdrivers. Oh my!
No need to be gentle. We’re not going to save this patient. You can see the electron gun clearly here.
Peeling away
Removing surrounding electronics to get to the guts
Unidentified parts
Most of the detail shots here are just pieces of electronics that I took off the monitor. I didn’t identify them as I went.
More warnings
Here’s instructions about replacing fuses
Brightness circuitry
Here’s the circuitry that controls the brightness and contrast for the monitor.
Connector
Here’s the connector for the tube at the base. you can see it’s clamped on.
Made by Hitachi
The Apple IIc picture tube comes from Hitachi. Here’s where you have to be careful. Those aren’t cracks. Those are wires holding the tube to the frame.
Removing the monitor from the frame
The frame held some screws that wouldn’t budge with age. The pliers helped.
Tube!
Here’s the tube by itself.
Tube connectors
Here’s the bottom of the CRT.
Cap removed
Wires!
These wires, when powered, create a magnetic field that help guide the electron beam against the front of the tube.
???
Not sure what this part of the tube does. There’s a heavy power cable that was attached to it.
CRT
Here’s the picture tube completely removed. Yes, it’s face down which isn’t good, but I figured it was safer than putting weight on that narrow neck at the end.
Apple IIc monitor completely cracked open
This one isn’t going back together. Off to the recycling center.