How long can you leave a Vectrex on?

[gliptitude]

I'm trying to set up a presentation at a local arcade, which is having a video game inspired art show. I want to set up my Vectrex with an Art Master animation playing on it. Anybody have any thoughts as to how long it is safe for me to leave my Vectrex on, playing the same animation over and over again?

[sj]

Not sure how long, but be careful. I've seen Vectrex units on sale on eBay with warped casing and the explanation from the seller has been 'left it on too long'.

[gliptitude]

Just did a test. Left it on for 70 minutes with the same animation playing over and over. Got a bit warm around the upper vents in the back. (Not as warm as my old mac laptop currently is). I'd like to be able to leave it on for 3.5 hours, but I aborted my test because the animation i was testing with contained several non-moving vectors, and i decided it would be safer if all vectors were moving at least once during the animation, to avoid possible burning.

[desfeek]

At the previous two Portland Retro Gaming Expo's, recycledgamer has had a booth with ~3 Vectrexes running all day with Sean Kelly multicarts. I wouldn't do it too often, but I don't think you can do too much damage just leaving it on.

I could have sworn I remember reading about GCE testing prototype Veccy's in an industrial oven - the outer cases would melt, but the innards would continue working just fine. I can't seem to find that article though

[TrekMD]

I've never kept mine on longer than 30 minutes but it is good to know how long it might be safe to keep the system on. Although, the issue of screen burn is not one to ignore.

Hey desfeek, when I ready your post I was smiling wondering whether it is Vectrexes or Vectrii!

[VectorX]

Jun 5, 2012 13:21:26 GMT -5 gliptitude said:

Just did a test. Left it on for 70 minutes with the same animation playing over and over. Got a bit warm around the upper vents in the back. (Not as warm as my old mac laptop currently is). I'd like to be able to leave it on for 3.5 hours, but I aborted my test because the animation i was testing with contained several non-moving vectors, and i decided it would be safer if all vectors were moving at least once during the animation, to avoid possible burning.

If you want to be extra careful (and if you're able to bring it all in, which you might not) you might want to bring and keep a small fan on it too. (But don't bother with an oven )

[desfeek]

Jun 5, 2012 17:30:14 GMT -5 TrekMD said:

I've never kept mine on longer than 30 minutes but it is good to know how long it might be safe to keep the system on. Although, the issue of screen burn is not one to ignore.

Hey desfeek, when I ready your post I was smiling wondering whether it is Vectrexes or Vectrii!

Vectrii, as cool as it may be, is not the right spelling imo. Octopi - the general example used in this situation, is the plural of Octopus. Sexes is the plural of Sex, the exact same suffix as Vectrex. I don't know if this grammar logic applies to this made-up word of 'Vectrex', but I'm gonna stay safe with 'Vectrexes'.

For screen burn - check out my hypothesis:

After I play my Vectrex for an extended time, then suddenly off my system; if I wait long enough, a small point will slowly appear in the center of my screen. My fix is to (after the dot appears) quickly turn the Vectrex on then off again: it 'wipes' away the afterglow dot. I'm wondering if this 'afterglow dot' eventually burns its way into a permanent fault in the yolk of the screen. I also want to know why it is there in the first place?

I have a distant family friend who's had his Vec since the day - when I saw his, he left it permanently turned on - and just turned off the power strip when he was done playing. Certainly a strange method, and unfortunately I can't recall what he said about why he does it that way...oh well...

[TrekMD]

Jun 5, 2012 18:42:55 GMT -5 desfeek said:

Jun 5, 2012 17:30:14 GMT -5 TrekMD said:

Hey desfeek, when I ready your post I was smiling wondering whether it is Vectrexes or Vectrii!

Vectrii, as cool as it may be, is not the right spelling imo. Octopi - the general example used in this situation, is the plural of Octopus. Sexes is the plural of Sex, the exact same suffix as Vectrex. I don't know if this grammar logic applies to this made-up word of 'Vectrex', but I'm gonna stay safe with 'Vectrexes'.

For screen burn - check out my hypothesis:

Well, I always joke about it when it comes to names that end on a vowel with X. So, it is Lexuses or Lexi? And yes, the spelling was wrong, Vectri then. LOL Who knows? These are proper names so I have no clue what the grammtical rule is. Maybe I should ask someone with a doctorates in English.

[VectorX]

And on a side note, I'd say us Vectrex fans are Vectrexians, at least

[desfeek]

What about Vectrekkers? (See page 1 of the Passport magazine)

[VectorX]

Good point, I'd say either one would do ;D

[vectrexmad]

Jun 4, 2012 22:07:53 GMT -5 gliptitude said:

I'm trying to set up a presentation at a local arcade, which is having a video game inspired art show. I want to set up my Vectrex with an Art Master animation playing on it. Anybody have any thoughts as to how long it is safe for me to leave my Vectrex on, playing the same animation over and over again?

Interesting question, in theory a static image could eventually burn in. Less issue if the image is changing. Persons have used Vectrex consoles in shows where they are on continuously:

See the following in which a Vectrex was used in part of an art show:


See the following in which the Vectrex was used as part of an art demo in a shop window (eyes would follow passing shoppers and strange sounds would be heard:

[gliptitude]

Nice responses all. Thank you. I'm feeling more comfortable doing this now. Cool to see some documentary evidence vectrexmad.

[thexder]

I had two Vectrex systems on at the Louisville Arcade Expo for 12+ hours straight. They had no issues regarding heat.