That old CRT monitor isn't as worthless as you might think!

Don't throw it away, hack it!

This instructable will show you how to turn that old dusty monitor into a personal electric fence!

WARNING: I shouldn't have to tell anyone working inside a monitor that there is a very real danger of being electrocuted if you touch the wrong thing. (You did unplug it first, right?)

SECOND WARNING: If you have a heart condition or a pace maker, you obviously should steer clear of this hack.

THIRD WARNING: The monitor I used for this hack was a small one. The voltage was quite high, but the current is not enough to harm you. It's enough to get your attention, but could potentially have the same effect as a very powerful stun gun.

Watch the video for the overview:

Step 1: Materials

For this hack, you will need:

- One used but working monitor.
(Size doesn't matter, regardless of what SHE says.)

- Some non-insulated wire.
Steel or aluminum will work.

- Some insulated ceramic posts.
Get these at the hardware store in the same section where the electric fences are.

- Some wire mesh.
Chicken wire works fine too.

Step 2: Discharge High Voltage

The anode of the flyback transformer could have some residual voltage on it, so you must discharge it to ground first!

Use an alligator clip attached from a long screwdriver to the ground strap on the monitor.

Carefully slide the screwdriver under the anode cup until you touch the center metal clip, or you hear a loud pop. If it's been a while since the monitor was on, there probably won't be any voltage left to discharge.

Once you've done that, it is now safe to remove the anode by squeezing the clip at the base.

WARNING: I shouldn't have to tell anyone working inside a monitor that there is a very real danger of being electrocuted if you touch the wrong thing. (You did unplug it first, right?)

SECOND WARNING: If you have a heart condition or a pace maker, you obviously should steer clear of this hack.

THIRD WARNING: The monitor I used for this hack was a small one. The voltage was quite high, but the current is not enough to harm you. It's enough to get your attention, but could potentially have the same effect as a very powerful stun gun.

Step 3: Wire It Up

Wrap a wire tightly around the exposed anode clip, and then tuck it under the CRT straps to keep it from moving.

Feed the wire through a hole in the case, and then put it back together.

Step 4: Run the Wire to the Fence

Run the wire through the ceramic insulators and connect it to the fence.

You can go a couple hundred feet, if the wire is properly insulated. A color monitor's flyback typically puts out around 30,000 volts, with very low current.

Make sure to put the fence on Styrofoam to insulate it from ground.

Step 5: Turn It on and Test It!

After double-checking your wire, turn on the monitor and test it out.

You'll hear a loud hiss as soon as you turn on the monitor. Use a grounded screwdriver to force it to arc to ground.

Even a small 15" monitor will throw a spark over an inch.

Step 6: Put Stuff in It for Safe Keeping

Now you can carefully put stuff inside the fence for safe keeping:

- Valuable jewels
- Your wallet
- The rest of your imported beer
- Your DVD collection
- Fine wine
- Your piggy bank
- Collectible Barbie
- Hundreds of other things!

(No Barbies, cats or pigs were harmed during the making of this video.)