Atari power brick & A/R II testing aid

[Dokert]

I have trouble testing Atari power bricks and A/R II's while they are installed in games, because the 5 titanium plates in my neck don't allow for very good flexibility.

I have decided to build a couple of test aids in order to make it physically easier for me to test Atari power bricks and A/R II's installed in games.

What I am talking about, is a simple 5' harness that will plug into the power brick and one that will plug into the A/R II. Individually this set of two harness' will allow me to test the "unloaded" output voltages of either a power brick or A/R II without having to crawl inside the cab.

I thought I would check to see if anyone else would be interested in a set of these testing aids before I order my connectors. The cost would be roughly $15-20 shipped.

 

[HighScoreSaves]

You know I would want one! LMK.

 

[bit_slicer]

It sounds like a great idea, but just one word of caution: Unlike newer regulators, apparently a good number of the old voltage regulators used on the AR's do require some sort of load in order to maintain proper regulation. Without a nominal load they can drift several volts. Perhaps you could rig up some small power resistors in the harness?

 

[SeaWolf]

IM in !!!!!

 

[shilmover]

Dave,

You know my answer to that... I'll take one.

 

[cnlmoore]

Saves me the trouble of making my own, I'm in.

 

[caddysrule]

I will take one

 

[Dokert]

It sounds like a great idea, but just one word of caution: Unlike newer regulators, apparently a good number of the old voltage regulators used on the AR's do require some sort of load in order to maintain proper regulation. Without a nominal load they can drift several volts. Perhaps you could rig up some small power resistors in the harness?

You have a very good point. PM sent for your recommendations.


Wow, didn't think there would be this much interest. The more interest the lower the cost.

 

[shilmover]

You have a very good point. PM sent for your recommendations.


Wow, didn't think there would be this much interest. The more interest the lower the cost.

Can you have mine ready by Friday?

 

[Arcadenut]

I would be interested in one where I could pull both out of the game and test them on my bench. I hate working on them in the game.

 

[Dokert]

Can you have mine ready by Friday?

No, I have to order the connectors and maybe the power resistors depending on if I hear back from Bit Slicer.

 

[shilmover]

No, I have to order the connectors and maybe the power resistors depending on if I hear back from Bit Slicer.

I know brother... it was a joke...

 

[p1899m]

I'd probably be in for one too if these are still available after Christmas when I have more money again.

 

[Spyridon]

I would be interested in one where I could pull both out of the game and test them on my bench. I hate working on them in the game.

I'd be interested in that as well.

 

[komodo]

I'd be interested in 2. (Always good to have a spare for trade bait later on in the game)

 

[Dokert]

After quite a bit of discussion with Bit Slicer, all parts have been ordered. I have to throw out a BIG thanks to Bit Slicer for all of his input. The A/R II harness will now be "loaded" in order to give you a more accurate regulated DC readings.

The power brick harness will NOT be wired for monitors (pins 10-15), in order to allow greater flexibility with the different power bricks. Raster monitors and Vector monitors have totally different pinouts on pins 10-15 of the power bricks, and I do NOT want to risk smoking a monitor due to incorrect wiring pinout. I thought about making a Raster dongle and a Vector dongle, but if by accident the wrong one is plugged in the end result could be bad. Monitor power can be read from locations closer to the monitor with ease anyway.

 

[Arcadenut]

After quite a bit of discussion with Bit Slicer, all parts have been ordered. I have to throw out a BIG thanks to Bit Slicer for all of his input. The A/R II harness will now be "loaded" in order to give you a more accurate regulated DC readings.

The power brick harness will NOT be wired for monitors (pins 10-15), in order to allow greater flexibility with the different power bricks. Raster monitors and Vector monitors have totally different pinouts on pins 10-15 of the power bricks, and I do NOT want to risk smoking a monitor due to incorrect wiring pinout. I thought about making a Raster dongle and a Vector dongle, but if by accident the wrong one is plugged in the end result could be bad. Monitor power can be read from locations closer to the monitor with ease anyway.

Will this allow for testing outside the cabinet?

 

[Dokert]

I would be interested in one where I could pull both out of the game and test them on my bench. I hate working on them in the game.

Will this allow for testing outside the cabinet?

The cost of adding the "bench test" feature is almost neglible due to the current amount of interest in this testing aid set. In other words, yes I will add the ability for you to pull both and slap them on the bench for testing. It definitely sounds like a feature that others may like to have available to them too.

The power cord to the power brick is on you though.

 

[Blades]

I would be interested in one as well. Great idea!

;

 

[Spyridon]

I'm in for one.