Centipede trackball problem

Danomite

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After replacing the big blue cap on a centipede cocktail it came alive.. everything works fine except the trackball. Left and right work. When you roll the ball forward the shooter will move up if you roll it fast enough but then it sinks back down as the ball decelerates to a stop. I put in a different main board and it now has no problem going up and down, but the left and right scroll doesnt work really at all. The edges of the boards look good..And I should also mention that I put in a new trackball unit. Any pointers would be appreciated.. Im new at this and know just about nothing regarding voltages etc. Thanks..
 
If you get different results by swapping the game board then it's less likely a trackball problem. But try this anyway - with one game board installed, try swapping the two connectors at the trackball. If the problem changes from vertical to horizontal or vice versa then you probably have a problem on the main board. If the problem doesn't change then you either have a bad opto board on the trackball or there's a +5V or GND issue.

Oh and welcome to the group!!! :)
 
what are the odds that I have two boards..one with up/down issues and the other with left/right issues? Are these type of problems common with centipede pcbs? I did notice that someone cut off the ground pin to the wall socket. You think replacing this would help? If it is a 5V problem doesnt this arise from the AR2 board? Any easy way to test? I have a multimeter but never used one.. Thanks for the Welcome! As soon as I get this trackball thing figured I'll move on to the Defender.

-Dan
 
I swapped the connectors on the TB unit.. The shooter still showed the same symptoms just now the left/right controlls the up/down motion and vise versa.. The second player control does the same. still stumped....
 
what are the odds that I have two boards..one with up/down issues and the other with left/right issues? Are these type of problems common with centipede pcbs?

Rather common.

I did notice that someone cut off the ground pin to the wall socket. You think replacing this would help?

Probably not causing the problems you're seeing. But you should replace the cord anyway.

If it is a 5V problem doesnt this arise from the AR2 board? Any easy way to test?

Correct. The easiest place to test would be the +5V test point on the main board. As a matter of fact go ahead and test all of the voltages at test points on the main board. Put the meter in DC Volts mode, black lead to ground (GND) and red lead to +5V.
 
I swapped the connectors on the TB unit.. The shooter still showed the same symptoms just now the left/right controlls the up/down motion and vise versa.. The second player control does the same. still stumped....

So is the TB funky in the same direction? Or has it changed? If it's changed then you have a bad buffer on the main board.
 
I had to replace a buffer on my Centi board so yes it happens.

Also worked on another Centi that had a bad opto.

The very first thing to check is when you roll the ball, if the wheels will move properly. Been working on one that the owner had "lubed" the bearings with thick grease which made it barely roll...but it sounds like that's not your problem...
 
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