I just got a Nintendo Service Center Neon Sign

Tighe

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The power supply is bad. I will try and fix it as it is part of the sign and has the registered mark on the case of the PSU. I am going to start with replacing the caps and voltage regulators on it. The diodes on the high output of the transformer I am guessing are supposed to be configured as a bridge rectifier??? Anyone ever fixed a neon transformer?

 
Nice sign. :beerchug:

Just be sure you understand that the "power supply" supplies 22,000 to 26,000 volts to excite the gases and make light.

Personally, I'd just go to a sign shop that makes/services neon signs and have them replace that transformer.

Good luck!
 
Great pickup!! I don't have any neon signs, but I have always thought that would be what I want if I were to add one, especially above all of my Nintendo Cabs.

They are tough to buy, right?
 
Wow, can't say I have ever seen someone crack open one of the transformers. I have a couple of neons in the arcade, 2 of which came without the transformer. Let me tell ya, they aren't cheap, but don't buy junk on the transformers if you go that route.
 
Why wouldn't you try and fix it? It looks pretty simple not any harder than a arcade or pinball psu, granted much higher voltage.

I want to save it for two reasons:

1 the casing has the ® Mark on it

2 they are expensive to replace.
 
Like you said... it shouldn't be too complex. Do you know that the transformer is dead for sure? I don't think the electronic transformers do much if there's an incomplete circuit (they're basically a switching power supply). Maybe you could try a contactless voltage sensor near the wire and see if it flickers or anything.

If the transformer is bad... take a look at the parts. There's probably an oscillator on there. I'd probably start by making sure that's oscillating. And a good picture of the board would be nice, rather than looking at a board moving around in the video. ;)

DogP
 
Why wouldn't you try and fix it? It looks pretty simple not any harder than a arcade or pinball psu, granted much higher voltage.

I want to save it for two reasons:

1 the casing has the ® Mark on it

2 they are expensive to replace.

Don't get me wrong, I'm glad your diving into it, I feel like its the heart of KLOV to leave our direct comfort zone of repairing game boards, especially when the transformer should be a lot simpler than arcade boards (well except for a PS, they should actually be similar).
 
Like you said... it shouldn't be too complex. Do you know that the transformer is dead for sure? I don't think the electronic transformers do much if there's an incomplete circuit (they're basically a switching power supply). Maybe you could try a contactless voltage sensor near the wire and see if it flickers or anything.

If the transformer is bad... take a look at the parts. There's probably an oscillator on there. I'd probably start by making sure that's oscillating. And a good picture of the board would be nice, rather than looking at a board moving around in the video. ;)

DogP

Funny you should mention using voltage sensor:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EkJGycylZDU
 
Funny you should mention using voltage sensor:
LOL... did that really need a video? ;) Remember the days of text, with replies like "oh nice... broken cord!", or "It was just a fuse!"? :p I would like to see a video (or at least a pic) of it after the cord is replaced, with the neon lit up. :)

DogP
 
LOL hearing your enthusiasm in the vid makes me laugh cause thats what i sound like when i tell my wife i fixed something in the cabinets I have in the garage LOL
 
"Bad power cord, who would have thunk it?"

.... Didn't DogP think that might have been the case early on? :D

Glad you got it working, those signs are awesome, but prohibitively expensive for me.
 
The power supply is bad. I will try and fix it as it is part of the sign and has the registered mark on the case of the PSU. I am going to start with replacing the caps and voltage regulators on it. The diodes on the high output of the transformer I am guessing are supposed to be configured as a bridge rectifier??? Anyone ever fixed a neon transformer?


Good job fixing it!
 
13+-+1
 
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