Installing a switcher in Pole Position

Teknotoyz

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So I have finally started my switcher upgrade in my Pole Position. I do not like the reputation of the old linear supplies in this game, so I searched and found the following link.

http://www.startechjournal.com/files/polesw.pdf

Following these instructions, I first began to modify the AR boards for operation on 12v from the switcher. In doing this modification, the 5v output from the AR board will be disabled. Thus, the 2 AR boards will only be audio boards from here out.

Note that R29 is burnt, but will be jumpered out in this process.
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R30 will also be jumpered out.
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2N3055 will be removed
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2N3055 removed. Do NOT reinstall both screws as one will short out the board.
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I installed jumpers under the board to make this easily reversible.
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I will post additional pictures as I progress.
 
make sure you put in a switcher with a lot of 5volt rail amps headroom (ie many many many amps to spare) for trouble free operation.

i have used a pc supply, 550w, to good effect with the namco pole positin II boardset, where a 10-15A dedicated switcher caused reliability issues with graphics display.
Specs: +5v 25A rail, 2x +12v 16A rails, -5v 0.8A rail, -12v 0.8A rail
 
make sure you put in a switcher with a lot of 5volt rail amps headroom (ie many many many amps to spare) for trouble free operation.

i have used a pc supply, 550w, to good effect with the namco pole positin II boardset, where a 10-15A dedicated switcher caused reliability issues with graphics display.
Specs: +5v 25A rail, 2x +12v 16A rails, -5v 0.8A rail, -12v 0.8A rail

Where were you when I was shopping for a switcher? :D
I couldn't get any advice before (I asked!), so I assumed that "install a fan on the power supply" in the instructions meant to buy bigger than the standard supply, which I did.

The one I got has 5v @ 25amps and 2x 12v @ 10 amps each with a built in fan.
It's an industrial supply, not one that looks like it was pulled from a PC.
 
Ive done this mod in the past and had RF interference issues; i.e- waves on screen

Might have been the PS I was using though..

Great job on pictures, the old Startec journal article had lousy pictures
 
I'm interested to see this progress.
My wiring was a mess when I got mine. A switcher was already hacked in.
Before:
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I removed the power brick since it was such a mess and just installed an isolation transformer.
The sound was iffy too, so I totally removed the ARIIs and installed a couple of amplifiers where the volume knobs are located instead.
After:
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flippin sick, thats awesome clean setup



I'm interested to see this progress.
My wiring was a mess when I got mine. A switcher was already hacked in.
Before:
attachment.php


I removed the power brick since it was such a mess and just installed an isolation transformer.
The sound was iffy too, so I totally removed the ARIIs and installed a couple of amplifiers where the volume knobs are located instead.
After:
attachment.php


attachment.php
 
flippin sick, thats awesome clean setup

Thanks. It is probably a lot more effort than what MacPDaddy is doing though.

@ MacPDaddy,

Do you plan to use the boards test points for +5v and Ground? Seems to be a common mod whether using a switcher or the original PS.
 
Hell.... I went the lazy route and just removed the +5 lines at the edge connectors... and left everything else alone. Been running strong for a year now.

Oh...but I also added a molex connectors for the +5 and ground.
 
Hell.... I went the lazy route and just removed the +5 lines at the edge connectors... and left everything else alone. Been running strong for a year now.

Oh...but I also added a molex connectors for the +5 and ground.

So the ARIIs are still making the 12v for the audio? (12v on switcher not used?)
 
I'm interested to see this progress.
My wiring was a mess when I got mine. A switcher was already hacked in.

Very nice Whammoed. Where did you get those amps from. I chopped up a set of PC speakers for mine.

I pulled the AR-II boards completely as well. Used them in a game that can appreciate them better.

I wont post pics, because will all the added jumpers and such, it is a mess. But its a PP that runs!
 
They are from QKits

(sorry to MacPDaddy for the thread derail)

I don't really consider it a derail if the goal is completely eliminating the AR's and going strait to switchers or an ATX.

http://store.qkits.com/moreinfo.cfm/QK88

That should be the kit... I think.

I would like to see how you mounted yours though, are they just mounted with the pots or is there some extra support?
 
....going strait to switchers or an ATX../QUOTE]

for the 550w switcher i made up a new power wiring loom to the boards using the correct 3 pin mate-n-lok connectors for the board and removed the power wires that were soldered direct to the back of the connectors on the boards, and on the other end attached inline minifit connectors so the atx psu would just snap in. makes it easy to replace. but more complicated than just a dedicated switcher.
 
I don't really consider it a derail if the goal is completely eliminating the AR's and going strait to switchers or an ATX.

http://store.qkits.com/moreinfo.cfm/QK88

That should be the kit... I think.

I would like to see how you mounted yours though, are they just mounted with the pots or is there some extra support?

It was 2 of these:
http://store.qkits.com/moreinfo.cfm/QK47
I went with the monos so I could just attach them by the pots to the existing holes. I did make some brackets that attach the pot to the board for stability but it was overkill.
 
It was 2 of these:
http://store.qkits.com/moreinfo.cfm/QK47
I went with the monos so I could just attach them by the pots to the existing holes. I did make some brackets that attach the pot to the board for stability but it was overkill.

WTF? lol I thought I linked those. Sorry about that, I saw the stereo ones and went back and forth to your picture till I finally found the right monos... guess I copied the address from stereo tab.

Sorry about that folks.
 
They are from QKits

(sorry to MacPDaddy for the thread derail)

No need to be sorry, lots of good information as I am a PP newbie...



I now have a standard to go for... awesome job. I love when people take the time to make a cabinet look GOOD on the inside too!

As far as my AR's, they will supply no power to either the 5v or the 12v audio. The SPS will supply all power. If they don't sound good, the the Qkit is being bought! I really like how that looks, gota sound better than the old.....

Thanks. It is probably a lot more effort than what MacPDaddy is doing though.

@ MacPDaddy,

Do you plan to use the boards test points for +5v and Ground? Seems to be a common mod whether using a switcher or the original PS.


I definitely won't be doing the cleaning effort yet, but hope to do so in the future. How did you get the wood that clean?
 
I definitely won't be doing the cleaning effort yet, but hope to do so in the future. How did you get the wood that clean?

When I said more effort, I was thinking of the rewiring and building the amp kits that was involved in getting rid of the ARIIs, not that I put more effort into anything else. :eek: I could be wrong but I would think keeping the ARIIs for the sound would be easier...

That wood is clean because it is new. I had to replace the bottom piece of the cab.
 
Excellent thread and pics!
I have thought about putting a switcher in the PP cab I have had for nearly ten years, but the old PS continues to put out right around +5.07 volts all day long.

But I did just pick up a PPII cab that has a switcher and the complete old linear PS in it as well; it is a mess and it doesn't work ..yet. :cool:
 
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