Namco PP2 Reverse Steering

[Chopper79]

I have a namco upright PP2 Irish cab, and it has an issue with reverse steering. When steering left it goes right, and vice versa. The wiring is 100% correct, and am getting 5v to the steering opto PCB. I have 3 opto boards, all rebuilt with the new single chip on the board etc. They all present the same problem. If I reverse the left and right pins (1 & 4), it doesn't steer at all. I just got the main PCB repaired, and this issue was present straight away.

I've never had this board running before. The steering worked when the guy who fixed it, tested it. This is the namco boardset, so any ICs on the main board, which control steering, may be different to the Atari version. Has anyone ever had this issue?

 

[andrewb]

How were the optos rebuilt? Were the actual opto transceivers replaced, and if so, with what part?

 

[Chopper79]

How were the optos rebuilt? Were the actual opto transceivers replaced, and if so, with what part?

The opto transceivers were not replaced, but cant believe all 3 have the same fault? 2 of the boards had the flip flop IC replaced, as they were bad. Could it be the actual transceivers themselves?

 

[andrewb]

The opto transceivers were not replaced, but cant believe all 3 have the same fault? 2 of the boards had the flip flop IC replaced, as they were bad. Could it be the actual transceivers themselves?

Yes, they lose power as they age, and cause the behavior you're seeing. It's a common issue.

 

[Chopper79]

Yes, they lose power as they age, and cause the behavior you're seeing. It's a common issue.

Thanks for your help. Would you know where to buy replacements?

 

[andrewb]

Thanks for your help. Would you know where to buy replacements?

https://forums.arcade-museum.com/showthread.php?t=160331

https://forums.arcade-museum.com/showthread.php?t=426619

 

[Chopper79]

https://forums.arcade-museum.com/showthread.php?t=160331

https://forums.arcade-museum.com/showthread.php?t=426619

They are not the same ones. The ones I have are curved, and have 8 pins.

 

[andrewb]

They are not the same ones. The ones I have are curved, and have 8 pins.

They are suitable replacements. The 8-pin curved ones are actually two infrared transceivers, just molded into once plastic body. The original parts are no longer available, so you replace them with two separate 4-pin transceivers, and they work fine.

Atari used the same opto parts on trackballs, spinners, and the steering boards, and I've rebuilt them all with H22A1's. Here's one example:

https://forums.arcade-museum.com/showthread.php?t=399793

 

[Chopper79]

They are suitable replacements. The 8-pin curved ones are actually two infrared transceivers, just molded into once plastic body. The original parts are no longer available, so you replace them with two separate 4-pin transceivers, and they work fine.

Atari used the same opto parts on trackballs, spinners, and the steering boards, and I've rebuilt them all with H22A1's. Here's one example:

https://forums.arcade-museum.com/showthread.php?t=399793

Cheers. I'll order a set.

 

[andrewb]

Cheers. I'll order a set.

Cool. It's worth ordering a few spares, as these are common failures on anything that uses them. Never hurts to have a few extras on hand.

 

[Chopper79]

I received and fitted the new photo sensors. Still the same issue.

 

[andrewb]

Have you toned out your wiring from the opto board to the traces on the game board?

You want to make sure there are no breaks. Not just visual inspection, but test the electrical paths, from one PCB to the other, including all connectors. Test from one trace on the opto board, to another trace on the game board.

 

[Chopper79]

Found out the namco 53xx custom is faulty, which controls the steering. Impossible to find replacements. Annoying as cab fully working, apart from steering issue.

 

[VectorCollector]

If you cannot take from another PP boardset or DigDug, then perhaps read this ... maybe they can provide? ->

https://www.fpgaarcade.com/punbb/viewtopic.php?id=215

This replacement projects are available (copyright owners in brackets):
---------------------------------------------------
Namco 50xx (Wolfgang, WIP)
Namco 51xx (Wolfgang)
Namco 52xx (Wolfgang)
Namco 53xx (Wolfgang)
Namco 54xx (Wolfgang, WIP)
Namco 62xx (Wolfgang, WIP)

 

[VectorCollector]

I'd also PM JROK and see if he completed his version.

http://www.jrok.com/

Also coming up before the end of 2018 !
Some pics of new Custom IC carrier PCBs for

• 05 starfield
• 06 I/O bus interface
• 51 I/O controller
• 54 noise generator
• 52 and 53xx custom IC replacements.

 

[Chopper79]

I've emailed all these companies, weeks ago and no response. Seems no one is interested. Will just have to join waiting list, for the FPGA.