New B&W Aquisition: Midway 280 Zzzap

[Phetishboy]

So, I tried to do the yoke mod/ flip thing, then rebuilt the power supply with all new caps, regulators and the transistor. Plugged everything in and I am still getting just a white screen. This was working fine, just showing upside down. Now no video, can't start a game, nothing. Just a white screen. What the hell happened? Boards were working just fine. Time to send them to Yeckley?

 

[Tighe]

You would be able to eliminate the monitor as being a problem by connecting a TV via the composite video I input.

If you get a white screen on the TV then you know the problem is the board or the power supply.

Did you check all the voltages?

I don't know anything about the power supply in zzzzzap, but if it is anything like si's power supply you will want to confirm am the voltages.

SI puts out -5v, +5v, +12v, and +18v. And the game wouldn't work until I got all the voltages right, and just a cap kit didn't fix it. I had to replace some transistors, resistors, etc.

http://www.elektronforge.com/TestMdwPS.htm

 

[Phetishboy]

You would be able to eliminate the monitor as being a problem by connecting a TV via the composite video I input.

If you get a white screen on the TV then you know the problem is the board or the power supply.

Did you check all the voltages?

I don't know anything about the power supply in zzzzzap, but if it is anything like si's power supply you will want to confirm am the voltages.

SI puts out -5v, +5v, +12v, and +18v. And the game wouldn't work until I got all the voltages right, and just a cap kit didn't fix it. I had to replace some transistors, resistors, etc.

http://www.elektronforge.com/TestMdwPS.htm

That should help. I replaced all caps, transistor and regulators. I have new pots, but no new resistors.

 

[Tighe]

Obviously, I don't know which power supply your game has, but you might be able to glean something from the troubles I went through to get mine working:

http://forums.arcade-museum.com/showthread.php?t=254022

http://forums.arcade-museum.com/showthread.php?t=251839


Edit:

I have some extra of the 0.8 ohm concrete resistors if you need some.

 

[Phetishboy]

Sent all 3 boards to Elektronforge and just got them back on Friday. Finished the yoke flip, plugged them in and whammy, game came up, but it was backwards. Switched the yoke wires at the green and yellow dots, everything came up right, but the image is a little too tall for the screen. Width is fine, height is off. I also noticed that I can't see the backdrop while the mirror is in place. I am using a BLB, do I need a white black light? This mirror came out of a Space Invaders, so it should work. Fired up a game and wow, the game is loud and cool. This is gonna be a hit. The shifter is smooth, doesn't take a ton of pressure to push down the gas pedal and the steering feels tight. I'll shoot some screen shots later today.

 

[wmba]

Cant wait to see pics, and hopefully a video. I want to fully restore my 280 Zzzap eventually.

 

[Tighe]

If it is a space invaders mirror it would make sense that you would need a white black light bulb as that if what si uses. But I don't know, try the build from your si deluxe and see how it looks.

 

[danreedphoto]

Let's see those pictures!

 

[Phetishboy]

Coin door installed:

 

[Tighe]

Looking really great. This game if really awesome.

 

[Phetishboy]

And here you can see why I can't use the original bezel:

 

[Tighe]

And here you can see why I can't use the original bezel:

This causes much sadness in the Lory household. I hope some generous benefactor will send you the original style bezel. That Z car is the best.

 

[TheSilby]

It is too bad that bezel is toast. It looks damn cool.

Can't wait to see the final money shot on this. Sounds and looks like one hell of a game.

 

[Phetishboy]

It is too bad that bezel is toast. It looks damn cool.

Yeah it sucks but what can you do. The other bezel I picked up is in mint shape and is original as well, just a little less flashy. I'm more concerned with getting the scenery to glow and show thru the 2 way mirror. If I can't get that to work then at least half of the uniqueness and coolness of the machine will be lost.

The bulb works:

And the nightscape glows:

But you can't see anything through the mirror:

 

[YODAinMN]

Did you try flipping the mirror both ways Shawn before final install?

 

[Phetishboy]

Did you try flipping the mirror both ways Shawn before final install?

Yep, had it the other way first, figured I needed to flip it and no change. I went and looked at my SID mirror, and it is MUCH more see-thru and much less reflective on the back side. This one is highly reflective on both sides.

 

[creepykenny]

the "white" black lights are supposedly more powerful - brighter with the glow that is ...

 

[Phetishboy]

With the back door off, you can see that the mirror is 2 way, and you can see through it if the background is bright enough:

 

[Tighe]

Did you try putting your si bulb in? Sent maybe turning the brightness down too? That monitor looks hella bright.

 

[FrizzleFried]

Stick a regular lamp in there just to get an idea of what it will look like...