Hello all,
I've spent the last few days poking around on the internet on where to begin restoring my arcade machine. Time after time I've come across references to Klov and I finally decided to wade in.
I've owned my Battlezone since 1986-ish. The "Gold Mine" at the mall was clearing out older machines and wanted $100 for it. Even though I was living a little hand to mouth at the time while going to University I still didn't hesitate and paid cash.
Something that makes this machine special (to me) is that it's the same Battlezone that I had "the high score" on for a few years. I had poured quarters into it when it was brand new and years later I had the chance to own it.
In the time since I bought it it's been living in my grandmother's finished basement. (Dry and cool and no temperature variance.) A couple of years ago I finally managed to get it from Kentucky to Minnesota where I live now. I'm pleased to say it made the trip relatively intact. There were a few hitches but I'll get to that.
Before it was loaded on the truck the Battlezone ran fine. Since it arrived I've been hard pressed to putting everything back together to start it up. At the same time I've been vowing to take the time to really give it a good cleaning, spruicing up, etc.
We're getting ready to move at the end of next month. This is a great opportunity to get everything checked out, tuned up and cleaned up before it settles into our new basement. I'm hoping people here can give me some practical tips and advice on where to get some of the replacement parts I need. I'm not really comfortable fixing any of the PCB boards or doing a lot of the complicated electrical work but simple things with patience I can manage. (I took both joysticks apart and cleaned them with great success 20+ years ago.)
Right off here are a few of the things on my short list:
The fluorescent lights. I need to replace both bulbs and honestly everything on that shelf could probably use some tender loving care.
A new mirror. Unfortunately the old one was partially cracked during the move from Kentucky and I need to get a new one.
The Bezels. I've seen the pattern for making the black bezel out of black foamcore and I'll probably go that route. Unfortnately I can't find my original illustrated graphic bezel.
The red and green overlays. I need to get both of these.
Joystick spruce up. Who makes quality replacement parts or has original stock parts?
The monitor. After 30+ years I think the monitor could use a good overhaul and checkup. Is there anyone that does great work and gives everything the once over twice?
The pcb boards. The same thing I said about the monitor probably goes double for these. Preventative heat sinks, checking out all of the chips, etc.
I realize that pictures will be more useful and am moving to take some in the next day or so. I've been pulling all of the main component assemblies out and once I have everything dusted off I'll take piles of pictures and post a link. If there are any suggested pictures that would be helpful for the discussion feel free to make recommendations and I will try to oblige.
I hope this is appropriate for a first post. I didn't want to make a mistake of posting this in a sub-forum where it isn't really appropriate.
I should end this by saying that my biggest emphasis to getting this restored is to make my son happy. He's finally old enough to appreciate the game and I want to make sure he has as much fun playing it as I did so long ago.
Thanks in advance!
Jim
I've spent the last few days poking around on the internet on where to begin restoring my arcade machine. Time after time I've come across references to Klov and I finally decided to wade in.
I've owned my Battlezone since 1986-ish. The "Gold Mine" at the mall was clearing out older machines and wanted $100 for it. Even though I was living a little hand to mouth at the time while going to University I still didn't hesitate and paid cash.
Something that makes this machine special (to me) is that it's the same Battlezone that I had "the high score" on for a few years. I had poured quarters into it when it was brand new and years later I had the chance to own it.
In the time since I bought it it's been living in my grandmother's finished basement. (Dry and cool and no temperature variance.) A couple of years ago I finally managed to get it from Kentucky to Minnesota where I live now. I'm pleased to say it made the trip relatively intact. There were a few hitches but I'll get to that.
Before it was loaded on the truck the Battlezone ran fine. Since it arrived I've been hard pressed to putting everything back together to start it up. At the same time I've been vowing to take the time to really give it a good cleaning, spruicing up, etc.
We're getting ready to move at the end of next month. This is a great opportunity to get everything checked out, tuned up and cleaned up before it settles into our new basement. I'm hoping people here can give me some practical tips and advice on where to get some of the replacement parts I need. I'm not really comfortable fixing any of the PCB boards or doing a lot of the complicated electrical work but simple things with patience I can manage. (I took both joysticks apart and cleaned them with great success 20+ years ago.)
Right off here are a few of the things on my short list:
The fluorescent lights. I need to replace both bulbs and honestly everything on that shelf could probably use some tender loving care.
A new mirror. Unfortunately the old one was partially cracked during the move from Kentucky and I need to get a new one.
The Bezels. I've seen the pattern for making the black bezel out of black foamcore and I'll probably go that route. Unfortnately I can't find my original illustrated graphic bezel.
The red and green overlays. I need to get both of these.
Joystick spruce up. Who makes quality replacement parts or has original stock parts?
The monitor. After 30+ years I think the monitor could use a good overhaul and checkup. Is there anyone that does great work and gives everything the once over twice?
The pcb boards. The same thing I said about the monitor probably goes double for these. Preventative heat sinks, checking out all of the chips, etc.
I realize that pictures will be more useful and am moving to take some in the next day or so. I've been pulling all of the main component assemblies out and once I have everything dusted off I'll take piles of pictures and post a link. If there are any suggested pictures that would be helpful for the discussion feel free to make recommendations and I will try to oblige.
I hope this is appropriate for a first post. I didn't want to make a mistake of posting this in a sub-forum where it isn't really appropriate.
I should end this by saying that my biggest emphasis to getting this restored is to make my son happy. He's finally old enough to appreciate the game and I want to make sure he has as much fun playing it as I did so long ago.
Thanks in advance!
Jim


