Paperboy Video Issue - Low Voltage on the Video PCB

blkdog7

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Paperboy Video Issue - Low Voltage on the Video PCB

I have a paperboy with some graphic glitches (vertical lines that are about 1" tall and across the screen). The game passes self test.

It has a switcher installed. It also has a AR3 that is plugged into the bottom of the video board.

The switcher is supplying power to the top board.

The switcher is outputting 5.1V.

On the video board, I am getting 3.5V at the test point.

I tried adjusting the AR3 +5 pot but it doesn't change the voltage.

Do I have a AR3 issue? Does the AR3 supply voltage to the bottom video board? Or does the video board get power from the switcher from the top board through the edge connector?

I am just a little confused as the thing has two powersupplies!

The LED on the VIDEO BOARD is OUT. The LED on the top main board is ON.
 
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Also, looks like the AR-3 was rebuilt by the previous owner ( I see new caps and the bottlecap transistors). Also has a newer Big Blue.
 
Like so many that have had issues with the ARIII board I would just disconnect all of the +5 voltages coming from the ARIII to the video board and run some wire from the switcher to the +5 test points on the video board and see what happens. You should probably be using a switcher that has at least 10 amps as the stock 3 amp one wont have enough juice to supply both the game and video boards +5 requirements.

ALso, my game had two big blues and even though yours may look like they were replaced, it wouldnt hurt to test them and make sure.
 
While you are at it check your the connectors and headers to the PCB as well. They are usually burnt up and that can cause your power loss as well.
 
Like so many that have had issues with the ARIII board I would just disconnect all of the +5 voltages coming from the ARIII to the video board and run some wire from the switcher to the +5 test points on the video board and see what happens. You should probably be using a switcher that has at least 10 amps as the stock 3 amp one wont have enough juice to supply both the game and video boards +5 requirements.

ALso, my game had two big blues and even though yours may look like they were replaced, it wouldnt hurt to test them and make sure.

Oh, really? So, I could just disconnect all of the +5 wires on the connector and then take a single wire from the switcher's +5 and connect it to the +5 test point? That'll work? No ground?
 
While you are at it check your the connectors and headers to the PCB as well. They are usually burnt up and that can cause your power loss as well.

All my connectors look really good and clean. I checked them all.
 
Oh, really? So, I could just disconnect all of the +5 wires on the connector and then take a single wire from the switcher's +5 and connect it to the +5 test point? That'll work? No ground?

Anyone know? Do I connect the +5 to just one test point on the video board?
 
Just run a jumper from the +5 test poing on the upper board to the +5 test point on the lower board. Do the same for ground. then disconnect the +5 wire coming from the ARIII to the lower board. Adjust your +5 as necessary.

If your +5 drops down again after doing this, then something on your video board is pulling it down...
 
I replaced the AR-III with a known working one and this fixed my issue. I also ordered a Bob Roberts rebuild kit. I'll rebuild the old one so I have a good spare.
 
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