Pole Position Dead/ No DC Power

Phetishboy

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Well it finally happened. My cockpit died. The monitor comes on, as does the cooling fan, but the LEDs on the board don't light up, nor do the coin lights. So today I thought I would pull the ARIIs for a rebuild. The thing is, they look perfect, no burns, no visible damage, R29 looks fine on both. I decided to check the transformer block, and wow. The 25A/32V fuse's glass is brown,the end cap is melted as is the thick-assed filament. I checked the spade connectors that I had crimped on 3-4 years ago and both insulated housings were BLACK. At first I thought they were wrapped in electrical tape they were so black. Just charred. So, my question is, what's a better replacement fuse, and what type of crimp connectors will hold up to this amperage and heat?
 
So, my question is, what's a better replacement fuse, and what type of crimp connectors will hold up to this amperage and heat?

Honestly, none! My only suggestion is to hardwire a lot of the stuff. Crimp quick-connects is a bad idea on the bridge. They always burn up....as do the quick-connects on the fuse block. I always solder the wires straight to the bridge.....next I replace the fuse block with one rated at 30 amps (thats the highest rated one I can find). I also solder the wires to the fuse block (the 20-25 amp fuse one). I also buy fuse blocks where the fuse clips are one piece. The two piece kind that are punched with a rivet holding them together are bad news.
http://www.therealbobroberts.net/fh5.jpg

See how the fuse clips and the tab are two separate pieces.....fastened with a rivet. I find this style to break down very quickly under heavy amperage.

Sorry I'm not of more help,
Edward
 
Honestly, none! My only suggestion is to hardwire a lot of the stuff. Crimp quick-connects is a bad idea on the bridge. They always burn up....as do the quick-connects on the fuse block. I always solder the wires straight to the bridge.....next I replace the fuse block with one rated at 30 amps (thats the highest rated one I can find). I also solder the wires to the fuse block (the 20-25 amp fuse one). I also buy fuse blocks where the fuse clips are one piece. The two piece kind that are punched with a rivet holding them together are bad news.
http://www.therealbobroberts.net/fh5.jpg

See how the fuse clips and the tab are two separate pieces.....fastened with a rivet. I find this style to break down very quickly under heavy amperage.

Sorry I'm not of more help,
Edward

Yeah, that's the style I picked up 3-4 years ago to replace the old one. Where does one find the 30 amp rated, one piece fuse-clip model? I assume a 25A 250V SloBlo is the correct replacement fuse?
 
Yeah, that's the style I picked up 3-4 years ago to replace the old one. Where does one find the 30 amp rated, one piece fuse-clip model? I assume a 25A 250V SloBlo is the correct replacement fuse?

30 amp ones are kinda difficult to find. Here's the last ones I bought...
http://www.mouser.com/ProductDetail/Littelfuse/03540005ZXGY/?qs=2VFNtWizgieeusw6YVUpHA%3d%3d

...and yes, it's supposed to be a 25 amp fuse. I (think) it was originally a 20 amp fuse (like other Atari games)....I know Atari released a bulletin advising to up the fuse value to 25 amps. So, it was a problem in the beginning.....and let's face it, upping the amperage isn't a fix to the problem. It only delays it.

Edward
 
30 amp ones are kinda difficult to find. Here's the last ones I bought...
http://www.mouser.com/ProductDetail/Littelfuse/03540005ZXGY/?qs=2VFNtWizgieeusw6YVUpHA%3d%3d

...and yes, it's supposed to be a 25 amp fuse. I (think) it was originally a 20 amp fuse (like other Atari games)....I know Atari released a bulletin advising to up the fuse value to 25 amps. So, it was a problem in the beginning.....and let's face it, upping the amperage isn't a fix to the problem. It only delays it.

Edward


That blows (no pun intended). Why not just up it to a 30A fuse then? Maybe I'll get an extra year out of it this time.
 
Why not just up it to a 30A fuse then?

I've been known to do that.:D

Honestly, with a better fuse block.....you should get quite a bit more time out of it (unless you run the machine daily, for hours on end). Those riveted fuse holders are crap!

Edward
 
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