Popping breaker

gregbl

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I have a game that is in my garage that I haven't yet moved downstairs to my arcade room that earlier tonight pops the garage breaker the minute I plug the game in. The power on the game can be off, and it still pops the breaker right when I plug it in.

I did move the game about 5 feet right before this happened, but otherwise it has been working fine.

So, what are folks' opinions on things I should check?

I'm thinking the following:
  1. Replace power cord (it is the original).
  2. Check for anything that may have fallen onto the transformer area during the 5 foot move (like a loose screw or something).
Any other ideas on what might make the circuit breaker pop right when I plug the machine in?

Thanks,
Greg
 
Sounds like a short in the power cord to cause that even if there is no power to the game yet
 
I have a game that is in my garage that I haven't yet moved downstairs to my arcade room that earlier tonight pops the garage breaker the minute I plug the game in. The power on the game can be off, and it still pops the breaker right when I plug it in.

I did move the game about 5 feet right before this happened, but otherwise it has been working fine.

So, what are folks' opinions on things I should check?

I'm thinking the following:
  1. Replace power cord (it is the original).
  2. Check for anything that may have fallen onto the transformer area during the 5 foot move (like a loose screw or something).
Any other ideas on what might make the circuit breaker pop right when I plug the machine in?

Thanks,
Greg

I think you answered your own question. dig in.
 
Agreed, it sounds like a shorted power cord.

I would buy a new power cord and replace if I were you. Think about it, that existing power cord is probably nearing 30 years old.

If someone replaced the end of the power cord with an aftermarket plug, that could also be your problem....those I always worry about loose wiring.

It's cheap enough.... replace! replace! replace!
 
I try to grab every 12' computer server power cord I can find. They are perfect for replacing power cables on game cabs.

:)
 
I really don't think it's the power cable unless you were yanking on the power cable to move it 5 feet.
Since the circuit breaker is being tripped even if the arcade machine is off. I would look at the input of the transformer. If the output was shorted you would be blowing fuses .

Follow the wires in, If you can't find the short. Use your meter and check the power cord. check the transformer. You might want to lift up the power supply and see if there are coins or screws under the power supply assembly.

Good luck in your repairs.
 
The GFCI is being tripped. I'm going to grab a new power cable, change it out, and then thoroughly check the inside of the cabinet...might not get to that until tomorrow though. I'll report back with my findings.
 
The GFCI is being tripped. I'm going to grab a new power cable, change it out, and then thoroughly check the inside of the cabinet...might not get to that until tomorrow though. I'll report back with my findings.

The GFCI will trip if there's too much ground leakage. Might not necessarily be a short.

Don't go changing the power cable until you check it first. Honestly, what is it with you guys and changing parts without looking? You can find the fault in a minute with a multimeter.

You don't mention what game it is, but many games (like anything made by Atari) have a power cable that can be disconnected from the power supply with a single plug. A setup like that will make it even easier to determine where the fault lies.

It's probably something simple, like a coin or screw that's gotten stuck in something, or a loose wire inside the plug (if it's the removable plug type, instead of molded on).

-Ian
 
Take a multimeter with audio tone, set it to continuity test, hook it to the line and neutral prongs on the power cord. When the beep stops, you've fixed the problem.

-E- GFCI trip is a different story though. My attitude is "don't plug games into a GFCI" because arcade machines (particularly newer ones with PCs in them) have a significant amount of ground leakage naturally. Don't worry about safety (as long as it's grounded) -- if you have something actually SHORTED to ground, and the machine is properly grounded, you'll blow a fuse.
 
Last edited:
Thanks everyone for the suggestions. I got out my meter and checked the power cord, there appeared to be a short in it. So I replaced the power cord and it is working well. Just to be on the safe side, I double-checked the interior as well to make sure nothing metal had fallen down and was shorting out anything there. My suspicion was the power cord because it was tripping the GFCI even before I turned it on.

Thanks again!
 
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