Q*Bert

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Picked up a Q*Bert this weekend. Pics in this thread (http://forums.arcade-museum.com/showthread.php?t=252311)

Got a few questions:
1) Joystick seems kinda loose. How would I tighten it?
2) Where is the battery located that leaks, and what do I replace it with?
3) Sound went out on me after I got it in the basement. Was working beforehand. Where do I start with the troubleshotting?

Thanks
 
1) Joystick seems kinda loose. How would I tighten it?

Joystick rebuild kit available here
http://www.twistywristarcade.com/26-qbert
2) Where is the battery located that leaks, and what do I replace it with?

Its the black box on the top left corner of the main pcb. You can install a lithium battery or do an nvram install.
3) Sound went out on me after I got it in the basement. Was working beforehand. Where do I start with the troubleshotting?

Verify the 30v on the power supply first. Remove the filter board and reflow all the headers. You will probably see many cracked solder joints on the filter board.
Search the klov forums for any specific problem, most everything has been covered here at some point.

I have a rebuilt power supply and a couple working sound boards available in my for sale post....
http://forums.arcade-museum.com/showthread.php?t=251875
 
Picked up a Q*Bert this weekend. Pics in this thread (http://forums.arcade-museum.com/showthread.php?t=252311)

Got a few questions:
1) Joystick seems kinda loose. How would I tighten it?
2) Where is the battery located that leaks, and what do I replace it with?
3) Sound went out on me after I got it in the basement. Was working beforehand. Where do I start with the troubleshotting?

Thanks

I could be wrong but I think the washer on your joystick is on the wrong side. It should be underneath not on top. That might be causing the problem...
 
I could be wrong but I think the washer on your joystick is on the wrong side. It should be underneath not on top. That might be causing the problem...


I have an unrestored panel here and the washer is on top just like his. The one on my machine is also the same way.
 
So I turned it on and looked at the boards and the LED light on the power supply baord at D25 (which is labeled 30V) is not lit. Is this part of my no sound/speech problem?
 
So I turned it on and looked at the boards and the LED light on the power supply baord at D25 (which is labeled 30V) is not lit. Is this part of my no sound/speech problem?


Yes, the audio amp and the knocker run off the 30v.
The board will run fine without a battery but wont save high scores.
 
Sounds as if you may have verified your problem being the knocker/Sound amp 30v supply, but in either feel free to hit me up if you need help on that sound board.
 
What would you do to fix the 30 v power supply?

I'd suggest getting out the schematic diagram, and starting at the source (usually an AC feed), and then walking through the circuit with your VOM to find where the power stops.

Most likely, you have a blown bridge rectifier (which changes AC to DC) or a blown voltage regulator (which regulates the voltage from a higher to a lower level), or a sub-component such as a resistor or capacitor has shorted.

If this sounds like a different language to you, I would suggest you take up the gentleman in previous posts who has boards for sale, who may have one available that will resolve your issue.

Now consider the following: If you go "hunting" for this, and don't know what you are doing, you can cause further damage. You can cause damage to the board (short out a connection, blow a trace off the board). What I'm saying is that if you are not skilled and experienced (at least a high school course in electronics, and some years of troubleshooting electrical / electronic devices), then you need to find someone who can sell you what you need, or who offers repair services.

Power supplies are the heart of the machine. If you do the wrong thing, and your voltages surge, you can cause expensive damage to the main boards. Proceed with caution.
 
Always eliminate the simple stuff first.

Remove the fuses one by one and check them off the board. Also use a meter and not just visual. Check for bad pins on the power supply and the filter boards. It pays to re-flow all of the pins on both actually.

Then if still having problems, time for a power supply rebuild kit or a replacement power supply from arcadeshop.

Good luck.
 
Hmm...well I have ZERO experience with boards and electronics, so it seems my only options are send my power supply board to someone else to try to repair, or buy a new/rebuilt one. I've looked at all the fuses and none look blown. I don't know how to check voltages or "reflow" anything. I'm quite the novice when it comes this sort of thing. I"m willing to learn but don't want to fuck my power supply up in the process. The game works fine right now, just now sound/speech.
 
qbert PS

You have 2 options then:

1. Upgrade to arcadeshop's switcher & adaptor for $55+shipping. Benefit is that it eliminates the 30V so you don't have to worry about burning out the amp ever.

or

2. Send your board to Riptor/Twistywrist.com who can repair & exchange it. Benefit there is that you keep the machine 100% original.

NOTE: Neither option takes into account if the problem is on the sound board or filter board but from what you have said regarding LED's on the power supply it is likely it's a power supply issue.
 
switcher

5 mins of work.

1. remove old power supply.

2. mount new power supply

3. plug in the 4 qbert plugs into the new power supply

4. attach the 3 AC wires from the power supply to either the power to the monitor or to the marquee light. The kit comes with easy to crimp wires.

http://www.arcadeshop.com/gott-ps/gott-ps.htm

http://www.arcadeshop.com/gott-ps/gottlieb-power-supply-instructions.pdf


If you go this route and don't rebuild your Qbert PS - do the right thing and send it to RIPTOR/Twistywrist to rebuild so someone can get use out of it. :0)
 
So I took a closer look tonight at my power supply bower and there are two wires that are soldered to the back of the board and to one of the connectors. What's that all about?

20121011_171841.jpg


20121011_171826.jpg
 
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