Robotron Reset

[AndyD421]

Well, for this second, my two main goals are properly grounding the new switching PS, and fixing the sound... it still comes out so soft, even with the new PS...also, the lights are out on the CP...I have no clue why.

 

[YellowDog]

You need to run the +12V to the sound board. The lights can be run from the -5V. They will be dim and you will need to make sure that the return from the lights goes to the DC ground (the one marked GND).

Alternatively, if you have the original transformer in the cabinet, post a picture of it and a closeup of the connector going to the power supply board and either Dockert or I can get you the correct linear power supply and take part of the problems.

Normally if someone really wants to use a switcher in a Williams game, I recommend that they use it in parallel with the original linear PS. Use the linear to power the coin door and general illumination (6.3VAC) and wire the switcher to supply board power.

ken

 

[Robotron Jon]

lights are out on the CP? are you talking about the lights on the player 1 and 2 start buttons? there are just regular little lights in there which are located next to those buttons. try swapping out the bulbs and see what happens. are the coin door lights off? they use the same voltage and bulbs.

 

[Dokert]

Your lights are not going to work until the connector that is hanging free in this pic is connected up. The one that goes to the big power resistor with all of the yellow wires.

 

[AndyD421]

I grounded my power supply with the same stuff that the rest of the game is grounded with. It definitaly helped some, but I still have monitor color distortion in the right corner.. and something else I've noticed... the color distortion gets worse when I close up the service door on the cocktail. Any ideas?

 

[Dokert]

move the switcher to a new location, down in the bottom of the cab

 

[AndyD421]

move the switcher to a new location, down in the bottom of the cab

I've moved it everywhere.. but I don't think its the switcher... my problem becomes 10 times worse when I close up the service side of the cocktail game like it should be. When I leave it down to work inside the game, everything is just about fine.

 

[mammyrat]

Sounds like the monitor needs to be degaused.

 

[AndyD421]

Sounds like the monitor needs to be degaused.

and how would I do that?

 

[Dokert]

show us some pics of what it is doing, it may not be degaussing itself and you may need to manually degauss it.

 

[YellowDog]

I've moved it everywhere.. but I don't think its the switcher... my problem becomes 10 times worse when I close up the service side of the cocktail game like it should be. When I leave it down to work inside the game, everything is just about fine.

Because of the geometry of cocktail units you need to be very careful to strap down all wires. Everything is much closer to the monitor and loose wires will flop over near the monitor and stray magnetic fields will result in color distortions.

It also sounds like a manual degaussing is in order in case the metal plate the game boards are mounted on has become slightly magnetic as well.

You many want to consider taking the big transformer out and replacing it with a shielded isolation transformer to power the monitor.

ken

 

[AndyD421]

Well, here is a shot of what I'm getting:

(I set it to test mode and put it on the color red)

 

[AndyD421]

bump for the day..

 

[Dokert]

Merry Christmas! Looks like you need to get a degaussing wand and give it a go.

 

[mammyrat]

If you have one of those large gun shaped soldering guns that hum when they are on, you can use it as a degaussing coil.

 

[Scucci]

If you have one of those large gun shaped soldering guns that hum when they are on, you can use it as a degaussing coil.

If you have a spare speaker laying around, you can use the magnet on that too... but it takes time and you have to be patient.

 

[AndyD421]

If you have a spare speaker laying around, you can use the magnet on that too... but it takes time and you have to be patient.

So, the fact that me and my dad collect vintage audio equipment might come in handy? I'd love to hear more info on how to do this.

 

[Scucci]

So, the fact that me and my dad collect vintage audio equipment might come in handy? I'd love to hear more info on how to do this.

It's a ghetto fix, and very hard to get perfect.

Honestly, I'd just get a coil... but if you want to try the magnet thing (at your own risk... can make things worse). Never get behind the tube with a magnet, and don't use anything too big. Just come in with the magnet on it's side, get about 2" away from the top of the tube. Move it in circles around the front of the tube, slowly back it away as you're doing it. When you get to where the magnet is barely affecting the colors at all, flip it back on it's side and get it away from the tube.

Again, it takes a LOT of practice to get it right, but eventually you can get it looking pretty good. I use it in a pinch when the colors are COMPLETELY screwed up... honestly, your's doesn't look that bad, and I would highly recommend getting a deguasing coil for it, as the magnet thing CAN make it look worse.

It was just a suggestion for if you need to get something done and you don't have access to a coil (read that as you're out and about and REALLY need to get the thing looking better). If you're at home, or in your shop, or anywhere where you can have access to a coil, get it. I think they sell some cheap ones on eBay for a few bucks, and even those are better/easier than the magnet "trick".

Fair warning.

 

[AndyD421]

Yeah, It sounds like I'm just gonna wait to get my hands on a coil.