Rottendog or repair a board?

[boy141]

Hi all,

I have a gorgar board that needs repair. Is it better to go with a rottendog or just find someone who repairs them?

 

[LovelyCoCoNuts]

Gorgar is a 700-1.2k pin in working decent condition


How much do you have in it?

If it tosses you over that range, might as well find someone to fix it.

I believe gorgar is williams system 6.

 

[KevsArcade]

If you need both the driver and main boards, the rotten dog may be a cheaper option. There's a guy on ebay selling refurbished main boards with a new set of roms for about $90. Working driver boards can be pretty expensive.

 

[newsheriffintown]

Hi all,

I have a gorgar board that needs repair. Is it better to go with a rottendog or just find someone who repairs them?

I love the Rottendog products that I have tried on my Williams DMD pins. Can't speak on Rottendog relative to the solid state stuff, but have tried the alltek replacement board and have had 0 issues with it.

I'd say go for the aftermarket board if you don't mind spending a little coin for a quick easy fix. Sending it out can cost you half as much as the replacement, but no telling how long it will take. Fixing it yourself for pennies is what alot of folks may recommend, but you can always toss the broken original in the bottom of the cabinet until your repair skill level brings you to the point of attempting it.


I am assuming that you have verified that there are no issues with the power supply or connectors- if not, your brand new rottendog board may not fix it either

 

[KevsArcade]

A friend of mine just had to send in 2 rotten dog board that were being used in Firepower's to get repaired.

 

[VectorCollector]

I always thought the original boards were better than the repros.
My BK needs some work on the boards and I'd prefer to fix those (myself) than get some "new" replacements. YMMV

 

[KevsArcade]

I always thought the original boards were better than the repros.
My BK needs some work on the boards and I'd prefer to fix those (myself) than get some "new" replacements. YMMV

The rotten dog has a big advantage because it's both the main and driver in one. For someone that would need to get both repaired or replaced, the rotten dog may be cheaper and no more interconnect to deal with. Of course repairing your own is going to be the best and cheapest route but not everyone is a tech.

 

[hailrazer]

I always thought the original boards were better than the repros.
My BK needs some work on the boards and I'd prefer to fix those (myself) than get some "new" replacements. YMMV

i like the originals better also. The replacements are not usually 100%. Different sounds and sometimes different gameplay.

That being said there are a few issues with repairing a board. Sure you get it working and it may las for 30 more years. Most likely though another ttl, or transistor or cap or something else. Then it's take it all apart and find the problem, order parts and fix it again.

Sometimes it's just easier to put in modern replacements and be done.

Also sometimes they add neat features. For instance on my Hul Solid State. One of the major complaints is that it's a drain monster. Usually right down the middle right after ball launch. But the replacement boards offer a 5 or 10 second ball save feature which is awesome! Also it has no attract mode, but the replacement does with lights and sounds.

So there are arguments for both sides.

 

[VectorCollector]

Rottendog does not support System 7 (like BK), I believe.

Gorgar is supported ... http://rottendog.us/MPU327.html

 

[R3LL1K]

Hi all,

I have a gorgar board that needs repair. Is it better to go with a rottendog or just find someone who repairs them?

If you can repair them I would go that route first, if you do not have the boards or one is completely toast then I would buy a Rottendog.

I always thought the original boards were better than the repros.
My BK needs some work on the boards and I'd prefer to fix those (myself) than get some "new" replacements. YMMV

The Rottendog board is not a good replacement for BK and was removed from the compatibility list on the Rottendog site last time I looked. What's wrong with your boards?

 

[VectorCollector]

The Rottendog board is not a good replacement for BK and was removed from the compatibility list on the Rottendog site last time I looked. What's wrong with your boards?

My boards just need maintenance done to them ... new headers between the CPU/DRVR boards ... new connectors/pins etc. No big issues, I don't think.

My BK pin was the FIRST game I bought (with a couple of buddies, BITD; Starburst Auction in Toronto ... I can still remember that auction too ... there were 3 or 4 BKs in that auction ... got ours for $300CAD). Ah, memories ...

 

[boy141]

Hey all,

I have roughly $800 in it. Got in from a trade.
I got a quote from one person to bulletproof and update both boards is about $250.

Got another quote:
A rough estimate would be roughly $100 dollars to maybe $175 dollars. This will be rebuilt if needed. I would need the driver board along with the CPU to properly repair it.

both are respected in the pinside community.
Looks like $250. The pin is acting really weird. I'll upload a video of it this week.

 

[R3LL1K]

Hey all,

I have roughly $800 in it. Got in from a trade.
I got a quote from one person to bulletproof and update both boards is about $250.

Got another quote:
A rough estimate would be roughly $100 dollars to maybe $175 dollars. This will be rebuilt if needed. I would need the driver board along with the CPU to properly repair it.

both are respected in the pinside community.
Looks like $250. The pin is acting really weird. I'll upload a video of it this week.

The only time I really worry about how much money I have in a game is if it's a game I plan on selling from the start. If it's a game I want and I plan on keeping and enjoying I don't worry about how much money I put into it. I will say that if you have a game that has a lot of work and upgrades to it that you can usually sell it for more than the average "Street Price" game.

 

[N8smith]

Hey all,

I have roughly $800 in it. Got in from a trade.
I got a quote from one person to bulletproof and update both boards is about $250.

Got another quote:
A rough estimate would be roughly $100 dollars to maybe $175 dollars. This will be rebuilt if needed. I would need the driver board along with the CPU to properly repair it.

both are respected in the pinside community.
Looks like $250. The pin is acting really weird. I'll upload a video of it this week.

If it's acting weird I bet recapping the PS and replacing all the header pins (especially the interconnects) will resolve your issues. New sockets for the ROMs might help too but try the other stuff first.
It's a couple hours of work and maybe 30 bucks. Dont drop that kind of cash on new or refurbed boards without trying that rework. Whoever is doing the Refurb probably won't do much more than that anyway.
I also suggest getting a inkochnito bridge board and a solenoid saver board. Both can be found on pinside.

 

[grantopia]

If it's acting weird I bet recapping the PS and replacing all the header pins (especially the interconnects) will resolve your issues. New sockets for the ROMs might help too but try the other stuff first.
It's a couple hours of work and maybe 30 bucks. Dont drop that kind of cash on new or refurbed boards without trying that rework. Whoever is doing the Refurb probably won't do much more than that anyway.
I also suggest getting a inkochnito bridge board and a solenoid saver board. Both can be found on pinside.

Agreed - what is the game actually doing? Are you sure you have a board and not a power issue? If you can isolate the issue and are comfortable soldering, board work isn't bad - I just finished going through a system 11 power supply, MPU, and interconnect on a project Taxi for about 40 bucks in parts. I'd start a thread with the issues before you do anything and do some basic new pin maintenance (reflow headers, check all connectors/fuses etc.) before sending a board out or shotgun replacing it.