Space Duel Help needed

XtraSmiley

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Problem solved, bad AVG chip. See below if you have similar problems.

1. Power up both START and GAME SELECT buttons are on but there is a clicking in the coin box that clicks with the START button's blinks. Pressing buttons does nothing. The board looks ok, nothing leaking and all the fuses seem ok. There is one red light on.

2. When I press the test mode button, the screen still goes crazy, ending in concentrated light in the middle (which I cut off quick b/c I don't want screen burn right?). While it is in this mode, pressing the START and GAME SELECT buttons makes tones.

3. I checked the Volts on the board using a DMM following the directions here:

http://www.elektronforge.com/AdjustAtariPS.htm

and here:

http://www.coinopspace.com/forum/topics/space-duel-issues

4. My readings are good.

5. Cleaned the connections to game board with pink erasor. When I plugged game back in, it coined up and I could start a game, although there was no monitor at all. Getting destroyed in game resulted in game going back to step 1. above.

6. Plugged in working Gravitar board, Gravitar boots right up with the monitor.

7. Plugged in working Gravitar AVG chip, SD boots right up. Problem solved!

8. Bought a new AVG chip from http://www.biltronix.com/BXAVG.html and now SD works like a champ. Thanks everyone!
 
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Can you coin up and play a game blind?

I can't tell b/c I forget what settings I had originally, as in free play or not. It seems to be the case though, b/c the start button is blinking and when I click it, I think it is going to the game selection screen, ie two/one player, tethered or not etc.

I sent Clay Cowgill an email to ask about the "AVG Chip Replacement (137179-001)" he has for sale to see if that might be the problem, but I guess with these old vectors it could be any dang part of it.
 
I can't tell b/c I forget what settings I had originally, as in free play or not. It seems to be the case though, b/c the start button is blinking and when I click it, I think it is going to the game selection screen, ie two/one player, tethered or not etc.

I sent Clay Cowgill an email to ask about the "AVG Chip Replacement (137179-001)" he has for sale to see if that might be the problem, but I guess with these old vectors it could be any dang part of it.

try to get the game to play (blind) and see if the sounds are there and correct. If so you probably have a monitor problem or a burnt fuse.
 
Nope, I was wrong, here's what it's doing:

Power up both START and GAME SELECT buttons are on but with the clicking in the coin box the START button blinks. Pressing buttons does nothing.

When I press the test mode button, the screen still goes crazy, ending in concentrated light in the middle (which I cut off quick b/c I don't want screen burn right?). While it is in this mode, pressing the START and GAME SELECT buttons makes tones.
 
Try the easy things first... clean the edge connector fingers on the game board with a pink pencil eraser. Then measure voltage at the 5v test point on the board to make sure it is 5v. You can swap the Gravitar and Space Duel boards between cabinets, but the above should be done to both.

You can even build an adapter to play Gravitar in the SD cab using the SD control panel:
http://www.biltronix.com/space_duel_gravitar_adapter.html

You can also swap AVG chips between the boards but to minimize wear and tear or the possibility of damage I try not to do it too much.

And if you do need a new AVG chip:
http://www.biltronix.com/BXAVG.html

If you find one or both of your boards (or monitors) need service I do vector repairs and am 'just up the road' in Baltimore.
 
Try the easy things first... clean the edge connector fingers on the game board with a pink pencil eraser. Then measure voltage at the 5v test point on the board to make sure it is 5v. You can swap the Gravitar and Space Duel boards between cabinets, but the above should be done to both.

You can even build an adapter to play Gravitar in the SD cab using the SD control panel:
http://www.biltronix.com/space_duel_gravitar_adapter.html

You can also swap AVG chips between the boards but to minimize wear and tear or the possibility of damage I try not to do it too much.

And if you do need a new AVG chip:
http://www.biltronix.com/BXAVG.html

If you find one or both of your boards (or monitors) need service I do vector repairs and am 'just up the road' in Baltimore.


Thank you for the tips. I will try the edge cleaning and testing of the 5v... but can you walk me through how to do that? I have this multimeter if it will work.

http://www.amazon.com/Palm-Size-Handheld-Digital-Multimeter-DT830B/dp/B00066ZZO4

EDIT: As for the swap and test with Gravitar, it may have to wait until a week or two. I can't find the keys for it and have no way of opening the back. I may have to borrow a drill and drill the lock if it doesn't turn up.

As far as repair services, I may have to take you up on that, do you do standard monitors and boards too (ie non-vectors?)
 
OK, first post updated with results.

Do you think it's the AVG board? I'd rather not swap them out at risk of messing up my Gravitar, but I guess it's worth a test to avoid just paying $35 for one.

Also, is the one you linked better than the one from Clay Cowgill, or are they the same?

Thanks again for your help.
 
Progress! Good work. Next step is to put the game in self-test mode and turn it on and report back what you see and/or hear. BTW, you should download the Space Duel Operator's Manual for details on the self-test and other useful set-up, adjustment and general game info.
 
Progress! Good work. Next step is to put the game in self-test mode and turn it on and report back what you see and/or hear. BTW, you should download the Space Duel Operator's Manual for details on the self-test and other useful set-up, adjustment and general game info.

Self test does nothing. Blank screen, and the buttons make tones when I press them.

Any other ideas? I'm thinking about swapping the AVG from my Gravitar to check it, but am worried about breaking something on it.

If I did do it, which chip is it? There are about 4 on the board that look like the picture of the AVG I found online.
 
It's the one off by itself, marked 137179-001

Well I pretty badly bent a leg getting my good one off and on, but that was the problem. Boot right up!

Thanks for the great help. I'll update the OP for others and put an order in for a new AVG!

Also, since you repair these things, you never mentioned if you work on monitors or other boards, let me know if you do...
 
Well I pretty badly bent a leg getting my good one off and on, but that was the problem. Boot right up!

Awesome!

Thanks for the great help. I'll update the OP for others and put an order in for a new AVG!

Also, since you repair these things, you never mentioned if you work on monitors or other boards, let me know if you do...

Yes I do. Send me a PM.
 
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