Space Duel power issue

rcproam

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I just went and looked at a space duel.The guy says it used to take forever for the monitor to warm up now nothing comes up.There is power to everything and there is a neck glow.I have not ever messed with these before any suggestions on what to test for.The guy is willing to let me trouble shoot it before I buy it for $150.Also the coin mech what clicking all the time so I just unplugged it.I'll post pics tomorrow.
 
the coin mech what clicking all the time

Coin mech clicking every 0.75 seconds or so is indicative of a hardware watchdog reset on the PCB. Check for +5 VDC at the test points on the PCB (better yet, 5.10 VDC between pins 1 and 8 on the CPU). If the voltage is good, the PCB likely has a hardware issue.
 
Coin mech clicking every 0.75 seconds or so is indicative of a hardware watchdog reset on the PCB. Check for +5 VDC at the test points on the PCB (better yet, 5.10 VDC between pins 1 and 8 on the CPU). If the voltage is good, the PCB likely has a hardware issue.

I did test the PCB it was 5.03 volts.Can the voltage be turned up on these? I really don't know crap about atari but I'm ready to learn.
 
You may want to keep looking until you find a working game for your first vector. Depending on your background, vectors are either far more complex or much simpler to debug than raster based games. The Atari vector boards are designed with two interconnected systems on the same pcb. One for the game code and another to display the vectors. You never really know what went wrong until you sit down and get your hands dirty.

And yes, you can change the voltage a bit with at the ARII regulator board. Space Duel uses the A035435-04 or "-4" version of the board.
 
Thanks for the advice.Just from reading these forums Iv'e learned vectors are no fun.I can pick up the game for $150 should I pass or go for it?
 
First off, DO NOT troubleshoot anything that you do not own. You are asking for trouble. Secondly, if you fix it the guy may not sell it to you.

Average value of a working Space Duel is $200 - $250. I would ask if he would take $100, but if he won't I would still pay the $150. The monitor alone is worth on average $250 - $300 in good working condition.
 
I must agree with Dokert on both accounts. Never fix a game in front of a seller (or at an auction). I personally would pay $150 for the game but I can deal with any issues it may have. Still, you may be better off plunking down $150-200 for a working asteroids than a project SD.

Let us know how this turns out...
 
i got a space duel myself and am currently troubleshooting the monitor, i still need to order a capkit and a new flyback, im hoping it will fix the problems im having if you do get it i wish you the best of luck
 
also look at the cabinet. what kind of condition is it in? lots of nicks, scratches, cig burns onthe control panel? looking at the inside bottom, does it look like it ever got wet?

how the artwork on the sides? is the marquee scratched/cracked ? how does the control panel look ? worn out/faded or nice? what about the T-molding? all there? cracked/missing?

look careful at the bottom outside. wood splintering? missing? broken/smashed, perfect? underneath are the metel feet all rusted/missing ? good condition?

all that matters depending on your POV. how much work it needs and if you are going to restore or just fix and play it/resell it.

i have a SPACE DUEL here near Kansas City. if you want to test boards bring 'em with you if you in the area.
 
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