Spy Hunter Help!

[demogo]

I found a picture of the connectors on my Spy Hunter game and looked at what you typed.

I'm not sure if you should be putting ground on the white/yellow or the white/black (which is logic ground). I'd try putting ground on white/black, with your DMM set to 20v DC and your red probe in a red socket first for 5v readings and then an orange socket for 12v readings.

5.8v is too high if that's a real reading. And obviously 12v is almost non-existent so that would be problematic if that's a real reading.

12v is used for lights so if your coin door lights aren't working now that's probably why.

I'm not sure what else SH uses 12v for -- cdjump could probably tell you off the top of his head as he is an MCR god.

 

[7146aaron]

Sound

I'm not sure what else SH uses 12v for -- cdjump could probably tell you off the top of his head as he is an MCR god.

12v is used for sound also.

 

[DK1]

You are right, the sound and coin-door lights both don't work! But why is the 12v way off?? Is it maybe AC and no DC (again, i'm a noob)?

I'll check the rest tomorrow when i got the time and 'll report back to you..

Thanks for the help!

 

[DK1]

Okay, i did as you told and used another ground. Still got the same numbers.

So i measured the voltage on the soundboard as advised by vicjw66 and i came up with 5.45v

To make sure i did the right thing i included the picture below (before i cleaned the inside) that shows which capacitors i measured.
I had to hold the leads real still to get an constant number but i guess that's normal(?).

 

[vicjw66]

5.45 volts is too high. Adjust the 5v pot on the power supply to get it down to around 5.1v.

Also, invest in some alligator clips.

 

[demogo]

OK, so you're going to need to do something with your linear power board.

You can:

1) Adjust your +5v as just described -- get it around 5.1 v and do w/o the sound and coin lights for the moment because your 12v is hosed

2) Buy another linear power board for your game that's tested and working. Todd Tuckey here on KLOV (TNTAmusements) used to have a stock of them but they are available from other folks too

3) Fix your current linear power board. You can get a shotgun repair kit from Bob Roberts and that and advice from people here can probably get you through it if you have time and patience and some soldering skills

4) Buy a switching power supply to replace your current linear power board. I would not recommend this as most people that go this route end up with terrible hum in their audio in spite of the dubious claims by the companies that sell them. Some people have reported being able to work past the issue but many have not.

 

[DK1]

Again, thanks for the help guys!

I'll try to get a new supply first. In the meanwhile i'll adjust the +5v.

Do you know some other company that still carry them besides TNT? Or are you talking about other collectors?

I read some stuff about rebuilding the power supply and it seems lot's of people are still having problems after rebuilding it. So maybe getting a switcher isn't that bad of an idea, also because i'm not experienced at soldering at all. But on the other hand, I prefer to keep the machine original and don't want some hum distorting the sound.

 

[demogo]

Post a WTB on KLOV and someone will have one. I'd PM Todd as well.

Don't go the route of a switcher -- much better to have an original linear power board. Get a good one that works and you'll be set.

 

[DK1]

I already did both, i'll try to get an original supply.

 

[DK1]

Yesterday i tried to adjust the 5v and i think i did something stupid. Because after adjusting the pod a bit i almost have no power at all: 0.5v. I tried to turn it back but no result? Is it possible i damaged something? The light on the squeek cheep deluxe board doens't turn on as it did before adjusting.

 

[7146aaron]

5V

Yesterday i tried to adjust the 5v and i think i did something stupid. Because after adjusting the pod a bit i almost have no power at all: 0.5v. I tried to turn it back but no result? Is it possible i damaged something? The light on the squeek cheep deluxe board doens't turn on as it did before adjusting.

The pots on the PS get flakey. It is possible the wiper on the pot broke off when you turned it. Pretty common failure point.

 

[DK1]

okay, the one i turned was corroded. But it couldn't be i turned it up to high and damaged other parts?

 

[7146aaron]

PS

okay, the one i turned was corroded. But it couldn't be i turned it up to high and damaged other parts?

Did you have a meter on it when you were adjusting it? How high did the voltage go? Doubtful it dammaged anything on the PS other than the pot. Too much voltage can harm board components.

 

[DK1]

yes i did, but there was no change in voltage. so i turned the machine off and on again.

As mentioned before the light on the squeek cheep deluxe board doesn't turn on as it did before adjusting.