Stern Power Supply Question

D_Harris

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I have a power supply I received with my Super Cobra and Scramble game PCBs. I came across another Stern power supply on eBay that looked a little different than the one I have and I was wondering if anyone here can elaborate on any differences and whether or not they both can be used to power Super Cobra or Scramble. (See images).

Thanks a lot.

Darren Harris
Staten Island, New York.
 

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I don't know specifically about those but it looks like they have different pin configurations. If you are going to do the work to rewire new connectors it seems like it would be better to just throw a $35 switcher in there.
 
FYI - from what I've heard the switcher is the way to go in lieu of these. I have one too that I got for my Bagman but then heard that these things tend to fail...a lot.
 
I've only seen a few Stern games with their original linears considering how unreliable they are. Really, do yourself a favor and install a switcher. That or plan to do a complete rebuild of that linear including some hacks/mods/fixes.

Scott C.
 
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They seem fairly simple. Why do people consider them bad and not rebuilding?

If the connectors and caps are replaced, what in the design makes it so failure prone?
 
They seem fairly simple. Why do people consider them bad and not rebuilding?

If the connectors and caps are replaced, what in the design makes it so failure prone?

I was wondering the same thing.

Nevertheless, I'll take everyone's word for it and go stay with the switching power supply.

Darren Harris
Staten Island, New York.
 
The design is simple enough, but also not not well thoughout and prone to failure. The vast majority of these linear PS were replaced back in the 80's, especially on early STERN games. Every game design has it's weak point and this was STERN's. The linear PS are just not reliable without a complete rebuild and some mods/hacks. That is my experience. At the same token, STERN games were also some of the easiest to add switchers too since there isn't anything screwy about their linears like sense, reset, etc.

If you want to keep the game 100% original, then feel free to rebuild the linear. However, I suggest you google for the mods/hacks (spies archive from years back).

Scott C.
 
one is a drawer type for games like Tut that have a drawer on the bottom that pulls out, and the other one is a stand up type that stands up in the bottom of the cab in a game such as Scramble
 
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