Switching power supply adaptors/converters

VertexGuy

Well-known member
Joined
Mar 13, 2014
Messages
8,166
Reaction score
149
Location
Connecticut
I wanna run my machines more without having to worry about the power dieing .
There is an event coming up i wanna put a few machines in , they need to run all day.

I installed a switching power supply adaptor in kickman,
what does this bypass and what can be removed that is no longer needed?
Im sure you need the iso transformer and fuse blocks are needed.
Can you just buy a brand new ISO trans and fuse block and remove the rest?


Im also about to get one for my jungle king.
they sell an adaptor for that too.

Another one id be intrested in knowing more about is one for a midway space invaders
 
The transformer assy in Kick/Kickman isnt going to hurt anything leaving it in there so I'd do just that.

That adapter bypasses the need for the linear power supply board which you could remove or just leave in the machine unplugged from the transformer assy.

Same deal with the Taito games.

I've never seen a SI to switcher adapter but I'm sure its more of the same....

If you were to remove the factory transformer assys you would have to replace them (ISO's at the very least), rewire the cabinet, add a line filter (in some case) and a fuse.
 
The transformer assy in Kick/Kickman isnt going to hurt anything leaving it in there so I'd do just that.

That adapter bypasses the need for the linear power supply board which you could remove or just leave in the machine unplugged from the transformer assy.

Same deal with the Taito games.

I've never seen a SI to switcher adapter but I'm sure its more of the same....

If you were to remove the factory transformer assys you would have to replace them (ISO's at the very least), rewire the cabinet, add a line filter (in some case) and a fuse.

yep. i wanna run a new iso trans, i might have to swap the monitor too.
so i was thinking about taking the crap out of the bottom and putting it on the shelf .
 
yep. i wanna run a new iso trans, i might have to swap the monitor too.
so i was thinking about taking the crap out of the bottom and putting it on the shelf .

My advice: leave it there for the next owner who wants original parts...
 
My advice: leave it there for the next owner who wants original parts...

i am the next owner.

I have built a shelf in my shop for a reason, to hold stuff like the power supplies.
matter of fact i have power supplies for alot of machines due to a warehouse raid.
 
Going to hijack a bit to ask a dumb question. If you replace the capacitors in a switcher from the '80s, does it need any adjusting afterwards for correct voltage output or is it good to go?
 
Going to hijack a bit to ask a dumb question. If you replace the capacitors in a switcher from the '80s, does it need any adjusting afterwards for correct voltage output or is it good to go?

It will probably need adjusting.
 
Vertex, I have to ask. Whats the end game? As in, why remove the factory transformer assy just to put another in the machine? Its not like a new transformer is going to provide cleaner AC voltage.
 
Going to hijack a bit to ask a dumb question. If you replace the capacitors in a switcher from the '80s, does it need any adjusting afterwards for correct voltage output or is it good to go?

Yes and no. If "someone" has cranked up the voltage adjustment because of failing capacitors then yes it will need adjusting. You're also forgeting that some boards are more "power hungry" than others and will also need adjusting.

I've found that genuine Peter Chou brand power supplies need the least amount of adjusting. Many times you can simply replace the bad capacitors and be good to go.
 
Some of the MCR hardware games don't play nice with a switcher adapter.

I have seen and installed the Space Invaders switcher adapter. Yes it does work, but because it does not provide a "reset" signal to the gameboard like the original power supply, you have to turn the machine on and off several times to get it to boot up.

Yes you can remove all of the stuff in the bottom of the cabinet and rewire it the way Bob Roberts shows on his website. If you are using a monitor that requires an isolation transformer, then you must install one (Bob sells those as does arcadeshop.com).
 
For my one MCR project, I found a clean board with no battery damage to rebuild. No switcher for me.

For Space Invaders - just rebuild the old p/s - new caps, diodes, and connector pin headers. You're overthinking it. A switcher is NOT necessarily better. Remember that a switcher is just cheap, Chinese, throwaway electronics. You can rebuild the original p/s with very nice parts, if you want.

Replacing the iso transformer is pointless. No collector will think it looks better and it won't work any differently. Again, a new iso is most likely manufactured cheaper and crappier than an original piece.

There are some games where it's not a bad idea to replace the original p/s with a new switcher - Taito is one. Nearly no one talks about rebuilding those. The giant filter caps would cost a ton I think. In my Jungle King, I made a little harness to plug the switcher right in to the factor AC panel. 3 pos Amp commercial mate n lok on one end and spade connectors on the switcher end.

28CAB2AC-D60D-495C-9154-0BE479CE5AFB_zpsir0kkaec.jpg
 
Back
Top Bottom