Test Bench Question

OzTron

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Okay, if I wanted to setup a good test bench, what are the 'must have' items I need ?

I'd like to have a JAMMA setup too.
Monitors ? Power ? other test equipment

Can someone recommend places to purchase items from too please :D

Thanks

**EDIT**

I have a solder station, multimeter, anti-static mats.
 
A logic probe is a good tool to have when getting started in board repair. Also having a good de-soldering station helps too.
 
A logic probe is a good tool to have when getting started in board repair. Also having a good de-soldering station helps too.

Cool thanks for that info. For a moment there I thought you were taking the piss with the 'Logic Probe' remark (Discs of Tron, Bring in the Logic Probe') lol
 
Cool thanks for that info. For a moment there I thought you were taking the piss with the 'Logic Probe' remark (Discs of Tron, Bring in the Logic Probe') lol
Lol! :001_sbiggrin: For beginning logic board troubleshooting it is worth having and really easy to use. The challenge comes in understanding what the various IC's are supposed to be doing. I picked up a good deal on an oscilloscope a while back even though I didn't know how to use it. It still looks good sitting on the bench and I feel smarter. ;)
 
Lol! :001_sbiggrin: For beginning logic board troubleshooting it is worth having and really easy to use. The challenge comes in understanding what the various IC's are supposed to be doing. I picked up a good deal on an oscilloscope a while back even though I didn't know how to use it. It still looks good sitting on the bench and I feel smarter. ;)

I'm sure I can read up on the Interwebs on how to use one ;)

LOL about the oscilloscope, I am sure some of the stuff I'll get will make me look like I know what I'm doing :D

So, what about a monitor ? and power for the PCB's and a JAMMA connector (can I JAMMA to PC ?? use a old LCD monitor I have ?)

My aim at the moment is to replace parts on the boards I have and get them working. Once I get that part right help out others.
 
For a monitor you have a number of options. I have a 13" monitor I'm planning to use, but I've seen guys use computer monitors and if you can find one of the old PSone LCD screens they can be modified fairly easily to use as a test monitor. That's a great way to go especially if you don't have a large bench.

What I did was just grab a partial JAMMA test rig someone had lying around at this arcade that closed down. I mounted a power supply and isolation transformer (among a few other parts like a fuse and line filter) to a small piece of plywood and I primarily use that for working on monitors. I haven't done much of anything with that partial JAMMA test rig yet. I think having a JAMMA rig and then making adapters for other boards would be the way to go.
 
Some other good things to have:
- a good power supply. I have a switching power supply for bench testing and a game power supply (power brick & power supply card) taken from an actual game for doing burn in testing and final testing.
- a monitor. If you can find a 13", they take up much less room. I have a 19" on my secondary set up and a 7" LCD monitor on my bench.
- a couple of voltmeters. You should have one really good one as your primary and can get some really cheap ones as backup or when you need to watch more than 1 voltage. Or watch the voltage in more than one place.
- a small vise and/or a "third hand" gripper.
- a magnifying glass with light. This will really help when trying to find broken traces and cold solder joints.
- jumper cables with clips. The little ones, not the ones for your car.
- a binder with all of the relevant manuals/schematics/operators guides.

That list should keep you busy for a while.

ken
 
A good monitor to use is an old Applecolor monitor. The one w/ the apple connector, not the composite. No need for an isolation transformer and they are usually about 13". You could use an arcade switching power supply, or, if you have one lying around, an old AT computer power supply. For the voltmeter, get a decent one that runs on 9v batteries, not on AA. AA batt voltmeters have trouble testing darlington/power transistors. Good luck.
 
Okay, if I wanted to setup a good test bench, what are the 'must have' items I need ?

I'd like to have a JAMMA setup too.
Monitors ? Power ? other test equipment

Can someone recommend places to purchase items from too please :D

Thanks

**EDIT**

I have a solder station, multimeter, anti-static mats.


If I didn't have my Univid 1000, I would set up a harness system similar to what the Univid has.

Have a Molex connector for the different functions.

1. Power (+5, -5, +12, and GND)
2. Video (R,G,B, GND, H, V, C)
3. Audio (Speaker 1, Speaker 2, Amp 1, GND)
4. Player 1 Controls
5. Player 2 Controls
6. Service Controls

With those already hooked up to the appropriate things, you can then build test harnesses that plug into the Molex connectors.

If you used a JAMMA harness, you would wind up soldering lots of adapters which I think is more work then crimping several Molex connectors.
 
Okay, if I wanted to setup a good test bench, what are the 'must have' items I need ?

I'd like to have a JAMMA setup too.
Monitors ? Power ? other test equipment

Can someone recommend places to purchase items from too please :D

Thanks

**EDIT**

I have a solder station, multimeter, anti-static mats.

Thanks for posting this! I was thinking abut asking the same question today.
 
Thanks for posting this! I was thinking abut asking the same question today.

Good stuff, well I've fixed up boards in the past and so on. Just need to know the 'Must have items' and like some of the above posts, add in things I'd of never thought of.

I have a lot of old 15" HP monitors that I am happy to use, can I ?
 
**Bump for the night crew**

So I can just get a JAMMA harness and add on the connectors or do I need to make a new rig ?
 
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