What's the best way to test an optics board?

Stuffmonger

Member
Joined
Jan 12, 2007
Messages
918
Reaction score
7
Location
California
I am converting a print club machine to play arkenoid, and I am having some difficulties with the controls. I just can't seem to get the spinner to work, so I am thinking that the optic board may be bad on it. I also noticed that there is a somewhat low voltage being output right now from the print club (4.8V at the connector, 3.8V at the spinner). I think I should look into adjusting that, but I don't know if that would make the spinner not work or not. I don't know if the spinner worked when I bought it. It came on a candy cab in a shipment of cabs from japan. So, how can I test the optic board to see if it works, or if I should just opt for a new one. I have a second spinner that I salvaged, but it has 6 pins instead of 4 for the connector, so I'm not sure what goes where yet on it. Both spinners say taito on the optic boards.
 
You can 'watch' the voltage on the outputs change from high to low when you move it slowly. It should go from almost 5V to only 1V or less (or vice versa) as the slotted disc interrupts the beam.

With an oscilloscope, you can really see it change. It should form a square wave when spinning rapidly. It's fun to watch. Weak emitters/detectors won't show a large enough voltage swing to properly trigger the circuitry it's feeding.

Kerry
 
Back
Top Bottom