Zoo Keeper / Qix high score save options

isucamper

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So I've done my research here, and it comes down to 3 options.

1. High score save kit.
pros: last 15ish years. low maintenance. install it and forget you ever had a problem
cons: have to mod the board (make it unofficial). can't really find one to buy anywhere. it will eventually die, then what?

2. Coordless phone 3.6 volt nicad battery
pros: lasts 1 yearish. will recharge when the game is powered on.
cons: might not hold scores through long periods of inactivity. I can't think of a way to make these batteries easily swappable without soddering each time.

3. AA battery pack with blocking diode
pros: lasts 1 yearish. easy and cheap to swap batteries
cons: have to install a diode to block the recharge current. batteries more suseptable to leaking.


For my needs I'm leaning toward option 3. I'll put some wires on the board and stick the battery holder in the coin box and in a plastic bag. Then once a year, I can power the game on, open the coin door, and replace the batteries, thus keeping my high scores forever. However, I have no idea what a diode is or how to install one. Can someone point me to one that would work for this problem and explain how to install it? Does it go on the + side or the - side? Which way should it point?
 
I used a 3 volt lithium coin cell with blocking diode. Got the kit from Riptor. Nice clean install and works great.
 
3. AA battery pack with blocking diode
pros: lasts 1 yearish. easy and cheap to swap batteries
cons: have to install a diode to block the recharge current. batteries more suseptable to leaking.

You can use a couple of the new lithium AA cells instead, and then you don't have to worry about any alkaline leakage. And you can forget about changing them for 10+ years. Still need to add an inline diode, but that is pretty trivial.

Another variation on option 1 is to use a Simtek NVRAM, which will outlast the game. I've never tried one in a ZK or Qix, so I'm not sure if they are compatible though.
 
isucamper said:
cons: have to mod the board (make it unofficial).

What do you mean "unofficial" ??

If you mean, unofficial in the eyes of Twin Galaxies, then that is not the case.

TG will accept scores from a boardset that has had either a Z19 ROM hack or a HS kit , or both installed.

Even the FUN SPOT ZK has had one or both these hacks performed to it, and TG as of last November? have accepted a new WR score made on it.

I have one of these exact batteries on my board, I think they save scores for at least 3-4 years???

http://cgi.ebay.com/Brand-New-Lithi...458?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item518bbd0482

Mine is going to need replacement soon too, bloody annoying, those dudes won't post items OS.




john

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John, are you able to post a picture of this as to where specifically on the board it is located?

Joe


What do you mean "unofficial" ??

If you mean, unofficial in the eyes of Twin Galaxies, then that is not the case.

TG will accept scores from a boardset that has had either a Z19 ROM hack or a HS kit , or both installed.

Even the FUN SPOT ZK has had one or both these hacks performed to it, and TG as of last November? have accepted a new WR score made on it.

I have one of these exact batteries on my board, I think they save scores for at least 3-4 years???

http://cgi.ebay.com/Brand-New-Lithi...458?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item518bbd0482

Mine is going to need replacement soon too, bloody annoying, those dudes won't post items OS.




john

.
 
joseph77 said:
John, are you able to post a picture of this as to where specifically on the board it is located?

Joe



Joe, I can post picture of where battery sits, is that what you want?....but it sits where it should, at the bottom of the CPU board(the big one with all the RAM chips in it)

I don't have the z19 ROM hack on my board.



john

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I actually have one that sockets in one of the chip positions, never came with instructions so I have no idea where it goes. I thought you had this type.

Joe, I can post picture of where battery sits, is that what you want?....but it sits where it should, at the bottom of the CPU board(the big one with all the RAM chips in it)

I don't have the z19 ROM hack on my board.



john

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Alright fellas. I ordered one of these from Riptor:

http://www.pacmandotcom.com/kits/66-lithium-battery-kit.html

lithium-battery-kit.jpg


But being a newb I need confirmation on how to install it before I go soldering away like a moron and ruin my board. It didn't come with any instructions and Rip is not answering my PMs.

It came with a resistor and a diode. I think the diode is the black one with the white stripe. I'm installing this on a Zoo Keeper, so I don't think I need the resistor at all.

What I plan on doing (someone please stop me if this is wrong):

Solder the diode in line between the + on the board and the + side of the battery holder with the stripe away from the battery. Solder the - side of the battery holder to the - side of the board. Do I have this right?

Is there any problem in wiring it off board to make it easier to get to for replacement?
 
But being a newb I need confirmation on how to install it before I go soldering away like a moron and ruin my board. It didn't come with any instructions and Rip is not answering my PMs.

I'm interested in how exactly to do this too(for future reference), Hopefully Riptor can post the instructions here ?????


john

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Those resistors are "zero Ohm", meaning they are really just pieces of wire. The body on them is just for machine handling. I assume he includes them so you have some wire on hand to make any necessary connections.
 
I must have deleted that pic he sent me a while back. I could not find it in my email. The diode is also supposed to be soldered to the 2 nearby resistors. I'm sure Rip can post that pic here in the thread later to be more clear.
 
Sorry, lost your pm. PM me your email address and I will send you a pic of it installed on a board. Yes, the resistors are 0 ohm and are used as jumpers if needed. On some boards you wont need to do any jumpering. I will have to look at a qix cpu and see whats needed on it.
 
Here it is for anyone else wondering how to do this on a Qix / Zoo keeper board. The diode needs to be touching the two nearby resistors apparently.
 

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  • QixLithium.jpg
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I am so proud of myself. I managed to get my kit installed tonight, despite only ever have soddering one other thing in my life (a burnt trace on my ikari warriors extender card).

The tiny little diode was tricky:
IMG_2406.jpg


And I wired it off board to make it accessible from the coin door. This will also make it easier to replace with a battery pack if I ever want to.

But for the moment it's strung outside the cabinet incase I installed it wrong and it was going to blow up or something.

IMG_2408.jpg


Powered it up, cycled through the menus, put some credits in, cycled the power and bam. It booted straight to the game screen for the first time in months.

One question: Do I have to worry about the diode ever failing? If it does fail, what is going to happen?
 
Gar! I was wondering about that. I played it for about 10 minutes. Hope nothing got damaged.

Rather than getting the diode to lay across those two resistors and having to cut the trace on the board, wouldn't it just be easier to put the diode in line between the board and the + side of the battery?
 
The easiest way is to cut the trace. With it intact its bypassing the diode.
Sorry, I overlooked this when I sent the pic.
 
Take 2.

I got the diode off.

IMG_2411.jpg


And I stuck it on the + side of the battery.

IMG_2410.jpg


I didn't want to cut the trace in case I ever decided to go back to using nicads.

It's all working again but now I'm paranoid about not having it right. I heated up the diode pretty good soddering and desoddering it. Any chance its ever going to fail on me? How can I tell if it's doing its job?
 
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