Midway Arcade Power Convert 120v to 220v back to 120v - Need help

[BrokenBuckets]

I'm certainly not new to playing arcade games but this is my first one. Recently purchased a Crusi'n World arcade by Midway. Machine was purchased in Germany by someone in the Air Force. They moved back to the states and brought it with them. Machine was converted to 220v since it was in Germany. Now I want to convert it back to 120v.
The manual says I have to change the switch on the PS - No problem, says I need to change the Ballast - also not an issue or important right now. It says I need to the Transformer - This is where I'm a bit confused.
From ready everything relevant I could find here it looks like there are 2 transformers in the machine, 1 is already at 120v (first Pic) but the other I have no clue on, appears to be for just the monitor, No part #'s or labels on it. Has some handwriting on it. My question is do I need to replace it or rewire it for the proper output voltage. Any help is appreciated.

[DaOld Man]

Not sure about the first photo. Is the black/white wire going to the power entry?

The second pic looks like a step up transformer.
Is the the two wires going to the power entry? If so it is possibly knocking the 220 down to 120 for the cab.
If this is the case, you can probably just unhook this transformer and hook black to black and white to white, because the white wires are hooked on same terminal on transformer tells me that this transformer is not being used as an isolation transformer, but it appears to be a "buck" transformer.
Trace out the wires and see where they go.
Also on the first one, can you see behind it? (maybe use a mirror) Can you see any markings on that side.
Also, check behind the second one, see if anything connects back there.
Could the first transformer be the ballast? If not it could be the isolation transformer for the monitor. If this is the case, it is probably coming off the 120 volt side of the second transformer, if so you probably dont need to do anything to that one.

[BrokenBuckets]

Yes the black/white come from power on the first transformer. This is the only transformer shown in the wiring diagram. I'll look at the back of it tonight when i get off work. There are no wires on the back of the second "buck" transformer.

The first one should not be the ballast since that would be up top with the lights and isn't currently connected.

If I'm correct you're input may have helped me figure this out so tell me if I'm right.

If the wires on the second "buck" transformer come from the first iso transformer and the voltage is 120v I should just remove the second "buck" transformer and just connect the white/white and black/black.

Makes it sound to "simple" but would make it really easy for Midway to convert them for overseas use.

Also here are some other pics I have showing more of the overall wiring.

[DaOld Man]

If the black and white wires on the 220 connections go to the power entry, probably through a switch and maybe a fuse, then I think I would cut the two black wires from the second transformer and tie them together. Removing the transformer is not necessary, but it might reduce the weight of the cabinet by a few pounds. But before removing it I would try disconnecting the two blacks and connecting them together.
Someone on here might need that transformer if you dont, so be careful not to damage it, the insulation on those can be brittle, as you can tell in the pic on the first one. I would cut the wires leaving about an inch or so on the transformer.
That first transformer is probably an isolation for the monitor, I would bet that its ok to leave it as is.
(Im referring to fist and second as to the order of pics in your first post).

[DaOld Man]

BTW, welcome to the forum. It would be nice if you post some pics of your cab, we are all about cabs on here. 

[WindDrake]

Following the power cord into the cabinet, you should end up at a transformer (2:1 Stepdown) once you get through the input fuse/switch, if there is one.

Looking at the harness, I'd bet harness that combines the primary side of the Isolation Transformer and the switching PSU for the game, is hacked up to hook into that very same transformer at the end of the power cable.

All you should have to do is disconnect the 2:1 Stepdown, then reconnect the black/white/green wires to the appropriate ones on the harness again.

Edit:

Looking at the pictures again, the far right transformer is a 2:1 Stepdown. Just cut the wires and hook White-white and black-black.

If you follow the harness, you should find that the other transformer (on the left) is already hooked into the harness post-transformer. It's the isolation block for the monitor.

[BrokenBuckets]

Thanks for all the info. I'm pretty sure you are both right and I should just be able to "remove" the second transformer. I will check the voltage on it and see what it reads before and after.

Here is a pic of the the wiring diagram. As I said the 2nd transformer isn't there so I think it's a step down that was added to accomodate the 220v.

Also a pic of the game I picked up last week. I told my wife it was the kids Christmas present but my oldest is 5 so I'm pretty sure it's really for me. 

[DaOld Man]

Nice looking machine! That 5 year old might surprise you on the playing part.
Im sure your kids (and you) will enjoy it for many years.

You know, looking at the wiring diagram, it looks like they are talking about changing that "monitor" transformer (See Note 2), however I dont think that was what was done, i think someone just added a buck transformer to step the incoming 220 down to 120, which would be a lot simpler. (Although transformers are picky about the HZ, so it may not have been the best idea.)
If this is the case, your marquee ballast may not have to be changed. See if there are any voltage markings on it. Was the power supply switch set to 220?

Edit: after studying the print some more, Im guessing the buck transformer is between the monitor transformer and the power box.  If im right, then that means the marquee light is most likely 220 VAC.
A very simple fix would be to replace the marquee fixture(s) with cheap walmart florescent tube fixtures.

[BrokenBuckets]

The power switch was set to 220v.

I haven't had time to look at the marquee ballast yet. I shouldn't have a problem with that and was more concerned about getting the game up and running before Christmas morning.

I'm still thinking from what you have said and looking at it more I can just remove the buck transformer. I will try that first and check the voltage before I hook the monitor back up.

Thanks for all the help and I'll let you know how i make out. Hopefully I can get to it tomorrow night sometime after the kids go to bed.

[BrokenBuckets]

Ok so I got home and checked the voltage. It is a buck transformer and cut the voltage in half.

However I did trace the wire back and it comes directly from the PS. Now I don't know if I need to replace it with an isolation transformer or not.

It comes out of the white plug on the right.

[DaOld Man]

I dont think you will need an isolation transformer for that (but you do need to leave the one for the monitors).
Just cut the two black wires off the buck transformer and tie them together. If everything works, you can remove the buck transformer if you want. I dont see any reason to leave it in there, but I guess it doesnt hurt anything to leave it.

[BrokenBuckets]

Good morning and again thanks for all the help.

I bypassed the buck transformer and turned it on. Machine powers up and I get video. Everything appears to be working.

Last question, I hope, how much, if any, noise should I get from the control board behind the monitor. There seems to be some clicking sound. My first machine so I don't know if that's normal or not.

Thanks again.

[DaOld Man]

Sorry, I cant help you on that one. If it is coming from the monitor circuit board you may want to ask over in the monitor/video section.
Is it doing it on both monitors or just one?

[WindDrake]

If both monitors are doing it, you're probably hearing deflection noise. That's normal.

[BrokenBuckets]

Yes both monitors are doing it.

I got both machines powered up. Video on one starts fine but once the "game" starts the video just scrolls and I have nothing on the other monitor. Have sound and the game is running.

Guess now it's time to start reading up on video issues.

Thanks again for all the help getting the machines powered up.