Author Topic: Gil's Robotron Build (Read 41620 times)

opt2not · « **Reply #120 on:** May 02, 2019, 04:27:00 am »

Yeah buddy! The original Wico's is the best way to play this game. I've tried so many different joysticks before I got my original cab, and it's incredible how your performance increases on the original joysticks.

Gilrock · « **Reply #121 on:** May 02, 2019, 08:11:39 am »

Here's the simple switch base I created and had my son 3D print:

Gilrock · « **Reply #122 on:** May 04, 2019, 01:21:25 am »

Wow big difference getting to play on real machines. My best on MAME after 3 months was 420,000. Got 472,000 on my first game at Zapcon and now just posted 706,000. Of course Opt2not posted close to 2.4 million.

Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk

nexusmtz · « **Reply #123 on:** May 04, 2019, 02:02:45 am »

Quote from: Gilrock on May 04, 2019, 01:21:25 am

Wow big difference getting to play on real machines. My best on MAME after 3 months was 420,000. Got 472,000 on my first game at Zapcon and now just posted 706,000. Of course Opt2not posted close to 2.4 million.

Way to get into the groove!

Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk

Zeosstud · « **Reply #124 on:** May 04, 2019, 11:37:24 pm »

Dropping 700k like it's hot.. That is a great start..

- Zeosstud

opt2not · « **Reply #125 on:** May 08, 2019, 06:17:54 pm »

Quote from: Gilrock on May 04, 2019, 01:21:25 am

Wow big difference getting to play on real machines. My best on MAME after 3 months was 420,000. Got 472,000 on my first game at Zapcon and now just posted 706,000. Of course Opt2not posted close to 2.4 million.

Great job on the improvement.

What would you say is the biggest difference from Mame to the real deal? Though, I believe that machine you scored on had a JROK, so the closest thing next to the real deal.

Was it the joystick quality? Perhaps the spacing between them? Or maybe it was the lack of lag? Use of CRT?
I don't remember if mame had any lag, but if you're used to playing on LCD there would be a bit of display lag. For a game like this, even at the slightest bit of lag can effect your twitch ability.

Gilrock · « **Reply #126 on:** May 08, 2019, 07:28:40 pm »

Quote from: opt2not on May 08, 2019, 06:17:54 pm

Quote from: Gilrock on May 04, 2019, 01:21:25 am
Wow big difference getting to play on real machines. My best on MAME after 3 months was 420,000. Got 472,000 on my first game at Zapcon and now just posted 706,000. Of course Opt2not posted close to 2.4 million.
Great job on the improvement.

What would you say is the biggest difference from Mame to the real deal? Though, I believe that machine you scored on had a JROK, so the closest thing next to the real deal.

Was it the joystick quality? Perhaps the spacing between them? Or maybe it was the lack of lag? Use of CRT?
I don't remember if mame had any lag, but if you're used to playing on LCD there would be a bit of display lag. For a game like this, even at the slightest bit of lag can effect your twitch ability.

Well I didn't post it but I did top out at 806,000 for the weekend. I did that score on the same machine you hit 10 mil on so I thought it was original hardware or did that one have a JROK? I tried my MAME cab again last night to try to figure out the difference. My joysticks are definitely a problem. I have the Ultimarc Servostiks. It takes too much movement to switch between positions like going from left to right so you can't wiggle between things. So I'm not sure how it would be if I was able to use different joysticks but still use the LCD and MAME.

opt2not · « **Reply #127 on:** May 08, 2019, 09:34:53 pm »

Quote from: Gilrock on May 08, 2019, 07:28:40 pm

Well I didn't post it but I did top out at 806,000 for the weekend. I did that score on the same machine you hit 10 mil on so I thought it was original hardware or did that one have a JROK? I tried my MAME cab again last night to try to figure out the difference. My joysticks are definitely a problem. I have the Ultimarc Servostiks. It takes too much movement to switch between positions like going from left to right so you can't wiggle between things. So I'm not sure how it would be if I was able to use different joysticks but still use the LCD and MAME.

Yeah I believe that one had a JROK. But the difference between the JROK and original PCB's is imperceptible, really. The JROK has the advantage of not having that corner shot crash bug that is in some of the different rom versions on the original.

Gilrock · « **Reply #128 on:** May 10, 2019, 01:03:35 pm »

It's getting exciting I can see the finish line. Got the monitor shroud and monitor installed last night. Then I re-installed the control panel and laid everything inside and played a few games with no sound. It's feeling nice!

So need to start permanently mounting everything and tidy up the cabling, install and wire up the coin door, build a back panel, install a marquee light. From the front its probably going to look finished tonight so it should be playable and just need to tie up some loose ends.

Arroyo · « **Reply #129 on:** May 10, 2019, 05:25:48 pm »

Pics?

Ond · « **Reply #130 on:** May 10, 2019, 06:11:16 pm »

Those switches you made have inspired me! I'm going to go off and experiment with some leaf designs of my own. Leafs FTW!

Mike A · « **Reply #131 on:** May 10, 2019, 07:02:44 pm »

I'll drink to that.

Gilrock · « **Reply #132 on:** May 10, 2019, 09:14:08 pm »

Ok here's a quick pic. Need to get better ones later. I noticed weird reflections on the stencil that make it look like the red is bleeding into the blue that made me run out and check it and no it's perfect so not sure what that artifact is.

Mike A · « **Reply #133 on:** May 10, 2019, 09:22:53 pm »

Dude.

Arroyo · « **Reply #134 on:** May 10, 2019, 10:57:13 pm »

Damn bro, looks fantastic!

opt2not · « **Reply #135 on:** May 10, 2019, 11:01:59 pm »

Yeah it’s looking great!

I should have mentioned this at Zapcon, but the original factory-made Robotron’s didn’t have perfect stenciling. There are lots of imperfections and overspray spots on the originals , so if you are worried about authenticity, keep that in mind.

Gilrock · « **Reply #136 on:** May 10, 2019, 11:24:23 pm »

Quote from: opt2not on May 10, 2019, 11:01:59 pm

Yeah it’s looking great!

I should have mentioned this at Zapcon, but the original factory-made Robotron’s didn’t have perfect stenciling. There are lots of imperfections and overspray spots on the originals , so if you are worried about authenticity, keep that in mind.

After all the time I spent on painting I'm happy with it and I'm not touching those sides again...lol. I do need to touch up where the control panel scratched the inside black a little. Had to put that plastic piece on the belt sander and shorten it a smidge. I tried to be pretty close to original but I know I took a few liberties. Like in the back I'm thinking of just having one large panel instead of the 2 panels I saw on the original. I also don't have the lower coin door but I would put one in if I found one but I'm not gonna sweat it to leave it off.

Nephasth · « **Reply #137 on:** May 10, 2019, 11:37:45 pm »

Beautiful machine!

yotsuya · « **Reply #138 on:** May 11, 2019, 12:13:02 am »

Great job, Gil!

jennifer · « **Reply #139 on:** May 11, 2019, 12:37:59 am »

Now that is something to be quite proud of, Nice job man!

Gilrock · « **Reply #140 on:** May 13, 2019, 05:46:52 pm »

Thanks all.

I have one issue and not sure if there is a way to fix it. When I power up the monitor displays a mess like it's not in sync. If I flip the switch off for a second or two and back on it fixes the monitor and the JROK seems to stays up. Before I had everything running off the same power input I saw the same issue so I was in the habit of plugging in the JROK first and then the monitor. Seems like I need something that will delay the power to the monitor so that it has the JROK sync signal when it powers up.

Mike A · « **Reply #141 on:** May 13, 2019, 05:53:23 pm »

That is interesting. I use a JROK in my Defender cab and I don't have that problem.

Gilrock · « **Reply #142 on:** May 13, 2019, 05:57:28 pm »

Quote from: Mike A on May 13, 2019, 05:53:23 pm

That is interesting. I use a JROK in my Defender cab and I don't have that problem.

Yeah it could be specific to this monitor. I should swap it with the monitor I put in my Defender and see which way the problem goes. I like the monitor in the Defender better as well. This one in the Robotron has some wrong coloring in the corners like the yoke needs adjusting.

jennifer · « **Reply #143 on:** May 13, 2019, 06:18:56 pm »

You may want to hold off on messing with that yoke until you have exhausted all other options, The neck is quite fragile and most of those yokes are glued on, Not to mention that is more of a convergence thing.

opt2not · « **Reply #144 on:** May 13, 2019, 06:21:07 pm »

Quote from: Gilrock on May 13, 2019, 05:57:28 pm

Quote from: Mike A on May 13, 2019, 05:53:23 pm
That is interesting. I use a JROK in my Defender cab and I don't have that problem.

Yeah it could be specific to this monitor. I should swap it with the monitor I put in my Defender and see which way the problem goes. I like the monitor in the Defender better as well. This one in the Robotron has some wrong coloring in the corners like the yoke needs adjusting.

Just a dumb/simple suggestion, but have you tried a degaussing wand to get rid of the corner discoloration?

Mike A · « **Reply #145 on:** May 13, 2019, 06:21:45 pm »

Do you have unshielded speakers near the discolorations?

Mike A · « **Reply #146 on:** May 13, 2019, 06:22:16 pm »

You beat me to it opt.

Gilrock · « **Reply #147 on:** May 13, 2019, 06:37:25 pm »

Quote from: jennifer on May 13, 2019, 06:18:56 pm

You may want to hold off on messing with that yoke until you have exhausted all other options, The neck is quite fragile and most of those yokes are glued on, Not to mention that is more of a convergence thing.

I wasn't going to mess with the yoke right now that's why I would swap monitors to put my best monitor in the Robotron. But I'm not sure its a convergence thing I think it's a purity issue. I've searched this stuff quite a bit last few months. Around the 9:45 mark in this video you can see what happens if the yoke is not adjusted right you start to get the green and blue on the sides. That seems to be what I'm dealing with plus I need to try one more go at degaussing it.

Gilrock · « **Reply #148 on:** May 13, 2019, 06:45:28 pm »

Somehow I missed seeing there were 3 or 4 replies. Yes I had tried degaussing it a few months ago and didn't see much change. I was going to give it one more try since it's installed in the cab.

I've got just one speaker and it's centered facing down into the speaker grill. I had the issue before I put the monitor in the cab though.

jennifer · « **Reply #149 on:** May 13, 2019, 11:19:16 pm »

Well... Most of what your going to see in a random study vid like that is quick and easy.

Gilrock · « **Reply #150 on:** May 13, 2019, 11:52:37 pm »

Yeah you know I kinda wanted to fix the monitor startup problem I wasn't asking for help with the color in the corner issue I got that handled.

PL1 · « **Reply #151 on:** May 14, 2019, 12:06:11 am »

Quote from: Gilrock on May 13, 2019, 05:46:52 pm

Seems like I need something that will delay the power to the monitor so that it has the JROK sync signal when it powers up.

Something like a time delay relay?

http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,119435.msg1284622.html#msg1284622

http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,140138.msg1450494.html#msg1450494

Scott

opt2not · « **Reply #152 on:** May 14, 2019, 12:16:05 am »

I’m sorry Gil, I just realized I asked the same question about degaussing in the first page of this thread. My bad.

Also, I fear that the time delay power-up isn’t going to address the issue that your monitor isn’t syncing right on power-up. I’m willing to bet that there are components in the sync circuit that is next to failure.

If you haven’t done so yet, I’d take a serious look at the chassis for all major solder joints, make sure they aren’t cracked or sunken. Especially the headers.

Can you post a picture or video of the sync issue on power-up? Might be helpful to determine if it’s got a problem with the horizontal or vertical sync.

meltman · « **Reply #153 on:** May 14, 2019, 10:21:05 am »

This one came out phenomenal.

Well done Gil.

javeryh · « **Reply #154 on:** May 14, 2019, 11:23:04 am »

Outstanding work - looks factory fresh!

Mike A · « **Reply #155 on:** May 14, 2019, 11:28:08 am »

Next time I see you I will buy you a case of Heinelicken. I know I already said well done, but well done.

opt2not · « **Reply #156 on:** May 14, 2019, 02:20:44 pm »

Gil, one thing I was considering installing on my cabaret was the Lightmite leaf button LED's for the dark blue start buttons.

Forum member whammoed has these for sale on his site:
http://www.nicemite.com/LightmiteLB/LightmiteLB.htm

He's got a few options, but the ones for the dark blues really look great when properly lit.

I really like how the dark blues are lit here, it's not too overbearing like most lit buttons you see these days, just enough to fully light them.
The original cabinet had incandescent bulbs that *barely* lit those buttons, even that one we played at Zapcon had them, but you could barely notice.
The lightmites run off 5v and install easily on your leaf buttons. Something to consider if you were going to light those buttons.

If you ever want to talk about debugging your K7000 issues over PM, don't hesitate to reach out. I'm in the middle of rebuilding a K7000 chassis right now and will be doing some testing very soon.

Malenko · « **Reply #157 on:** May 14, 2019, 02:49:03 pm »

Not sure how I missed this, but amazing job. Makes me want to build one to be honest.

Did we meet at Zapcon this year? I'm terrible with names.

Gilrock · « **Reply #158 on:** May 14, 2019, 03:45:12 pm »

Quote from: Malenko on May 14, 2019, 02:49:03 pm

Not sure how I missed this, but amazing job. Makes me want to build one to be honest.

Did we meet at Zapcon this year? I'm terrible with names.

I'm not sure if we spoke but I remember asking someone to point out who you were so I think we at the pool area at the same time.

Gilrock · « **Reply #159 on:** May 14, 2019, 08:50:36 pm »

Loving the play on the cab. I was so close to breaking a million just now.


Main	Restorations	Software	Audio/Jukebox/MP3	Everything Else	Buy/Sell/Trade
Project Announcements	Monitor/Video	GroovyMAME	Merit/JVL Touchscreen	Meet Up	Retail Vendors
Driving & Racing	Woodworking	Software Support Forums	Consoles	Project Arcade	Reviews
Automated Projects	Artwork	Frontend Support Forums	Pinball	Forum Discussion	Old Boards
Raspberry Pi & Dev Board	controls.dat	Linux	Miscellaneous Arcade	Wiki Discussion	Old Archives
Lightguns	Arcade1Up	Try the site in https mode		Site News


Unread posts \| New Replies \| Recent posts \| Rules \| Chatroom \| Wiki \| File Repository \| RSS \| Submit news