Baby Pac-Man, How much?

[Kaytrim]

There is a Baby Pac-Man for sale in my local area.  From the sounds of the ad it needs a cap kit for the monitor and a minor shop out on the playfield.  The seller is asking $250 OBO.  If I can convince the wife what would be a good offer on this non-working machine?

Here is the ad on CraigsList. http://iowacity.craigslist.org/clt/373436956.html

TTFN
Kaytrim

[ChadTower]

Full asking would be a good offer.

[Kaytrim]

Even with the needed repairs you think that 250 is fair?  Looking at the pics the glass top is cracked as well.

TTFN

[ChadTower]

Needs closer inspection but barring any surprised (blown out playfield, charred boards), I'd say it's not an unreasonable price.

[JimmyU]

Are Baby Pac-Mans fairly rare?  I think I only saw one growing up.  It would be nice to have a game that really can't be emulated.

[Kaytrim]

Darn.  I was hoping for a little better deal.  That price will defiantly get the veto from my wife.  She has seen some of the bills that came in from when I was working on Dad's Bartop and she is not happy.  Not only that we just don't have the COH to swing a deal like this.  I hope that this deal sticks around for a few weeks and I can snag it lower.  The biggest issue is getting the ok from the wife.

TTFN

[pointdablame]

Darn.  I was hoping for a little better deal.  That price will defiantly get the veto from my wife.  She has seen some of the bills that came in from when I was working on Dad's Bartop and she is not happy.  Not only that we just don't have the COH to swing a deal like this.  I hope that this deal sticks around for a few weeks and I can snag it lower.  The biggest issue is getting the ok from the wife.

TTFN

Not to burst your bubble, but don't expect a Baby Pac Man for $250 to last a few weeks.  Have you contacted the seller yet?  I'd put $5 on it already being gone.

[Kaytrim]

There was a non working Tatio cab a few months ago listed for $50 and it was there for 5 weeks.  I send in an offer of $25 and was told that it had sold for $16 that morning.  I am hoping that this will take a similar path.  However I am not going to hold my breath.  The higher hurdle is my wife not the price of the machine.

TTFN

[More Cowbell]

Why not make a lower offer now and get on the list? If it sticks around for a while, the seller may just decide your offer is a good one. Or he might accept on the spot. If not, nothing lost.





edited for typo. doy!

[Kaytrim]

Not a bad idea MC.  I still have to talk to the wife before making an offer but it is worth a try.

TTFN

[pointdablame]

Not a bad idea MC.  I still have to talk to the wife before making an offer but it is worth a try.

TTFN

Just out of curiosity... does your wife let you display your testicles up on the mantle at home?  Or are they hidden away in a closet?





 

[Chris G]

It does say OBO...

[ChadTower]

There was a non working Tatio cab a few months ago listed for $50 and it was there for 5 weeks.

A working taito is not a pinball machine.

[Kaytrim]

Not a bad idea MC.  I still have to talk to the wife before making an offer but it is worth a try.

TTFN

Just out of curiosity... does your wife let you display your testicles up on the mantle at home?  Or are they hidden away in a closet?





 

If I wasn't such a nice guy I'd fire a flaming comment back at you.  However I am a nice guy so I will just ignore your juvenile attempt at humiliating the relationship I enjoy with my wife.

There was a non working Tatio cab a few months ago listed for $50 and it was there for 5 weeks.

A working taito is not a pinball machine.

I understand that this is a rather unique machine Chad and that is one of the reasons I want to try to get a hold of this and restore it.  Given that we don't have much funds to put towards this type of project.  It is all tied up in real estate investments.

TTFN

[RandyT]

I'd offer $150 and see if he bites.  But I would want to get an indicator that the problems really are as was stated, and not that one day a bunch of smoke rolled off of one of the logic boards and that's why the screen is dark.

IOW, make sure that the game powers up and makes all of the normal noises like it's playing a game you can't see.  Baby Pac's are not real common, so finding new logic boards could be a difficult and expensive proposition.

Good Luck!

RandyT

[leapinlew]

Not a bad idea MC.  I still have to talk to the wife before making an offer but it is worth a try.

TTFN

Just out of curiosity... does your wife let you display your testicles up on the mantle at home?  Or are they hidden away in a closet?

If I wasn't such a nice guy I'd fire a flaming comment back at you.  However I am a nice guy so I will just ignore your juvenile attempt at humiliating the relationship I enjoy with my wife.

When I am ignoring someone, I don't normally say anything.

[pointdablame]

If I wasn't such a nice guy I'd fire a flaming comment back at you.  However I am a nice guy so I will just ignore your juvenile attempt at humiliating the relationship I enjoy with my wife.

Wow.... did you get your sense of humor taken away with the testicle removal?  It was a joke dude.. and I guess I'm wrong, but I thought that was pretty clear.  I was just messing with you, but by all means, flame me back if it'll make ya feel better.

I'm glad you have a great relationship with your wife... maybe if it was even BETTER, you could joke about it.

[LiquidFire]

When I don't want to PO the seller, I just say take my number and call me when you will accept $(insert amount).

The easier you can make it on the seller, "I will come and give you cash, walk the ferret and take the cabinet with me the same day."

Your offer all of a sudden looks better than anyone elses.

No one can get mad at you and man, have I got the deals that way. Of course, you also lose out when you don't 'step up'. But hey, there is always another deal to be had.

[ChadTower]

I've done that and had guys practically throw me off their property.  I've also done it and had guys call me back a week later and say "take it today and you get $50 off your offer".  It really depends on the seller.

Either way, if you don't have the COH, just pass on it and wait for the next one.  People keep saying Baby Pac is rare but just look around the forum right now at how many people are getting them or talking about getting them.  It's not rare, once you're in on the local collectors' circuit a Baby Pac isn't hard to turn up.

[Green Giant]

"Baby Pac-Man is an arcade pinball/video game hybrid made by Bally Midway in 1982. Upon inserting a coin, the game begins its typical maze-style play like in the original Pac-Man, but upon entering an "escape" tunnel, a pinball is launched below on the main playfield where the player can gain extra points. The monsters are noted for being extremely aggressive, fast, and unpredictable, frequently breaking the rules of movement established in Namco's official Pac-Man games. Also, the game initially starts off with no energizers: the player is forced to earn them in the pinball portion of the game, making Baby Pac-Man notoriously difficult despite its infant hero."

If the original game works and just needs a new cap kit, $250 doesn't sound horrible.  Maybe I am not old enough, but I don't remember seeing alot of arcade-pinball hybrid games out there.  But you have to clarify everything since it sounds like there is a whole bunch that can go wrong.  Find out every flaw and use each one to cut the price down a little bit.

"Finding one today is rare, and they tend to be expensive when they are found, and are considered difficult to restore due to their design. "  http://www.everything2.com/index.pl?node_id=1195382

[CheffoJeffo]

Don't believe everything you read on teh innernets ... I've seen 3 of these become available locally in the past 12 months and I haven't been looking.

[ChadTower]

Other than the pin2k titles, I can think of three such hybrids off the top of my head.

Baby Pac
Granny and the Gators
Caveman

Don't walk in and be a jerkwad and use every flaw to cut the price a little.  That's a good way to get tossed out by your shorts.  The game is worth well more than double that when working properly.  Trying to cut it way down further than that based on every little flaw in a 20+ year old game is not reasonable.

[RandyT]

Don't believe everything you read on teh innernets ... I've seen 3 of these become available locally in the past 12 months and I haven't been looking.

Maybe it's because they are starting to die and becoming unfixable due to lack of available parts 

But this game is going to have a value that might be personal to the buyer.  The game was rare because it wasn't very successful. I.e. not a great game.  So, to a collector, it's going to have more value than to someone who wants something fun to play in the gameroom.

Offer the seller what you can afford and what you think it's worth.  If you really really really want one, make your offer reflect that.  Otherwise, pass it up and wait for something that better suits your tastes and your budget

RandyT

[Kaytrim]

Not knowing what monitor is in there myself does anyone know how much a cap kit would be for the monitor?  I am just trying to come up with some cost analysis for a repair and sell job on this.   I'd also like to know the dimensions if anyone has then handy.  This looks like it is rather deeper than your average video cab.

TTFN

[pointdablame]

Height:  67.75"
Width:   22.75"
Depth:   37.00"
Weight: 294lbs

http://www.ggdb.com/GameByName.aspx?vid=213

[ChadTower]

Maybe it's because they are starting to die and becoming unfixable due to lack of available parts 

Most of them are like this one... dead ten years and finally at the "get that thing the eff out of my house" stage.  I've never seen one that is still running from the original days without a major refurb job.  The vidiot board in particular, which unfortunately is pretty much unique, is unreliable.

Kaytrim, it's a standard 13", I think... can't remember the model but the cap kit is in the usual $10-20 range (shipped).

[Kaytrim]

I've never seen one that is still running from the original days without a major refurb job.  The vidiot board in particular, which unfortunately is pretty much unique, is unreliable.

Kaytrim, it's a standard 13", I think... can't remember the model but the cap kit is in the usual $10-20 range (shipped).

Thanks for the info on the cap kit Chad.  What is the vidiot board you are referring to, the video driver board?

[ChadTower]

IIRC it is the bridge between the "game board" and the pinball driver.  Could be wrong on that, though, as I can't remember the exact breakdown of what function is on what board in that cab.

[Kaytrim]

I did a google on vidiot board and came up with this site.  It is chock full of information on repairing the Baby Pac-Man machine.  http://www.marvin3m.com/bally/babypac.htm  The vidiot board controls the video game portion of the machine.

TTFN

[ChadTower]

If you're going to get any pin, become very very familiar with that website.  It is everything you could need and more.

BTW, reading that summary, my guess wasn't too far off.   

[Kaytrim]

If you're going to get any pin, become very very familiar with that website.  It is everything you could need and more.

I'll keep that in mind I would love to get my hands on an Elvis pin.

[ChadTower]

The Stern?  That's a high price pin, mostly because of age.  It's not old and still in the earning stage of life.  You're looking at $2-3k depending on condition.

[RandyT]

Not knowing what monitor is in there myself does anyone know how much a cap kit would be for the monitor?  I am just trying to come up with some cost analysis for a repair and sell job on this.

If that's what your planning to do, keep in mind that a dead tube might not be a something that just requires a cap kit to fix.  The flyback could be dead, the tube could have lost vacuum from the neck being cracked by an impact of some nature or it might just be a fuse (although fuses pop for a reason...usually it's an indicator of a more serious problem somewhere else)

Cap kits are usually cheap and run between 10 and 25 dollars, but consider that you might have to replace the monitor or work on the output section of the logic boards to get the machine working again.  There might also be issues on the pin section that require attention.  Aside from the usual overall rubber replacement, it's not uncommon for things like  coils, linkages, transistors, relays, etc. to have issues on older pins.  Just one part could cost as much or more than a cap kit will.

Right now, there are two on eBay.  One is not working but says their tech is "working on it".  It has a "buy it now" of $695.  The other is supposedly in great shape and the BIN is set at over 900, but it's a fresh listing and currently has only a 99 cent bid and a reserve.  So you really need to see the machine in person to get a better idea as to the actual condition before going too far.  The problem is, with no display, you probably can't even get the pin section into the self test mode to see what's going on there.

RandyT


*edit*
Chad beat to some of this, but I''m not gonna edit it again

[ChadTower]

Odds are it's not a $20 solution project.  If you can do the work yourself you'll get it up and working before you hit street value, probably, but you're not going to get out of this for $250 + $20 in parts.

[Kaytrim]

The Stern?  That's a high price pin, mostly because of age.  It's not old and still in the earning stage of life.  You're looking at $2-3k depending on condition.

That be the one Chad.  There is one where I bowl and I try to play it whenever I am there.  Plenty of skill shots, toys and special modes.  I figured that it would be on the higher end of the spectrum.  The one at the bowling alley has a bill validator along side the coin door.


Randy & Chad, thanks for the input.  My skill set is not up to that point yet.  With that in mind I may be better off waiting for something else.   The problem is I have been looking on CraigsList for over 8 months and this is only the second cab that has shown up in my area.  There are several in Des Moines but that is a 2-3 hour drive away and I don't own a truck or trailer.  If it is local like this one then I could borrow a truck from a friend.  Guess I'll stay with custom stick building to fund my hobby for now.

[ChadTower]

Find your local collectors' circle... that is where most of the better deals come most often.  Start with RGVAC and follow that wherever it leads you.

[Barry Barcrest]

Are Baby Pac-Mans fairly rare?  I think I only saw one growing up.  It would be nice to have a game that really can't be emulated.

Baby Pac isn't rare... it had a pretty high production run in pinball numbers.

[koolmoecraig]

$250 is a no-brainer to me.  As for the broken glass, that's like a $20 fix.

Even if the monitor is completely shot, a BRAND NEW 13" from Happs is $154 and they always go on sale down to $125 I believe.

I'd jump on it.  After getting mine I can honestly say that it is in the top 3 best games ever and EASILY the best in the Pac-Man series.

I believe the production run was 7000 units.  More and more people are starting to reproduce parts for them as well.  You can now get brand new playfield decals at phoenixarcade.com along with the side art and cpo of course.

[Barry Barcrest]

I believe the production run was 7000 units.

Go to ipdb.org to look at the production numbers.  Lists at 7000.   That's pretty high for either a pin or a vid.

[ChadTower]

Those are wise words.

[RandyT]

I believe the production run was 7000 units.

Go to ipdb.org to look at the production numbers.  Lists at 7000.   That's pretty high for either a pin or a vid.

Doesn't seem that high to me.  I punched in what I remember to be popular games and the numbers were double and even triple that figure.  For every one I have seen that works, I have seen 3 that don't.  And if they are as prone to failure as it appears, a good number of them probably already had a meeting with the shredder.

There may still be a number of them out there, I don't really know.  I'm just saying that production numbers don't paint the whole picture 25 years later.

RandyT

[missioncontrol]

I can verify one being flooded in NC so I guess that means there are now 6999

[Kaytrim]

I sent an email to the seller expressing my interest.  Then asking more detailed information on the monitor and pics of the playfield.  From the general location posted on the ad, it sounds like I might be able to walk from my office to see it.

I'll let you know what I find out.

TTFN

[ChadTower]

Then don't dally on pics, just hoof it over and look.

[Kaytrim]

I would if I knew exactly where to go.   I'll more than likely do that over lunch tomorrow if possible.  And I'll take my camera with me.

[Barry Barcrest]

I can verify one being flooded in NC so I guess that means there are now 6999

I think KLOV lists 66 of it's members owning one, then we have 2 on here and the 2 on bay so that's 70 and a guy on my site killed one. That's 71 as well as the one you know of. So we are down to 6928, anyone know where they are?

[RandyT]

I can verify one being flooded in NC so I guess that means there are now 6999

I think KLOV lists 66 of it's members owning one, then we have 2 on here and the 2 on bay so that's 70 and a guy on my site killed one. That's 71 as well as the one you know of. So we are down to 6928, anyone know where they are?

Sleepin wid da fishes?

[koolmoecraig]

I don't think that 7000 is a large production run.  For later machines it would be but that's because the market was collapsing. If you judge it by the era, it is quite a small run.

[Kaytrim]

If the machine was in good working condition what would be a good asking price?

[Harry Potter]

If the machine was in good working condition what would be a good asking price?

I'll ask the wife. 

[leapinlew]

If the machine was in good working condition what would be a good asking price?

If your asking for opinions, I'll say no. That game is horrible. If you could hack it and add some fun to it - it would be a lot better.

To me, the game is worth only what I could resell it for. Ask yourself, do you want a baby pacman or do you want the game if it's reasonably priced?

[koolmoecraig]

Most people who don't like it find it too difficult.  To me, being able to clear board after board of Ms. Pac-Man or regular Pac-Man reduces them to nostalgia factor games.  Baby Pac-Man is a genuine challenge that cannot be easily mastered.  A great game as long as you like a challenge.

I actually read a review once that ripped on it because there is no way to do a pattern and the ghosts are too unpredictable.  That's what makes it great!  You have to have skill and a little luck.

[ChadTower]

I don't think that 7000 is a large production run.  For later machines it would be but that's because the market was collapsing. If you judge it by the era, it is quite a small run.

Not for pinball machines and especially not among the small set of hybrids.  Remember, this isn't an Asteroids.  This is a pinball machine.  There were a lot less of them in smaller numbers.

[shardian]

I have to agree with Chad on this one. You have to consider that this game had a video game in it with its associated electronics AND a pinball game with its associated parts and electronics. That machine was probably pretty expensive to manufacture. 7000 units for that specific machine is pretty big, although there are about 50 pins that produced more units than that.

[ChadTower]

Consider that 50 among all pinball titles is a small subset.

[Kaytrim]

I got a response from the seller.  Does this sound like a cap kit could fix the monitor?  I sent a response back requesting an on-site inspection.  BTW I also got the ok from the wife as long as the purchase is $150 or less and I sell it after restoration.  (I may keep it  )

Hi!  Thanks for the interest in the Pac Man game.
Over the years, the picture on the monitor would
randomly appear after starting the unit.  Eventually,
the unit displayed only faint images or nothing at
all.  The game will start up, but again, there is no
image, and repair will be needed even beyond the
monitor in order to restore it.  I like this game, but
haven't the means to fix it.  I would rather someone
with an interest restore and enjoy it.  Thanks!  I
will post a close up of the playfield, too, and send
you them tomorrow.

[ChadTower]

Hi!  Thanks for the interest in the Pac Man game.
Over the years, the picture on the monitor would
randomly appear after starting the unit.  Eventually,
the unit displayed only faint images or nothing at
all.  The game will start up, but again, there is no
image, and repair will be needed even beyond the
monitor in order to restore it.  I like this game, but
haven't the means to fix it.  I would rather someone
with an interest restore and enjoy it.  Thanks!  I
will post a close up of the playfield, too, and send
you them tomorrow.

It's not just a cap kit.  It does need a cap kit, that is guaranteed, but this needs more than a cap kit. 

[Kaytrim]

That is why I asked for an on-site inspection.

[ChadTower]

Other than visual condition of stuff, are you in a position to make any technical assessments?  It's really, really hard for us to make any specific advisements from here with a game that doesn't come up properly.  Could be any of 100 things.

[shardian]

When you go to inspect, make sure to set up a video feed with Ken Layton. He could make a fortune I tell 'ya!

[RandyT]

Based on the language he used, I have a feeling he has a good idea what is wrong with it and how much it will cost to fix it.  "Hasn't the means" and "repair will be needed even beyond the monitor" tells me that this will be neither a cheap, nor easy fix and that's why it's on the block (and probably also why it's still there)

Seems like a risk to me, but it might be a good learning project.  If you have the wife convinced that you can turn it around later and make a profit, and you find that you have a non-working, space hogging piece of retro art that nobody wants instead, the fallout from that one should probably be considered as well.

RandyT

[Kaytrim]

I hope to get the seller talking about the machine and learning what all is wrong.  I am just guessing but there may need new solenoids for the flippers, rubbers and light bulbs for the playfield.  As long as the playfield art is is good shape I should be able to do the rest.  Joystick and button repairs/replacements are easy.  Now if the problems get into the control boards then that is another issue.  If anything else I could part it out to recoup some of my money.

On another front I also got the ok even encouragement to start building my line of custom sticks like Timoe is doing.  Once I get that up and running it will soften the blow if I get this project and it bombs.

TTFN

[shardian]

I hope to get the seller talking about the machine and learning what all is wrong.  I am just guessing but there may need new solenoids for the flippers, rubbers and light bulbs for the playfield.  As long as the playfield art is is good shape I should be able to do the rest.  Joystick and button repairs/replacements are easy.  Now if the problems get into the control boards then that is another issue.  If anything else I could part it out to recoup some of my money.

On another front I also got the ok even encouragement to start building my line of custom sticks like Timoe is doing.  Once I get that up and running it will soften the blow if I get this project and it bombs.

TTFN

That nickel and dime stuff you mentioned will probably kill your resale value. It adds up pretty quick, and to think you have to nickel and dime the video and pinball parts of a machine...

[ChadTower]

It's pretty safe to say this thing needs board work.  How much, impossible to tell from here.

[koolmoecraig]

Yeah, this is definitely a game that can nickel and dime you to death in restoration.

[koolmoecraig]

Also, any of you guys know the original retail on these?  Just curious.

[ChadTower]

"original retain"?

[shardian]

I think he means price.

[koolmoecraig]

"original retain"?

Yes. Retail.  Thank you for the correction.

[Kaytrim]

Visual inspection scheduled for lunchtime tomorrow.  Is there anything I should be looking for?  Anything that would point to problems with the control boards or the playfield?

Thanks everyone for your input and advice up to this point.

TTFN

[leapinlew]

Most people who don't like it find it too difficult.  To me, being able to clear board after board of Ms. Pac-Man or regular Pac-Man reduces them to nostalgia factor games.  Baby Pac-Man is a genuine challenge that cannot be easily mastered.  A great game as long as you like a challenge.

I actually read a review once that ripped on it because there is no way to do a pattern and the ghosts are too unpredictable.  That's what makes it great!  You have to have skill and a little luck.

I don't find it too difficult. I find it to be a not fun game. If it were fun, there would be videogame/pinball combinations all over the place.

[RandyT]

You are at a real disadvantage having no screen to work with.  There are usually diagnostics on pinballs that will flash all of the lights and fire all of the coils so it's easy to find out what's not working.  But this is probably only accessible through an on-screen menu.  Maybe you can find a manual online and memorize the steps to get it going ?

Look for trenches and excessive wear on the playfield.  You can fix up small stuff and paint it, but it's hard to make large severely damaged areas look decent again.  Start a game and listen well to make sure it sounds like things are happening as they should.  Play blind as well as you are able and watch the attract mode lighting on the pin section to make sure it doesn't look stoned.  Don't worry if a few lights are burned out.  They are cheap and usually not that difficult to replace.  Look for broken plastics, and rubbers that are completely broken.  When I bought my High-Speed it had a broken regular rubber band on one of the kickers.  The guy said it worked until the rubber band broke.  Turns out, the transistors got fried because of the shoddy repair job ("machine gunning" of the coil, I expect).  What should have been a simple fix turns into bigger problems because of this type of stuff.

Other than that, you might need some Jedi skills (and maybe some diagnostic LED deciphering tips from a manual) to see what else is wrong.

RandyT

[koolmoecraig]

Most people who don't like it find it too difficult.  To me, being able to clear board after board of Ms. Pac-Man or regular Pac-Man reduces them to nostalgia factor games.  Baby Pac-Man is a genuine challenge that cannot be easily mastered.  A great game as long as you like a challenge.

I actually read a review once that ripped on it because there is no way to do a pattern and the ghosts are too unpredictable.  That's what makes it great!  You have to have skill and a little luck.

I don't find it too difficult. I find it to be a not fun game. If it were fun, there would be videogame/pinball combinations all over the place.

No, you do.  You just wont admit it.


 
When was the last time you played one?  It's definitely the difficulty factor that led to its demise. The size of the cabinet is really more for kids.(control panel height is exceptionally low) I can't imagine kids playing it more than a few times back then and just getting
frustrated.

Fun is subjective.

[CheffoJeffo]

Most people who don't like it find it too difficult.  To me, being able to clear board after board of Ms. Pac-Man or regular Pac-Man reduces them to nostalgia factor games.  Baby Pac-Man is a genuine challenge that cannot be easily mastered.  A great game as long as you like a challenge.

I actually read a review once that ripped on it because there is no way to do a pattern and the ghosts are too unpredictable.  That's what makes it great!  You have to have skill and a little luck.

I don't find it too difficult. I find it to be a not fun game. If it were fun, there would be videogame/pinball combinations all over the place.

No, you do.  You just wont admit it.


 
When was the last time you played one?  It's definitely the difficulty factor that led to its demise. The size of the cabinet is really more for kids.(control panel height is exceptionally low) I can't imagine kids playing it more than a few times back then and just getting
frustrated.

Fun is subjective.

I know people who like it and people who hate it ... it is one of those games.

To say that people who don't like it lack skill is almost as ridiculous as overloading thread titles with asterisks or telling people that they don't know what funny is.

Oh ... and it is teh suxors.

 

[leapinlew]

Fun is subjective.

So is humor, but you don't hear anyone arguing about it or anything. I guess if fun and humor are subjective - difficulty just possibly might be subjective too?

To answer your question Kaytrim - a babypacman isn't worth the gas to go pick it up.

[koolmoecraig]

Let me clarify.  Most people who I have talked to who don't like it and most negatives reviews that I have read about it allude to the difficulty as being the main reason.

I guess difficulty can be subjective.  We aren't all created equal.

[leapinlew]

Let me clarify.  Most people who I have talked to who don't like it and most negatives reviews that I have read about it allude to the difficulty as being the main reason.

I guess difficulty can be subjective.  We aren't all created equal.

I'm impressed and saddened with your lack of yelling at me. 

[RayB]

Baby Pac should be almost as common as Gauntlet: http://www.marvin3m.com/video/atari.htm

[Kaytrim]

Thanks for all the tips Randy.  I was able to get the machine to power up but nothing after that.  Lights came on in the playfield, and marquee but no sound, no video and no actions on the pinball table.

We opened up the back and I started looking everything over.  The first thing I looked was the monitor, no neck glow.  Though after a few minutes I heard an electronic hum coming from it.  Next I looked at the power supply.  All the fuses looked to be in good shape.  Next was the board set.  The first thing I saw was the batery on the MPU board leaking.  The edge trace masking had pealed away from the board.  Gently pealing back the mask I could see some serious corrosion.  I cyceled the power and the LED flashed twice pause and twice again.  I didn't know what that meant but that it was not a good sign.  I looked at the vidiot board and it looked good overall.  The battery from the MPU board hadn't leaked onto it so nothing wrong there.  I cycled the power again and the LED flashed once pause then twice.

Next I went to the controls and play field.  The controls were all leaf switches and joystick.  Everything looked good there.  The playfield had a small ware spot near the left flipper.  The rubbers all showed signs of age and the right flipper rubber was broke.  The spinners showed signs of use as some of the paint had chipped off.  The targets all worked nicely.  I looked at the underside and the seloinds were all ok from visual inspection.

I started off by offering $100.  He scratched his head and said I'd be loosing quite a bit of money there.  I would really like $200.  So I showed him what I had found on the MPU board, explained what I would need to re cap the monitor and replace the rubbers and bulbs on the playfield.  Then I told him what the good parts were and offered him a firm $150.

We will be in contact via email in the next 24 hours and hopefully seal the deal.  Of everything only the MPU board concerns me.

TTFN
Kaytrim

[ChadTower]

High odds on the battery leakage being the primary problem.  That can be fixed, takes a little continuity checking skill and such but can be done, or you can drop in a replacement and come back to that board later.

For the monitor, start with the HV circuit and go from there, since there is no neck glow or scangun chatter.

And please, please file this away for future reference:  you cannot visually tell, with any reliability, when an old fuse is dead.  Always always always continuity check them.

You also can't visually check a pinball coil.

Based on that desc, I wouldn't have had much issue with the $200, but I specifically want a Baby Pac.

[Chris G]

Based on that desc, I wouldn't have had much issue with the $200, but I specifically want a Baby Pac.

Here you go, man... found you one for only $25!  It's cross-country for you, but I bet they'll ship.

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/nby/bab/375472566.html

[RandyT]

And please, please file this away for future reference:  you cannot visually tell, with any reliability, when an old fuse is dead.  Always always always continuity check them.

You can't visually tell with any reliability that an old fuse is alive.  But you can sure tell an obviously  dead one.  It's usually black from the vaporized metal, or in the small ones, the wire has a gap or is completely missing.  Those aren't going to be alive, no way no how.

It's the ones that look good you need to test

RandyT

[RayB]

The guy asked for $200? I'd have bit. THough you could have added the broken glass to the list (new tempered glass = $50+ )

[Kaytrim]

The glass was one  piece.  The 'crack' in the pics could have been to rubber glass surround that had fallen off and was hanging down.

I have yet to hear back from him and he did say that there was one other person that wanted to look at it.  If they get it then no big deal.  This would have been fun to restore but not one of my top cabs.  I would really love to get my hands on a Robotron or Sinistar.  Then maybe an Elvis Pinball.

TTFN

[shardian]

Luckily, that MPU board is fairly common. Will still set you back fine penny if it comes to replacement, and still no guarantees that will get the game working. You are probably looking at $200-$300 in fixing that thing, including all of "the little things". So assuming the worst, you are looking at a $450 investment, are you sure that you can recoup that?

[Kaytrim]

I honestly don't know if I can recoup the investment or not.  I was looking at this as a learning project and get some enjoyment out of it for a while.  Like I said if I don't get it for the $150 then no big deal. 

I am not looking real hard for a project cab.  If one comes along that I can work on, like this one then I'll take a stab at it.

TTFN

[ChadTower]

Here you go, man... found you one for only $25!  It's cross-country for you, but I bet they'll ship.

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/nby/bab/375472566.html

Boo!

Kaytrim, don't count on getting your investment back, on this cab or most others.  That's a hard thing to do in this hobby now.  The goal normally isn't to break even financially, it's to learn or get a game or save a game or something else but not to recoup all costs/profit.

[leapinlew]

Here you go, man... found you one for only $25!  It's cross-country for you, but I bet they'll ship.

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/nby/bab/375472566.html

Boo!

Kaytrim, don't count on getting your investment back, on this cab or most others.  That's a hard thing to do in this hobby now.  The goal normally isn't to break even financially, it's to learn or get a game or save a game or something else but not to recoup all costs/profit.

 

[Kaytrim]

You read my mind Chad.   However I have to appease the wife as well.  She is very money conscious which makes it difficult.  If I get the Baby Pac Man I plan on restoring it to working condition and later maybe fixing any of the cosmetics as time and funds allow.  Even though she thinks about selling it after I fix it up I may not do that for while.  Knowledge is still worth something after all is said and done.

TTFN

[ChadTower]

That's what you have to make her understand, I think.  Acquired knowledge has substantial value.  So does productive hobby time that makes you happy.  These don't show up in the checkbook.

If she doesn't appreciate those, tell her that not having a game to work on makes you want to go out and drink with your friends in that time instead.  See if that lights a bulb.

[leapinlew]

That's what you have to make her understand, I think.  Acquired knowledge has substantial value.  So does productive hobby time that makes you happy.  These don't show up in the checkbook.

If she doesn't appreciate those, tell her that not having a game to work on makes you want to go out and drink with your friends in that time instead.  See if that lights a bulb.

This is true. You need to give her a frame of reference. Go out, spend 100 partying, come home, kick the dog, punch a hole in the wall, pass out on the kitchen table (your decision if you want to vomit everywhere.

It's been my experience that many women look at other women for how good the other women have it but look internally for how bad they have it.

If the worst thing you do is spend a little extra money on a hobby that brings you pleasure and keeps you out of trouble - they are doing pretty good.

On the other hand, if your frying bologna for a "special" dinner - you may want to re-think your priorities.

Either way - Baby Pacman sucks.

[ChadTower]

This is true. You need to give her a frame of reference. Go out, spend 100 partying, come home, kick the dog, punch a hole in the wall, pass out on the kitchen table (your decision if you want to vomit everywhere.

And if that doesn't work, come home smelling like bad perfume.  When she goes off tell her that if you had a game to work on you wouldn't have been out in the first place.  Hope she buys it.  If none of that works, invite your fattest and smelliest friends over 3x/week and let them sleep on the guest couch... again, if you had a game to work on, you wouldn't be wasting your time with fat smelly loser friends.

It's been my experience that many women look at other women for how good the other women have it but look internally for how bad they have it.

Very true.  And since it's all relative, things you have that may be pretty good can be bad simply because they aren't quite what their friend has... yet the areas in which you are clearly superior are just normal and acceptable.

If the worst thing you do is spend a little extra money on a hobby that brings you pleasure and keeps you out of trouble - they are doing pretty good.

Just keep her away from the couple down the street where the husband is so whipped his idea of a "good night" is shoe shopping and not getting berated into a sloppy pulp for not picking up a sock.  That sets bad bad juju example.  The acceptable answer to "why can't you be more like him" seems to never be "because he's not a man".

[Chris G]

"Project Arcade 2: how to manipulate your marriage to preserve your arcade hobby" by C. Tower and L. Lew.

[ChadTower]

I took the simple route.  I married a woman that doesn't mind so long as I'm not putting games on the main floor.  Of course, I had no idea that would be the case when I married her several years before picking up the hobby, but such is the luck of the draw.

[Hawk Daddy]

Just don't say, I played games before you, and I'll play games after you, I don't think that would be in your best interest.

Hawk

[leapinlew]

I took the simple route.  I married a woman that doesn't mind so long as I'm not putting games on the main floor.  Of course, I had no idea that would be the case when I married her several years before picking up the hobby, but such is the luck of the draw.

Cool - whats his name?

[ChadTower]

Heh.  Believe it or not, there are women who get the "he could be out drinking and cheating" concept.

In the long run, games are cheaper than bar tabs.

[Kaytrim]

As I thought might happen, I was out bid on the machine.  No big deal, it would have been nice to have but not necessary.  Thanks everyone for all your advice and help.

TTFN
Kaytrim

[koolmoecraig]

The guy asked for $200? I'd have bit. THough you could have added the broken glass to the list (new tempered glass = $50+ )

I bought a brand new piece of tempered glass for mine for $22.  Shop around and you'll find cheaper deals.  I didn't call one place that was over $40 and I live in a pretty expensive area.

[koolmoecraig]

and I stand by my statement that people who think Baby Pac sucks are people who either find it too difficult or don't like the challenge.

The video part is the same as Pac-Man except it has three different mazes and you have to earn the power pellets by doing well in the playfield. You can also speed up your tunnel speed on the playfield. Also, the ghosts are far "smarter" in Baby Pac.  If you think Baby Pac blows then I would assume that you don't like any other games in the Pac-Man series since it is the exact same game play except for the added difficulty and obviously the pinball which is hard to master due to it's small, fast-moving size.

Most of my friends that come over and play it think it sucks too because it's difficult.  It's the kind of game you have to REALLY practice at which I think is the mark of a great game

It definitely a game that grows on you and has an extremely long shelf life.  Owning a regular Pac-Man would bore me to tears if not for the nostalgia factor.  Same patterns over and over and easy to "master".

If any of you guys have the opportunity to get one, do it.

[RandyT]

and I stand by my statement that people who think Baby Pac sucks are people who either find it too difficult or don't like the challenge.

I don't know if I would go as far as saying that it sucks...but I will say that when it was in my local gameroom, I played it a couple of times and that was about it.  By time Baby Pac-man made the rounds, they were really milking the theme.  IMHO, the game was half a videogame and half a pinball machine.   I.e. there were better vids and better pins out at that time, so Baby Pacman never got any more of my quarters.  Difficulty never had much to do with it.

Just my 2 cents....

RandyT

[leapinlew]

and I stand by my statement that people who think Baby Pac sucks are people who either find it too difficult or don't like the challenge.

I don't know if I would go as far as saying that it sucks...but I will say that when it was in my local gameroom, I played it a couple of times and that was about it.  By time Baby Pac-man made the rounds, they were really milking the theme.  IMHO, the game was half a videogame and half a pinball machine.   I.e. there were better vids and better pins out at that time, so Baby Pacman never got any more of my quarters.  Difficulty never had much to do with it.

Just my 2 cents....

RandyT

 

I agree

[ChadTower]

  I didn't call one place that was over $40 and I live in a pretty expensive area.

You didn't call a place at which you already knew the price and didn't want to pay it?   

[leapinlew]

and I stand by my statement that people who think Baby Pac sucks are people who either find it too difficult or don't like the challenge.

Yes, I prefer easier non-challenging games like Defender, Robotron, etc. I cannot be bothered with an inferior half-breed video game.

[shardian]

and I stand by my statement that people who think Baby Pac sucks are people who either find it too difficult or don't like the challenge.

Yes, I prefer easier non-challenging games like Defender

hehe, I was traveling this weekend and happened across the nintendo version of defender, which lets you use the directional pad to control your ship. I enjoyed the game much more...but I still sucked at it.

[ChadTower]

Eff Robotron.  Black Widow!