Any info on The Original Screamer Seat of Terror?

[melarky]

I just picked up this machine called The Original Screamer Seat of Terror (one of those machines that has the vibrating handles that feels a bit like a shock and is in the shape of an electric chair).  My wife found it on a local classified ad (guy had a warehouse of stuff he had to get rid of, this was the best of the bunch, he had a few arcade and redemption machines but nothing great).  He was pretty desperate to clear out his warehouse, so we got it for a great deal.  It's funny, my wife wanted to go down and is now telling everyone it's her valentines present, she is such an enabler .

When we called the guy the day before, he said it didn't work, but when we got there he said "We got it running last night!".  When I asked him what it was, he said there was a switch on it he didn't see.  So it powered up, but most of the bulbs looked burned out, only one handle worked, and a few other things are wrong (like the internal printer wires are cut etc...).  I went to an auto store and got a bunch of replacement bulbs and scrubbed it up and it looks much better, but still have to go through some other stuff (like the broken handle, don't know if it's just a loose wire or burned out motor etc...).

I have tried to find out more info about this machine, but can't seem to track much down.  It's made by Nova Productions LTD (was able to find the flyer at TAFA: http://www.arcadeflyers.com/?page=thumbs&db=arcadedb&id=1624).  But that is pretty much all I can find out.  It seems like either Nova made a bunch of variations or other companies copied the idea, but I've seen similar stuff called "The Shocker", "The Hot Seat", and "Uncle Fester Electrifying" etc...  Does anyone know where I can find the manual for this?  I am mostly interested in the schematics, but I would love to see the rest of the manual too.  Also, does anyone know where to find parts?  I checked ebay and google and couldn't find anything.  Just wondered if anyone here knew of a source or something...

Right now it's just sitting in my living room (while we work on it) but I will have to find a better spot for it eventually (it's huge).  I have a pic (my mom and son are sitting in it, my kid loves it, if anyone else is sitting in it he has to be up there on it) and video of mine in action:

http://www.youtube.com/v/iXtJiYed77I&hl=en&fs=1

[CheffoJeffo]

Cool ... I would love to have one of those in my house!

I know nothing of these, but you might want to check out Kevin Keinert's "Electricity Is Life" restoration in the Nov 2007 GameRoom Magazine -- he restored a dry-cell-based shock machine.

[CathalDublin]

There was a variation of this machine in Ireland called the Shocker

[melarky]

It has to be the same company, but I'm not totally sure.  It is really hard to find any real info on this machine, it's pretty dang cool, and I've personally seen about 3 different variants of the machine here in Utah, so I would assume more info would be out there, but there really isn't anything I can find.  Looks like Nova for sure also made that uncle fester machine too (as well as a star trek borg 2 player variation that I've never seen in person).  I think I found a mailing address in the UK for them (it's the address on their registrar info), I will probably try to mail them a letter asking for more info.  I tried an e-mail I found but it bounced...

There was a variation of this machine in Ireland called the Shocker

[CathalDublin]

heres another link if this is any help
http://www.machine-world.co.uk/GameDetail.aspx?machinecategoryid=0&machineid=65

[Ginsu Victim]

I've only ever seen the Uncle Fester one. Awesome find!

[Ummon]

Hmm. We used to do that kind of thing in electronics class.

[Kevin Mullins]

All I have to say is ...... COOL !!   

[Ed_McCarron]

I've only ever seen the Uncle Fester one. Awesome find!

Anyone got a schematic or inside info on this?  I'm still trying to decide if it actually generated a mild shock or if the handles simply vibrated...

Seems the shock thing would be a liability.

[Ginsu Victim]

I was too chicken to try it.

[Kevin Mullins]

Anyone got a schematic or inside info on this?  I'm still trying to decide if it actually generated a mild shock or if the handles simply vibrated...

Seems the shock thing would be a liability.

I'm pretty certain anything that new doesn't actually "shock". (for that liability reason)

Now some of the oooolder stuff may have.
But most of those were small simple boxes that sat on a table or something.

[Ginsu Victim]

[Aceldamor]

I've only ever seen the Uncle Fester one. Awesome find!

I used to scare little kids on the Fester one...I would act like it actually was shocking me when it vibrated...they used to freak out...heh.

I have recently come across one that is modeled after the BORG from STNG...haven't played it though.



Hellluva nice find though...I would love to have that machine around Halloween time!