Author Topic: Star Wars Machine project (Read 14778 times)

garykagan · « **on:** April 16, 2009, 11:22:17 pm »

Hello all, new to the forums, great info here. I bought a stand up Star Wars machine back in 1989 for $250 and somewhere along the line the monitor died, sound kept on going. It was awesome for quite a while though. I believe it was the flyback transformer (so I'm told). Anyway, as I love the side art and wanted this for more than just Star Wars, I gutted it to prep it for an emulator gaming system. What I wanted to know is if anyone has figured out or documented how to use the yolk from a star wars machine and actually use it as a working yolk in the MAME rom of star wars.

So far I have fitted in a 21 inch CRT nicely. I plan to use the existing speakers in the cab, I am looking into a mini amplifier to control the volume externally from the pc to the speakers. Ordered a smart strip to control all the power from the pc on/off. Trying to determine if I should go with Mala or Maximum Arcade, UncleT has an amazing document I've been reading on MALA setup (nice work).

Any other joystick makers out there beside x-arcade and Northcoast? I'm temped to build my own, but I'm not sure what I'd be getting into there yet.

I'll be listing all the parts in the Buy/Sell/Trade section eventually. Hopefully they will be useful to some members.

I'll have some pics shortly as well.

-gk

ChadTower · « **Reply #1 on:** April 16, 2009, 11:47:25 pm »

Odds are decent it isn't the flyback and you can get that game working again without tons of trouble. If the boardset still works but the monitor doesn't, that's not so hard to get back fully working... certainly easier than redoing the whole thing as a MAME cabinet.

garykagan · « **Reply #2 on:** April 16, 2009, 11:54:11 pm »

Probably true. Looks like a large circular magnet with a big crack in it - also the solder joints were not holding anymore. I'll keep the cabinet intact for all the art and marquee. Tell ya the truth, I played that game to death when it was working. It really was time to make some changes with it.

-gk

RayB · « **Reply #3 on:** April 17, 2009, 12:53:26 am »

could have sold it for twice what you paid and then fully funded your "mame" with the cash.

Level42 · « **Reply #4 on:** April 17, 2009, 01:28:38 am »

O my god, what a shame. You will NEVER have the true vector glory with a MAMEd machine !!!!

I _strongly_ advice you to re-install all the gutted parts. Is it an Amplifone monitor ?
It's really easy to repair. The HVT's are available and knowledge in the Amplifone FAQ and help is plenty around here.

MAMEing a SW is only OK if you found an EMPTY cab, like Darthnuno. Since you have all parts, it's easy to restore it to it's full original working glory.

Is that circular magnet with a crack in it red ? If so, you're halfway of repairing it.

garykagan · « **Reply #5 on:** April 17, 2009, 07:49:06 am »

I know I've let you guys down here, but the cab will live on. For the amount of years I held on to this there is no way I would let it go for $500. Repairing antique electronics is just not one of my strong points. I really love the side art and could not duplicate that if I built a cab from scratch. There's also the space issue - no room for two machines. It would be cool to build a bartop version of the machine with the parts though.

ChadTower · « **Reply #6 on:** April 17, 2009, 08:18:08 am »

Where are you located? If you insist on parting this thing out maybe you can help out someone who wants to restore theirs. I have a project Star Wars here that could definitely use some of the electronics, and the monitor if you're within shipping range, since I work mostly on vectors. Obviously reasonable price paid.

garykagan · « **Reply #7 on:** April 17, 2009, 08:23:23 am »

I'm in NJ. I just need some time to get some pictures takes and post here or in the Buy/Sell/Trade area. thx, gk

Spyridon · « **Reply #8 on:** April 17, 2009, 08:49:53 am »

*** Please move this from the restoration section.***

A classic cab, especially a Star Wars, in the condition you describe should never be mamed.

On the positive side, you will be assured of having your creation immortalized in the Hellcade!

Here is some inspiration for what you can create:

garykagan · « **Reply #9 on:** April 17, 2009, 09:06:03 am »

Thanks for the anger and the inspiration.

ChadTower · « **Reply #10 on:** April 17, 2009, 09:09:09 am »

I would 100% prefer that he fix this cab too. $:-\$

If he's absolutely set on MAMEing the thing, though, I can ensure that at least the organs go right to a needy recipient and probably help him out with his project too. I'm not so far from him.

garykagan · « **Reply #11 on:** April 17, 2009, 09:16:43 am »

Chad, thanks for the positiveness. Yes - I will be offering up the parts to all who needs them so everyone wins. The parts are clean and look great. Pictures will be coming.

Level42 · « **Reply #12 on:** April 17, 2009, 09:45:37 am »

He's only positive because he wants your parts.

If repairing electronics is not your thing, there are plenty of people who can. Arcadecup (http://www.arcadecup.com/) can fix your monitor f.i. but I'm sure there are others.

I'm sorry but I totally agree with Spyridon, this thread has to be moved out of here.

It's simply not a restoration. You obviously either have never seen a working color vector or don't understand what you're going to miss.

garykagan · « **Reply #13 on:** April 17, 2009, 09:56:28 am »

No need to be hostile. Can't we get along? If it should be moved, so be it. Also, if someone wants my parts or doesn't, it is possible to be nice either way.

I'm not going to miss it. I am more of home theater guy.

ChadTower · « **Reply #14 on:** April 17, 2009, 10:02:02 am »

Quote from: Level42 on April 17, 2009, 09:45:37 am

He's only positive because he wants your parts.

If he were closer I'd be willing to drive over and help him fix the thing. He's a good 5-7 hours from me one way, though. I don't want to see this thing parted anymore than anyone else here does. This guy is going to do it, though, seeing as how he has already installed the raster monitor. If someone else buys the parts who knows where they'll end up? I'm only trying to work with the reality of the situation here. He already said he's not willing to sell the whole nonworking machine for $500 - so who knows what he will think the parts are worth?

Level42 · « **Reply #15 on:** April 17, 2009, 10:44:09 am »

Where am I hostile ?

I'm just saying it's in the wrong section.

Ginsu Victim · « **Reply #16 on:** April 17, 2009, 10:50:46 am »

You Star Wars bully.

garykagan · « **Reply #17 on:** April 17, 2009, 10:53:16 am »

now that's funny

RayB · « **Reply #18 on:** April 17, 2009, 11:01:46 am »

I'd like your circuit board set.
I have a Star Wars with problems (no picture, some sound, but not "gameplay" sounds).

Level42 · « **Reply #19 on:** April 17, 2009, 11:25:07 am »

I'm looking for a HV board.

Too show I'm not hostile:

Yoke hack info: http://www.dragonslairfans.com/smfor/index.php?topic=74.msg427#msg427

ChadTower · « **Reply #20 on:** April 17, 2009, 11:52:23 am »

I wouldn't part out the individual components... let's see if we can keep the monitor and game boardset intact here.

RayB · « **Reply #21 on:** April 17, 2009, 12:09:18 pm »

LOL @ Peale.

Moved it to BST rather than Misc Arcade or Projects.

Level42 · « **Reply #22 on:** April 17, 2009, 12:15:38 pm »

Man, be glad this isn't the KLOV forum, you would have been butchered there....

Chad, what do you mean "intact". An Amplifone is nothing but 2 boards and a CRT. There's nothing to keep intact. I need a HV board to restore a cockpit to Amplifone glory (now has a WG6100)....at least that would be a noble thing to come out of this.

ChadTower · « **Reply #23 on:** April 17, 2009, 12:38:26 pm »

Quote from: Level42 on April 17, 2009, 12:15:38 pm

Man, be glad this isn't the KLOV forum, you would have been butchered there....

Chad, what do you mean "intact". An Amplifone is nothing but 2 boards and a CRT. There's nothing to keep intact. I need a HV board to restore a cockpit to Amplifone glory (now has a WG6100)....at least that would be a noble thing to come out of this.

I mean intact as in if he sells that HV board alone now he has an incomplete nonworking monitor. Not exactly the best thing for a newbie to try and sell.

garykagan · « **Reply #24 on:** April 17, 2009, 01:53:55 pm »

Quote from: Level42 on April 17, 2009, 11:25:07 am

I'm looking for a HV board.

Too show I'm not hostile:

Yoke hack info: http://www.dragonslairfans.com/smfor/index.php?topic=74.msg427#msg427

you have redeemed yourself. Thanks for this thread. Very interesting info, just what I was looking for.

Ninten-doh · « **Reply #25 on:** April 17, 2009, 02:39:12 pm »

Hey Gary,
I'm in NJ as well. Sent you a PM as I'm restoring a SW cab and could use some parts if you decide to part with them.

RayB · « **Reply #26 on:** April 17, 2009, 07:37:02 pm »

We're like vultures !

Level42 · « **Reply #27 on:** April 18, 2009, 09:42:13 am »

Ummon · « **Reply #28 on:** April 19, 2009, 01:14:43 am »

Well, to be certain, he doesn't grasp the gravity of this aspect of the hobby. Ah well.

garykagan · « **Reply #29 on:** April 19, 2009, 08:08:52 am »

I grasp it, it just is not my hobby. I have too many already..... Gonna help out a lot of people with the parts I have as soon as I figure out what they are worth and get them posted here.

Lilwolf · « **Reply #30 on:** April 19, 2009, 08:51:09 am »

trouble with pricing starwars parts...

You have the monitor... working well is worth a bit... mainly because they are hard to find...

Controller... But their prices went from 250 -> 150 in good condition because everyone is hoping for the RAM Controls to start selling theirs soon.

The maybe the board... I'm guessing you could get a bit for it because I hardly ever see them for sale.

Other then that, I odn't think you can get much... I see parts on ebay cheap for everything else since so many cabs get ripped apart.

That being said... if its working, you can easily get 1k for the cabinet. And thats for a sudo crappy one.

ChadTower · « **Reply #31 on:** April 19, 2009, 09:30:04 am »

You can not get anything like $1000 for an empty Star Wars cabinet.

Not even a fully working one in pretty good shape is fetching $1000 right now. They seem to be going in the $750 range from the ones I've seen.

Right now, honestly, we're looking at a nonworking Amp or WG color vector and a possibly working but not known for sure boardset. The problem with the game could easily be the video and not the monitor, and since he can't tell us for sure, any buyer has to assume the boardset could have a bad video signal going out.

garykagan · « **Reply #32 on:** April 19, 2009, 09:51:49 am »

Hopefully the pictures will tell what is wrong. The boards look spotless. The game was playing blind and the part that connects to the back of the monitor with a suction cup had damage. I'll get my act together today and post the pics....

garykagan · « **Reply #33 on:** April 19, 2009, 07:44:00 pm »

Hello all. Pictures are ready for previewing. I am keeping the cab (with speakers), glass, plastic forms and the yoke. Everything else will be available for sale as soon as I can be ready and figure out how I will go about the sale. Feel free to ask any questions as this will help me as well. The boards still need to be removed from the cage as they will be sold individually as well. Hopefully we can bring to life a few machines with these parts.

About the machine: I played this machine for many enjoyable hours and it was awesome. At one point the screen stopped working as it was playing blind. Didn't know what the exact issue was, but I do remember doing some research at the time and the flyback transformer within the monitor housing was mentioned as the issue. Hopefully the pictures will help. The boards, power and wiring should be all in working order. This machine has always been kept indoors.

Thanks for looking, gk (Princeton, NJ)

http://www.flickr.com/photos/37562351@N03/

BASS! · « **Reply #34 on:** April 20, 2009, 04:58:27 am »

Man that is a clean cabinet.

ChadTower · « **Reply #35 on:** April 20, 2009, 08:37:00 am »

Here's what the pictures do tell us for sure:

1) Flyback needs replacing most likely.
2) Tube has spot burn.
3) That's a WG.

I suggest getting better shots of the game boards. Take them out of the cage... we still don't know if the game boards are fully working. The pics probably won't solve that but it will show anyone something obviously toasted. That would probably be either a connector or in the AVG section since it plays blind. Look for some test points marked X, Y, and Z and focus on that area.

garykagan · « **Reply #36 on:** April 20, 2009, 08:54:56 am »

I'll get some pictures of the boards out to everyone, thx, gk

Quote from: ChadTower on April 20, 2009, 08:37:00 am

Here's what the pictures do tell us for sure:

1) Flyback needs replacing most likely.
2) Tube has spot burn.
3) That's a WG.

I suggest getting better shots of the game boards. Take them out of the cage... we still don't know if the game boards are fully working. The pics probably won't solve that but it will show anyone something obviously toasted. That would probably be either a connector or in the AVG section since it plays blind. Look for some test points marked X, Y, and Z and focus on that area.

garykagan · « **Reply #37 on:** April 20, 2009, 09:03:55 am »

I will be taking the boards out of the cage for some close up shots for everyone to see. As I learn more about these parts I will post the info. I just learned about a green board that is covering the opening of the cage with the two rectangular connectors from the wire harness. My machine was working with the wire harness connectors connecting directly to the two boards in the cage. thanks, gk

ChadTower · « **Reply #38 on:** April 20, 2009, 10:12:35 am »

Quote from: garykagan on April 20, 2009, 09:03:55 am

I will be taking the boards out of the cage for some close up shots for everyone to see. As I learn more about these parts I will post the info. I just learned about a green board that is covering the opening of the cage with the two rectangular connectors from the wire harness. My machine was working with the wire harness connectors connecting directly to the two boards in the cage. thanks, gk

That's probably the RF board... totally optional. I think it had to do with radio interferance compliance but not necessarily game functionality. Taking it out removes a point of failure but if the gov't ever finds out you may or may not end up in Turkish prison or in a gladiator movie.

Ummon · « **Reply #39 on:** April 20, 2009, 04:33:59 pm »

That thing rather calls to be sold in one piece.


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