The NEW Build Your Own Arcade Controls
Arcade Collecting => Restorations & repair => Topic started by: Mark W on April 01, 2021, 01:24:00 pm
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I found an old thread on this site which featured Ken Layton. He is a guru with these dart boards. So if he is listening or if anybody else knows about these vintage dart boards please chime in.
I recently bought a early 80’s century idea board. When plugged in nothing happens. Ken talks about these power supplies are crap. Can’t disagree with that! I have not found a wiring diagram. I did find on board which sits between the transformer and the capacitor has a burned up solder component called J1. I’m not sure what went there but it’s gone now. I will post pictures and would like to know about this Peter cheau power supply Ken talked about. Any help would be appreciated thanks
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Definitely try googling the parts seperately. Like the power supply model number. Measuring voltages is step one.
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I did find on board which sits between the transformer and the capacitor has a burned up solder component called J1. I’m not sure what went there but it’s gone now.
On schematics and PCBs, J = Jack.
- Fixed part of a jack + plug connector pair.
- Typically a female socket, but could be male pins.
Just spitballing since I haven't seen a schematic or pics yet, but there's a good chance it was the power input jack for that PCB.
- It probably burned up because of the heat generated by a poor-quality, high-resistance connection.
Scott
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would like to know about this Peter cheau power supply Ken talked about.
I assume you're referring to this thread where Ken mentioned the possibility of using a Peter Chou power supply to replace the poor quality original power supply if someone can find a schematic of the original.
http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,122218.0.html (http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,122218.0.html)
The Peter Chou PSU is an arcade-style switching power supply.
(https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/81qS9inqzPL._AC_SL1500_.jpg)
Scott
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Thanks for the replies. I wanted to post some images to give more contacts to the issue. Now that I cleaned off all the dust from some Smokey tavern I can. I can read the voltages on the transformer but I’m not sure where to go from there. I spent over 100 bones on this thing which is way more than I should have for something that doesn’t turn on. So in the end I just can’t put too much money in it.
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Here is some more images
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As well as some from the under side.
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Great news! After going over everything and clean and clean I started testing voltage. Right off the bat I found the switch was bad. I replaced it and the transformer starter to hum. I put a jumper wire around the J1 missing component and the whole dart board sprung to life.
The only thing left is to find a working target board. I will post a picture of the manufacturer. If anybody knows where to get one of these or how to fix it I would appreciate it.
Thanks again
Mark.
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That's the tough part with these older dart games, and can be somewhat hard to find. What you need is a replacement matrix; that's what senses the darts as they hit the board. It's a network of membrane switches that is able to detect where the hit is without a large number of electrical connections to the ECU. I have a similar problem with my Arachnid 6000. Mine doesn't sense hits to the number one spot. At least I can play Cricket, so it's perfectly usable until I do find a replacement. When one does pop up, they typically go for around $100 though. I always seem to be broke when one does!
The company seems to still be in business, you might want to try and contact them: http://www.memtron.in (http://www.memtron.in)
You could also try creating an automated search on eBay to notify you if one becomes available. Good luck!
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The company (I.D.E.A. ) that made Century Dartes has been bought and sold several times over the years. The company progression is this:
IDEA -> Valley (the pool table company) -> Shelti
Over 30 years ago, we had maybe 4 of the Century Darts machines on the route. I remember schematics did come with the machines. The power supply was definitely the weakest part of the machine.