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Main => Project Announcements => Topic started by: jarrett on August 01, 2011, 03:09:04 pm

Title: Tron Restoration - Advice needed
Post by: jarrett on August 01, 2011, 03:09:04 pm
I'm restoring a Tron cabinet. I picked this up about two years ago. Obviously it's going to need a lot of TLC. I'm not sure exactly where to start, or what vendors supply the best repro artwork and parts. Any advice would be appreciated.

Here's the front of the cabinet:

(http://i.imgur.com/05Dzs.jpg)

The machine is not functional. When you turn plug it in, the lights come on and everything powers up. It makes a loud 60Hz hum that becomes quieter over time. The screen usually displays this static image:

(http://i.imgur.com/2jRoa.jpg)

Here are the dirty guts:

(http://i.imgur.com/ARLn2.jpg)

The only art on the machine that doesn't need to be replaced is the marquee, which is actually in very nice shape:

(http://i.imgur.com/oZP1K.jpg)

Most of the cabinet has wood chipped away around the edges.  Along one edge the t-molding is detached. The side art is quite trashed:

(http://i.imgur.com/aa0LS.jpg)

The control panel is especially sad. I have an original Tron trigger stick that cost me more than the cabinet. The spinner is missing its art, and the 2-player button is also missing:

(http://i.imgur.com/zuSEK.jpg)

(http://i.imgur.com/T91bT.jpg)

The plastic around the monitor hood is brittle and cracking:

(http://i.imgur.com/sc3b6.jpg)

The coin door hinge is badly bent out of shape, preventing the coin door from shutting. The lock is stuck open, and I don't have any working keys.

(http://i.imgur.com/dwOrs.jpg)

The kick plate is badly warped and generally gross looking:

(http://i.imgur.com/YONR1.jpg)

View the full photo album here: http://imgur.com/a/eQTay (http://imgur.com/a/eQTay)
Title: Re: Tron Restoration - Advice needed
Post by: Nimbus on August 02, 2011, 04:04:05 pm
Lots to do here. Trons can get expensive because of the artwork. That being said, there is only one place to go for Tron artwork:

http://phoenixarcade.com/art.htm#tron (http://phoenixarcade.com/art.htm#tron)

It is all silk-screened and the quality is amazing.

The PC board/power supply is likely damaged and needs to be repaired. You might want to head over to the KLOV forum. Lots of guys who repair the classic components over there. They might be able to help you troubleshoot it. It could just be something simple.

The monitor works, but you will probably want to install a cap kit. This basically means replacing all of the old caps that are out of spec. A cap kit doesn't get rid of burn-in, but it can make your monitor look brand new. It is amazing how great it looks once you get one finished.

You can drill out the lock and install a new one on the coin door. You could bend the door back into shape, but sometimes it just isn't worth the trouble. I would just pick up a used one.

You've got a lot of work ahead of you either way. Good luck to you!