Build Your Own Arcade Controls Forum

Main => Monitor/Video Forum => Topic started by: stringplay3 on November 04, 2011, 04:04:04 pm

Title: Wells Gardner U2000
Post by: stringplay3 on November 04, 2011, 04:04:04 pm
Hi all!  I am new to the forum, and have a question about some monitors that I've run into.  I have available some Wells Gardner monitors with the model number of 27K2391L.  I've done some research, and I think that these are older 27" U2000 models.  They were once in a large video wall at a bank and are encased in black steel boxes.  They have what appears to be a universal AC cord socket on the back and a VGA interface plug.  So, my question is, are they something that could feasibly be used in a home built arcade system/cabinet?  I am a real noobie, and not really even sure how to test them.  I do have a PC set up with Mame, and a Arcade VGA card (not installed yet) that was purchased about 3 years or so ago.  Does this sound like it would work with the monitors?  I have searched Wells Gardner's website & even called them, and cannot find out if this combo would work.  The person I talked with at Wells Gardner wasn't any help.  Should I just hook it up and see what happens?

By the way, I have up to 20 of these monitors for me to play around with; I do know some are not working, based on what the person that disassembled the wall said.

Appreciate any guidance I could get!

Thanks!
Title: Re: Wells Gardner U2000
Post by: mgb on November 04, 2011, 11:27:48 pm
Yeah, you should be good to hook up to your arcade vga
Title: Re: Wells Gardner U2000
Post by: ed12 on November 05, 2011, 01:22:12 am
Arcade VGA card (not installed yet)

with that installed  then yes

ed
Title: Re: Wells Gardner U2000
Post by: stringplay3 on November 05, 2011, 11:56:06 pm
Thanks, everybody!  I will install the card and give the monitors a try.  Not sure what I will do with 16+ of them, though... :)
Title: Re: Wells Gardner U2000
Post by: mgb on November 06, 2011, 01:04:15 am
You'll also probably need a video amp (available from Ultimarc).

16+ U2000s......
With that many, you should be able to make one or two working ones with the parts  :laugh2:
... no but seriuosly, the u2000 was known to be a problematic monitor so spare parts will help.
Title: Re: Wells Gardner U2000
Post by: stringplay3 on November 07, 2011, 09:22:55 am
Thanks...do you mean that I won't be successful just using a VGA monitor cable hooked up between the ArcadeVGA card in the PC and the VGA port on the back of the monitor?  I looked on Ultimarc's website - which product is it that you think I might need?  I couldn't seem to find anything described as a video amp...

Thanks again!
Title: Re: Wells Gardner U2000
Post by: mgb on November 07, 2011, 09:42:42 am
Its the video amp http://www.ultimarc.com/vidamp.html (http://www.ultimarc.com/vidamp.html)
Video cards put out 1volt signals, where alot of arcade monitors are looking for a 5 volt signal.
What you will get without the video amp, is a dim picture.
Title: Re: Wells Gardner U2000
Post by: stringplay3 on November 07, 2011, 10:51:46 am
I guess I am really showing my newbie status!  I didn't know I would need this amplifier.  I thought the ArcadeVGA card I am getting ready to install in the PC didn't need it.  This is more complicated than I thought.  Thanks for the info!
Title: Re: Wells Gardner U2000
Post by: mgb on November 07, 2011, 06:45:51 pm
The amp is easy to hook up.
Not every arcade monitor needs the amp, but I'm almost 100% certain that the u2000 does.
I hooked a u2000 up to an arcade vga and the pic was real dim until I used an amp.
Title: Re: Wells Gardner U2000
Post by: stringplay3 on November 08, 2011, 09:26:45 am
Wierd...I emailed Andy at Ultimarc, and he said no amp was needed with the combination I had.  This is what he said:

"These do not need the video amp. They are not arcade monitors though, but fixed-frequency VGA. So the monitor would need to be connected to the DVI port using an adaptor. Not all resolutions will work."

I guess I will have to get an DVI/VGA adapter.  As soon as I do, I will try the setup and will report as to my success.  Thanks for your help!
Title: Re: Wells Gardner U2000
Post by: mgb on November 08, 2011, 08:18:07 pm
Then I guess those aren't u2000s
Title: Re: Wells Gardner U2000
Post by: stringplay3 on November 08, 2011, 10:47:39 pm
Yeah, I am kind of confused - I got the U2000 model # from Wells Gardner, even though the only thing I could find on the monitor itself was "27K2391L".  I think I will just try one of them and see if it works. 
Title: Re: Wells Gardner U2000
Post by: mgb on November 09, 2011, 07:55:26 am
Yeah I would definitely just try it. Worst case it will be dim or not work. for a positive id on the monitor, you can post some pics of the board or look herehttp://www.therealbobroberts.net/monitor.html (http://www.therealbobroberts.net/monitor.html)