The NEW Build Your Own Arcade Controls

Arcade Collecting => Restorations & repair => Topic started by: olePigeon on February 12, 2013, 11:22:37 pm

Title: First arcade, could use some advice.
Post by: olePigeon on February 12, 2013, 11:22:37 pm

Howdy,

I decided to purchased my very first arcade machine.  I waited a long time looking around.  I finally pulled the trigger on an almost mint condition Defender arcade.  Spent $450, so quite a chunk of change, but it seems like a good deal compared to what I saw on eBay.  It has a few issues, but I was hoping someone could point me in the right direction.  Links to tutorials, videos, etc. would be very helpful.  I'm going to start fiddling with it tomorrow.

The first issue is that the coin mechanism doesn't register coins when they're inserted.  My arcade has three slots, the left is 25 cents, the middle is 1 dollar coins, and the right is 25 cents.  Is there a tutorial on repairing and testing coin mechanisms?

The second issue is the joystick, it's fairly loose and doesn't go up very easily.  This I'm pretty sure I can fix myself, and at the very least, just get a new one.  No big deal there.

The last issue is the controller/dash overlay.  The previous owner's friend melted it with cigarettes, then glued plastic on it.  I was wondering if anyone has a new, old stock Defender overlay for sale?  Once I replace that, fix the joystick, and get the coin mechanism working, it'll look brand new.

Attached are some pictures.  It's a really fun hearing it turn on. :D  Kinda cool owning my very own arcade.

Title: Re: First arcade, could use some advice.
Post by: olePigeon on February 12, 2013, 11:50:10 pm

I found a replacement overlay and a joystick rebuild kit online, so I'm all set.  Now I just need to figure out the coin mechanism. :)

Title: Re: First arcade, could use some advice.
Post by: yotsuya on February 13, 2013, 12:50:53 am

Beautiful machine- take great care of it!

Is the machine set for free play? Are the wires to the coin switches actually connected?

Check out the manual and stuff here: http://www.arcade-museum.com/game_detail.php?game_id=7547 (http://www.arcade-museum.com/game_detail.php?game_id=7547)

Title: Re: First arcade, could use some advice.
Post by: olePigeon on February 13, 2013, 12:13:41 pm

I think it needs a new battery, it won't save settings or highs cores.  Plus, the left button on the programmer switch doesn't appear to work, though I can short it really easily.  When it first turns on, I can set the bit to 1 for Free Play.  I have a large canister of loose change, so if I can get the coin slot to work, I can start using it as a really awesome piggybank. :P

Title: Re: First arcade, could use some advice.
Post by: olePigeon on February 13, 2013, 12:14:33 pm

I'll double check all the wires, too, make sure they're connected.

Title: Re: First arcade, could use some advice.
Post by: matsadona on February 18, 2013, 03:46:49 am

Lucky bastard ;) A machine like that would go for at least $1500 over here...