My good buddy Q*Bert needs some medical attention!

[Coin-Op]

Yesterday morning, I got up SUPER early (well, early for me at least) and purchased this beauty for $100 USD:


It only has a few cosmetic issues on the sides of the cab, but nothing a little sanding and repainting can't fix. Unfortunately, this machine is a non-working machine. The gentleman that I purchased it from said that there were "some wires not plugged in" and thats why it doesn't work. From the looks of things, that does appear to be the case, but I am certainly no pro at this sort of thing. Turning the machine on only lights up the coin door. There is no picture or sound and the marquee doesn't even light up. I'm hoping that it is something simple and that you gentlemen can help me out with this beautiful machine! I apologize for the sub par phone pictures, but hopefully they are clear enough that we can all figure this out.


If I'm not mistaken, this controls the control panel, which would explain why it doesn't light up. The pins can just be pushed back in right? If so, what kind of glue should I use to keep it in place?


Ab-J14 is a plug with loose wires not connected to anything. What is this even for?


Black wire hanging down from the monitor area. Grounding Wire?


Some two prong wire that isn't plugged in. Hangs from an area near the black wire from above.


Some four prong wire with the same story.


Hanging two prong wire near the back door power switch. I also don't know what this does.

Any help you guys can do for me would be fantastic. I really want to play Q*Bert! Thanks in advance!

[Malenko]

the wires from the 5th and 6 pictures should plug into the monitor neck board, that I see is missing from the back of the tube

[eds1275]

in the first picture where you ask if the pins can be pushed back into place... they should be re-soldered on from the other side.

[knohbody]

Cant Build Here,
In your first picture, that connector will have to be resoldered onto the pcb, as eds1275 has pointed out.
Also, the cabinet seems to be missing the monitor chassis board, as Malenko pointed out, though the chassis board may be on the side. Q-bert is vertical, IIRC.
As far as the rest of the wiring goes, I'd recommend looking at the wiring diagram in the manual and tracing the wires to see where everything is supposed to go.
Here is a link to the manual. http://pdf.textfiles.com/manuals/ARCADE/K-R/Q-Bert%20(Scan%202)%20%5BInstructions%5D%20%5BEnglish%5D.pdf
Good Luck!

[Coin-Op]

Thank you all for the quick replies! Where can I purchase a new monitor chassis board at?

[mrclean]

First congrats on the score!

well the good news is that your power supply is working, but it's not a bad idea to grab a multimeter to test the voltages. the 5 pin red/blue/green/yellow(sync) / black(ground) are for the monitor which plugs into the chasi which I don't even see. You can get one, but your tube might be shot. Honestly I think Q*Berts a great game that deserves a new CRT they are getting harder to find, but honestly that's going to save you the headache of trouble shooting. the monitors usually go for around 200 new or you can find a rejuvinated one with usually no to minimal burn on ebay for around 150 shipped. Then you just gotta cross your fingers that the actual game board / PCB is working.

[wp34]

Wow awesome score!   

I'll have more than $100 just in artwork on the one I am restoring.

[Coin-Op]

First congrats on the score!

well the good news is that your power supply is working, but it's not a bad idea to grab a multimeter to test the voltages. the 5 pin red/blue/green/yellow(sync) / black(ground) are for the monitor which plugs into the chasi which I don't even see. You can get one, but your tube might be shot. Honestly I think Q*Berts a great game that deserves a new CRT they are getting harder to find, but honestly that's going to save you the headache of trouble shooting. the monitors usually go for around 200 new or you can find a rejuvinated one with usually no to minimal burn on ebay for around 150 shipped. Then you just gotta cross your fingers that the actual game board / PCB is working.

Good call on checking the voltage. Ill take care of that later this week for sure. Funny thing about that PCB though. When i purchased the machine, the guy handed me a 2nd PCB and says he doesnt need it! Hopefully one of them works right

[RayB]

Thank you all for the quick replies! Where can I purchase a new monitor chassis board at?

Just put in a whole new monitor. Seeing as how you thought you should glue in a connector, I'm not sure you're at a level where you should be futzing with electrical components and trying to get a high voltage monitor pieced back together.

If this sounds rude, please don't take it as such. I'm saving you the headaches and potentially damaging things further (including damaging yourself!).

If you get a replacement monitor, you just drop it in, and connect the power wires and video connector. That's it.

[SirPeale]

I hate to say it, but RayB is correct.  Not that I have anything against RayB - I just don't like telling people their technical expertise isn't up to par.

This beast is going to require a level of work you're not qualified for.  But the good news is you can learn as you go.  Just take this one piece of advice: don't practice on THIS.  When it comes to the circuit repair, either have someone do it for you, or practice on something that's broken you don't care about.

[Coin-Op]

I have no problem bring told that I don't know what I'm doing, Gentlemen. In fact, I welcome it! That is the precise reason I come here, is for the expertise that you guys drop on us new guys just getting into the hobby. With that being said, Thanks once again for the advice. I've been looking around for a new monitor of the same kind for the cab, but to no avail. I'm sure its just going to take me sprucing up my google-fu though. As for my little circuit board problem, I would NEVER attempt to take a stab at hap-hazzardly soldering things! I honestly have no idea where to begin with that sort of thing. However! I do know someone who does it for a living, so I can get it done that way! As for the monitor, I just need to discharge the current one and remove it right? Anything special I need to know? As per RayB, I should also just have to put the new one in and connect everything right? I don't mean to sound like a total scrub, but I've read about 50 articles online about how I can kill myself working on monitors and I just want to be safe.

[SirPeale]

You don't need to discharge it to remove it.

Take a photo of the labels on the monitor, one of them should tell the make/model.  It's a Wells Gardner, but I can't tell which.  K4900, I think.

[RayB]

Where are you located?
Part of the reason I'm steering you towards just dropping in a replacement monitor is that we don't know if that tube is shot. The neck board and chassis board were removed for a reason. Maybe someone on this board lives near you and could sell you a working used monitor.

How much are you willing to invest to get this thing working again? Cabinet looks to be in good condition so if all it needs is a monitor that would be a cheap qbert! You can buy a brand new monitor From ArcadeShop for $199
http://arcadeshop.com/parts.htm#Monitors

Next is determining if the rest is hooked up correctly and if the game board works. Can you post pics of the transformer and game board?

Ps the 2 prong connector near the back switch is to power the and I just noticed that I repeated mostly what mrclean already said

[Coin-Op]

Sorry i havent replied in a few days guys, ive just been super slammed with a family injury. My girlfriend was put in SICU monday from a wicked car accident. Because of this, work on my machines will be halted until she gets out. I will finish this project at a later day though! You guys have been a tremedous help and ill keep you posted on when work will continue. I also have a taito cab converted to golden axe that i need help with, but that is for another thread.

Also, to answer your question RayB, im located in Panama City, FL. Thanks for all the help guys and ill see you guys once she is all better!

[Spyridon]

Fixing this right now is not important.  Hope she is doing well.

[Level42]

Sorry man, but this hurts.....


$100



For a Q*bert.



My grail ....snif...



We have to pay 850 Euro to get one here. IF there ever is one imported here......snif.....

One day, I _WILL_ have one though !


Congrats Coin-op, very nice catch for that price, even for the US....

[koolmoecraig]

Get a Vision Pro monitor from Happ.  I got one for my Q*bert for $159 and it was only $17 to ship.  Great picture.

[Spyridon]

Get a Vision Pro monitor from Happ.  I got one for my Q*bert for $159 and it was only $17 to ship.  Great picture.

Recently?  I think the days of those prices for monitors are long gone.

[RayB]

Get a Vision Pro monitor from Happ.  I got one for my Q*bert for $159 and it was only $17 to ship.  Great picture.

Recently?  I think the days of those prices for monitors are long gone.

Or Happ selling them at all for that matter. Pretty sure ArcadeShop has the last stock of the Vision Pros.

[Spyridon]

Or Happ selling them at all for that matter. Pretty sure ArcadeShop has the last stock of the Vision Pros.

Yeah, I remember when Happ sold off the last batch at $139 each.  I picked up three of them.  If they were still available at $159, I'd order 10 more today.

[Coin-Op]

Where are you located?
Part of the reason I'm steering you towards just dropping in a replacement monitor is that we don't know if that tube is shot. The neck board and chassis board were removed for a reason. Maybe someone on this board lives near you and could sell you a working used monitor.

How much are you willing to invest to get this thing working again? Cabinet looks to be in good condition so if all it needs is a monitor that would be a cheap qbert! You can buy a brand new monitor From ArcadeShop for $199
http://arcadeshop.com/parts.htm#Monitors

Next is determining if the rest is hooked up correctly and if the game board works. Can you post pics of the transformer and game board?

Ps the 2 prong connector near the back switch is to power the and I just noticed that I repeated mostly what mrclean already said

You're talking about the Imperial Kortek CRT right? How easy is it going to be to remove my old monitor and install this one? I would obviously have to mount it vertically since Q*Bert is a vertical game right? Is there any special mounting kit I need to get with it to put it in, or am I just over analyzing?