Megatouch Force Radion - Converted to 19" Touchscreen [DONE]

[otsep]

I recently acquired a Megatouch Force Radion with some issues.

- The bill collector is toast (removed and discarded)
- "arcing" sound while powered on and will shut itself off
- no video

I removed the CRT, but left the touchscreen attached and the unit still would not power on properly. 



The power supply has a soldered fuse that appeared to have a bad connection.  Re-soldered the fuse and it sprang noisily to life.


My test screen is a 17" and not the right size for the box, but it was sufficient to verify that the touchscreen is working.

Next I de-cased and tested an old 15" HP LCD display.


It looks like I have everything I need to get this working again, but I'm looking for advice.

Has anyone attempted this and would they share how they mounted the LCD inside the case? 

Any suggestions would be appreciated.

[smartbomb2084]

Does the 15" HP  LCD  have its own flat touchscreen or are you trying to mount the curved CRT touchscreen on it?

[otsep]

Does the 15" HP  LCD  have its own flat touchscreen or are you trying to mount the curved CRT touchscreen on it?

I was considering dumping current touchscreen and going with a whole new unit, but I'm concerned about compatibility.

I basically followed the same process merit did and mounted the touch screen to the LCD.  It's not perfect, but it works.

I've actually tidied it up and it looks much better now.

What I'm trying to figure out is how to mount the panel inside the case.  That's what is eluding me at the moment.

[Malenko]

does the LCD has VESA holes in the back?

[otsep]

Nope, but I found one that has them.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Malenko]

I was going to suggest to make a bracket with the vesa mounts or fine a way to mount it with the CRT holes in the corners

[otsep]

I was going to suggest to make a bracket with the vesa mounts or fine a way to mount it with the CRT holes in the corners

Yeah, I was thinking the same thing and hadn't updated the thread.

I'm running into a couple of interesting issues right now.

- The touchscreens keep sliding down.  It's difficult to keep it in place with just tape since it's curved and the panel is not.  I think I'm going to put a small base edge on the bottom to keep it in place.

- Doesn't always boot when first connected to power.  If I let it sit for 30-60 seconds and then cycle the power, it boots.  I replaced the motherboard battery hoping that was it, but no love.  Looks like a power supply to me.

Thoughts?

[otsep]

The new display is too wide for the existing case.  I need to figure out my next steps.

There are basically two options.
- Fix the CRT
- Swap out to a compatible 3M Microtouch display and build a custom case.

[Malenko]

cant you just build a shelf for the one that fits?

[otsep]

It's the plastic bezel on the front case. Clips off about a half an inch from all sides and prevents you from hitting the exit buttons on games.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[lilshawn]

there is an actual kit from HAPP to install an LCD in the radion cabinet.  If I recall it was about 300 bucks. it's a little hokey in that there are some plastic filler strips you use to fill the curvature of the case to fill in for the flat screen. but it works and looks great compared to some of the dim worn out tubes out there.

the kit includes all the mounting hardware and a new flat touch overlay. it's completely compatible with the existing touch controller.

new tubes for the radion are still available (I think... it's been a while since I've ordered one.) If I recall they are about 150 each.

if there is an arcing sound coming from the chassis when you start up, it's likely a shorted cap (little yellow square cap near the flyback) and the flyback (the failing flyback causes the cap to go short and start to burn up.)

new tubes for the radion are still available (I think... it's been a year or so since I've ordered one.) If I recall they are about 150 each. there is a small mod you do to the neckboard to lower the heater voltage and prolong the life of the tube considerably. (change R991 from 3.3 ohms to a 6.8 ohms 2 watt)

[otsep]

there is an actual kit from HAPP to install an LCD in the radion cabinet.  If I recall it was about 300 bucks. it's a little hokey in that there are some plastic filler strips you use to fill the curvature of the case to fill in for the flat screen. but it works and looks great compared to some of the dim worn out tubes out there.

the kit includes all the mounting hardware and a new flat touch overlay. it's completely compatible with the existing touch controller.

The kit is just under $400, and is a wee bit more than I want to spend.  The 15" display I have is nice and using the original, curved touch screen was not a great idea.  The overlay keeps sliding down off the  panel and is a general pain.

if there is an arcing sound coming from the chassis when you start up, it's likely a shorted cap (little yellow square cap near the flyback) and the flyback (the failing flyback causes the cap to go short and start to burn up.)

new tubes for the radion are still available (I think... it's been a year or so since I've ordered one.) If I recall they are about 150 each. there is a small mod you do to the neckboard to lower the heater voltage and prolong the life of the tube considerably. (change R991 from 3.3 ohms to a 6.8 ohms 2 watt)

I may have to look into this. I don't have any tools for discharging the caps or tube.  What do you use?

I'll try and grab a video of this today and see what's up.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[lilshawn]

I don't have any tools for discharging the caps or tube.  What do you use?

a flat screwdriver and a piece of wire attaching it to the frame ground.

[Malenko]

I don't have any tools for discharging the caps or tube.  What do you use?

a flat screwdriver and a piece of wire attaching it to the frame ground.

^This, did it last night using the same "tool"

[otsep]

Should I ground to tool to the earth ground of my house(wired to the ground plug of an outlet)?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Malenko]

to the monitor frame is all Ive ever done, without issue

[otsep]

I picked up a 3M micro touch overlay cheap and wired it into the controller box en lieu of the curved, CRT unit.  The mega touch recognized it and I played a couple of games easily. 

Next up is fabricating a mount and a bezel adapter.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[JimmyU]

I picked up a 3M micro touch overlay cheap and wired it into the controller box en lieu of the curved, CRT unit.  The mega touch recognized it and I played a couple of games easily. 

Next up is fabricating a mount and a bezel adapter.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[otsep]

Well, my table saw ---steaming pile of meadow muffin--- the bed and I went a slightly different route.

I decided to extract all the primary pieces and ditch the broken DBV & entire case.


Once I had it all out an tested, I moved it into a smallish mATX case.
You'll notice I kept the speaker and amp from the Force enclosure and mounted the I/O board up front so you can access the configuration and calibration buttons via the CD-ROM door.


I then mounted this great Wells Gardner 19" Touchscreen LCD onto an LCD monitor bracket.


The final product so far.


It's not gorgeous, but it's working great.  Perhaps down the road I'll mount the case in a new way or find a smaller case.