I got a Space Invaders & need some help from those more knowledgeable than I

[quarterback]

I picked up an SI cab with all (afaik) the original innards but unworking.  It powers up, the neck of the monitor glows and the fluorescent behind the 'moon' tries to come up, but doesn't completely strike.  And even though I hear a "pop" through the speakers, the game doesn't start up as far as I can tell.

I haven't had a chance to really poke around and test anything, but I did open the back and I have to say that it's a little more complicated than my other Jamma cab was.

So, I'm sure I'm going to have a number of questions, but I'll start with these:

- What's the best way to replace that fluorescent tube?  Do I need to pull the cardboard cyclorama out?  It's still stapled to one side of the cab and I don't want to rip it, but getting into the bulb is difficult at best.  I've taken off the top and bottom back doors but still I'm having problems getting in there.

- The left side of the fluorescent tube (looking at it from the back) seems to have some kind of rubber and metal thing holding it on.  I believe this is preventing me from rotating it out.   I can't really get in there yet (because of the cyclorama) but is there some trick to replacing this tube?

- I was going to replace it with a normal tube, but then realized the one in there is stamped "blacklight".  Duh, I probably should have known that)  However, it's not a "purple" tube (like the blacklights at the store) It's white, like a normal fluorescent tube.   Is this special or can I just replace it with a purple colored fluorescent?

- Like I said, there seems to be a lot of stuff going on inside this cab.  Any tips on where to start testing to get it up and running?   My guess is that I should test the power supply, but it doesn't look like the kind of PS in my other cab.   Any tips?

Thanks

[RayB]

The usual steps are:

1. (With power OFF) check and tighten any and all connectors. Sometimes even cleaning edge traces is a good idea. (Use a pink eraser). Also look for loose or disconnected wires. When done, power on again. *Leave it on for about 5 minutes. These things can take time to warm up.

2. Get ahold of the manual.
2b. Try to get ahold of schematics too.

Try here: http://www.crazykong.com

3. If you don't own a multimeter (volt meter) get one. If you don't know how to use one, learn.

Read the multimeter tutorial here: http://slot-tech-ftp.serveftp.com:8080/technical_department/

3b. Measure voltages at all the key points. It's important to know if your boards are even getting the juice they need (or getting too much).

[Jabba]

Read the multimeter tutorial here: http://slot-tech-ftp.serveftp.com:8080/technical_department/

Good resource RayB. Thanks (you're just full of good info. I liked your FAQ on auction buying over at CGCC too!)

[quarterback]

Thanks for the reply RayB

The manual at CrazyKong is for the Taito cabaret version with a joystick and without the mirror setup, although it's more spot on than the one I got from ArcadeDocs which is for Space Invaders II.    Is there another online resource for these manuals?  KLOV doesn't have it either.

I'm hoping that another owner/restorer will show up and help me out.... maybe if I threaten to MAME it 

[quarterback]

Gee, did I get moved because I threatened to MAME it?!?!?!   

j/k   Sorry if I was in the wrong forum there.  Before posting in the Main Forum, I contemplated "Project Announcements", but it's not really an announcement, so I just put it in Main.

So here I am.  New crowd of viewers with any insight for me?

[CheffoJeffo]

For manuals/schedmatics, you can also try:

http://www.spaceinvaders.de/

They have a variety.

Cheers.

[quarterback]

Thanks Cheffo!

[arcadefever]

i`ve a space invaders deluxe and it take a good 2 minutes before it warm up and be able to see some graphics.
the failure on this cabs most of the time is the power supply just check if it is sending enought power to the board, i will for sure recap the power supply.
for the black light:

This light is a 15 watt black light fluorescent tube with white glass. It is tubular shaped with a glass diameter of 1 inch, a G13 base and an overall length of 18 inches. It is rated at 7,500 life hours.

General Electric F15T8-BL

The BL Stands For Black Light

It's A Known As A "White" Black Lig

[quarterback]

i`ve a space invaders deluxe and it take a good 2 minutes before it warm up and be able to see some graphics.

Do you get any sound during that time?

the failure on this cabs most of the time is the power supply just check if it is sending enought power to the board, i will for sure recap the power supply.

Yeah, when I got my last cab it was "unworking" but only needed a replacement PSupply and I just replaced it with a 12v/5v PC powersupply.   The difference here is that I'm not sure a PC power supply is the answer because I can't find the manual for the SI.

EDIT: Ahhh, but the SpaceInvaders Deluxe manual IS at KLOV and the pics make the insides look VERY similar.   That'll give me a good place to start, even without the SI manual.

for the black light:

This light is a 15 watt black light fluorescent tube with white glass. It is tubular shaped with a glass diameter of 1 inch, a G13 base and an overall length of 18 inches. It is rated at 7,500 life hours.

General Electric F15T8-BL

The BL Stands For Black Light

It's A Known As A "White" Black Lig

Thanks.  And when googling that bulb number I was led to the KLOV page for SIDeulxe where it has this info regarding my question about how to replace the bulb:

Code: [Select]

The correct blacklight is a GE F15T8/BL (white tube). The easiest way to replace it is to
gain access to the fluorescent fixture by pulling the staples and removing the cardboard
backdrop. This is increasingly a bad idea, however, because the cardboard gets weaker
as it ages. It is possible to replace this light by reaching up between the backdrop and
the fixture mounting from below. Just take it slow and be careful with the tube.
Alternatively, you could reach in from above, but it is much easier to damage the
backdrop this way.
Well, at least my question was valid, but I wish there was an easier way.
Thanks

[arcadefever]

when i turn on the cab it is no sound not even when you insert a coin.
you hear the first sound when you press (player one)...

on the space invaders the power supply look like a big square with bunch of big capacitor... you have the mother board (l shape).

[arcadefever]

this is the power supply in the back it will tell you where is the +5 ect....

this also may help you ....

http://www.elektronforge.com/TestMdwPS.htm

[quarterback]

Thanks for all the help, arcadefever.

I don't have the cab here (I had to stash it at an alternate location because of space issues) but I'll do some more poking around this weekend or early next week.

Thanks
qb

[quarterback]

Well, I couldn't find a white-blacklight locally so I picked up a "normal" blacklight-blue bulb.   I had read a number of posts through Google Groups and on webpages and some people seemed to find the BLB an acceptable replacement... but it's SOOOOO not bright.    I think I need to pick up a gen-u-ine General Electric F15T8-BL for this puppy to get a good glow going.

Beyond that, I haven't done anything with it.  Well, I did let it warm up and tried playing it blind to see if there was something going on that I just couldn't see, but I don't think so.  So hopefully this week I'll go through the process of testing the PS and go from there.

Beyond that, none of the marquee lights are lit.  I've only seen them from the back, and they're 5 individual bulbs.  My guess (from the KLOV info about the SI Deluxe) is that I need to get #57 bulbs.  I don't know what that means, but I'll find out and see if I can pick some up.