*updated* Repairing a projection screen arcade monitor. (See latest post)

[payment_due]

OK, no problem. I'll take some pictures tonite for you and post them up here.

[payment_due]

OK, here are some pictures.

First off, the front of the cab, missing the marquee header.

front

Inside the cab (entering from the back).  You can see how the plastic sheet is held, sort of.
Top left
Top Right
Bottom left
Bottom right

The sidepanels of the cab. Aluminum and very solid, I have no idea how to get these off.
sidepanel

The top, right under the marquee header. You can see where the two screens meet. The glass on the left, the plastic on the right.
top

You can also see a bracket that holds the outer border/brackets in place.  I can't seem to figure out how to get the plastic screen out witout trying to remove the entire glass assembly.  Furthermore, the cabinets construction seems to be undisturbed. So it's doubtful that someone removed the sheet to clean it and put it back incorrectly.  I could be wrong though.  If I run my fingers across the plastic screen, I don't feel any texture.  Should I? I almost want to say I should feel something like those flicker pictures, where if you hold it one way its picture A, and move it to the left or right and it becomes picture b, and you can run your fingernail accross it.  Does that make sense?  If so, should I be feeling something like that on the screen, or no?

[grantspain]

get me some pics,this time bring up a grid test pattern

[payment_due]

OK, I'll put it together tonite and get one of those for ya.

[grantspain]

i actually think that the special screen is missing completely

[payment_due]

Could be, I'm not real sure.  I'm almost starting to think that this machine will have to be a staight MAME cab rather than a JAMMA cabinet.

I could just get maybe a 32" TV and mount it inside or something.  Or I could just sell it for cheap/parts.

[grantspain]

those cabs should not have any glass,you should 2 plastic screens-one is dark gray with lined ridges and the other is a a lightish colour with strange swirls on it

[payment_due]

Well, unless what I'm feeling is a different kind of plastic, It really feels like glass.  (the one on the left of the picture).

[grantspain]

well if it is glass then that would explain the crap picture,the external screen is very important
i worked for as company a few years back that did this to one of their megalo cabs and it looked ---Cleveland steamer---
options for you are to either pick up a cheap faulty rptv with the same size screen on ebay or something,install an lcd or crt
you should ask the seller if he did this?

[payment_due]

I suppose it's possible. Going into it I did notice a few screws missing on the mirror, and the mirror had been cleaned in the past, i could still see streak marks.  I'm sure the seller opened it and tried to clean it.

But with the screens, it doesn't look like they've been moved or reversed.   I don't really see how.   Even if he did, I'm sure he wouldn't own up to it if I emailed him.  No biggie, I've already profited off of the purchase! 

So, in these monitors the inside screen should be which? The one with the lines, (like the flicker picture) or the one with the weird swirls?

[grantspain]

the internal screen normally has a smooth side and a swirly side-it can be almost reflective clear or slightly white-ish
the external screen is dark gray and has embossed lines

[payment_due]

OK, then it looks like they are in the right order then. Dark grey screen in front (outside) and the soft-white one inside.  Its possible the inside one has been flipped around though, but I kinda doubt it. There are a few seals that look like they haven't been broken.

I think we've narrowed it down to the guns/lightsource. 

[grantspain]

i thought you said you have a glass screen
anyway get a pic of the  grid pattern because i will tell from that

[payment_due]

Well it's grey, but yes, it has to be glass.  I'll get a crosshatch tonite if I can put it together quickly.

[payment_due]

OK, here are two more pics. I REALLY need to buy a camera. This thing has come in WAY handy.

Anyway, here's a crosshatch in test mode.
test mode

And here's a character select screen shot.

char select

Looks like my rigorous cleaning had no effect.   

edit: oh and I looked closer at the glass, I still swear up and down it's glass, but looking closely at the outer screen, I can tell there's texture behind it.  So it looks like the screens are in the right order and not backwards. 

[payment_due]

Anyone know what this cab would be worth as-is? Im thinkin about $150, is that about right or too low?

[grantspain]

i am 100% positive that the special outer screen is missing from this cab,looks like some idiot has installed some smoked glass

[payment_due]

Well I figure I'm just going to put it back together and sell it on Craigslist and here for cheap or trade.

Oh and an update about that King of Fighters 2003 playing upside down? I figured it out.

The monitor in my Street Fighter cab was put in upside down.  I looked at my SF2 board and sure enough, it was flipped using a dipswitch. As far as it's concerned, it's been playing upside down for who knows how many years. LOL.

[payment_due]

Serious update time.

Another very helpful member named gibbous gave me some tips about fixing this issue, and it looks like I'm making very good progress. I was able to replace the coolant liquid which was definitely the problem.  It had congealed and gotten very gross and 'applesaucy'. So I cleaned it out, replaced it with new coolant and the picture is MILES better.  It's sharp and looks great.

But here's a new problem. I'm currently out of focus. Here's a picture of a crosshatch before the new coolant:




And here's one after the new coolant, and out of focus. The red/green/blue aren't matching, apparently, but everything is nice and sharp! (Thanks Gibbous!)



The picture is a little fuzzy but that's because I'm Mr. Shakyhands Jr.

There are a few knobs I found on the cab but none of them seem to adjust the 3 colors together. They just stretch the screen, move it up/left/down/right, and adjust the brightness.

Anyone have any advice on fixing this up?

One thing of note: the liquid is not 100% full when i replaced it, as it's almost impossible to get that perfectly full because of the angles involved, as well as pressure.   The Red and Blue lamps are the ones that are about 95% full, where as the green lamp is about 99% full.  Could that be the culprit?

[Kevin Mullins]

The convergence is off.

You'll have to research whether or not it's adjustable on that model.
(unless someone else here already knows)
Some have manual adjustments, some have on screen adjustments.

[payment_due]

The convergence is off.

You'll have to research whether or not it's adjustable on that model.
(unless someone else here already knows)
Some have manual adjustments, some have on screen adjustments.

Thanks Kevin, it looks like you're right. Gibbous has informed me that it will need to be done via a remote control that costs way too much to even consider buying. $150.  I'm going to try and find the model of the remote, then maybe I'll be able to use my Harmony and program it.

Jeez, just when i thought I had the dang thing up and ready. 

You have to wonder, why would the convergence be off if all I did was replace the coolant? I didn't put in the lenses incorrectly or move the lamps.  Why would this have happened?

[Kevin Mullins]

Some models have special chips for the convergence, could be a problem there as well.
Hard to say..... try adjustments first though of course.

[grantspain]

convergence can go out when you move cabs,it looks like a minor adjustment-not like any ic failure
interesting about the lens fluid-i was not aware it would cause you specific problem,anyway always good to learn something new

[payment_due]

I haven't taken pictures of it yet, but IT'S ALIIIIVE!  I ended up having to purchase a $130 remote (what a deal eh?) from the one human being in the solar system that has and sells them. I finally got it in the mail today and immediately went to work on it. I'd say it's about 99% perfect now.  There are a few things to consider like having to move it yet again and trying to get it into the house, making sure the lamp coolant is as close to full as possible, thus forcing me to open up the lamps again, re-adjusting the mirror, etc but once that's nice and fixed, it will be ready to transform into my MAMECab.
 

I'll post some pictures later today.

[payment_due]

Hey grantspain,

Do you know if it's detrimental to a projection monitor if you turn it on it's side?  I think turning the cab on it's side is the only way I'm going to be able to get this thing into my house. My doors aren't wide enough to get it in here.

[grantspain]

that cab should break down easy,no need to put sideways

[payment_due]

How? I don't see any parts that are removeable other than the main marquee, the cp and the marquee plate that sits behind the cp.  The frame is welded together!

[grantspain]

just seen the cab again,yes i see what you mean-if you do put it on its side then make sure you are gentle and plenty of hands to help
if you drop it you will be back to square one

[payment_due]

just seen the cab again,yes i see what you mean-if you do put it on its side then make sure you are gentle and plenty of hands to help
if you drop it you will be back to square one

Cool, thanks for the help.

The convergence is still being a pain in the rear. I know I'll have to redo it once I move it again, but the corners are so picky.  I wish there was a 'factory reset' mode that would just reset everything straight.