Thursday, August 30, 2007

3 easy steps to diagnosing a bad sensor on Dog Pounder

OK, if you're reading this, you probably are having issues with the Bob's Space Racers Dog Pounder. The software constantly checks the sensor emitters and receivers for functionality, even when there is no game play. If it finds fault, the game "Barks" and displays "Get Help" on the LED screen. At this point the operator can open the game and press the "Program" button, which will display which sensor is at fault. For our purposes, we will assume the faulty sensor is #1-

3 easy steps-

1- exchange the emitter with the emitter on sensor #2, if the error code changes to Sensor #2- you have a bad emitter. If not, continue-

2- exchange the receiver with receiver on sensor 2, if the error code changes to Sensor #2, you have a bad receiver.

3- Clean the mirror and check continuity of wires to the emmiters and receivers.

These steps should resolve any Sensor problems with this game-

HINT- you can check the functionality of the UV LED's by looking at them through your cell phone camera! Although the naked eye cannot detect the UV light, a digital camera can.

Friday, August 24, 2007

Part pricing-


Sometimes, distributors do things that make me say "What the...?" For example- pricing on game parts. Generally, they're very expensive. And I can see this on a custom made part, for a particular game.

But standard parts, say power supplies for example. I got a quote for a 12v 300a Power supply for a Spyro-mania. The distributor quoted me $652.00- that is NOT a misprint. However, a quick, VERY quick, Google search found the same part for $130.00-

So again, I say- "What the...?"

Sunday, August 19, 2007

Bags


There's a new upgrade kit for the IT Golden Tee cabinets- first came the Silver Strike Bowling kit (I prefer the Rock'n Bowl-a-Rama)- now, they've come out with something called 'Bags'. I haven't seen it yet, but I've heard it's very popular in the right kind of venue. Anyway, it's nice to see companies coming up with new ideas, rather than beating a title into the ground.

Saturday, August 11, 2007

The SW Trilogy power problem, is apparently a real problem now. See, it turns out thet Sega apparently used non standard connectors in our particular unit, so now the 'standard' harnass adapter does not fit. Soo off the the factory it goes, let THEM figure out the mess-

Tuesday, August 7, 2007

Sega Star Wars Trilogy

I've decided to replace the power supply on this old game, Sega has introduced a new system that will allow the old huge power supply to be replaced with a new switching PS-  The old PS has been removed, and now I have to figure out how to install the new one.  For the most part, it's fairly simple, but there are a few connections on each side that don't match up-  so now what?

Monday, August 6, 2007

Pac Mania




Do you remember Pac-Mania? Pac-Man songs, Pac-Man shirts, EVERYTHING Pac-Man- Stories of games overflowing with quarters. If you do, and haven't viewed the video on the top right of my Blog called "Arcade 84", I suggest you do. It's a piece of art created by Dave Dries that takes you back to those days..the sounds and looks are right on- It's a great piece.




Thursday, August 2, 2007

Stern's NEW Simpsons Kooky Carnival!


This game is a WINNER!  It earns good and is very fun to play.  The only problem I've had, I noticed the vibrator motor  that shakes the tokens off was running-non stop- turns out the IO board was faulty, it was replaced by Stern under warranty-