Moonbase Arcade Restoration - Gone Wrong
The 8-Bit Guy・24 minutes read
Purchased a moon-based cocktail table for $200 to fix up for an arcade, encountering screen issues and finding it was a Space Invaders clone. Recapped the monitor board, faced challenges, sought external help for successful repair, and shared the process as a learning experience.
Insights
- The purchased moon-based cocktail table required extensive repair due to screen issues and electrical modifications, highlighting the intricate process of troubleshooting and recapping vintage arcade machines to restore functionality.
- The experience underscores the significance of acknowledging and learning from mistakes, as demonstrated by the challenges faced during repair, emphasizing the value of sharing errors to facilitate collective learning and growth within the arcade restoration community.
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Recent questions
How did the individual repair the moon-based cocktail table purchased for $200?
The individual encountered screen issues upon plugging in the table, indicating a need for recapping. After discovering it was a clone of Space Invaders, they noted electrical info suggesting it was originally for 100 volts. They found rusted legs and a Texas comptroller sticker from 1983, indicating its last service. Disassembling the table, they found a monochrome screen with color filters and a coin counter. After recapping the monitor board and facing challenges with screen adjustments, they sought external help for troubleshooting, leading to a successful repair.
What modifications were made to the moon-based cocktail table for the local arcade?
The individual modified the machine for free play mode by adding a button and cleaning the exterior from cigarette smoke residue. They also replaced a power cord with one from Home Depot, salvaged an old connector, and successfully tested the machine with the new cable. Additionally, they fixed a coin box by securing it with wood and tape, cleaned and replaced locks on the machine, and removed control panels for maintenance.
What challenges did the individual face while repairing the moon-based cocktail table?
The individual faced challenges with screen adjustments after recapping the monitor board. They also encountered a coin door requiring two keys to open, reminiscent of movie scenes. Despite these challenges, they sought external help for troubleshooting, leading to a successful repair. Additionally, they had to fix a slightly crooked yolk and clean rusty legs with a magic eraser during the repair process.
What details were found inside the moon-based cocktail table during disassembly?
Upon disassembling the table, the individual found a service manual pocket inside containing schematics and details of the motherboard. They also discovered a monochrome screen with color filters and a coin counter. The table's unique design resembled a real table with a control layout from 1979, and it was noted to be a clone of Space Invaders, resembling the official cocktail table.
How did the individual address the issue of a broken monitor in the moon-based cocktail table?
The individual explored solutions for the broken monitor, considering repair by an expert, salvaging parts from a scrap monitor, or replacing the entire CRT and board with a compatible alternative like a black and white television. They also encountered challenges with screen adjustments and sought external help for troubleshooting, eventually leading to a successful repair of the monitor.
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Summary
00:00
Moon-based cocktail table: A retro repair journey.
- Purchased a moon-based cocktail table for $200 as a fixer-upper for a local arcade.
- Noted the unique design of the table, resembling a real table with a control layout from 1979.
- Upon plugging it in, observed screen issues like rolling CRT and distorted geometry, indicating a need for recapping.
- Discovered it was a clone of Space Invaders, resembling the official cocktail table.
- Found electrical info suggesting it was originally for 100 volts, possibly modified for the USA market.
- Noted rusted legs and a Texas comptroller sticker from 1983, indicating last service.
- Encountered a coin door requiring two keys to open, reminiscent of movie scenes.
- Discovered a service manual pocket inside, containing schematics and details of the motherboard.
- Disassembled the table, revealing a monochrome screen with color filters and a coin counter.
- Recapped the monitor board, faced challenges with screen adjustments, and eventually sought external help for troubleshooting, leading to a successful repair.
14:22
Repairing Arcade Machine: DIY Fixes and Solutions
- Driving north, realizing the mistake of heading south after a minute, highlighting the commonality of such errors in the absence of GPS.
- Acknowledging the criticism faced for showcasing mistakes in videos, emphasizing the importance of learning from errors and sharing them for others' benefit.
- Reinstalling a board at a brother's shop, testing a machine's monitor, adjusting controls for stability and clarity, and fixing a slightly crooked yolk.
- Replacing a power cord with a suitable one from Home Depot, salvaging an old connector, and successfully testing the machine with the new cable.
- Fixing a coin box by securing it with wood and tape, cleaning and replacing locks on the machine, and removing control panels for maintenance.
- Cleaning rusty legs with a magic eraser, modifying the machine for free play mode by adding a button, and cleaning the exterior from cigarette smoke residue.
- Exploring solutions for a broken monitor, considering repair by an expert, salvaging parts from a scrap monitor, or replacing the entire CRT and board with a compatible alternative like a black and white television.
