Fixing an Arcade Machine - Part 1

So far, my blog has been about building things from scratch. This entry, which is about fixing something broken, is different. It's also cool and retro. In case you slept through the 1980s, arcade games such as Space Invaders and Pac-Man ate more quarters than a coin-operated Laundromat. I've collected a few of these arcade games since the end of the Reagan era, and find that they complement my home, which used to a bar.

Before we get started, let's talk about the value of fixing things. I make quite a few repairs, and probably spend more time fixing things than building them from scratch. I don't mind, though. Repairs are an art.You have to do a bit of research, some reverse engineering, and a measure of problem-solving. Repairs can also be very rewarding. You can keep your own things working, or fix things that have been discarded or sold for cheap.

There are four functional parts to an arcade machine: the display, the processor board, the power supply, and the interface. Although an arcade machine contains many other parts (including the coin collection system, lights and cabinet, cords and wires) these four areas are where most problems occur.

If there's one thing I've learned from fixing things, it's that the moving parts are usually the ones that break first. So, when things go south, the first things to look at are the buttons, the joystick, and (depending on the game) the roller ball. On most arcade machines, the joystick is just a bunch of switches that are depressed when the stick is pushed in that direction. You can test all of the buttons and switches with a multimeter. If they don't work, start by cleaning the contacts (they're accessible). Otherwise, you can replace the switches.

The second thing I've learned from fixing things is that high-voltage components tend to fail sooner than other parts. There are two reasons for this. First, there is a greater chance of arc, second, the attraction of dirt traps heat and can aid in providing an electrical path. In an arcade machine, the monitor is probably one of the most common things to fail. Consequently, there's no shortage of information, parts and solutions to this all-too-common problem.

If you want more check out part 2