Arcade: Star Wars Cockpit... 25" monitor any idea ?

[TheCoolDave]

Hey Guys,

 

Not sure if this is the RIGHT place for this question but, I wanted to see if anyone knows.  Many years ago, I picked up a Hydra Cockpit for $250... anyone who knows classics, knows it was a star wars.  It even had all the original stick with the graphics inside it.   I spent many months using a very light paint stripper to get the side art back out, most of it is in pretty good shape but, not all of it.  After that, rewiring it with the original harness with all parts to make it all work, Still a holy grail type thing. It's been a passion of love on this classic game. It all worked, even the coin slot.. but, I have it set on free play.

 

This is a VERY, VERY old page where I showed the progress on it...(with a link showing how it originally looked when I got it)

 

http://www.anywherecool.com/starw.htm

 

As most people should know, Star Wars used a Color XY monitor(that was know to have a very high failure rate in the arcades).   The Hydra had a shelf put in and a 19" color monitor.  I was able to find a 19" Color XY monitor(from a stand up star wars, I had one that was badly water damaged for a bit) for a good deal years ago, this got it up and running.  Over the years, I was trying to find the parts to put the ORIGINAL 25" monitor in , I was able to find an original tube (had to drive almost 5 hours each way to get it), all the boards and should have everything I need to get it running BUT, the Flyback transformer is shot (big red as it's called), for those who don't know, it's the high voltage part of a CRT with the suction cup. When I looked into years ago, I was talking $350-400 minimum to get it replaced/fixed, the project has sat in a box and nothing has been done besides it's been working... till about a week ago. 

 

The current 19" monitor stopped working.  I'd bet it just needs a cap kit but, I ran into this..... and ONLY $29 ? OMG ?

 

http://www.arcadeshop.com/i/281/amplifone-color-x-y-flyback-transformer.htm

 

This makes the 25" possibility to happen...  They put in a shelf but, I see the 4 bolts in each corner to mount the CRT,  As I have never done this part...  I ran into this... 

 

https://www.highscoresaves.com/25-amplifone-monitor-bracket.html

 

So anyone have ideas on... Do I need a bracket like above to mount the 25" tube, or is it just some rubber spacers and nuts to attach it ? Or does it need anything else ?

 

Anyone have a star wars cockpit that can pull off the back cover and take a few pictures how the 25" tube is mounted so I can make sure I do it right ?

 

Just wanted to keep this original if possible... AND MAYBE install a Star Wars empire strikes back kit... ( https://www.highscoresaves.com/star-wars-and-empire-strikes-back-free-play-and-high-score-save-multigame-kit.html )

Edited July 12, 2019 by TheCoolDave

[TheCoolDave]

Anyone know ?  Or is there another place I should be asking about Arcade machines working ? I figured this would be a great place to ask this but, I guess not....

[TheCoolDave]

Anyone else on KLOV ( https://www.arcade-museum.com/) that can give me recommendation ?  I've been a member there for years with arcade machines but, not on their forums, I guess that is where I should ask about Arcade game troubleshooting..

 

I have some issues with some other machines...and I would love to get them all working 100% again..

[schuwalker]

Dave, I have a upright Star Wars vid so I'm not sure I can help with your cockpit query.

 

I can give you a recommendation on Klov - not sure how to do it though

[TheCoolDave]

10 hours ago, schuwalker said:

Dave, I have a upright Star Wars vid so I'm not sure I can help with your cockpit query.

 

I can give you a recommendation on Klov - not sure how to do it though

 

Directions here, I am using the same user name over there.

 

https://forums.arcade-museum.com/showthread.php?t=247149

 

Thanks !

 

I did actually have a upright for a while... It was badly water damaged (really bad), so I gutted the parts and someone picked up the cab from me.

[schuwalker]

Apologize for the delay Dave, I vouched for you on Klov. Let me know if it works for you...

 

Right on. I believe I snagged my upright in '92 from one of my buddy's friend who routed some games. I paid $200 since it didn't work. It was a blown flyback - very common issue. I was also lucky it had a Amplifone monitor!

 

I'm contemplating on converting that to Empire Strikes Back w/ the Empire artwork and snagging another Star Wars - we'll see.

[TheCoolDave]

15 hours ago, schuwalker said:

Apologize for the delay Dave, I vouched for you on Klov. Let me know if it works for you...

 

Right on. I believe I snagged my upright in '92 from one of my buddy's friend who routed some games. I paid $200 since it didn't work. It was a blown flyback - very common issue. I was also lucky it had a Amplifone monitor!

 

I'm contemplating on converting that to Empire Strikes Back w/ the Empire artwork and snagging another Star Wars - we'll see.

 

I popped on and it works, thank you so much ! No worries about the delay.

 

Not sure I would get a 2nd machine, as those Amplifone monitors tend to have a high failure rate. There is a kit to do both games on the same machine (so you can switch between both games).  It will give you a switch to switch between both games, AND, it will keep your high scores. 

 

https://www.highscoresaves.com/star-wars-and-empire-strikes-back-free-play-and-high-score-save-multigame-kit.html 

 

Once I get the 25" monitor working, I will grab that kit so I can play BOTH games on one machine. 

 

If other people following this.... I found a manual (PDF) for the star wars cockpit... I do have a physical manual for the stand up machine (if you need that for a up-write machine, a PDF is here http://www.aurcade.com/games/manuals/00000207.pdf )

 

Star Wars Cockpit manual

http://antelopearcade.com/files/Arcade Manuals/STAR_WARS_COCKPIT_TM-245_1ST_PRINTING.pdf

 

It looks like I don't need a bracket after all according to this picture ! Great, just some spacers and nuts (I know the original screws are still on the machine). This cleared up the question ! I will be replacing the flyback on the cockpit video boards and doing a complete replacement of all caps on the deflection board (I have 2 of them, one does work), so when I finally put this together, It should last the longest. 

 

One thing I want to take care of is the BIG BLUE before doing anything else to the machine.  It seems to be a high failure point in Atari games, in fact I need to replace them on my other 3 Atari games, and one that is having problems the symptoms are that it could be the big blue.

 

At least they are cheap and very easy to swap out (a few screws)

http://www.arcadeshop.com/i/122/atari-big-blue-transformer-cap.htm

 

 

 

Edited July 19, 2019 by TheCoolDave

[schuwalker]

On 7/19/2019 at 8:53 AM, TheCoolDave said:

 

I popped on and it works, thank you so much ! No worries about the delay.

 

Not sure I would get a 2nd machine, as those Amplifone monitors tend to have a high failure rate. There is a kit to do both games on the same machine (so you can switch between both games).  It will give you a switch to switch between both games, AND, it will keep your high scores. 

 

https://www.highscoresaves.com/star-wars-and-empire-strikes-back-free-play-and-high-score-save-multigame-kit.html 

 

Once I get the 25" monitor working, I will grab that kit so I can play BOTH games on one machine. 

 

If other people following this.... I found a manual (PDF) for the star wars cockpit... I do have a physical manual for the stand up machine (if you need that for a up-write machine, a PDF is here http://www.aurcade.com/games/manuals/00000207.pdf )

 

Star Wars Cockpit manual

http://antelopearcade.com/files/Arcade Manuals/STAR_WARS_COCKPIT_TM-245_1ST_PRINTING.pdf

 

It looks like I don't need a bracket after all according to this picture ! Great, just some spacers and nuts (I know the original screws are still on the machine). This cleared up the question ! I will be replacing the flyback on the cockpit video boards and doing a complete replacement of all caps on the deflection board (I have 2 of them, one does work), so when I finally put this together, It should last the longest. 

 

One thing I want to take care of is the BIG BLUE before doing anything else to the machine.  It seems to be a high failure point in Atari games, in fact I need to replace them on my other 3 Atari games, and one that is having problems the symptoms are that it could be the big blue.

 

At least they are cheap and very easy to swap out (a few screws)

http://www.arcadeshop.com/i/122/atari-big-blue-transformer-cap.htm

 

 

 

 

Dave, funny you mention the issues w/ the Amp monitor. My buddy has a Tempest w/ a Wells 6100 monitor. I'm telling you... that's why I have a disdain for Tempest all these years. By far, the most finicky machine I encountered in my 30 years in the hobby. Well, that and Operation Wolf.

 

I'm aware of the kit... I just want to have each machine w/ their own artwork side by side even though Empire is sorta of a dog compared to Star Wars.

 

You had a Return of the Jedi, didnt you? That's one I really want to knock of the list this year. I recall seeing those for $300, now you would be lucky to find one under a 1k.

 

[TheCoolDave]

7 hours ago, schuwalker said:

 

Dave, funny you mention the issues w/ the Amp monitor. My buddy has a Tempest w/ a Wells 6100 monitor. I'm telling you... that's why I have a disdain for Tempest all these years. By far, the most finicky machine I encountered in my 30 years in the hobby. Well, that and Operation Wolf.

 

I'm aware of the kit... I just want to have each machine w/ their own artwork side by side even though Empire is sorta of a dog compared to Star Wars.

 

You had a Return of the Jedi, didnt you? That's one I really want to knock of the list this year. I recall seeing those for $300, now you would be lucky to find one under a 1k.

 

 

No, I don't have a return of the Jedi and never did.   Sorry about your buddy's issues on his Tempest. I always wanted one of those machines, and I would deal with a dead monitor to get one !  I turned down one about 15 years ago for $150 with a dead monitor, I think I would pay almost 2-3X for one but, its' still a dream at that price.

 

Finding a minty Return of the Jedi for under $300 would be a epic dream.  The ONLY way to find that would be some operators that have older games and you might be able to grab one but, a lot of these, IF YOU can find them, would want to unload all the machines for a good $$... You can get a steal on games but, you need to have some big cash to put down and the room to store 50+ cabs !

 

The fact here is, I have limited room, My wife does not think Arcade games all over the house is good look so they are limited to one room. I only 5 machines and could not really fit much more with out making it very tight...  It's why the kit is very appealing. The Cockpit is big enough but, it's always been one of those holy grail type things for me, so it's NOT going anywhere

 

My issues in my Star Wars... It appears when you turn it on, the monitor goes on and looks fine for about 3-5 seconds and then goes out. I am thinking there is nothing wrong with the monitor in there, it might just be the BIG BLUE... As it appears it could be a power related item. 

 

I ordered 3 X big blues... One for the Star Wars... One for my Asteroids that has a big hum (known big blue issue) and my Crystal Castles that has a wavy picture...another big blue symptom...