Pong Doubles (german version)

[nilfisk]

This morning I finally found the time to install the new pots and repro spinners on my Atari "Pong Doubles". It is now in fully working order, including the original Hitachi TV it came with (still in need of a cap kit though). The PCB was fixed by Andy from Andys Arcade in the UK, after some "electronics expert" offering his services on var. german boards completely messed it up a few years ago.

Being rare in any case already, I believe this german version to be even more uncommon (the printed instructions on the CP etc. are all in german).

Its new neighbour is my Canyon Bomber, also working and in original condition

[speleo_de]

Cool game, I love it!

You noted an "electronics expert" on german boards, who messed up the PCB.

I am offering repairs from time to time on german boards as well.
So I want to note that it was not me, who messed it up

[nilfisk]

No, I can officially confirm it was not you .

No need for fingerpointing, though, as this was about 5 years ago. But he REALLY messed up, i.e. by putting in the voltage regulator backwards, frying a number of components. Best of all, following that, he sent back the board to me as "working" 

[Q*ris]

That's how I like them cabs: classic and rare!

[Q*ris]

I have to change the pots on my Tournament table as well.
Never done that before...
Was it an easy fix? by any chance, did you take some pictures of the process? thanks.

[nilfisk]

I was lucky to find perfect replacements for the 5k pots at a local electronics retailer (conrad). Same axis diameter, same overall size. The only thing that needed drimming was the plastic pin that usually keeps the pots from turning around when mounted on PCBs, but that took 5 minutes with my Dremel tool

The same goes for the repro spinners I got in march from Arcade Adventures ( http://www.arcadeadventures.com/spinner-knob-for-atari-games-new/ ). Perfect fit, easy to mount.

Overall, the whole process probably took about 1 to 1,5 hours.

Martin

PS.: No pics from the actual work in progress, but let me know if you need any help with it - I'm happy to help.

[Q*ris]

thanks for the feedback, I'll soon have a look at my local electronic shop and let you know.

[level42]

If you can still get them I'd highly recommend those great quality pots from Canada......forgot the brand name but RAM controls (yes OOOOOHHHH), used to sell them and used them for the SW yoke kits and LL thruster.

[NOTE => I do _not_ suggest to buy them from RAM controls ! (if it still exists at all....)]

They are Mil-spec, so extremely good quality and lasting "forever"....

Arcadefixit.com has (had ?) the same one's IIRC, looks like he's OOS at the moment though....but you can always ask.

http://www.arcadefixit.com/product.sc?productId=827&categoryId=-1

I guess many regular (cheap) pots won't last long as an arcade control. Most of these pots were designed for just a couple of turns per day maybe.....and of course they won't see as much use in a home but even so.....

Nothing more annoying than a poor working control.....

[Q*ris]

Duly noted, thanks! 

[Luigi]

by putting in the voltage regulator backwards, frying a number of components. Best of all, following that, he sent back the board to me as "working" 

Now that's ridiculous    So you were offered a PCB repair and what you received was even worse.....some real experts out there 


Nevertheless, that's a really nice cab!   May I ask where you got it from?

[nilfisk]

Nevertheless, that's a really nice cab!  May I ask where you got it from?

As most of my cabs, I found it by accident. Early 2000, I was working in central Vienna, when I passed by a small, closed shop, and saw some generic cabs through the very dirty window. Eager to see what was hidden inside, I started to walk by frequently, until 2 or 3 months later I saw someone working in there. Turned out the place was used as storage space by an operator long out of business, who was more than willing to sell his stuff to me for a few bucks.

I got my Canyon Bomber almost the same way, by calling some operators listed in an old Yellow Pages book, and finding one who asked me to "come and pick up all that junk"

Well, that was possible in the 90s and early 00s over here, but these times are long gone, and nowadays everyone is trying to make big bucks on even the dirtiest and most broken machines on Ebay.

[Luigi]

Great story!


Near my work was a small operator hidden in the backyard. Once the gate was open and I saw a generic cab. Walked in and talked to the man there. He just had 2 generic cabs and one Terminator. For each cab he wanted their weight in gold     I returned several times to negotiate the price but I never saw someone again. I'm wondering what happened to the machines. Maybe I should jump on the bike these days and drive by to leave a message that he should call me

[nilfisk]

I've had similar experiences as well. I once got taken to a dirty, moist cellar by someone who'd heard about me collecting arcade stuff. He had two jukeboxes in there (one Tonomat Panoramic, can't remember what the second one was) that were full of rust and had all their cables eaten away by rats. I offered EUR 1000.- for both, but he told me that he'd fetch far more "on the internet".

I returned several times to renew my offer, but got turned down every time, until finally he told me that he'd thrown them away, as noone was willing to pay his price. So he rather scraped them than taking my money - talk about pride gone wrong 

Martin

[level42]

Greed goes a long way ! Morons......

[Luigi]

Well, I also know a 'collector' who rather dumped the games/empty cabs than giving them for small money