Dragon's Lair Fans - Arcade Lifestyle

General Chat => Arcade Lifestyle => Topic started by: ckong on November 02, 2009, 12:32:26 PM

Title: Refurbishing my Centipede
Post by: ckong on November 02, 2009, 12:32:26 PM
Yesterday I bought a pretty nice looking Centipede cab from Level42. I will refurbish this cab mostly during the winter months. And after a quick inspection today, I concluded that it will not take a lot of work. As with my Donkey Kong cab, I will not restore it to a new condition. That means that stains, little scratches etc. are allowed. I want the cab to be in good condition, but it will show its age.

Here is a list of work which I will do:

1.   Clean out the inside of the cab thoroughly and exchange some electrical parts (as adviced by Level42).
2.   Clean the sidepanels of the cab and get rid of as many stains as possible. The sides are covered with vinyl with a little texture, which makes cleaning a bit difficult. Does anyone know of a good cleansing liquid, available in NL?
3.   Repair the wood damages on the bottom of the frontpanel and repaint the front panel (matty black)

(http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f307/ckong65/Centipede%20Road%20Trip/Refurbishing%20the%20Centipede/CIMG1857.jpg)

(http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f307/ckong65/Centipede%20Road%20Trip/Refurbishing%20the%20Centipede/CIMG1855.jpg)

4.   Repairing a broken off piece at the right back bottom corner (do you follow me?) Anyone has a good procedure for that?

(http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f307/ckong65/Centipede%20Road%20Trip/Refurbishing%20the%20Centipede/CIMG1861.jpg)

5.   Exchange the control panel artwork and fire button with new ones.
6.   Refurbish the trackball (new rollers and bearings and a new ball.)
7.   Exchange and add some keylocks.

That’s about it, although I might do a cap kit replacement on the monitor chassis a bit later. The monitor (which is from 1981 as a sticker proves) still shows a good picture, but I guess it could do with new capacitors. Level42 said this replacement job is a bit tricky though. Perhaps I can get someone else to do it for me.  :)

Some of you might have seen that I already did a little ‘upgrade’ on the cab. When I was at Level42 yesterday I noticed that the Centipedes don’t really have legs. This causes the bottom of the cab to damage pretty easily. Therefore, before unloading the cab, I attached two pieces of wood at the bottom of the cab.

(http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f307/ckong65/Centipede%20Road%20Trip/Refurbishing%20the%20Centipede/Cimg1867.jpg)

It might not be original, but this way the bottom of the side panels are prevented better from damages. Another nice thing about this is that the cab, and thus the control panel, is a few centimeters higher, which feels better than the original height. And we all know that centimeters matter!

Next thing to do is to order some parts on the internet, so that when I start with the refurbishing in due time, I have everything available.

Title: Re: Refurbishing my Centipede
Post by: Etienne MacGyver on November 02, 2009, 01:23:20 PM
Looking good Ckong !

Good and simple solution those pieces of "spare" wood under the cab to prevent further damage.
Title: Re: Refurbishing my Centipede
Post by: Superully on November 02, 2009, 01:44:59 PM
why don't you use leg levelers instead of those wooden planks?
Title: Re: Refurbishing my Centipede
Post by: level42 on November 02, 2009, 01:48:37 PM
Ckong, I will put up the list tonight....sorry, I forgot yesterday evening.

Enjoy reading your new "book" by the way :D
Title: Re: Refurbishing my Centipede
Post by: ckong on November 02, 2009, 02:00:23 PM
why don't you use leg levelers instead of those wooden planks?

Because I don't have them in the kitchen drawer. And I don't want to drive a few weeks around with a centipede in my car until the leg levers will arrive (which I still have to order)  ;)
Title: Re: Refurbishing my Centipede
Post by: Superully on November 02, 2009, 02:04:28 PM
Because I don't have them in the kitchen drawer. And I don't want to drive a few weeks around with a centipede in my car until the leg levers will arrive (which I still have to order)  ;)

good point  8)
Title: Re: Refurbishing my Centipede
Post by: level42 on November 02, 2009, 06:39:23 PM
OK, here's the "Centipede-get-well" shopping list:

These parts are from Bob Roberts.

The plusses on ordering from Bob:

- "one stop shop" he has all the stuff needed, very important to keep shipping costs down
- The trackball rollers he sells are stainless steel. Others have "normal" steel
- he greases and breaks in all the bearings himself before shipping. In fact, the grease smells so strong, I wonder that it always comes through customs (at least for me).
- relatively cheap, also in shipping costs and uhm...customs forms ;) ;) ;)

The "minus" on ordering from Bob:
- he doesn't accept credit card or PayPal. I always PP a friend in the US and he sends him a cheque. Bob sends parts straight to me, so no detours.

I'll start with something really important, and often overlooked: I advice to replace the edge connectors.
If you want to know why, watch this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FV1Bb5s8pRU

You can either replace the old pins inside the connector, but that requires a special AMP pliers. I prefer the solder type, replace the connector one wire at a time. Make sure the solderings can't short to each-other, best is to use some shrink tube.

Foe Centi, you need these two:
12/24 SE EC   $3.25
22/44 SE EC   $3.25

To fix/foolproof the AR II board: (http://www.therealbobroberts.net/ar2.jpg)

Atari A/R II-02 to -06 Repair Kit (Caps+Q2/3/8/9+R30)   $12.00
depending on state of AR-II board you MIGHT need this instead of the 12 bucks kit:
Atari A/R III Repair Kit (Caps + Q3/4/7/8)   $15.00

To fix/foolproof the Power Brick (http://www.therealbobroberts.net/atarikit.jpg):
Atari AC Power Supply Repair Kit   $23.50
or, if the fuseblock, connectors and bridge rectifier are still OK, the loose "Big Blue":
Atari "Big Blue" Capacitor    $12.50

To fix the trackball:
In most cases the casing is still OK and only needs cleaning. If it's broken somewhere get this:
Atari TB plastic housing mini or midi    $14.00 (http://www.therealbobroberts.net/tbhouse.jpg)

You will ALWAYS need this:
Atari TB kit (SS rollers & bearings) [2 1/4"]   $23.00 (http://www.therealbobroberts.net/minikit.jpg)
Atari TB 2 1/4" ball off-white     $6.00 (I THINK the original Centi ball was off-white. If your prefer something else, there are loads of colors.

I haven't come across any defective optical boards on the trackballs on my games, but if they are defective:
Atari TB optic board A052-1010/1   $16.00

Monitor (Electrohome G07):
GO7-CBO 19" Cap Kit   $5.00
If you do the cap-kit watch out ! There is one cap marked WRONGLY on the PCB. This is noted in Bob's note that comes with the kit, but I know that a lot of people "forget" to read instructions....


CPO.....mmmm, just checked www.mamemarquees.com and the Centipede CPO's seem to be gone !?!?!
I'll drop him an e-mail...

Hope I didn't forget anything....
Title: Re: Refurbishing my Centipede
Post by: level42 on November 02, 2009, 06:40:42 PM
why don't you use leg levelers instead of those wooden planks?

Because I don't have them in the kitchen drawer.

WHAT ? O, wait, you're still fresh to the hobby....  ;D ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: Refurbishing my Centipede
Post by: Superully on November 02, 2009, 06:44:51 PM
CPO.....mmmm, just checked www.mamemarquees.com and the Centipede CPO's seem to be gone !?!?!
I'll drop him an e-mail...

impressive list, andré. if my centi breaks i know where to look now  ;)

regarding the overlay: it's not listed on mamemarquees anymore because it was faulty (lines and colors). we got the original file from the mamemarquees guy and are almost done with correcting the errors. once he has received our corrected version, he will be putting it up again on his shop. at least we get a free replacement for removing the mistakes!

so no need to drop him an email  8) the problem is already taken care of!
Title: Re: Refurbishing my Centipede
Post by: level42 on November 02, 2009, 07:53:54 PM
AH ! That's good to hear ! Yes, I've seen the mistakes too (see my Centi restoration thread on BYOAC forum.)

Did you get all of them ? ;) I want a replacement too !!!!
Title: Re: Refurbishing my Centipede
Post by: Superully on November 02, 2009, 07:55:58 PM
Did you get all of them ? ;) I want a replacement too !!!!

i hope so. i will send you the edited file once its finished!
Title: Re: Refurbishing my Centipede
Post by: level42 on November 02, 2009, 09:53:40 PM
Erik, I found some info, the board problem is likely a bad playfield RAM.

Set the game in test-mode (with the switch in the coindoor) and power it up. Listen for beeps (the number of beeps) and report please :)
Title: Re: Refurbishing my Centipede
Post by: ckong on November 02, 2009, 10:43:49 PM
Erik, I found some info, the board problem is likely a bad playfield RAM.

Set the game in test-mode (with the switch in the coindoor) and power it up. Listen for beeps (the number of beeps) and report please :)

What a coincedence, I googled today for 'Centipede board problem' and I nfound a site with exact the info you also mentioned. thanks for also searching though, and many thanks for the shoplist. I will report about the beeps tomorrow. With the beeps we can check the errorcode in the manual I believe.

@superully, great news about the CPO. The more accurate colors and design is, the better.
Title: Re: Refurbishing my Centipede
Post by: level42 on November 02, 2009, 11:10:32 PM
I just fixed the sound on RonaldReagan's PCB, indeed as expected it was the LM324, luckely I had ordered an extra last time.
I started his machine, get 7 beeps in test mode. Should be RAM at M7.
I ordered those RAMs a long time ago when I was working on my own Centipede, but it turned out that it wasn't the RAMs on that board so I think I have some of those RAMs here, let me check...
Title: Re: Refurbishing my Centipede
Post by: ckong on November 02, 2009, 11:20:44 PM
well, in fact it's not vinyl, it's laminate!

Laminate? OK, probably nowhere available anymore for our purpose. Then I stick to vinyl. Do you perhaps an intenet shop where good vinyl is available. I suppose it has to be smooth, not textured like on the side panels. and not glossy of course.


We really should keep the resto of the Centi in Ckong's other thread....
Indeed, it's some kind of formica like I showed you that I have for the MC (but may end up in the SW.

Hard to find and Formica is expensive.

Rich from ThisOldGame.com sells all kinds of "Atari" vinyl, I'll drop him a mail...
Title: Re: Refurbishing my Centipede
Post by: ckong on November 03, 2009, 12:58:02 AM
@level42 – I did the self test check, and there are 3 beeps (which is repeated a few times), which indicates a problem with the Ram chip at K7.

Here is a picture of the ‘scramble’ on the gamescreen.


(http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f307/ckong65/Centipede%20Road%20Trip/Refurbishing%20the%20Centipede/CIMG1896-1.jpg)

By the way, the picture doesn’t show it very well, but the image is of a very good quality, good colors etc. Possibly a bit too bright, which is adjustable, but this monitor (chassis) has aged very well, 28 years !!! Of course it has been in storage for many years, but still.  :)
Title: Re: Refurbishing my Centipede
Post by: ckong on November 03, 2009, 01:05:26 AM
Just for fun, here is a picture of all the documentation which came with the cab. Even the plastic bag with a warning on it is in good condition. And the instruction sheet nailed on the inside of the backpanel is also pretty nice. I really like all these details. In fact, I'm starting to get very fond of this cab.


(http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f307/ckong65/Centipede%20Road%20Trip/Refurbishing%20the%20Centipede/CIMG1897-1.jpg)

And where could these be for? Surely not original  :D

(http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f307/ckong65/Centipede%20Road%20Trip/Refurbishing%20the%20Centipede/CIMG1878-1.jpg)

I really should stop posting, because I promised my wife to leave the cab as it is until the winter. So much house jobs to do.  :?
Title: Re: Refurbishing my Centipede
Post by: Etienne MacGyver on November 03, 2009, 04:59:23 AM
And where could these be for? Surely not original  :D

(http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f307/ckong65/Centipede%20Road%20Trip/Refurbishing%20the%20Centipede/CIMG1878-1.jpg)

This is the cab where mark alpiger played on !

that things is for hang his weightlifting glove  ;D ;D ;D

@2.27  (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0rW8lDYOJUc) he give the explanation  :D :D
Title: Re: Refurbishing my Centipede
Post by: ckong on November 03, 2009, 07:41:50 AM
 :lol: :lol:

crazy guy, but also very interesting.
Title: Re: Refurbishing my Centipede
Post by: level42 on November 03, 2009, 09:55:06 AM
I asked the seller when I got them, they were there on more machines. It's for hanging up an ashtray...

If you're going to wait until winter...the board should be easy to fix. I've found the RAMs !
Do remember that the beeps only go to the _first_ chip that _may_ be bad.
So, you could have more bad RAMs. Also, it's not unlikely that if one of those RAM dies, the next one _could_ be around the corner.
I had that with my SW, but luckely I bought a full set of vector RAMs plus these are socketed instead of directly soldered like the RAM on the Centi board.

Not sure if you have any experience with replacing chips ? The method:
1) Cut of all the legs of the suspect chip, as close to the body of the chip as possible. You'll need some really tiny cutting pliers
2) Remove the body
3) desolder all the old pins. Use some new solder to get the old solder flowing
4) empty all the holes with a tin-sucker (hand pump is fine)
5) solder in a new ic socket or strips
6) check all the solderings for shorts (in doubt, use a mult-meter) and dirt
7) clean the soldering area with some alcohol and/or brush
8) carefully push in the new chip
9) play the game ;)

I'd be happy to do this for you at cost of parts. Just let me know !
Title: Re: Refurbishing my Centipede
Post by: gyruss on November 03, 2009, 11:57:22 AM
Really, really nice cabinet! Also really cool to have the original documentation! You are builing quite a nice collection with classic cabs :twisted:
Title: Re: Refurbishing my Centipede
Post by: ckong on November 03, 2009, 02:35:51 PM
Really, really nice cabinet! Also really cool to have the original documentation! You are builing quite a nice collection with classic cabs :twisted:

I'm only starting yet, but the first two are pretty awesome indeed. On the other hand, I have been collecting classic PCB's for a while now, mainly the ones I played in the (early) eighties. I now am the proud owner of Pac-Man en ms. Pac-man, Phoenix, Gyruss, Moon Crersta, Donkey Kong, Crazy Kong, Pooyan, R-Type, Galaga, Galaga '88 and a nice bunch of Japanese SHMUP's, classic and modern. I like to play them in one of my Japanese candy cabs.

But nothing beats the feeling of playing a game in an original dedicated cab, that's why I started to get really interested in those classic cabs.

Title: Re: Refurbishing my Centipede
Post by: ckong on November 03, 2009, 02:39:25 PM
If you're going to wait until winter...the board should be easy to fix. I've found the RAMs !
...... I'd be happy to do this for you at cost of parts. Just let me know !

Thanks. I will accept your offer gladly and I will PM you about this. But there is no hurry, I know that you have a lot of projects for yourself to handle.  :)
Title: Re: Refurbishing my Centipede
Post by: Superully on November 03, 2009, 06:20:16 PM
But nothing beats the feeling of playing a game in an original dedicated cab, that's why I started to get really interested in those classic cabs.

you've discovered the stairway to heaven  ;D
Title: Re: Refurbishing my Centipede
Post by: ckong on November 03, 2009, 09:35:04 PM
It’s raining outside, good opportunity to checkout Centipede’s trackball. It’s dirty, very dirty, heavy used and worn out. But the case is still intact. New axis (?), bearings and an off-white coloured trackball will do. And a bit of cleaning of course.

(http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f307/ckong65/Centipede%20Road%20Trip/Refurbishing%20the%20Centipede/CIMG1900.jpg)

(http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f307/ckong65/Centipede%20Road%20Trip/Refurbishing%20the%20Centipede/CIMG1906.jpg)

(http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f307/ckong65/Centipede%20Road%20Trip/Refurbishing%20the%20Centipede/CIMG1914.jpg)

(http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f307/ckong65/Centipede%20Road%20Trip/Refurbishing%20the%20Centipede/CIMG1918.jpg)

Added them to my shoppinglist (actually Level42’s shoppinglist)
Title: Re: Refurbishing my Centipede
Post by: Superully on November 03, 2009, 09:58:31 PM
those bearings are D-U-N-N-N.

regarding the trackball: although off-white is the original color, i'd go with normal white. suits much better in with the control panel!
Title: Re: Refurbishing my Centipede
Post by: ckong on November 03, 2009, 10:11:57 PM
those bearings are D-U-N-N-N.

regarding the trackball: although off-white is the original color, i'd go with normal white. suits much better in with the control panel!

I would like to have everything as original as possible, even if it is stylish not the best solution, but maybe I go for both so I can see the difference, they don't cost that much.
Title: Re: Refurbishing my Centipede
Post by: ckong on November 03, 2009, 10:34:43 PM
OK, I just completely finished the restoration of both Donkey Kong and Centipede. It took a bit of time, but I am pleased with the result:

(http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f307/ckong65/Donkey%20Kong/centipedeDK.jpg)

 :lol: :lol: Just kidding, found this pic on the internet. But in a few months time a corner of my gameroom will actually look like that  :)
Title: Re: Refurbishing my Centipede
Post by: ckong on November 09, 2009, 12:32:22 PM
triggered by gyruss  ;D  I started to clean the outside of my cab also a bit today. I already did try it with hot water and dish cleaning stuff (dreft), but that didn't do much. Then I remembered I still have this somewhere:

(http://www.autoshop.nl/techniek/Images/valma-interieur.jpg)

It's a car interieur cleaning foam for leather and plastic. On the can it also claims that nicotine spots are removed. After I found the can I sprayed the side of the cab, waited a few minutes and rubbed the side clean with a towel. The result was very good, hardly any discolourisation left.

(http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f307/ckong65/Centipede%20Road%20Trip/Refurbishing%20the%20Centipede/CIMG1993.jpg)

(http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f307/ckong65/Centipede%20Road%20Trip/Refurbishing%20the%20Centipede/CIMG1994.jpg)

Unfortunately it doesn't restore damaged parts of the sideart  ;)
Title: Re: Refurbishing my Centipede
Post by: gyruss on November 09, 2009, 01:28:42 PM
Wow, that looks really white!

What are you going to do about your PCB, are you going to fix it yourself?
Title: Re: Refurbishing my Centipede
Post by: Superully on November 09, 2009, 01:58:54 PM

you two guys could be the stars of your own tv program: ckong vs gyruss - the centipede restoration battle  ;)
Title: Re: Refurbishing my Centipede
Post by: gyruss on November 09, 2009, 02:07:39 PM
And the winner will get a cab from your collection as price??  ;)
Title: Re: Refurbishing my Centipede
Post by: ckong on November 09, 2009, 04:15:18 PM

you two guys could be the stars of your own tv program: ckong vs gyruss - the centipede restoration battle  ;)

Sounds good, but only if you will be the host.

PS. Thanks for changing your avatar, the previous one made me frightened.
Title: Re: Refurbishing my Centipede
Post by: Superully on November 09, 2009, 04:36:47 PM
PS. Thanks for changing your avatar, the previous one made me frightened.

me too ;) i also changed it because of all the stupid questions i got once i logged into the forum at school and someone else saw the pic  :lol:
Title: Re: Refurbishing my Centipede
Post by: jcp on November 09, 2009, 04:44:18 PM
:lol: Superully !

ckong : another very good game you've got too and I like your side art too (very clean and detailled, but it's Centipede, one of the best classical game, love the trackball indeed :-*).
Title: Re: Refurbishing my Centipede
Post by: ElPancho on November 09, 2009, 04:46:45 PM
I'll be part of the public in that show :-) Got to see that!

Good luck with the pcb-repair and getting that trackball to roll silky smooth again.
And again with the car cleaning products, nice one (after the nanao anti-static-coating-removal-tip.)
Can't wait to see your game room with all these arcade-styles combined.

Good luck with all your work (as you've got plenty, no doubt).
Title: Re: Refurbishing my Centipede
Post by: ckong on November 09, 2009, 05:19:54 PM
Hé Elpancho,

nice of you to stop by. As you noticed Donkey Kong did get company  :D

At the moment I'm doing some work on both cabs, and at the moment I'm experimenting a bit with paint and colors for the DK sidepanels. I did already repair all damaged parts of the panels. I will post my progress in the DK thread soon.
Title: Re: Refurbishing my Centipede
Post by: level42 on November 09, 2009, 05:38:17 PM
Hey, didn't you promise your wife to leave it till winter ? Hahahaha, you're caught by the virus my friend ! :D

Looks very nice indeed. To be honest, CKONG was first to support the "plan" and thus had first choice and his Centi was the "white-est" of the lot. Guess it has been in a non-smoking area....although the cigarette holder might suggest else....
Title: Re: Refurbishing my Centipede
Post by: ckong on November 09, 2009, 05:51:10 PM
Hey, didn't you promise your wife to leave it till winter ? Hahahaha, you're caught by the virus my friend ! :D


Psssssst, be quiet, the walls have ears here.  :D

and she did say yesterday that the winter is already appoaching pretty fast. That was the sign I was waiting for  ;D
Title: Re: Refurbishing my Centipede
Post by: level42 on November 09, 2009, 08:07:01 PM
 ;D ;D ;D ;D

Now you (and Gyruss and RonaldReagan and Arcadecollection) still need to get this and you're an official member of the Centipede worship club of The Netherlands :
(http://www.thegreenhead.com/imgs/fossil-atari-centipede.jpg)
Title: Re: Refurbishing my Centipede
Post by: ckong on November 09, 2009, 08:47:38 PM
I like this one better http://cgi.ebay.com/Fossil-Big-Tic-Atari-Centipede-Animated-Mens-Watch-NWT_W0QQitemZ120368382564QQcategoryZ31387QQcmdZViewItem
Title: Re: Refurbishing my Centipede
Post by: gyruss on November 09, 2009, 09:17:19 PM
hahaha, those almost make me want to wear a watch  :lol:
Title: Re: Refurbishing my Centipede
Post by: level42 on November 09, 2009, 10:52:30 PM
I prefer the leather band, but hey, tastes differ. I've got that one, and the Asteroids limited edition. I love them.
Title: Re: Refurbishing my Centipede
Post by: ckong on November 09, 2009, 11:51:52 PM
Dirt

(http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f307/ckong65/CIMG1995.jpg)

Although the underside is very clean:

(http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f307/ckong65/CIMG1998.jpg)

More dirt

(http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f307/ckong65/CIMG1999.jpg)

and even more dirt

(http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f307/ckong65/CIMG2004.jpg)

Enough cleaning up to do  :-\

By the way: how can you tell if the big blue capacitor needs to be replaced?
Title: Re: Refurbishing my Centipede
Post by: level42 on November 09, 2009, 11:52:52 PM
You'll learn to love the dirt, because the dirtier it is, the greater it looks when you've cleaned it  ;D ;D ;D

I enjoy cleaning the wiring-harness too. It really brightens up the colors of the wires, and it's the "finishing touch" of the cleaning IMHO.
Title: Re: Refurbishing my Centipede
Post by: ckong on November 10, 2009, 12:00:01 AM
What's the best way to clean a wire harnas? With a toothbrush?
Title: Re: Refurbishing my Centipede
Post by: level42 on November 10, 2009, 08:36:09 AM
I use a "schuursponsje" (small sponge) with the "soft" side and simply water with some "Dreft". Make the sponge moist, not too wet and "fold" it around a wire run it along the wire. Don't go lazy, but do each wire between the ty-raps individually so not the whole bunch in one go.....
For the extreme (I never do it): Replace ty-raps with new one's  ;D ;D

Go easy on the connectors....of course any left water on the pins can start corrosion. I always carefully clean the outside of the connector with the sponge without getting the pins whet.

Hey, it's a hobby :D
Title: Re: Refurbishing my Centipede
Post by: Superully on November 10, 2009, 08:42:28 AM
What's the best way to clean a wire harnas? With a toothbrush?

use it as a tootbrush  ;)
Title: Re: Refurbishing my Centipede
Post by: ckong on November 10, 2009, 02:48:53 PM
Got these today, nice for my cab keys. In fact, got a whole bunch of them, mainly order classicas and jap cabs and gave games.

(http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f307/ckong65/CIMG2022.jpg)

(http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f307/ckong65/CIMG2024.jpg)
Title: Re: Refurbishing my Centipede
Post by: ckong on November 11, 2009, 11:23:05 AM
Did some cleaning on the power block.

Before:

(http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f307/ckong65/Centipede%20Road%20Trip/Refurbishing%20the%20Centipede/CIMG2005.jpg)

After:

(http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f307/ckong65/Centipede%20Road%20Trip/Refurbishing%20the%20Centipede/CIMG2012.jpg)

(http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f307/ckong65/Centipede%20Road%20Trip/Refurbishing%20the%20Centipede/CIMG2020.jpg)

I noticed that the one of the four big capacitors on the A/R II-02 board looks a bit sweaty:

(http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f307/ckong65/Centipede%20Road%20Trip/Refurbishing%20the%20Centipede/CIMG2031-1.jpg)

Better replace all 4 of them? Are they in this kit: Atari A/R II-02 to -06 Repair Kit (Caps+Q2/3/8/9+R30)?
Title: Re: Refurbishing my Centipede
Post by: level42 on November 11, 2009, 04:04:04 PM
Yes. Indeed, replace all caps on the AR-2 and the Big Blue of course.

They actually may still work now.....but if you want to bullet-proof your game, take the safe road.
Title: Re: Refurbishing my Centipede
Post by: ckong on November 11, 2009, 04:35:35 PM
OK, will do, but what kit do I need for the AR/2 caps from Robert's?
Title: Re: Refurbishing my Centipede
Post by: level42 on November 11, 2009, 09:17:52 PM
Exactly the kit you mention:
Atari A/R II-02 to -06 Repair Kit (Caps+Q2/3/8/9+R30) for 12 bucks.

It says "caps" and Bob means ALL caps for the AR-2 :D
Title: Re: Refurbishing my Centipede
Post by: ElPancho on November 12, 2009, 09:03:01 AM
Sorry to derail the thread but I'd love some of them Cave key rings ....
Are there any left?
Title: Re: Refurbishing my Centipede
Post by: ckong on November 12, 2009, 10:35:48 AM
Sorry to derail the thread but I'd love some of them Cave key rings ....
Are there any left?

Nope, but you can get them from OldTimeToys at Klov, he custom makes them for you.

http://forums.arcade-museum.com/showthread.php?t=108774
Title: Re: Refurbishing my Centipede
Post by: gyruss on November 12, 2009, 12:24:44 PM
looks a lot better! I just cleaned our Centi, I'll post pictures this weekend.
Title: Re: Refurbishing my Centipede
Post by: ckong on November 13, 2009, 11:56:41 AM
Cleaned the monitor chassis a bit yesterday with high presurre air and a cloth.

Before

(http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f307/ckong65/Centipede%20Road%20Trip/Refurbishing%20the%20Centipede/CIMG2043.jpg)

(http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f307/ckong65/Centipede%20Road%20Trip/Refurbishing%20the%20Centipede/CIMG2044.jpg)

After

(http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f307/ckong65/Centipede%20Road%20Trip/Refurbishing%20the%20Centipede/CIMG2046.jpg)

(http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f307/ckong65/Centipede%20Road%20Trip/Refurbishing%20the%20Centipede/CIMG2047.jpg)
Title: Re: Refurbishing my Centipede
Post by: ckong on November 13, 2009, 12:07:16 PM
I gutted the Centipede cab yesterday completely, in order to make it more easy to do some bodywork.

I started with repairing the damages on the bottom of the frontpanel, and although it's not finished yet it is starting to look good.

Before:

(http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f307/ckong65/Centipede%20Road%20Trip/Refurbishing%20the%20Centipede/CIMG1865.jpg)

In the middle of the repair job

(http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f307/ckong65/Centipede%20Road%20Trip/Refurbishing%20the%20Centipede/CIMG2070.jpg)

Here is a picture of the corner, after I 'repaired' the swelled up wood. It was sticking out by more dan 5 mm, and now it's not sticking out anymore:

(http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f307/ckong65/Centipede%20Road%20Trip/Refurbishing%20the%20Centipede/CIMG2071.jpg)

The solution is very easy. I took a nail withoud head (how do you call that in English) of about 35 mm and hammered it in the sidepanel. There is only a little hole of 1mm left, but the side panel looks much better at the bottom (the spot on the left is a .... spot)

(http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f307/ckong65/Centipede%20Road%20Trip/Refurbishing%20the%20Centipede/CIMG2073.jpg)
Title: Re: Refurbishing my Centipede
Post by: level42 on November 13, 2009, 01:03:21 PM
Good idea. You may be able to hide the tiny hole with some toothpaste. (Not Aquafresh of course ;)).

Monitor looks nice !

Nice work on the bottom there....did you get "bondo" ? :D

Still have to ask about the smooth "Atari" vinyl....will mail Rich now.
Title: Re: Refurbishing my Centipede
Post by: ckong on November 13, 2009, 02:04:25 PM
Nice work on the bottom there....did you get "bondo" ? :D

Yeah, I did  :D
Title: Re: Refurbishing my Centipede
Post by: ckong on July 28, 2010, 10:15:09 AM
Last week I had some time to work on my Centipede. This time the control panel was due. I first ripped off the sticker with my bar hands, and that went pretty well.

(http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f307/ckong65/Centipede%20Road%20Trip/Refurbishing%20the%20Centipede/CIMG3910.jpg)

(http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f307/ckong65/Centipede%20Road%20Trip/Refurbishing%20the%20Centipede/CIMG3912.jpg)

(http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f307/ckong65/Centipede%20Road%20Trip/Refurbishing%20the%20Centipede/CIMG3913.jpg)

Of course there still was a lot of glue on the metal panel, which I removed with ‘sticker remover’ and a ‘paint removing’ tool.

(http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f307/ckong65/Centipede%20Road%20Trip/Refurbishing%20the%20Centipede/CIMG3915.jpg)

That went very well and very quickly, but unfortunately the bottle was already almost empty when I started, so after a few minutes it was empty. So I took white spirit for the remaining part.

(http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f307/ckong65/Centipede%20Road%20Trip/Refurbishing%20the%20Centipede/CIMG3916.jpg)

After about 25 minutes the sticker and all glue residue was gone. Then I sanded the rusty parts of the CP with sanding paper (180 grid), until all rust on the outside and inside was gone and everything was smooth. This took me another 25 minutes.

(http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f307/ckong65/Centipede%20Road%20Trip/Refurbishing%20the%20Centipede/CIMG3917.jpg)

(http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f307/ckong65/Centipede%20Road%20Trip/Refurbishing%20the%20Centipede/CIMG3918.jpg)

A relative of mine is a professional car painter, so I handed the CP to him for a fresh matt black paint job. Unfortunately I have no pictures of that process, but today I got the CP back, and the result is amazing. It is very smooth, really looks like new. I now know that I can give him all other stuff that is waiting to be painted, like the DK coin door.

(http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f307/ckong65/Centipede%20Road%20Trip/Refurbishing%20the%20Centipede/CIMG3959.jpg)

(http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f307/ckong65/Centipede%20Road%20Trip/Refurbishing%20the%20Centipede/CIMG3960.jpg)

I’m very pleased with this. And now, boys and girls, I only need to apply the CPO. I really wanted to show pictures of that, but ….. the CPO is still in the process of being reproduced: https://www.dragonslairfans.com/smfor/index.php?topic=964.45, which, I hope, shouldn’t take too long anymore.  ;)

After that I only have to apply new vinyl to the front panel, reinstall all parts, and play the game.
Title: Re: Refurbishing my Centipede
Post by: baritonomarchetto on July 28, 2010, 11:03:56 AM
Nice work ckong, but wasn't the control panel overaly in conditions that it could not be substituted with a repro? At least, it doesn't look bad from the images i can see...
Title: Re: Refurbishing my Centipede
Post by: ckong on July 28, 2010, 11:31:58 AM
Nice work ckong, but wasn't the control panel overaly in conditions that it could not be substituted with a repro? At least, it doesn't look bad from the images i can see...

Bad enough for me, a lot of cigarette burn marks (hate them, hate them) and a few rips. And visible rust. The cab looks, or at least will look almost mint after I am finished, such a cab deserves a fresh and mint CPO  :)
Title: Re: Refurbishing my Centipede
Post by: baritonomarchetto on July 28, 2010, 11:56:11 AM
This could open a new endless debate: original "scratched" arts vs repro, what's best :D
Title: Re: Refurbishing my Centipede
Post by: level42 on July 28, 2010, 02:15:37 PM
As the seller I've seen CKONG's Centi CPO and he's simply right. Even though this was one of the rare cases where the area around the trackball was still intact it was ready for replacement.

I can't stand cigarette burns either. Still, some artwork, even (a bit) damaged remains untouched with me. F.I. my Berzerk sides are definitely good enough for me, and so are the Galaxian side-arts. Even though there are a few scratches, if there is no _good_ alternative AND if the quality is still too good, I keep it.

I will replace a CPO sooner than sides though, because they are ALWAYS visible...
Title: Re: Refurbishing my Centipede
Post by: Superully on July 28, 2010, 03:49:04 PM
A relative of mine is a professional car painter

OMGWTF - you know that's a gold mine. he could easily do the stencils for the ms pac-man. there's nothing like a car painter when it comes to stencils ...
Title: Re: Refurbishing my Centipede
Post by: ckong on July 28, 2010, 04:00:45 PM
A relative of mine is a professional car painter

OMGWTF - you know that's a gold mine. he could easily do the stencils for the ms pac-man. there's nothing like a car painter when it comes to stencils ...

As if I hadn't already thought about that  :lol:
Title: Re: Refurbishing my Centipede
Post by: level42 on July 28, 2010, 07:49:51 PM
Uh.....mmmm....uhhh......should I reconsider the decals for Ms.Pac ?

I mean....nothing better to reduce costs when you can do two cabs in line instead of one...... ;)
Title: Re: Refurbishing my Centipede
Post by: Superully on July 28, 2010, 07:51:20 PM
i'll bring my cab over guys: why not do three in a row 8)
Title: Re: Refurbishing my Centipede
Post by: ckong on May 14, 2012, 08:02:11 PM
Wow, has it been that loooooooooong!!!!!!  :o

almost two years since i last worked on this great game. Anyway, the gameroom is nearing its completion, and I am slowly getting in the mood again to do someting about some games. So last weekend i moved a few games to he gameroom (Gravitar and Black widow make a great couple) and yesterday I reassembled the Centipede again after the empty cab had been standing in a little shed for almost 16 months or so. and fortunately, it worked right away, after a little adhustment of the horizontal hold. And the screen still shows very nice and bight colours and a sharp image. So, the original Electrohome G07 is still going strong.  ;D And besides the trackbaal with bearings, I didn't replace anything else.

Here are some pics

(http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f307/ckong65/Gameroom%20built/P1000638.jpg)

(http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f307/ckong65/Gameroom%20built/P1000640.jpg)

Yes, i know, there is no CPO on it. I guess most of yo know the story behind it, but I can't wait any longer, so after I come back from my holiday, I will order a repro one at TOG, be it the correct Euro colors or not.

another thing that still has to be done, is the front panel. I repaired all scratches and wood chips and it now is ready to be covered. At first I was thinking about just doing a paint job, but I also might go for black laminate. I got a sample today from a shop not too far away from my home and it looks good.

(http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f307/ckong65/Gameroom%20built/P1000642.jpg)

It's not completely smooth, like the original laminate, but it might do the job. Although I still have some questions about how to process it. Does someone have experience with this thin laminate (0.8 mm)?  ??? It would be great if this works, because I have more cabs which could use it, for example Gravitar, Breakout and Asteroids.

finally I have to replace the fire button. I got one from Bob Robert's together with the trackball and some other parts, but it happens that I ordered the wrong one. It's too long!  >:(  

(http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f307/ckong65/Gameroom%20built/P1000641.jpg)

Because I don't know where to get a new one (I will not order one button at Bob's place, his payment procedure is too complicated and expensive for that), I was wondering if one of you has a new spare one left, to sell to me?
Title: Re: Refurbishing my Centipede
Post by: level42 on May 14, 2012, 08:20:25 PM
I don't think I have one but maybe you have some spacers so you can place the leaf-holder at a further distance from the panel ? Works fine.

Why not order the CPO at Rich now, and pick it up during your holiday ?  ;) ;) ;) ;) ;D ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: Refurbishing my Centipede
Post by: Belike on May 14, 2012, 09:25:47 PM
Very nice one, if the spacer trick does not work, I might have 2 buttons for you. ;)
Title: Re: Refurbishing my Centipede
Post by: Arch on May 15, 2012, 12:07:26 AM
I ordered some buttons, ebay item number 180843211160, some time ago: quick shipping, and the price is not too bad considering how hard they are to find. One of the buttons I bought was actually put in my Centipede today!  ;D
Title: Re: Refurbishing my Centipede
Post by: ckong on May 15, 2012, 12:17:35 AM
Thanks, I will check it out.
Title: Re: Refurbishing my Centipede
Post by: Arch on September 18, 2012, 08:20:27 PM
I am kind of curious how you laminate experience went down, Ckong. Would you care to share?
I have to find some black laminate to fix the front plates of my Centipede, Stargate and Pole Position II, and I don't really know where to start.
Title: Re: Refurbishing my Centipede
Post by: ckong on September 18, 2012, 09:11:13 PM
Well, I did not start with it yet, too much other things to do. but one of these days I will get me a large sheet and then  will make an attempt.
Title: Re: Refurbishing my Centipede
Post by: ckong on July 09, 2014, 07:26:13 PM
One of these days is (again) almost two years later. Today it was time to install the CPO, that I bought years ago. I know that the colors are wrong for my European Centipede, but an European Centipede CPO is not available


(http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f307/ckong65/Centipede%20Road%20Trip/Refurbishing%20the%20Centipede/Centipede-CPO1-small_zps766047bd.jpg) (http://s50.photobucket.com/user/ckong65/media/Centipede%20Road%20Trip/Refurbishing%20the%20Centipede/Centipede-CPO1-small_zps766047bd.jpg.html)

(http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f307/ckong65/Centipede%20Road%20Trip/Refurbishing%20the%20Centipede/Centipede-CPO2-small_zpsdaf32d6c.jpg) (http://s50.photobucket.com/user/ckong65/media/Centipede%20Road%20Trip/Refurbishing%20the%20Centipede/Centipede-CPO2-small_zpsdaf32d6c.jpg.html)

And I also changed back the original bearings. The bearings that I got in the BOB Roberts package didn't do well for me, because


......The plusses on ordering from Bob:

- he greases and breaks in all the bearings himself before shipping. In fact, the grease smells so strong, I wonder that it always comes through customs (at least for me).

Bob probably forgot to grease my bearings and I don't have the correct grease in house. Fortunately the original bearings still work very well.

Last thing to do is replacing the black laminate on the frontpanel. I got a large sheet some time ago, so ... it should last another two years to complete this 'project'.



Title: Re: Refurbishing my Centipede
Post by: Q*ris on July 09, 2014, 09:59:58 PM
Coincidentally, and I swear it's the truth, I had half an hour free before going to work this morning and I installed my new bearings and rollers from Bob Roberts while drinking my morning coffee.
They worked fine for me.
I'm still a bit scared about applying the CPO but I'll man up and do it in a few days.
Guess it was some sort of "Centipede Day" in Europe!
Anyway, good job, Erik!