Atari couplers a035220
- Thread starter hendrix77
- Start date
Also checkout this thread that might help - https://forums.arcade-museum.com/threads/fix-atari-a035220-02-steering-board.322702/
If you plug in the board can you see the two optocoupler leds lit? Apparently they are wired in series so if one sensor is out neither will work.
"One problem I've found for a "No steering" symptom as if the board is not connected is this:
Look closely at the steering/trackball board. Notice that BOTH of the LED (light emitter) sections are wired in SERIES with each other. That means if one of the LEDs inside the opto coupler unit dies, it kills power to the other LED. Hence the unit appears dead. The phototransistors inside the coupler unit then have no light at all getting to either of the phototransistors. So no light = no movement."
If you plug in the board can you see the two optocoupler leds lit? Apparently they are wired in series so if one sensor is out neither will work.
"One problem I've found for a "No steering" symptom as if the board is not connected is this:
Look closely at the steering/trackball board. Notice that BOTH of the LED (light emitter) sections are wired in SERIES with each other. That means if one of the LEDs inside the opto coupler unit dies, it kills power to the other LED. Hence the unit appears dead. The phototransistors inside the coupler unit then have no light at all getting to either of the phototransistors. So no light = no movement."
Ok I can’t see any lights on them at all to me it just looks like a bit of black plastic. But i will take another look later when I have time. All the pins have continuity so I’m guessing they all work ? Maybe just dirty ?
Try use your phone camera to check the LEDs are working correctly as infrared (not visible to eye i think). I've just snapped a quick pic of the opto encoder on my missile command - you see the two purple leds in the attached pic?
Essentially you have 2 leds that shine an infrared light to a sensor. As the plastic wheel turns it breaks/unbreaks the beam and that dictates movement. If you have any crap over the the led/sensor or the LEDs are bust then no movement. I'd try cleaning the optocoupler, check for LED's, swap the board from another wheel and validate working before going about purchasing a new board as that may not fix your issue if wiring/continuity problem.
Essentially you have 2 leds that shine an infrared light to a sensor. As the plastic wheel turns it breaks/unbreaks the beam and that dictates movement. If you have any crap over the the led/sensor or the LEDs are bust then no movement. I'd try cleaning the optocoupler, check for LED's, swap the board from another wheel and validate working before going about purchasing a new board as that may not fix your issue if wiring/continuity problem.
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Result turns out it was just a cotton bud thing gave them both a wipe and bingo both working thank you so much saved me so much hassle money and time 👌🙏Try use your phone camera to check the LEDs are working correctly as infrared (not visible to eye i think). I've just snapped a quick pic of the opto encoder on my missile command - you see the two purple leds in the attached pic?
Essentially you have 2 leds that shine an infrared light to a sensor. As the plastic wheel turns it breaks/unbreaks the beam and that dictates movement. If you have any crap over the the led/sensor or the LEDs are bust then no movement. I'd try cleaning the optocoupler, check for LED's, swap the board from another wheel and validate working before going about purchasing a new board as that may not fix your issue if wiring/continuity problem.
Happy days - glad it was an easy fix
