Tron

[david_orton_2000]

Hey there!

I've still got repairs to do for my Tron (was Guddler's long ago).
Still plays, but:-
(1) Intermittent sound -> which I think is the crappy Sip ribbons, however tough as I cannot just use 50way SCSI ribbon cables, i.e. no pins on PCB (opposite). So either I de-solder them and replace all with pin-headers for the cables, or use a double-pin-header, however don't know if one exists....
Any ideas, etc. welcome.

(2) Bad graphics in places, so again probably ribbon cables.

(3) Hi-score does not save anymore, probably bad battery, so may do the CR2032 conversion.
-> Has anyone done that yet?

Basically, all my cabs have various issues, so a long list, but Tron is at the top.
Both my Eprom programmers died tho recently, so they are now first. One is PC based, Stag programmer and the other a Data I/O 29B (now partly dead, as smoke poored out whilst it was on, which maybe duff caps in the filter circuit).... :-(

Cheers,
DaveO.

EDIT - Moved to Technical from Fix Logs as this isn't a Fix Log

DanP2013-01-30 09:47:52

 

[david_orton_2000]

Oooh my bad, commented on a fix-log....sorry! :-(
Ok, so now it is in the right place, thx!

 

[DanP]

Hi Dave, for 1), that sounds a pain. I've only ever seen that on a Kick board not a Tron. Maybe take the header off a scrapped Tron (if you or anyone has one).

2) Yeah it could be cables or I'd suspect a bad ROM (which might show in self test else check it with a Fluke), or a bad graphics ram.

3) I'd recommend going with one of the power replacement boards for MCR. These replace the old Linear and allow you to use a switcher in it's place. It also has a modern battery on it to provide the hi score power. You can also replace the battery on the linear with something more modern. I think I used a standard rechargable NIMH cell of the same value (about the size of 5p coin) and just soldered wires on it/at the board. It worked perfectly. It was something like this http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/VARTA-MEMPAC-3V80H-3-6V-NI-MH-BACK-UP-BATTERY-PCB-Mount-3xV80H-3-V80H-/260890458144?pt=UK_ConsumerElectronics_Batteries_SM&hash=item3cbe487820

Check the manual for what is required, that one is only an illustration, you need one with the same characteristics as the original one.

Cheers,

Dan

 

[david_orton_2000]

Hi Dan,

Excellent.
Thanks for the advice.
I will hunt in the pcb spares for another Tron set and/or change the headers.
...I feel a repair log coming on!!!

All the best,
DaveO.

 

[guddler]

Dave neglected to say it's a rather awesome Zaccaria Tron. Much, much better cab's than the original Midway's but yeah, the interconnects are indeed different

 

[bbz149]

Dave neglected to say it's a rather awesome Zaccaria Tron. Much, much better cab's than the original Midway's but yeah, the interconnects are indeed different

Yeah, I agree fully. I also have a Zac and much better build quality than that chipboard stuff

 

[david_orton_2000]

Cabinet...ok, working game...better!

 

[DanP]

Midway Tron isn't basic chipboard iirc. From recollection it's one of the sturdiest cabs I have, heavy as fook too.

Dave, post some pix up of the Zac Tron, be interested to see it

Dan