Asteroids - Atari 1979

I purchased this game on 7/5/2009 from a local collector. The coin counter was at 24,619 when purchased and it has a serial #47087. Game overall is in decent shape, the game sounds are somewhat quiet and has a loud humming noise so that is probably the first thing I'll get fixed. This is game #10 in my collection.

Repair Log: Power supply rebuilt 7/9/09. Replaced 'Big Blue' cap with new one from Bob Roberts, replaced fuse block and all fuses, bridge rectifier NOT replaced due to different version than Bob Roberts kit.

Rebuilt audio/regulator board with kit from Bob Roberts on 7/11/09, including update from 1000uf to 3300uf caps at C9 and C10. Replaced diodes at CR3 and CR4 (not in BR kit).

Replaced marquee light 7/10/09 (original F15T12 15watt) with F15T8 15 watt. First tried an F15T12, but the bulb brightness was surging. May be ballast going bad. Replaced starter FS2 with a new FS2.

After rebuilding the original AR(rev1) board, the speaker hum was a little better, but still way too loud. I bought a new AR board (rev3) on ebay for $20 and recapped it, then installed it on 7/17/2009.

No more speaker hum :)

4/17/2011 The screen developed squiggly vectors last October. I replaced DAC 561J @B12 after finding a stuck pin with the logic probe, but the problem persisted. I piggybacked LS374@B11, LS157@B/C11, LS157@A11 to isolate the problem chip. Turns out it was LS157@A11. I socketed and replaced it and Asteroids is good as new again (see below)

12/26/2011 Audio began humming very load. Swapped out the ar board, no change. Suspect is a bad audio pre-amp on the game PCB (LM324N@P11). Will explore repair options...

1/15/2012 Socketed and replaced the LM324N @P11, no more hum (see below pic).

4/11/2012 Monitor bottom half now has vertical collapse. Cap kit + filter caps ordered from Bob Roberts.

4/14/2012 Rebuilt the 19V2000 monitor. Cap kit + filter caps (6800uf 50v x2) + chassis mount transistors (4) + bridge rectifier DB100 (used a 10A 1000V) + D100 diode + reflowed all headers (P700, P701, P500, P900). Should be bulletproof for quite a while.

Game Sold 8/10/2013

Repair Resources:

http://usbdesigntech.com/asteroids/asteroids_pcb_troubleshooting_notes.htm

http://www.ionpool.net/arcade/asteroidtech/asteroidsrepair.html#P5

Parts:

http://www.arcadechips.com/product_info.php?products_id=35

http://www.arcadechips.com/product_info.php?cPath=27_24&products_id=99

http://www.arcadechips.com/product_info.php?products_id=81

http://www.therealbobroberts.net/parts.html

Here's the front view. The monitor looks in good shape, just needs bezel glass and screen cleaned up. I got the marquee to light up by fiddling with the starter, needs new bulb and starter (fixed 7/10/2009).

The CPO is in fairly good condition. I may apply reproduction artwork at some point down the road.

Here's a picture of the main PCB's. Very clean with no visible signs of damage.

Here's the audio / voltage regulator board.

Here's the AR board after rebuild

Here's a wider picture of the back of the cabinet open. Looks all original including the dust :)

Here's the power supply assembly. I'll be cleaning this up and ordering a new 'Big Blue' cap, this one looks like there is something growing on it.

Here's the Power Supply after a little cleaning and a new big blue, fuses, etc.

Here's the monitor deflection board. This is a Wells 19V2000 monitor.

The picture tube is an Amperex M50-102W

There are two coin counters in this machine. The other one is at 24,618.

High Score Save kit installed on 12/10/2009

Vectors developed squiggles around 10/31/2010. I checked the DAC's with a logic probe and pin 6 of B12 is stuck low.

I replaced the DAC 561J and here's what it looks like now:

The issue turned out to be a bad LS157 @A11. Here's a picture of the bad chip.

And here's what it looks like after the repair.

The screen is once again sharp and crisp.

1/15/2012 Machine started humming extremely loud in December. All sounds were still working, but hard to hear them with the loud hum. Replaced LM324N @P11 fixed it.

4/11/2012 bottom half of screen is collapsed. Ordered cap kit + filter caps from Bob Roberts:

Here's the 19V2000 deflection board about midway through the rebuild. I replaced everything circled.

After the full rebuild, picture looks great again. Capped the deflection board and HV cage, replaced bridge rectifier DB100, diode D100, replaced all fuses, replaced main filter caps (6800uf50v x 2), reflowed all header pins, replaced chassis mounted transistors (4).