S * T J FEBRUARY 1982 5
ATARI
START
* BEZEL * CHANGE
BY TODD ERICKSON , SUMMIT AMUSEMENT, ST. PAUL, MN
The new Atari games have the control panels covered with vinyl. Because of this, the player start bezels can
be unscrewed very easily. To correct this, Atari has just released a new bezel, starting with "Tempest". The
new bezel has two points on the bottom. Earlier games must have the control panel notched for these points.
The washer and nut that were used on the switch before have been eliminated, so the switch sits closer to the
panel. The switch must be screwed into the bezel now. The bezel is also higher, thus the button is protected.
When earlier games (ie. "Asteroids", "Missile Command", etc.) are shopped, I recommend that this bezel be
installed in all cases. These games are excellent earners and will be in the field for many years. Many of the
games also have cigarette bums on the bezels. The new bezels will dress up the old game and help eliminate a
service call.
GREMLIN/SEGA
"FROGGER"
* AUDIO * MOD
BY JEFF SHUE, ENTERTAINMENT VENDING, DODGE CITY, KS
Regarding intermittent audio problems with Gremlin/Sega's "Frogger" . .. all audio disappears upon initiation
of a credit, for the duration of the game. This problem randomly occurs at different times, but never during the
game play, only upon initiating a credit. The problem stems from static entering the game logic, due to a
poorly grounded coin door. I found that paint under the ground bolt in the door frame was increasing the
resistance to ground path by anywhere from 20 to 60 ohms. The cure for this is cleaning the paint from under
the ground bolt in the door frame, and the addition of a ground wire to the door itself. For added protection, I
installed .01 capacitors from the blue wire on the coin acceptor switches to ground, and from the brown wire
on the service switch to ground, to further protect the game logic from any static discharge. It worked for me!
BALLY
"EIGHT BALL" DELUXE
* BRIDGE * RECTIFIERS
BY DANIEL ZA VARO, SAN FRANCISCO MUSIC AND GAMES , SAN FRANCISCO, CA
I have replaced bridge rectifiers on FOUR Bally "Eight Ball Deluxe" machines recently. These rectifiers, used
for lamp illumination, can fail by shorting and thus blow the 20 amp fuse.
These rectifiers can also fail by becoming open. This is a more subtle failure mode. It is not at all obvious in
the lamp circuits; they are still quite bright. The trouble appears in the ejector for the OUT hole. It sometimes
fails to kick out the ball.
The cure is simple - use a larger rectifier. The present one is rated at 20 amps, 200 volts. It runs very hot
and works too hard. Remove it and install one rated at 40 amps, 200 volts (Part #SK9101). Locate it as far
away as possible on the metal heat sink. Use silicone grease to make a good thermal connection to the heat
sink. Use heavy gage wire, #12AWG.
MURPHY'S LAW #312
Don't force it; get a larger hammer.