4
STAR*TECH JOURNAL/NOVEMBER 1982
VIDEO
GAME
SPECIALIST
We can repair most current
video game P.C. boards at the
lowest prices.
We are also available for
consulting and designing video
game software and hardware.
We can turn your ideas into a
new video game.
Contact us first for your
electronic supplies: PROMs,
I.C. chips, and all game board
related parts.
I.AD.,inc.
171-01 Jamaica Ave.
Jamaica, NY 11432
212-739-0758
TECHNICIAN COMPONENTS GROUP
QUALITY REPLACEMENT
SEMICONDUCTORS
AVAILABLE FOR THE
ELECTRONIC GAMES
INDUSTRY,
INCLUDING THE FOLLOWING
MANUFACTURERS,
• ATARI
• GREMLIN
• BALLY
• MIDWAY
• CINEMATRONICS • STERN
• EXIDY
• WILLIAMS
• GOTTLIEB
AVAILABLE FROM YOUR LOCAL
TCG DISTRIBUTOR
Rush me a FREE Electronic Games
cross reference Gulde #CR10
GAME SECURITY* NEW PRODUCT/K-TRON SCALE* "TRON" HANDLES
* "ZAXXON" JOYSTICK* HUM BAR AND "MS. PAC-MAN"
* "SATAN'S HOLLOW' POWER SUPPLY JUMPER
By Todd Erickson, Summit Amusement, St. Paul, MN
Game Security
Due to our present economy, I have many more
break-ins now than a few years ago. Most of the
break-ins occur during normal business hours. A
lock on the coin box will usually eliminate the
money being removed. A few manufacturers,
however, do not have a tab on the coin box so that it
can be locked in place. Also, since a large amount
of money is invested in these games, there should
be a loud sound ( alarm) that the game makes if the
coin door is opened without using the lock!
The operator who will still be in business next
year must cut all expenses he possibly can. I have
spent a lot of money replacing locks that have been
damaged during a break-in. A large percentage of
my locks are Duo from Illinois Lock Company.
This is an excellent lock as far as security is
concerned, preventing someone from using another
key. From the standpoint of break-ins, however, it
is horrible! If the game is pried open, you can plan
on buying a new lock. From their viewpoint of
sales this is an excellent feature. The screw that
holds the cam to the lock uses about four threads in
pot metal. Even a small screwdriver will pry the
coin door open. I would like to point out, also, that
this is an expensive lock. Many other manufacturers
are in the same position as Duo. The cam is many
times stronger than the lock. It is my feeling that
the cam should be the weak link in the system. I
would rather buy a 35¢ cam than an $8 lock!
One of the pinball manufacturers previously
used an "L" bracket with a slot to reinforce the
cam. The end of the cam could then be made weak
so the door is not the weak link. I also use some
Abloy locks. Again, security is excellent Their
quality is not always the best, though. A few of my
keys won't work in all of their locks. If the door is
pried open on an Abloy lock, the door holds quite
well. The weak link here is the end of the lock. The
brass stud will strip. Abloy claims the stud is
replaceable, but it looks like a lot of work for a few
dollars' savings. A weaker cam would make more
sense.
If anyone in the field has any information
regarding lock manufacturers whose products
have aided in the prevention of break-ins, we
would like to hear from you. Please send the
information to StartTechJournal, PO Box 1065,
Merchantville, New Jersey 08109, Attn: Editor.
New Product/K-Tron Scale
I purchaed a K-Tron scale a few weeks ago after
using one from another operator. So far, I feel this
might be an excellent investment for the medium-
to-large operator. The scale will weigh coins or
bills. It is accurate to within one dollar in five
hundred. The bill scale is good for checking money
being sent to the bank. I will report more as I
become more experienced with it
"Tron" Handles
I have noticed a few small cracks in the handles on
my Midway "Tron" games near the screw hole.
Visual inspection of this area will eliminate a
service call before the handle breaks away.
"Zaxxon" Joystick
The free kit that is available for the Gremlin
" Zaxxon" joystick has eliminated all service calls
on it If you haven't received your kit, contact your
distributor.
Hum Bar and "Ms. Pac-Man"
One of my Midway "Ms. Pac-Man" games has
developed a hum bar in the video. My first thought
was that the monitor had developed a problem.
Substituting a different monitor did not eliminate
this. The PCB also checked out fine. After checking
out the static board, I still could not locate the
problem. "Whatiswrongthen?"youmayask. The
problem was in one of the fuse blocks. The game
will work with one of the fuses missing! This is
because they use a center-tapped transformer with
fused 7vac and 15vac outputs. This is rectified and
filtered for the +5vdc and +12vdc regulator
inputs. With half of the input wave missing, the
filter cap may not produce a high enough DC
voltage. This was causing the +5vdc regulator to
"drop out" and the resulting hum bar in the video
display.
"Satan's Hollow" Power Supply Jumper
"Satan's Hollow" is Midway's latest game and it
has the potential of being their next big hit My first
one, however, had a loud audio hum. Cutting
Jumper JW4 (located on the lower left-hand side
of the Power Supply Board) eliminated this hum.
Midway stated that a few of these games that left
the factory may have this jumper installed
improperly. If you are experiencing this problem
with your "Satan's Hollow", check this first
COMPANY NAME
YOUR NAME
TITLE
BALLY/MIDWAY
ADDRESS
CITY
STATE
ZIP CODE
PHONE NO.
CLIP AND MAIL TODAY TO:
NEW-TONE ELECTRONICS/TCG
DEPT. G1/44 FARRAND STREET
BLOOMFIELD, NEW JERSEY 07003
TOLL-FREE SERVICE NUMBERS
For Pinball Service,
please call the BALLYPINBALLDMSION
at their toll-free number
For Video Game Service,
please call BALLY/MIDWAY MFG. CO.
at their toll-free number
800/323-3555
800/323-7182