Star Tech Journal

Issue: 1984-August - Vol 6 Issue 6

_ _ A_u_G_us_T_1_9_a4 _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ $TAR*,ECH
MANUFACTS
ATARI SWITCHINCJ POWER SUPPLY
PRECAUTIONS
T
roubleshooting aids are provided
throughout this manual. The following
information is intended to acquaint the service
technician with useful troubleshooting
information.
PRECAUTIONS
Do not troubleshoot the switching power
supply until you are thoroughly familiar with
all precautions described below. Failure to
observe these precautions could result in
serious personal injury or damage to the
power supply.


NEVER defeat the overcurrent protection
circuit comprised of BR1, U2, and 03. If
this circuit continues to trigger and is
defeated, the power MOSFET 01 and 02
may be destroyed.
When checking the circuitry connected to
the line voltage, ALWAYS use an isolated
oscilloscope.

If 01 and 02 fail, replace both transistors
even if one seems to be operating property.
Also, replace R21-R24 even if they seem
to be undamaged.

NEVER try to operate only one MOSFET
01 or 02.

The 5-volt output must have at least a 1-
ampere load for proper operation. If oper-
ated under no load, the supply will generate
a series of very short pulses.

A lightly overloaded condition can cause
the pulse width to be very narrow and may
not set comparator U2 into the latched
condition.
~
VALUE-PACHEO
COMPONENTS.
In just a few years NTE replacement
semiconductors have become the
electronic games industry standard for
quality and value!
And to back up that claim of quality,
we back NTE replacement parts with an
exclusive two-year warranty.
So, next time you need a quality
semiconductor, look for the big green
and white NTE!
QUALITY REPLACEMENT SEMICONDUCTORS
FOR THE ELECTRONIC GAMES INDUSTRY,
INCLUDING THE FOLLOWING
MANUFACTURERS:
• ATARI
• GREMLIN
• BALLY
• MIDWAY
• CINEMATRONICS • STERN
• EXIDY
• WILLIAMS
• GOTTLIEB
Available from your local NTE distributor
CIRCUIT DESCRIPTION
A detailed circuit description of the switching
power supply is provided in Chapter 3 of your
Atari Service Manual TM-238. Refer to this
description to obtain a thorough knowledge
of the operation of the supply circuitry before
attempting to troubleshoot.
NEW-TONE ELECTRONICS, INC.
DEPT. STJ
44 Farrand St. • Bloomfield, NJ 07003
STAR*TECH
JOURNAL
AL'S
AUDIO VIDEO
TECHNICAL
SEMINARS
D
istributor-sponsored S•T J Technical
Seminars are available at no cost to
any distributors interested in assisting their
clients understand operation and mainten-
ance of videos, pins and lasers.
The course is flexible enough to be offered
as a 1 ·, 2-, or 5-day seminar depending upon
your requirements. The course covers Basic
Electronics (electron theory and semicon-
ductors), Video Game Systems (power supplies,
control panel interfaces, rasterscan and X-Y
monitors), Electronic Pinball Systems (elec-
Ironic digital systems), Troubleshooting
Techniques, Test Equipment (digital multi-
meters and logic probes), Proper Soldering
Techniques, Videodisc Operation and Main-
tenance, How to Read Electronic Schematics
and other essential skills.
If you'd like to sponsor an S•T J Technical
Seminar, contact Star•Tech Journal at
609/662-3432 and ask for our information
package. This package helps you plan your
promotion for a successful seminar.
EXPERT SERVICE
ALL PIONEER
LASER DISC PLAYERS
FORMER PIONEER
ENGINEER ON DUTY.
FACTORY
AUTHORIZED
SHIP-IN OR LOCAL
PHONE 201 /342-7634
MOVING? CI.UEBTIONB?
Your address label contains your subscriber
account number in the top right. We can more
readily change your address or answer your
questions if we know this number. If you are
moving and don't have your label, just fill out
the information at right and we'll update your
account.
OLDADDRES ■
NEWADDRE ■■
l
Ycu name _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
Ycu name
Company-------------
Company-------------
Address
Ctty/Stata'Zlp _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
Address _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
Clty/Stata'Zlp _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
Account#-------------
__ s _____ CTAR*-rECH JOURNll'~11.., _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ A_uG_u_s_r_1_98_4 _ _
CALL
VIDEO GAMES CAN CAUSE
INTERFERENCE TO RADIO
COMMUNICATIONS
916-361-0565
I
WATER SOLUBLE
RESIN
This NEW solder has a
flux that you can clean off
with a brush and a few
drops of water.
22-gauge, 1 pound roll -
$18.95
Laserdisc repair
service on
Pioneer,
Sylvania,
Magnavox,
Phillips
and MCA
25¢ conversion module
for 50¢ games
• One module per game
• Adjustable coin each
• Easy installation
• Module mounts behind
coin door
$24.95 each
TEM: State Police of a western state
complained to the Federal
Communication Commission that coin·
operated electronic games were causing
harmful interference to highway police
communications.
Operators should be aware that ALL amuse-
ment games, jukeboxes and vending
equipment having electrical parts may cause
interterence to police and other emergency
communications.
PROBLEMS AND ISSUES
The Federal Communication Commission
has received a number of complaints that
electric pulses from video games which have
not been properly shielded have caused inter-
ference with police and emergency
communications. The Atlanta office of the
FCC has been working on this problem and
will be the test area for the rest of the country.
The FCC Regional Office in Atlanta held a
meeting on June 6 with representatives from
AMOA, AVMDA and AGMA to discuss this
problem. Since December 1982, video games
are now covered under Class A computing
devices of the FCC rules. A computing device
is defined as follows:
Any electronic device or system that
generates and uses timing signals or pulses
at a rate in excess of 10,000 pulses per
second and uses digital techniques;
inclusive of telephone equipment that
utilizes digital techniques or any device or
system that generates and utilizes radio
frequency energy for the purpose of
performing data processing functions, such
as electronic computations, operations,
transformations, recording, filing, sorting,
storage, retrieval, or transfer.
OPERATOR ALERT
Logic board repair
service - pinball boards
and videos only; color
and black and white
monitor repair service.
LINEAR
ELECTRONICS
9795-H Business Park Dr.
Sacramento, CA 95827
The FCC is still in the process of revising Rule
15 which covers this area. Nevertheless, with
the rapid increase of conversion kits, there
are a number of precautions that must be
taken by operators so that you are not in
violation of the law. Operators are urged to
read carefully the following and take whatever
steps are necessary in your present business
practices:
1. Amusement games manufactured prior to
December 1982 are "Grandfathered" in
this rule.
2. The following warning label must appear on
the outside of the cabinet in plain sight and
must be permanently attached:
This equipment complies with the
requirements in Part 15 of FCC Rules for
a Class A computing device. Operation of
this equipment in a residential area may
cause unacceptable interference to radio
and TV reception requiring the operator
to take whatever steps are necessary to
correct the interference.
3. It is a violation for a manufacturer to sell a
conversion kit without the above label.
4. ALL conversion kits must be installed in
previously approved cabinets (containing
the warning label). Any kit put into a cabinet
which previously did not comply must now
comply with this regulation. (Note: equip-
ment may be seized if in non-compliance.)
5. Conversion kits must be installed properly
and according to the specific directions
contained in the installation manual. Any
kits improperly installed will be a violation
against the person responsible for instal-
lation.
6. Conversion kits should state the power
supply to be used. Making any modifications
in order to increase the power would be a
violation on the part of the operator.
7. All protective shields either on existing
games or those provided with conversion
kits must be properly installed and/or
replaced after repair service.
8. If you have any questions on compliance,
you can contact your district office of the
FCC or write to the AMOA AMOA will then
forward all questions to the Atlanta office
for a response. The title of the person to
contact at your district office is the Public
Services Director.
AMOA will continue to keep you advised on
developments as they occur in this area.
MURPHY'S • _AW
#606
In a hierarchical organization, the higher the level, the greater the confusion.

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