Star Tech Journal

SNK P.O. W. Credit
Modifications
~
Atari Assault
Leaf Switches
Neal Zook
SNK Corporation of America
Sunnyvale, California
Doug Hutton
EBSGames
Poway, California
SNK Corporation of America's Technical
Service Department has received a number
of calls regarding Prisoners ofWarintermit-
tently not giving a credit when a coin is
inserted. The problem does not seem to be
caused by the same component in every case
and we have not been able to duplicate the
problem in-house. Several customers have
been able to eliminate the problem by per-
forming one of the following:
PROBLEM
1. Adjust the coin switch actuator wire, in
some cases the problem can be solved by
adjusting the wire up slightly.
2. Replace the coin switch, several operators
have successfully eliminated the problem
simply by replacing the microswitch.
3. Install a capacitor across the coin switch.
This will eliminate the problem in every case
and not harm the game. We have heard that
using any value between luf and l0uf
electrolytic (at least lOvdc) will eliminate the
problem. This component is polarized, so be
certain that the (-) lead is conn'!cted to the
common (ground) terminal of the mi-
croswitch.
If you have any questions regarding Prison-
ers of War or these modifications, please
,~contact SNK's Customer Service Depart-
ment Monday through Friday, between 8:00
am to 5:00 pm Pacific Time at 408/736-
8844.
Has anyone else been experiencing frequent
leaf switch failure with the fire buttons on
their Assaults? The piece of spring steel that
adds tension to the fire buttons just snaps in
half. Ours have been failing at about one per
week, and at eight dollars a switch it begins
to add up!
SOLUTION
I fmally replaced our leaf switches with
micro switches and although the buttons
now have a "harder" feel to them, the players
don't seem to mind and rve had no problems
in over three weeks.
Sega Replies
Dari Davidson
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Last nwnth's article "Resourcefulness• by Ronnie Belitz of Larlc
Amusement. Bristol, TN drew a response from Segds Manager.
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Currently, I have two motors on my table missing ;,.
brush caps. I have taken these items out of inven- : ~✓- ":
tory and sent the brush caps to distributors be- 1
cause of your report that they were unobtainable. J
The old administration at Sega would never have
done this, but I have a policy: I will do whatever it
takes to get a game up -no matter what! If there is
a way I can help the customer, any way, I will do it
(even if it means disabling an entire motor!).
Please remember this when it comes time to shop
any Segagame and you need to order parts. Ronnie,
I will do my very best to keep you out of K Marts in
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