Earthshaker value?

[robm]

There is an Earthshaker i can get at the moment for $200, but there's quite a long list of problems...

Main thing is the power supply board is fried- there is a section on the back all scorched that has eaten into a few of the circuit lines (dunno what they are called) so i'm pretty sure the board would just need to be replaced?


He has disconnected the power supply board and as soon as i turned the machine on it tripped the safety switch in the house.  Now with my limited knowledge i'm pretty sure disconnecting the board won't cause this, so i presume the problem is somewhere else that caused the board to fry. This is my main concern - finding this fault....any suggestions or places to look if i decide to go back?

Other issue is he said the display sometimes fades and sometimes numbers don't display correctly, so again i assume this could be on the way out.

The playfield is OK 3 small places if paint wear, otherwise filthy but nothing a good clean won't fixed - needs all new rubbers and probably quite a few globes - flippers felt OK but may need a rebuild.

The backglass is totally shagged, 40% is flaked off completely and i assume these are not readily available (or cheap) items.

Cabinet has been repainted a flat blue, and the bottom has some moisture swelling and some of the sides at the bottom have some timber flakes coming off.

So....what do you guys reckon, again my biggest concern is the reason why the board fried - i don't have a heap of knowledge about this stuff but am happy testing everything with the multimeter if i know what to look for.  If i have to spend around $500 on the electrical stuff and still be left with a stuffed backglass and cabinet (although i'm happy enough to build a new cabinet) dunno if its worth the trouble...

suggestions?

Thanks  Rob

[MartyJ]

Robm,

I reckon for $200.00 you cant go wrong.  I would think parts alone in that condition would be well worth it.

I bought a Police Force (Sys 11b).  Very easy to work on, there would probably be a few things you need to do but with the PinRepair guides is very very easy.

I bought a brand new PinScore display for mine (cost about $400 AUD landed) but I loved the machine so was not even an issue.  My old display was 99% working before I replaced it (after repair) but still needed 1 x chip to fix.  They are $20.00US and quite rare.

I'm pretty sure Greg stocks the kits to rebuild the powersupplies to.  Or can be sourced from GPE if not available here.

Re the backglass.  Not sure about this.  I understand there are translights available for some of the Sys11b games.  If there is one for you - easy solution.

The cabinet...Not sure about this one.  I would work on pcb's all day long rather than fix  cabs...   But I would not let it deter you.

My vote - buy it.

[Strangeways]

Boards can be fixed - and even if you had to buy new boards or have the old ones replaced - you would still be ahead.

I'd buy it if I were you as it could be a great learning experience at the very least.

[robm]

Thanks for the reply's so far.

After reading through some of the pinrepair guides, it seems the display issue is common and is quite possibly a fairly cheap fix.

I see on ebay i can get a new rottendog power supply board delivered for around AU$200.  I guess my concern is that i need to find out what blew it in the 1st place and really have no idea where to start, although i would assume the problem would have to be before the power supply board if it blew it - and the fact with the board disconnected it is tripping the house safety switch.

[MartyJ]

Thanks for the reply's so far.

After reading through some of the pinrepair guides, it seems the display issue is common and is quite possibly a fairly cheap fix.

I see on ebay i can get a new rottendog power supply board delivered for around AU$200.  I guess my concern is that i need to find out what blew it in the 1st place and really have no idea where to start, although i would assume the problem would have to be before the power supply 

I don't ever touch pre 240v side of machines.  There is not much to it.  Could be something as simple as a broken wire within the 240v box touching earth.  If it was me, I would drop it off at a local repairers (like Marks), get them to check / repair the 240v side and take the rest on as a project.

[robm]

Local repairers in Townsville are pretty few and far between.  I've done a bit of 240 stuff and have a couple of mates who are sparky's so might call them in.

[ajlaird]

Hard to go wrong for $200, and this title is supposed to be a good one. If it was offered to me I would buy it straight away.

[v8racefan]

a steal @ $200

[Marty Machine]

Mate ! BUY IT !

Plenty of us here will point out the probs as you find them.
As mentioned above, even if you need to replace most boards you're still WAY ahead.

If you don't buy it, one of us will hahahahahaha.

MM.

[markc]

buy it 
at that price you cant go wrong
and if you dont want it  i am sure one of the members here will pay more for it and give it a new home

[robm]

Well, i went and picked it up this afternoon, see pics below...

[robm]

Some more...

Now i'll start a thread in the repairs section where the fun starts....

[MartyJ]

Awesome pickup.

Hmm, that board almost looks like it had a surge or something kill it.

I would seek further opinions, but I reckon you could invest in a replacement PSU for it...Dont like the chances of repairing it.

If you need display parts, let me know as I'll probably part my old Police Force one out.

[robm]

Thanks Marty, will contact you when i get to the display sorted - first thing is the power supply - see thread in repairs.

[ajlaird]

Basically the playfield looks pretty neat, so I think you have a winner there.

Backglass? I think I would be looking for a replacement unless you want to live with it for now.

Power board is interesting; if it was me, I would probably try to repair the board - but I don't like parting with money too quickly if there is a cheaper fix.