RFM Monitor Amplifier Question

[Private Gimp]

Hello.

Iam trying to install an Ultimarc video amp on my Revenge from Mars which has a Duckscan setup.
Has anybody here successfully added the amp on a Pin2000 with a Duckscan?

If so, do you have any pics of the wiring. I have tried to set it up as per Clays guide directives but get jumbled picture (albeit the white is amplified).
I tried tying the RGB earths together etc but no luck on getting a stable picture.
The Ultimarc Amp is the newer version and I have connected 5V+ and -ve to the PC power supply and Iam sure its powering up.
Iam sure I have the wiring wrong, can some one steer me in the right direction.

regards,
Cliff


 

[Private Gimp]

If antbody's interested, I found this Pic.
I'll try it like this and let you all know.

Cliff

[Private Gimp]

I tried wiring it up and the wiring and mod shown in the pic works.

Funny that this is the only bit of information I could find on using the amp with a Duckscan. The pic only and no other information.
Most of the info I found including Clay's repair bible only references the Wells Gardiner setups and shows the Duckscan cable pinouts and nothing more.
The pic came from a fellow with the user name of SOL50 on a pic hosting site and found it via google several pages in on a 'RFM CGA Monitor Amplifier' search. No explanation, just the pic.

I wired it up this way using Molex mini-fit connectors (Pin2000 spec) for plug and play so I can easily unplug and reverse the mod and had a stable picture but a bit of image warp distortion, certainly does increase the brightness and maybe a little bit too much I think.
I need to put a cap component kit through the Duckscan so I'll connect the amp up again after this.
Might see of Jomac has a take on whats happening here. I didn't take a pic but I will for Jomac and post it shortly.
 
So there you have it. Hope it aids in aiding somebody else's duckscan monitor amplifier add-on needs in future.
 
regards,
Cliff

 

[pinball god]

Good on ya Cliff. This should help others alright. I was thinking of getting one of these but have a new monitor waiting to replace my Duckscan. Would be keen to see what your thoughts are of the improvements made by the amplifier.

[Private Gimp]

Here are some pics with the monitor amp connected
I havent changed the Caps yet and need to because the image isnt stabilising (shakes a bit) horizontally until it warms up.
Hopefully the problem you see will be sorted after this hopefully. The brightness has been adjusted/reduced from the flyback and daughterboard to give the best image possible.
I think its too much contrast and I tried turning it down from the daughterboard to give the best image I could get.
Have a look and what do you think?

[ddstoys]

  . I turned mine on last night and have lost all the green from the display was not happy.       Hopefully new caps will clean up your issues looks nice and bright though

[Strangeways]

Topmost picture looks to be a purity issue - especially with the green. I'd drop the brightness and adjust purity - which should be the lower set of adjustment "dials" on the yoke.

Just be very careful around this area. Monitor's are unforgiving !

[Private Gimp]

I tried adjusting the purity/focus on the yoke ever so slightly each time from one end to the other of the dial (with a heavily insulated p/h screw driver of course).
The whites come out very bright but the amp seems to over-drive the brightness. I realise that a balance needs to be struck between the adjustments on the yoke and daughter board and I cannot get rid of or minimise the problem with the stretching of the words as shown in the pic. The Joe screen is really odd. Just can't work that one out.
I do need to renovate the electronics, not just the caps but go over it for dry joints, connectors, resistors etc.

When I remove the amp and re-adjust the picture it is just fine and normal good quality.

Anyway, I'll post some pics of the cap kit change and board works and the parts are on their way from Mouser.

[Private Gimp]

Sorry Strangeways,
I meant that I tried the focus and brightness on the flyback but I now see that you mean the Yoke board on the end of the tube.
I havent tried this but I will, it looks difficult unless I remove the the tube/chassis. Thanks for the suggestion and i'll give it a go.

regards,
Cliff

[beaky]

yep they are bit hard to get to, helps to have a very steady hand, its like a game of operation but the only difference is your nose will glow bright red if you touch the wrong part.
the one i adjusted a few months ago bit me a couple of times, then i found the leak in the H.T. lead (you think I would have repaired it after the first zap but thats me), repaired it and then I could adjust them without getting a zap.  

[Hooked]

Just a tip in here.
That amp was the best mod I have put on a machine to date.
Really woke up the picture.
Shipping from the UK to US 3 days...excellent service.