Data East Royal Rumble Reconditioning

[Strangeways]

This project started off in 2015 as a repair that became a reconditioning job. Initially, it had issues with the soundboard and the display. The sounds were scattered noises with no soundtrack. The display was cut in half. The game did play, but was sloppy. I don't usually repair DE sound boards, but I thought I'd give it a go. I replaced ROM sockets, capacitors, ROMs and had it working a bit better, but not 100%. The display and the display driver PCB both had issues. The display driver PCB was easy to track down. We decided that the best way forward was to replace the soundboard with a Pinsound board and speaker upgrade, the Display driver PCB and install a colorDMD. As well as these upgrades, the game would be reconditioned. This was never a job that needed priority, but I wanted to finish it off as it has been here way too long !

Objective

Install the upgrades and recondition the machine.

Condition Report

Presented as non working, and as initially a repair job.

Cabinet - 8/10 - In good condition for its age.
Playfield - 9/10 - Very nice. Just one wear area in front of the scoop.
Backglass - 9/10 - Translite in great condition
Electronics - 3/10 - Faulty sound board, DMD driver pcb and display.

Before Photos

In the workshop, prior to commencing. The game played ok, with the issues described above.





Nice Playfield ;








The soundboard from hell. So much time spent on this board with some success, but not good enough.




The Display PVD - unrepairable ;




.. and here are the goodies going into the game..




Playfield ;












Teardown begins...









Miniplayfield is a BASTARD to remove !





End of part 1 

[mrwolfau]

Great Machine - Very under rated i think.


Will be following your progress and interested to hear what you think of the ColourDMD and PinSound Sounds.

[pinnies4me]

I can't recall ever playing this title...must get over there and give it a go once the restrictions are lifted.

[Strangeways]

Great Machine - Very under rated i think.


Will be following your progress and interested to hear what you think of the ColourDMD and PinSound Sounds.

ColorDMD are a vast improvement - LCD or LED. Especially with games like Addams Family. Pinsound - This is the 5th or 6th Pinsound I've installed. Unfortunately, this title only has the factory sounds, and not a community generated sound package. However, the sounds with the new speakers etc sound incredible. I'm fine with these upgrades rather than mods and toys as they can sometimes change the appearance of the game. Literally, improves the sounds and visual aspects of the machine.

[mrwolfau]

Great to see you are happy with the upgrade. so i am guessing you think it is worth the investment?

[Strangeways]

Great to see you are happy with the upgrade. so i am guessing you think it is worth the investment?

ColorDMD are worth the investment in all cases. Pinsound - In this case, the original soundboard is unrepairable (economically), so it was a great option. The original sounds are used, but sound is vastly improved through the pinsound board as there are limitless settings and better speakers. The real value in pinsound is with the community created sound packages. They add sounds and music that change the entire sound system. Gunners and Star Wars are two examples where pinsound is almost made mandatory.

[punkin]

Don't forget Tommy. I have put pinsound in both my DE machines, tales From the Crypt as well but it has only a heavy metal community track. The original sounds is indeed $500 better though.

[Strangeways]

Don't forget Tommy. I have put pinsound in both my DE machines, tales From the Crypt as well but it has only a heavy metal community track. The original sounds is indeed $500 better though.

Noted - I have not done a Tommy or TFTC (I have one in the Q). I agree - the price is worth the community tracks. They are amazing and transform older games.

[Strangeways]

The playfield cleaned and polished up very nice. Not much wear at all. All the other playfield parts were cleaned in the Ultrasonic, metal were tumbled. New LEDs, Rubbers etc. I like to take my time with the LED placement.







Upper Playfield is an absolute PEST to dismantle and re assemble. One aspect I've never liked is the bushings are on the lower playfield, and the flippers can scratch the upper playfield surface. To fix this, I use a plastic washer, that is the same diameter as the flipper shaft. It also keeps the flipper bat more stable.






Mini Playfield installed - all adjustments need to be made now - for example the VUK metal rail from the bottom to the top playfield. This needs to be adjusted so the ball drops on the top playfield correctly.





Dialing in the LEDs and pre testing ..






I tried a few different approaches to lighting the translite. I ended up usig the same Superbrites I've been using for years, but the "spotlights" are well lit and look like the lights in a spotlight.







 

[Strangeways]

Testing almost done and the game plays very well as expected. The playfield itself is a vast improvement and for a widebody, it play fast.











Mini playfield came up really well. New drop targets as the old ones were brittle.






The ramp bothered me as it need to be repaired and then the two exit sections are broken beyond repair. I did the best I could anchoring the exit sections. The best option would be a new ramp, but they are not being made to the best of my knowledge.





Metal ramp and scoop area. Obligatory Cliffy protestor set.






Cliffy posts in some areas. I think they look great on a game.








Remember - This playfield is a factory clear. I just spent a lot of time cleaning and polishing. Really came up well.













 

[Strangeways]

Since it is just a reconditioning, the electronics etc are checked, board connectors checked and fuses replaced. This game was having a Pinsound upgrade, which in my view is worth every cent.

Pinsound Speaker ;





The shaker motor PCB was faulty and the motor disconnected / disabled. Now it is all working as it should.




All mechs under the playfield are rebuilt. Bad, broken or missing parts are attended to. I usually replace the springs and all sleeves.












There's a fair bit of work involved, but the reward is a really well playing game so it is worth it.

 

[Strangeways]

All done with this Reconditioning. Underestimated ruleset and a fun game.


The Pinsound Board is installed and configured. Really easy to setup and changes the sound quality immensely.









ColorDMD installed ;









LEDS look great in the backglass ;









LEDS look awesome on the playfield. ColorDMD, LEDS and Pinsound totally transform almost any game that supports the platforms.









Outside Shots ;



















The game was packed and sent to its owner in WA.


 

[punkin]

Much better than new, looks brilliant mate.