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Question from Steve: Hello. I purchased an old Frogger arcade cabinet – it was converted to a Super Basketball cabinet (Konami). It was working fine when purchased at an auction; however, I unplugged it the other day and plugged it right back in and it was “dead.” It definitely seems to be a power supply issue – no lights or sounds (monitor does not power up at all). I changed the main 2 amp fuse at the AC filter box and also fuses as part of the linear power supply. The cabinet has a linear power supply and a switching power supply. The switching power supply receives its AC from the linear power supply transformer and then feeds the board, etc. The linear power supply seems to only serve the purpose of taking the AC from the AC filter box and distribute it to the switching power supply and to the monitor/marquee light. The other portions of the linear power supply are not connected to anything. I would like to get rid of the linear power supply as it is in bad shape with lots of rust, etc. Since it already has a switching power supply; I thought I could simply remove the linear power supply. However, the cabinet has an Wells Gardner 19k4675 monitor and it would appear it needs an isolation transformer. It seems perhaps the linear power supply is serving the purpose of the isolation transformer in this case and why it is still in the cabinet. In order to get rid of this piece; it would seem I need an isolation transformer and they don’t appear to be prevalent to find online for purchase. I did find one at Happ Controls (http://na.suzohapp.com/all_catalogs/power_supplies/80-2000-00) that seems like it would fit the bill. Basically, can I use this particular isolation transformer to replace the linear power supply and just use the current switching power supply to power the cabinet and the isolation transformer to the monitor and marquee light? The main question is whether or not the AC needs to be run through “something” before it gets to the arcade monitor as that is the only piece (other than the marquee light) that can’t be run from the switching power supply? And is the link above the appropriate piece in which to do this as far as running the AC to the monitor and marquee light? Thank you very much for your help.! I am new to this, but excited to get this machine back and running and make further improvements in refurbishing it. Steve
1 answer
Response from Jonathan: Steve,
Sounds like you are on the right track. Yes, your monitor will need an isolation transformer and more than likely the linear power supply (i.e. AC transformer) in the bottom of your cabinet is acting as a combination isolation transformer/AC power supply. The isolation transformer you linked to from Suzo/Happ should be a fine replacement if you want to eliminate the need for this old transformer in the bottom of your cabinet. Only the AC going to your monitor needs to be run through the isolation transformer. The other items in your cabinet (i.e. the marquee light and the switching power supply) can get power directly from the AC voltage coming from the wall. Of course, it’s also OK for them to get AC voltage from the isolation transformer as well.
Hope that helps. Thank you for your question and good luck with your repair.
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