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Help with Centipede System
Question from Drew: Hi,
Thanks so much for posting your videos to YouTube and maintaining your website — I have found it to be an invaluable resource.
I own about a dozen classic arcade systems and am having some issues with a few of them. I’m fairly knowledgeable about how the systems are put together but form more advanced electronics issues, I used to work with a local tech. He has since decided to exit the repair business so I have decided to try to tackle some of these issues myself. Your videos have been really helpful but I’m wondering if you might point me in the right direction with a few problems I am having?
First up is my Atari Centipede system. It is in really great shape and was never on a route. I have had a chronic issue with the video image being out of sync when you turn the game on:
You can usually rectify the problem with a quick on-off-on flick of the power:
However it is getting progressively more difficult to get the monitor to sync in this manner and I’d really like to fix the problem altogether. This issue has occurred a couple times in the past and the tech I used to work with was able to rectify it fairly easily, but I can’t recall what he did to do so. I don’t remember him having to pull the monitor chassis from the cabinet, but it was quite a while ago when it happen last. I have tried most of the monitor adjustment pots but have been unable to rectify the problem that way. Any tips on what I might try/look for?
‘d also like to rectify the left-side image distortion you can see in the synced photo above. Any help you could provide would be most appreciated.
Also, any tips for lubricating the trackball on this system?
Thanks again for your time.
Best Regards,
Drew
1 answer
Response from Jonathan: Drew,
Our friend Bob Roberts has some great articles on monitor sync that you might check out. The first one contains mostly general monitor sync information while the second one will probably be more helpful to your particular issue. Here are the links:
A Quick Look At Sync’ing: http://www.therealbobroberts.net/sync.html
WG4600 Slanted Picture: http://www.therealbobroberts.net/slanted.html
The left side distortion that you are experiencing can usually be fixed by adjusting the horizontal hold, the vertical hold, the horizontal metal pot Bob talks about or a combination of the 3. I also remember reading about some 4600 curl mod a while back but I can’t remember exactly what was involved. If the adjustments don’t work let me know and I’ll see if I can find the information about that mod.
As for lubricating the trackball, we recommend using Zoom Spout Oil (which you can get from Suzo-Happ) or 3-In-One Oil (which you can get from most local hardware stores and Amazon.com). Here’s a nice blog post on fixing a sticky track ball that might help you out as well: http://www.arcade-lounge.co.uk/2009/10/31/fixing-a-sticky-happ-trackball/.
Hope that helps. Thank you for your questions and good luck with your repair.
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