test equipment for arcade games?

[Brian Soper]

What kind of test equipment would be helpful in an arcade? I have little
knowledge of being a technician, but I went to school for electrical
engineering. I have a multimeter, a current clamp, and a dual channel
oscilloscope. I don't have much experience in their use in troubleshooting
beyond simple signal testing. I can do some reading of schematics. I have
the option to do circuit board repairs, but I'm not sure what test equipment
would be helpful for me. Can anyone help? I'm looking for any kind of help
whether it is big or small. Thanks.

 

[Michael A. Terrell]

What kind of test equipment would be helpful in an arcade? I have little
knowledge of being a technician, but I went to school for electrical
engineering. I have a multimeter, a current clamp, and a dual channel
oscilloscope. I don't have much experience in their use in troubleshooting
beyond simple signal testing. I can do some reading of schematics. I have
the option to do circuit board repairs, but I'm not sure what test equipment
would be helpful for me. Can anyone help? I'm looking for any kind of help
whether it is big or small. Thanks.

Try . Look for John Robertson, from
Flippers.com

 

[ForensicOke]

Hi Mike!

Must admit that I do not have any experience regarding arcades, but here is
my penny's worth.

We successfully use signal trackers to test for good, bad, or marginal
components on PC boards and that may assist you. It does take some time to
get use to, but it works. Our Lab. personnel uses the Huntron Trackers with
success. There may be others that is just as good , but I am not versed with
them. You will find there website in any good search engine. If you need to
do the testing, repair on-site look for the relevant Huntron. Warning: They
are expensive!

What is nice is that it uses a power-off test method so that it eliminates
the risk of further circuit damage which often occurs when power is applied.
We use it for testing damages to PC boards and components on behalf of the
insurance and most of the time the testing needs to be done on-site.
Especially with regards to commercial claims one cannot expect a business to
shut down a network and bring all their workstation in for testing in a lab!

Hope this help

Regard
PeterD

 

[John Robertson]

HI Brian,

It really depends on what you want to be able to do. If you want to
get to a board level testing then you have a lot to learn, but it can
be fun.

I sell the Fluke 9010A microprocessor test fixture and that with a
bunch of CPU pods is what I use for deep down service on these boards.

There is a lot of support for these machines, including a nice web
page that you can use to build you own test scripts...

Otherwise a logic probe, voltmeter, and a good temperature controlled
soldering iron can't be beat!

Then you might consider a logic comparator for TTL and CMOS IC
comparison - you'll need a large stock of ICs though...

Like I say...fun!

John :-#)#
www.flippers.com

What kind of test equipment would be helpful in an arcade? I have little
knowledge of being a technician, but I went to school for electrical
engineering. I have a multimeter, a current clamp, and a dual channel
oscilloscope. I don't have much experience in their use in troubleshooting
beyond simple signal testing. I can do some reading of schematics. I have
the option to do circuit board repairs, but I'm not sure what test equipment
would be helpful for me. Can anyone help? I'm looking for any kind of help
whether it is big or small. Thanks.

(Please post followups or tech enquires to the newsgroup)
John's Jukes Ltd. 2343 Main St., Vancouver, BC, Canada V5T 3C9
Call (604)872-5757 or Fax 872-2010 (Pinballs, Jukes, Video Games)
www.flippers.com
"Old pinballers never die, they just flip out."

 

[Michael A. Terrell]

Hi Mike!

Must admit that I do not have any experience regarding arcades, but here is
my penny's worth.

We successfully use signal trackers to test for good, bad, or marginal
components on PC boards and that may assist you. It does take some time to
get use to, but it works. Our Lab. personnel uses the Huntron Trackers with
success. There may be others that is just as good , but I am not versed with
them. You will find there website in any good search engine. If you need to
do the testing, repair on-site look for the relevant Huntron. Warning: They
are expensive!

What is nice is that it uses a power-off test method so that it eliminates
the risk of further circuit damage which often occurs when power is applied.
We use it for testing damages to PC boards and components on behalf of the
insurance and most of the time the testing needs to be done on-site.
Especially with regards to commercial claims one cannot expect a business to
shut down a network and bring all their workstation in for testing in a lab!

Hope this help

Regard
PeterD

Peter, it was Brian who was looking for help, and I was replying to
his question. I have spent years troubleshooting logic boards too, but
your comments may help Brian.

I spent four years repairing 16 layer embedded controller boards for
a telemetry equipment manufacturer.