Scotty T Posted March 29, 2018 Share Posted March 29, 2018 Hi All. Just received my Vector Patrol cart. Got my Vectrex out before heading away for the easter long week-end. Turned on, no video. Audio works fine. Placed the Vector patrol cartridge and from the Audi seems to be work, just no display. I'm very average when it comes to electronics (that's putting it nicely) Any suggestions on what I can do!!!. I'm soooo Devastated/! - - - Updated - - - No longer devastated. Left it running for about 10 mins, came back and we have a display! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BIG Trev Posted March 29, 2018 Share Posted March 29, 2018 (edited) You can start breathing now. That's good news. Sent from my SM-G930F using Tapatalk Edited November 19, 2018 by BIG Trev Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scotty T Posted March 29, 2018 Author Share Posted March 29, 2018 You can start breathing now. That's goid news. Sent from my SM-G930F using Tapatalk Yeah, I was like Noooooooooo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Administrators Arcade King Posted March 29, 2018 Administrators Share Posted March 29, 2018 Mines a bit flaky when it hasn't been turned on in a long time. Screen is all screwed up for the first 5 mins but comes good once shes warmed up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bboy_h Posted November 19, 2018 Share Posted November 19, 2018 Did you manage to fix this issue? I had a similar issue but manage to fix it - shoot me a PM if you would like any further details. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BIG Trev Posted November 19, 2018 Share Posted November 19, 2018 Did you manage to fix this issue? I had a similar issue but manage to fix it - shoot me a PM if you would like any further details.Can you post the fix here incase someone else has the same problem? Cheers Trev Sent from my SM-G965F using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bboy_h Posted November 19, 2018 Share Posted November 19, 2018 Sure! I have two Vectrex systems that I have purchased, and both were faulty prior to adding them to my collection. The first system had the same issues as detailed by the OP (sound, but no video). Upon investigation, it was determined that one of the 9VAC rails (if my memory serves me correctly) was missing on the main board, provided from the 240VAC input transformer. Further investigation showed the rails were correctly outputting from the mains transformer, but only one of the rails was successfully being switched to the main board by the power switch on the front of the machine. Wanting to keep the Vectrex original, I opened the switch (carefully) and discover dirt/grit and carbon build up on the contacts. With a bit cleaning and lubrication, the Vectrex bounced back to life and is now fully operational. Repairing the switch is not for the faint hearted; I almost gave up as I spent two hours after cleaning trying to correctly fit the the switch back together and getting the right 'click'. My second unit was a little easier to discover the fault - blown internal fuse in the mains input transformer (not the little, serviceable fuse under its own warning cover). I have sourced an aftermarket toroidal transformer from Altronics, but have broken my arm and have been unable to complete the repair. 2 weeks to go in the cast; perhaps I'll take some pictures of the repair up upload to the forum. Hope this helps. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gemini2544 Posted November 19, 2018 Share Posted November 19, 2018 As I posted in another thread, I have the factory service manual on PDF, Anyone needing a copy PM me a personal email address & I'll send a copy back. Free. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BIG Trev Posted November 19, 2018 Share Posted November 19, 2018 Thanks for the info. Mine had a dead transformer. I pulled it apart but couldn't find any internal fuses so I got a replacement from Jaycar. I had to trim down the mounting tabs but it fitted and works fine. Cheers Trev Sent from my SM-G965F using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bboy_h Posted November 19, 2018 Share Posted November 19, 2018 Thanks for the info. Mine had a dead transformer. I pulled it apart but couldn't find any internal fuses so I got a replacement from Jaycar. I had to trim down the mounting tabs but it fitted and works fine. Cheers Trev Sent from my SM-G965F using Tapatalk Great! What was the current rating of the transformer you replaced it with? And is it 9VAC on the rails (I can't remember from my last repair)? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BIG Trev Posted November 19, 2018 Share Posted November 19, 2018 Great! What was the current rating of the transformer you replaced it with? And is it 9VAC on the rails (I can't remember from my last repair)?Details are here. https://r.tapatalk.com/shareLink?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww%2Eaussiearcade%2Ecom%2Fshowthread%2Ephp%3Ft%3D93577&share_tid=93577&share_fid=18421&share_type=t Sent from my SM-G965F using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scotty T Posted November 19, 2018 Author Share Posted November 19, 2018 Did you manage to fix this issue? I had a similar issue but manage to fix it - shoot me a PM if you would like any further details. Thanks. I left it on, and eventually the screen showed. From then on it's been good! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gemini2544 Posted November 19, 2018 Share Posted November 19, 2018 Thanks. I left it on, and eventually the screen showed. From then on it's been good! Mine did that from time to time, I tracked it down to a suss solder joint on the HT coil. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frank_fjs Posted November 19, 2018 Share Posted November 19, 2018 Mine takes about 10 to 15 seconds to spring to life after powering it on. So I turn it on, absolutely nothing at all happens, then after 15 seconds or so it powers on and works great. Is this normal? Any ideas of where I should be looking for a possible fault? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bboy_h Posted November 20, 2018 Share Posted November 20, 2018 Mine takes about 10 to 15 seconds to spring to life after powering it on. So I turn it on, absolutely nothing at all happens, then after 15 seconds or so it powers on and works great. Is this normal? Any ideas of where I should be looking for a possible fault?This could be the same switch issue or a capacitor problem. When they get old, they not regulate well. You could try replacing the capacitors on the main input side. Some validation may be to measure the voltage rails when you first turn the system on and compare them against those in the schematic. If they are low and drift towards the nominal values over the 15 or so seconds, it's probably a capacitor issue. Hope this helps. Sent from my Nexus 10 using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frank_fjs Posted November 20, 2018 Share Posted November 20, 2018 My first thought was caps, I may as well replace as many as I can, even if they're not at fault it can't hurt. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gemini2544 Posted November 21, 2018 Share Posted November 21, 2018 Now that everyone has a copy of that service manual it's gone quite here....is everyone reading..:lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jed Posted November 21, 2018 Share Posted November 21, 2018 was about to PM you Gemini on your kind offer but first a quick Google and I found this, posting here for speedy access: https://console5.com/techwiki/images/a/a7/Vectrex-Service_Manual.pdf Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gemini2544 Posted November 21, 2018 Share Posted November 21, 2018 was about to PM you Gemini on your kind offer but first a quick Google and I found this, posting here for speedy access: https://console5.com/techwiki/images/a/a7/Vectrex-Service_Manual.pdf Thank for that...However 4 requests hardly hit the panic button. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jed Posted November 22, 2018 Share Posted November 22, 2018 Thank for that...However 4 requests hardly hit the panic button.Didn't think it did ? Sorry if i trod on your toes there, didn't mean to. Sent from my SM-N9005 using Aussie Arcade mobile app Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gemini2544 Posted November 22, 2018 Share Posted November 22, 2018 Didn't think it did ? Sorry if i trod on your toes there, didn't mean to. Sent from my SM-N9005 using Aussie Arcade mobile app All cool, no problem. :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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