Atari Battlezone Restoration

[bencao74]

Hey,

 I was doing this winter an Atari Battlezone Restoratoin. I`ll just post some pics of the former restoration process. Hope you enjoy it.







This was the starting point. The CPO was very rusty, but the cab was quite in good condiition. The both PCBs was missing as well as the right stick unit. The monitor was in unknown state. Normally these are show stoppers, because the stick is very difficult to get.

[bencao74]

Second step was to gather the missing parts.


I was able to get



Complete Sticks


Atari Buttons (was also missing)



Stick bezel, is needed for assemble the sticks to the CPO.



Math PCB


ARII Board


PCB

So the fun starts

[bencao74]

After that I assembled the stuff and checked the PSU and ARII




Both was fine. After checking the connector I had a voltage drop of 0.2V. So that was also okay.

So I went to the chassis.





I`m focusing here on the connector and the external transistors. The first issue that was visible was flying fuses on F101 and F102. I`ve replaced them but they was burning again. After tons of reading I measured the external transistors and bought me a DAC55.

[bencao74]

After that issue I disassembled the Chassis





For the Chassis I proceed generally in two steps. First I check the usual issues, second I go into details according my analysis of the symptons.

So the general issues
- Check for obvious defects, burns etc. Take here special attentation.
- Check all mechnical connector. So far I didn't find one Chassis which didn't had problems on the connectors. I look for cold solder spots or little breaks on the solder around the pins. Resolder then the pins on all connectors.
- Check Fuses and Fuse Sockets with a multimeter. Replace them if needed.
- Check all elkos with an Elko ESR Meter. If one gets no good result, then unsolder the elkos and check again. I replace everything above 5Ohm
- Check all transistors with a multimeter or better with a semiconductor analyer like dca55. For use with the analyzer the components must be unsoldered.

Now the chance is high that your analysis and testing will not interfer with some of the usual issue. One needs for such a repair a transparent and reproduceable test environment.

In my case the fuses was flying. Reading the BW Monitor FAQ says that I should focus on the Transistors 2n3792 (Q709) and 2N3726 (Q708).

To  be continued

[Etienne MacGyver]

with that kind of dedication, i a sure you get it fixed 

[bencao74]

Hey, i got it fixed. I thought I post here my work log since I've documented all the stuff. So it's not lost

[bencao74]

Okay, this is the next part of my battletone restoration report

As reminder, the chassis needs fixing since the F101 and F102 burns when powering up. I tracked  down Transistors 2n3792 (Q709) and 2N3726 (Q708). I`ve replaced them and first I get only one line from top to down in the middle of the screen. Apparently the x defelction was buggy somehow. I did take a closer look at the replaced transistors. Because I want only to test the transistors I did screw the fixing screws complety. Thus the transistor didn't get a good GND connection. After screwing the screws down I working picture.

[level42]

Excellent work ! Looks like you need some adjusting still for the diamonds to be equal ? (And the high score list to be straight).

[bencao74]

Yeah, this was quite funny. I`ve noticed that shift later browsing on biltronix site



So I started to adjust the x and y site potentiometer. But with no success. Then I noticed that the graphic bezel and radar vector does not fit.



I`ve solved the issue by adjusting the x bip. Next issue was the vulcan ash was spraying in the middle of the mountain. So I adjusted the Y bip as well. The x and y position can be adjusted mechanically with the rings at the yokes.



And last but not least the whole picture was slanted



This was corrected by adjusting the whole yoke. Be carefully doig this.

Finally I`ve made a FAW for all that issues

http://bencao74.blogspot.de/2013/01/atari-battlezone-restoration-part-12_29.html

[DarthNuno]

Great topic to remind, when I'll start work on my BZ 

Great job! 

[vernimark]

Wow BZ is always one of my favourite cab...

[bencao74]

Hey, thanks

Okay, after I was sure that screen and pcb is working I headed to the CPO and Cab work.



One stick was missing and the atari cone button.

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WoFme7fB2ek/UPv6GFHlfxI/AAAAAAAAFEk/kvV4nFQp1oU/s320/IMG_0283.JPG

Not a good starting point, but I was able to source all the parts.







This one is the left stick. I`ve took a lot of pics because I want to document the harness.



This one was not wired correctly. Behaviour was inverted then (steady GND), use the both outer pins.



Ok, the CPO is complete. The right stick needs a new centering below. But it`s playable.

[cebulba]

Great Job Jochen,

I knew my old cab would be in good hands....and it's very nice to see it in your vector game room

[level42]

Yes....great work and BZ....simply great.

[bencao74]

Hey,

@cebulba : yes, it was pure luck to source the parts.

so, next parts. After the cab is now playable I`ve started the cleaning



Okay, the BZ has a half-transparent mirror and a graphic bezel with some neon effects. To gain the red and green color, the bw monitor has a green and red foil overlay.





it was VERY dirty



And there was a new spider species evolution... They lived about 30 years behind the mirror.


This is the frame fixing the mirror.

And the cleaned parts.





End of monitor cleaning