Video Out of Gamera High Grade Vision part deux

[The13bats]

Another thread on this topic was closed since I am having the same issue I am re-posting in hopes of fresh information on the issue.
After not playing much with my Pachinkos or Pachislos we went on a collecting spree,
My wife grabbed this High Grade Gamera for cheap, works and plays well except the LCD screen is not 100% dead but pretty unhealthy,
Symptoms,
On boot up the screen flashes white then goes black if you look close in dark room it does display across the bottom a little but it's so faint it's unless,
It failed a test to shine a flashlight on it, that does not show the LCD "pictures"
So is the machine a loss or can it hopefully be healed.
Many thanks!

[luckydog]

gameras and similar models are known for having screen issues

try unplugging and reseating all your connections for a start

[The13bats]

Okay...will try it, the people we got it from said one moment it was working fine the next day out...
I assume yes, but when I start unplugging and reseating should that be done with machine off and unplugged from wall?
Are there any scematics for these?

gameras and similar models are known for having screen issues

try unplugging and reseating all your connections for a start

[luckydog]

always turn off and unplug anything you are messing with

[DrDark]

always turn off and unplug anything you are messing with

Otherwise you might let out the magic smoke!

[The13bats]

To get replies like "gameras and similar models are known for having screen issues" yet no real tech about fixing it is sad to me...perhaps these machines are not as popular as I believed, we know they break...sorry about your luck...lol.
Wiring scares many people, not me,
On most 12 v vehicle stuff I mess with I troubleshoot with power on so I will know what is what, I am careful and never had a meltdown in over 35 years building customs.
Just re-wired my VW trike the PO had no clue what they were doing and could and did have some melts,
In this case for Pachislo I was asking more because I could see some of this stuff getting a spike if you unplugged it and then plugged it back it, perhaps not this stuff is well built,
with the unit off we would never know which plug fixed it, I would hate to have to tell someone, "Yeah, mine did that fixed it by re-seating a plug...don't know which plug...but.)
I asked about a schematic because just unplugging and re plugging "everything" seems a bit hap hazard "shade tree" to me plus we run the risk or breaking something else so I asked but more just wondered which plugs go to the and are involved in the LCD screen, ( Schematics would save lots of time on me going from scratch, even a person who had tried it.)
I just bet one or two tech heads really into this stuff know just what I am talking about...
Guys don't get me wrong I appreciate you trying to help I am hoping for replies from someone who is teched up and been there done that with this issue...
With all that said and seeing that only the bottom part of the screen has any life and that is faint I really do not believe it's a plug issue ( plug issues in most cases are either on or off or might go in and out like a short, my issue is steady ) but rather a bad LCD or perhaps whatever drives the LCD,

[rockston]

I have the same issue with mine, it's the capacitors that power the lights in the lcd. I will be taking it apart and replacing them soon, I'll let you know.

[RaymondV]

You will probably have to contact Japan for schematics, I don't think I have ever seen any around here.
These things are built to last, they were probably kept on 24 hours a day in the parlors in Japan...just like the slots in casinos here.
I can honestly say that I really don't have any experience repairing them because none of mine have ever broke.
And they have had constant weekly use for the last 5 years.
So unless you can contact a tech from Japan that works on these, it's gonna be all trial and error.

[luckydog]

no techie here, just a guy who trys to help the best i can

these machines are built to work 24/7 in palours

no english Schematics are available

95% of pachislo and pachinko problems are poor connections

[The13bats]

Guys, again thanks for trying to help,
While I get it, real true schematics are a some scroll in Japan, when we ( my friends in other hobbies ) do not have things like wiring harness diagrams we take pictures and draw them up as we work on the "thing" to help future people with the same problem,
I have to laugh at the irony of saying something is built to last and run 24/7 in the same thread that it's stated the unit is known to have issues...
I will not argue what percent of issues are connection problems, but I will bet you a Coke or Pepsi in my case it is not a connection, but like I asked why not isolate the connections that are involved with the LCD display, rather than just doing all of them...do you happen to know which go to the LCD?
Oh, you pointed out you don't work on your machines as they never break...I'm not that lucky.

Rockston...Dude, your Dudeness...I guess you are in my boat with a machine that did break...
It would be gold if you took some pictures of pulling it apart and the fix then putting it back together...that would be a sticky keeper and help many others.
I can't wait to hear what you come up with...
Many, Many Thanks!
Cheers,
P.

[rockston]

Search "LCD blacks out after start up" and you will see that 9 times out of 10 it's because of blown capacitors that power the light source.


Initially I was able to get a bit more life out of mine by disconnecting the supply to the ballast that powers the reel light, try it to see that you have the identical problem I do

[new in town]

Mine has this issue once in awhile. (lighting for the LCD display won't come on line).

I discovered this Fix for mine and it works for me.

Power the Machine up, load three credits and spin the reels with the door open. While the reels are spinning shut the machine off at the power supply. Wait about 3 to 5 seconds and then turn the machine back on. 9 out of 10 times this will bring the lighting for the LCD Display back on for me.

[The13bats]

Rockston, will try that, is it hard to tell which lead to unplug?

New in town, ( I was born in Jacksonville, lived in Normany village )
While I want to try that, I fear if it worked it would just be to smite my disbelief that it could, how in the world did you come up with it???

[new in town]

Rockston, will try that, is it hard to tell which lead to unplug?

New in town, ( I was born in Jacksonville, lived in Normany village )
While I want to try that, I fear if it worked it would just be to smite my disbelief that it could, how in the world did you come up with it???

I'm in Atlantic Beach. Purchased a home here in 1985 when the NAVY transfered me here from Pensacola.


I was fitting one of my AutoSlots into it. The connection (on the AutoSlot ribbon cable) for the Spin knob which starts the AutoSlot was not making a connection. At the time the screen was dark. I shut the machine off the second time I spun the reels and the Autoslot did not stop the reels to make repairs. (installed a new ribbon cable).

When I turned it back on the light in the display came to life. Every once in awhile since then when I power up the Pachi and the screen is dark (but I can still see the display barely) I spin the reels, turn off the machine while they are spinning, wait 5 seconds and then turn it back on. To date, 9 out of 10 times this will bring the light for the display back on.

[new in town]

Search "LCD blacks out after start up" and you will see that 9 times out of 10 it's because of blown capacitors that power the light source.


Initially I was able to get a bit more life out of mine by disconnecting the supply to the ballast that powers the reel light, try it to see that you have the identical problem I do

Will look into this. I have a second display that I replaced with the current one due to this problem. I have posts in a Thread with pictures showing the Display apart but I can not find it???

[new in town]

Just did up a Video of this "Temp Fix" for the Gamera High grade dark screen Problem. Started a new Thread on it. It
can be found here. :

http://www.pachitalk.com/forums/mode...tml#post471749

I Hope this helps other Gamera Owners that are having this Problem.

[rockston]

Update on the LCD problem

IMG_0989.JPGTook the machine apart this morning and here is what I think is the culprit. These two 3900 uF 50 volt stubbies are on the board leading to the lights that are out on the screen.

They are about 30mm x 30mm , very short and stout to fit in the space provided.

So far i have found these 30mm x 30mm, 80 volt on ebay

ELNA LP5 Snap in 80V 3900uF Aluminium E Cap 30mm x 30mm New Free Shipping | eBay Singapore !! ... Hoping to find some closer

[Drunkenclam]

Wow RS doesn't have anything close to that. But I'll have a hunt around.

[rockston]

It looks like these have been replaced before. Not a factory solder joint. Now I am not sure if these were replaced with the correct value . Well the machine was working when I got it so I ordered those caps from Singapore... Estimated delivery: Between Tuesday, Dec. 18 and Monday, Jan. 7
solder joints.JPG


while I am waiting for the parts...Will someone clean this mess up?

IMG_0991.JPG

[rockston]

The capacitors came in today early from Singapore , installed them and put it all back together ..moment of truth power it up ...stays on for 3 seconds longer now... a total of maybe 5 to 7 seconds. Very dissapointing, I was hoping this would work.