Vectrex HELP!

[braindead4554]

I bought a used vectrex off ebay. The guy shipped it very very well and did a wonderful job. Have one problem. When I turn it on, the words are garbled into funny horzontal lines. There is a white dot in the center. And every dot or line is connected to lines that run to the center screen where the white dot is. Been trying to figure out how to repair it but not have had any luck finding the solution to my problem. Any help will be much appreciated. Can make a youtube vid to show my problem if it will help.

[R.Cade]

Try turning down the brightness knob in the back.

[braindead4554]

It dosen't help. All the words are still grabled and lines running to the center are still there.

Edited August 21, 2010 by braindead4554

[fiddlepaddle]

Sounds like you may need to adjust the pots inside the Vectrex. I've never done it, but I know it's not easy, and having a special diagnostic cartridge/program makes it easier. Also, opening up the Vectrex exposes you to high voltage, so you'll need to be comfortable with that and/or have experience with repairing TVs or other CRT stuff. Try Google search on "Vectrex repair".

[Seob]

I have to turn my vectrex on, leave it on for 5 minutes before i can play it. Has to warm up i guess. So try leaving it on for a longer period and see what it does then.

[endrien]

Sounds like you may need to adjust the pots inside the Vectrex. I've never done it, but I know it's not easy, and having a special diagnostic cartridge/program makes it easier. Also, opening up the Vectrex exposes you to high voltage, so you'll need to be comfortable with that and/or have experience with repairing TVs or other CRT stuff. Try Google search on "Vectrex repair".

 

Be aware of the voltages you are working with the the dangers they pose when attempting any repair that includes a CRT monitor. They hold voltages of 20,000 to 30,000 volts and are not a joke. I own some arcade machines and have to repair them every now and then, the capacitors on old monitors tend to go which messes with the picture, this could be your problem. Or on most CRT monitors there are pots inside on a circuit board that adjust then monitors settings, these may just need to be adjusted.

And Seob your's sounds like it will need to be repaired soon as CRT's will take a while to turn on if the capacitors are going.

Edited August 22, 2010 by endrien

[braindead4554]

Tonight I will try to make a youtube video of the problem.

[dgo]

I have to turn my vectrex on, leave it on for 5 minutes before i can play it. Has to warm up i guess. So try leaving it on for a longer period and see what it does then.

 

 

When the screen keeps very dim, that might be a capacitator problem..

 

http://girasoli.org/arcade/?p=331

 

I've never tried to replace caps myself, but please do heed all the warnings about high voltage when opening up

the Vectrex.

Edited August 26, 2010 by dgo

[Videogamecollector123]

http://www.vectrex.nl/docs/vecman.pdf here's the service manual for the schematics. But I would get a test cart to see if it's just generating a specific type of image. It does however sound like problem that'll take more then adjusting.

[braindead4554]

Does anyone know where a test cart can be had at?

[Videogamecollector123]

You could go to John Dondzilla to build one for you

[braindead4554]

how do I get ahold of that person so I can ask him about the carts. All help is very much appreciated.

[desiv]

how do I get ahold of that person so I can ask him about the carts. All help is very much appreciated.

 

http://lmgtfy.com/?q=john+dondzila

 

First link.

 

Sorry, couldn't help it..

I saw that (lmgtfy.com) once before and thought it was the best thing ever.. :-)

 

John's page is awesome!! Every Vec owner is better off because of John! :-)

 

Good luck... My Vec is starting to take a LONG time to power up, so I think I'll have to do some caps before too long myself..

 

desiv