Donkey Kong Forum

General Donkey Kong Discussion => General Donkey Kong Discussion => Topic started by: MrDontsMildRide on August 14, 2013, 09:33:37 am

Title: Cabinet Maintenance Question
Post by: MrDontsMildRide on August 14, 2013, 09:33:37 am
So, in trying to get some verification video the other night, I happened to break a one of the pins on one of the connectors on the control panel. I can now, not move to the right. I tried disconnecting the wire from the 2 player button and connect it to the now broken wire, but this did not work.

Any tips or advice on how to fix this? I am not handy with this sort of thing at all, so I really don't know what to do here. I would also like to try and fix this before Saturday(wcr), so ordering replacement parts right now is not much of an option. Any help would be much appreciated.

Attached is a photo of the connector. The broken pin was the one all the way to the right.
Title: Re: Cabinet Maintenance Question
Post by: mikegmi2 on August 14, 2013, 09:49:06 am
I'm assuming the one on the very bottom broke off?

Well if you just need to make the connection to the broken pin you could try to rig up another piece of wire as a makeshift pin, shove it in the connector, then try to jam the connector into where it plugs in and hope the connection is made.

Or go to Radio Shack and try to find another pin like the one that broke off.

Or make up a temporary harness or something like that. 

If you aren't handy with electrical components at all, well you're gonna have to get somewhat handy right now if you want to come up with a temporary fix for the broken harness pin.
Title: Re: Cabinet Maintenance Question
Post by: hchien on August 14, 2013, 10:00:05 am
The same thing happened to my control panel (mine got damaged on the plane flight back from KO2).  2 options:

1- pull that wire out and hot wire it to the corresponding wire on the arcade-side harness

2- completely replace the control panel harness

BTW, you don't need to remove the control panel for verification.  The (old/current) TG recording rules only require that you show the underside of the control panel.  You can flip the control panel without detaching any wires.
Title: Re: Cabinet Maintenance Question
Post by: MrDontsMildRide on August 14, 2013, 10:16:25 am
Thanks guys. It's not that I don't think I am capable of fixing it, just need to be pushed in the right direction.

I am going to go through this order of trying to fix it:

1. Replacement pin from Radio shack
2. Using a little wire as a pin of sorts
3. Pulling the wire and and hot wiring
4. Pulling all the wires and replacing the connector.

I accidentally disconnected this when trying to verify. I had just streamed a personal best, but had never showed off the inside of the machine for anyone here. It was after midnight and my girlfriend was sleeping, so I could not drag the machine out and open the back up, so I just tried to film through the control panel, somehow knocked it loose though.

Hank, we actually met a few years ago at Barcade Jersey City when you knocked my name off of the high score list.

Alright, let's get handy.
Title: Re: Cabinet Maintenance Question
Post by: hchien on August 14, 2013, 10:42:29 am
Good luck!  Let me know if 1 or 2 works.  Be sure all connections are secure.  You don't want any solution that's going to produce an unreliable connection.  It would be disasterous if you were on 21-6 and the connection came lose.

Yeah, I remember meeting you.  I don't think I set the Barcade Jersey City record that high.  I'm pretty sure I only ran boards as I didn't want to play more than one game (Steve, George, Youmee, Ben were there also and we were there more to hang out).  So if you beat it, "I'll be back" hahaha j/k.
Title: Re: Cabinet Maintenance Question
Post by: TheSunshineFund on August 14, 2013, 10:52:28 am
I'm pretty sure I only ran boards as I didn't want to play more than one game (Steve, George, Youmee, Ben were there also and we were there more to hang out). 

Oh yer!  Love it mate!

Title: Re: Cabinet Maintenance Question
Post by: corey.chambers on August 14, 2013, 11:38:17 am
Sorry for your misfortune. I can't help but feel bad that this happened. I would hate for that to happen. I sure hope you get a workable solution. Let us know.
Title: Re: Cabinet Maintenance Question
Post by: mikegmi2 on August 14, 2013, 11:44:37 am
Wait, you have to show the control panel again?  Did TG revert back to the special DK arcade recording rules?
Title: Re: Cabinet Maintenance Question
Post by: corey.chambers on August 14, 2013, 11:54:43 am
Doesn't TG want to see the 4-way restrictor plate and see an original/reproduction nintendo joystick?
Title: Re: Cabinet Maintenance Question
Post by: hchien on August 14, 2013, 11:55:46 am
Oh yer!  Love it mate!

Oops forgot about Fred.  Love it!
Title: Re: Cabinet Maintenance Question
Post by: MrDontsMildRide on August 14, 2013, 12:25:58 pm
Good luck!  Let me know if 1 or 2 works.  Be sure all connections are secure.  You don't want any solution that's going to produce an unreliable connection.  It would be disasterous if you were on 21-6 and the connection came lose.

Yeah, I remember meeting you.  I don't think I set the Barcade Jersey City record that high.  I'm pretty sure I only ran boards as I didn't want to play more than one game (Steve, George, Youmee, Ben were there also and we were there more to hang out).  So if you beat it, "I'll be back" hahaha j/k.

Come by anytime! I'll be sure to try and get the Manhattan score when they open up so you can tear that one down too.
Title: Re: Cabinet Maintenance Question
Post by: TheSunshineFund on August 14, 2013, 12:27:52 pm
Good luck!  Let me know if 1 or 2 works.  Be sure all connections are secure.  You don't want any solution that's going to produce an unreliable connection.  It would be disasterous if you were on 21-6 and the connection came lose.

Yeah, I remember meeting you.  I don't think I set the Barcade Jersey City record that high.  I'm pretty sure I only ran boards as I didn't want to play more than one game (Steve, George, Youmee, Ben were there also and we were there more to hang out).  So if you beat it, "I'll be back" hahaha j/k.

Come by anytime! I'll be sure to try and get the Manhattan score when they open up so you can tear that one down too.

Manhattan scoreboard blitz!!!!!!   Who's in?
Title: Re: Cabinet Maintenance Question
Post by: MrDontsMildRide on August 14, 2013, 12:32:51 pm
Sorry for your misfortune. I can't help but feel bad that this happened. I would hate for that to happen. I sure hope you get a workable solution. Let us know.

Don't feel bad! I got all excited about a score and moved too quickly. Then I was too strong when trying to get the pin back in the right place.

So I could not find replacement pins at any of the stores near my office (the radio shack only sold phone stuff) and home depot did not have them either. I bought some 16 gauge copper wire and I think I am going to skip trying to use a little bit of it as a replacement pin and just yank it and hot wire.
Title: Re: Cabinet Maintenance Question
Post by: hchien on August 14, 2013, 12:43:31 pm
Manhattan scoreboard blitz!!!!!!   Who's in?

I'm in!

They are opening in the next few months.  They had some delays along the way.  Ironically Barcade Brooklyn is easier for me to get to.
Title: Re: Cabinet Maintenance Question
Post by: TheSunshineFund on August 14, 2013, 12:47:02 pm
Manhattan scoreboard blitz!!!!!!   Who's in?

I'm in!

They are opening in the next few months.  They had some delays along the way.  Ironically Barcade Brooklyn is easier for me to get to.

I work across the street from a NJ Transit stop, how far from Penn Station?  If walking distance that would be the easiest of all 4 for me to get to as I wouldn't have to drive it or take any subways either.
Title: Re: Cabinet Maintenance Question
Post by: MrDontsMildRide on August 14, 2013, 12:48:30 pm
Manhattan scoreboard blitz!!!!!!   Who's in?

I'm in!

They are opening in the next few months.  They had some delays along the way.  Ironically Barcade Brooklyn is easier for me to get to.

I work across the street from a NJ Transit stop, how far from Penn Station?  If walking distance that would be the easiest of all 4 for me to get to as I wouldn't have to drive it or take any subways either.

I'm in too, there is going to be a sit down M.A.C.H. 3 machine and I've been itching to play again since they took the stand up one out of Jersey City.

It's going to be about 10 blocks from Penn Station. 24th between 6th and 7th (also one block from 23rd street path). My office is right down the street.
Title: Re: Cabinet Maintenance Question
Post by: hchien on August 14, 2013, 12:54:43 pm
I work across the street from a NJ Transit stop, how far from Penn Station?  If walking distance that would be the easiest of all 4 for me to get to as I wouldn't have to drive it or take any subways either.

I don't know the exact location of the new Barcade, but it will be in Chelsea (20's on the west side), so definitely walking distance (Penn Station is 33rd/West side).

Is NJ Transit same as the PATH train?  I think there's a PATH stop on 23rd... that would be ultra close.

Edit: Found it: http://www.dnainfo.com/new-york/20130110/chelsea/new-barcade-outpost-serve-pub-grub-with-classic-video-games (http://www.dnainfo.com/new-york/20130110/chelsea/new-barcade-outpost-serve-pub-grub-with-classic-video-games)

24th St. between 6th/7th Ave.  so about a 10 minute walk from Penn Station.  Actually that's (long) walking distance from my apt... maybe 25 min walk.
Title: Re: Cabinet Maintenance Question
Post by: TheSunshineFund on August 14, 2013, 12:56:28 pm
NJ Transit is different from the PATH train.  10 blocks isn't bad though, provided it's not 22 degrees out.
Title: Re: Cabinet Maintenance Question
Post by: TheSunshineFund on August 14, 2013, 12:57:03 pm
Manhattan scoreboard blitz!!!!!!   Who's in?

I'm in!

They are opening in the next few months.  They had some delays along the way.  Ironically Barcade Brooklyn is easier for me to get to.

I work across the street from a NJ Transit stop, how far from Penn Station?  If walking distance that would be the easiest of all 4 for me to get to as I wouldn't have to drive it or take any subways either.

I'm in too, there is going to be a sit down M.A.C.H. 3 machine and I've been itching to play again since they took the stand up one out of Jersey City.

It's going to be about 10 blocks from Penn Station. 24th between 6th and 7th (also one block from 23rd street path). My office is right down the street.

Nice.  Thank you for the info.  Seems like a fine walk.
Title: Re: Cabinet Maintenance Question
Post by: MrDontsMildRide on August 14, 2013, 06:55:33 pm
I know everyone's been on the edge of their seats all day about this, so I thought I'd update. I was able to fix via hot wiring. Cut the wire on the male and female connectors, managed to get a little slack and then spliced them together with a screw on connector.

I am a little embarrassed that as a just about 30 year old man that I was not able to sort this out without running to the internet about it, but all's well that ends well. I think I was concerned about staying as original as true to the originality of the machine as I could, but I really just want to play.
Title: Re: Cabinet Maintenance Question
Post by: mikegmi2 on August 21, 2013, 05:46:41 am
It's understandable.  I woulda probably asked someone first too.  You don't want to start cutting wires and stuff if you don't have to, but in this case, unless you could find one of those pins, or another harness...hotwiring the 2 wires together was the best/easiest fix.