View Full Version : Is it Worth it?
Shinji008
07-28-2005, 06:14 PM
I have a chance to buy a Space Invaders Original Cocktail for 100$, it seems all that is broken is the power supply. Good Deal or not?
A cocktail cab is about all I can fit in my apartment at the moment so I thought this might be nice.
FooFighter
07-28-2005, 09:12 PM
No way! What a rip off!!! As a matter of fact it's down right insulting!!!
I wont allow someone to insult a fellow DPer that way!!! Let me have the jerks phone number so I can personally tell him off for you.
:D
Shinji008
07-28-2005, 09:47 PM
Drip Drip goes the Sarcasm!!! LOL
I'm going to go look at it tomorrow, and assuming it isn't a pile of parts, will probably bring it home.
For the record, I've never dealt in anything this old, and was curious how this price compared with anything anyone had seen at auctions and such.
FooFighter
07-28-2005, 10:08 PM
I have seen them going for $300-$500. If Flack gets on here he can probably tell you as I have seen him post auction results before. As a matter of fact I recall an auction thread he posted awhile back where they were discussing this very cocktail. You might try and search for it.
With a power supply out it will be difficult to determine what is wrong on site. It has an AC supply in it originally. There are switching power supply conversions for Space Invaders available. You just need to get there and fire it up, see what happens and go from there. My Pac-Man (cocktail) was thought to have had a bad PS, but I got there and, unable to open it, I plugged it in, and found it to be a bunch of burnt out bulbs and a dead monitor making it seem completely dead. I plunked in a quarter to see if I got game sounds and smiled as I called him up and acquiessed to his demanding $125 price. :)
Trust me if you get one it's like a sickness you will never stop. It's a miracle I'm still married.
Arcade Antics
07-28-2005, 11:11 PM
I have a chance to buy a Space Invaders Original Cocktail for 100$, it seems all that is broken is the power supply. Good Deal or not?
A cocktail cab is about all I can fit in my apartment at the moment so I thought this might be nice.
A) It's a steal.
B) He who hesitates is lost.
:)
Phosphor Dot Fossils
07-28-2005, 11:20 PM
It's more than a steal. We shall, in all likelihood, personally flog you through the streets if you pass it up. LOL
Do you guys really think it's a steal? I mean, I guess it sounds like a good deal if you can fix it, but at the last auction I went to a broken Japanese style SI cocktail went for $75, and another auction I went to a semi-working one sold for $150 (had some graphical glitches). I guess I don't follow SI cocktail prices a whole lot, but I know the uprights aren't very expensive either... you can pick up a working one for under $200, and i just picked up a broken one for $65 (needs the PCB fixed, probably RAM).
Oh... and don't be fooled by the cocktail is all that will fit in your apartment... Cocktails take up more floor space than uprights, since just sitting down they're slightly bigger, then you need to make sure you have room on each side to sit and play... you can't just jam it into a corner and leave it. If you're not on the first floor, it is a lot easier than an upright to get up the stairs though :) .
DogP
FooFighter
07-29-2005, 09:49 AM
Oh... and don't be fooled by the cocktail is all that will fit in your apartment... Cocktails take up more floor space than uprights, since just sitting down they're slightly bigger, then you need to make sure you have room on each side to sit and play... you can't just jam it into a corner and leave it.
DogP
He makes a valid point here. And if you just wan't a Space Invaders the upright is one sweet looking cab.
chadtower
07-29-2005, 10:39 AM
It's probably not the power supply. Games as old as SI have a very simple, nonswitching power supply that is basically a filter capacitor, a simple rectifier, and a transformer that will work forever.
"It just needs a new power supply" is the standard line for "I don't know what is wrong with it, it won't come on".
That said, I think $100 is an excellent deal, but as was said, I can fix them myself.
It is also wise advice above to say that a cocktail requires MORE floorspace than an upright does. Cocktails are NOT space savers.
Yeah, unless you actually tested the voltages and know one is missing, or see a burned power board, I wouldn't believe the "probably a power supply". That being said, I wouldn't say those power supplies are bulletproof either... my SI cab had a bad power supply, and I had one laying around that I got in a bulk buy of random boards, and it was dead too. One ended up being a blown transistor, I'm not sure what's wrong with the other, but since I don't need it, I don't care (both were missing 5V, the one I haven't fixed burns a resistor).
DogP
98PaceCar
07-29-2005, 12:45 PM
I just picked up a complete, non working upright for $50. $100 is a bit high for a non working game, but it also depends on how badly you want it. I'm willing and able to wait for the right deal to come along, but you may not want to.
Pretty much any classic arcade under $100 gets my attention. Not that I buy all of them, but I at least look. If it's in exceptionally nice shape, it may be worth the money.
chadtower
07-29-2005, 03:00 PM
That being said, I wouldn't say those power supplies are bulletproof either... my SI cab had a bad power supply, and I had one laying around that I got in a bulk buy of random boards, and it was dead too. One ended up being a blown transistor, I'm not sure what's wrong with the other, but since I don't need it, I don't care (both were missing 5V, the one I haven't fixed burns a resistor).
DogP
I said the TRANSFORMER is nearly bulletproof, not the whole power supply. There are a few common failure points, which I pointed out, and noted that the transformer itself rarely fails.
It's probably not the power supply. Games as old as SI have a very simple, nonswitching power supply that is basically a filter capacitor, a simple rectifier, and a transformer that will work forever.
Oh... I read that as the power supply is fine, there's nothing really to go wrong... in pseudocode for us geeks:
I read:
SIPowerSupply=(FilterCap+Rectifier+Transformer)=bu lletproof;
You meant:
SIPowerSupply=(FilterCap+Rectifier+(Transformer=bu lletproof));
:D
All I was saying is it very well could be the power supply, but there's plenty of other things that could go wrong too... who knows, it could just be a fuse ;) .
DogP
98PaceCar
07-29-2005, 05:37 PM
All I was saying is it very well could be the power supply, but there's plenty of other things that could go wrong too... who knows, it could just be a fuse ;) .
DogP
Let me guess, you go to SuperAuctions, don't you?? ;)
Shinji008
07-29-2005, 08:57 PM
Wow, I never thought I would generate such a great response. Thanks for all your thoughts. Its moot now, as it is sitting in the back of my Xterra $70 dollars later.
It is fairly good shape. It has a lot of cosmetic/cleaning work that can be done. Mainly reblacking the glass. And it needs a coin slot (Any ideas on what kind the original was, or what is a good replacement? I'm sure Happ has something) I haven't even unloaded it yet to really play, will do that tomorrow. I'll keep everyone updated.
Pics can be found in the game section of my website. www.psiapd.com/gallery
chadtower
07-29-2005, 09:58 PM
I read:
SIPowerSupply=(FilterCap+Rectifier+Transformer)=bu lletproof;
You meant:
SIPowerSupply=(FilterCap+Rectifier+(Transformer=bu lletproof));
Well put. Carry on.
I'm looking at the transformer in an Asteroids Deluxe. This thing may literally be bulletproof.
Let me guess, you go to SuperAuctions, don't you?? ;)
Heh... yup! I stole that line from them... it usually finishes with "But we're making no guarantees, although it's worth this price in parts alone!"
Anyway, nice pick up... especially for $70.
DogP
98PaceCar
07-30-2005, 01:24 PM
That does look nice! I'm sure you will enjoy it.
Some links to help out with repair:
http://www.elektronforge.com/TestMdwPS.htm
http://www.ionpool.net/arcade/midway/si_sound.html
I spent a couple hours with mine last night, trying to get it running again. Turns out I'm missing the +12v on the power supply. I'm just going to put a switcher in it and be done. Cheap and reliable! elektronforge.com sells the kits to do this, if you decide to go that route.
Good luck with yours!
98PaceCar
donkeykong1
08-05-2005, 02:04 AM
That was a great pick up. I once found an Asteroids arcade for $100.00
Flack
08-06-2005, 11:37 AM
All I was saying is it very well could be the power supply, but there's plenty of other things that could go wrong too... who knows, it could just be a fuse ;) .
DogP
Let me guess, you go to SuperAuctions, don't you?? ;)
My favorite line of theirs is, "it was working right before the auction." Sure it was.
98PaceCar
08-06-2005, 01:50 PM
All I was saying is it very well could be the power supply, but there's plenty of other things that could go wrong too... who knows, it could just be a fuse ;) .
DogP
Let me guess, you go to SuperAuctions, don't you?? ;)
My favorite line of theirs is, "it was working right before the auction." Sure it was.
I kinda like it when a "Dawnkee Kawng" comes up for sale!! If nothing else, they are entertaining!