Arcade cab, where to begin with troubleshooting

abasuto · Feb 16, 2010

I went to turn on my cab today (it's a generic SF style cab) and it won't power up. No lights, nothing.

I don't really know jack about cabs, so wondering where to begin troubleshooting to find out what's wrong. Any simple things to check for to begin what I hope is something simple ?

Yeah, it's plugged in, the power outlet it's plugged up to works and I switched out boards inside just to see and same result, not powering up. Both my old lady and my friend swear when it's switched on they hear a very, very faint "humming" from the inside. I don't hear it, but then again I've played drums for 20 years, so I assume the hum is real.

RAZO · Feb 16, 2010

Usually there is a main power switch in the back of the cab were the power supply is, check and see if thats on. There should also be another power switch on the side of the cab (at least my sf cab had one), check and see if thats on. Did you also check and see if the power cord from the cab is any good.

Did you recently move the cab or touch anything around it?

abasuto · Feb 16, 2010

Not one on the side, but I did double check and the back's power switch is on.

When you first click it on it seems likes it's attempting to turn on, I can even hear a very quick humming from inside it, but nothing powers up.

Not sure exactly how to test power cord coming off it.

MattMan · Feb 16, 2010

Im not too sure about the makeup of your cab but when I used to work at the local arcade our wheel of fortune game blew fuses like crazy, it would start up for a second and shut right back down requiring a pain in the butt replacement since the only opening with out taking off the entire top of it being only a little bit wider than my head. Maybe you got a blown fuse in your power supply or somewhere in the cab. Its just a guess though.

abasuto · Feb 16, 2010

MattMan said:
Maybe you got a blown fuse in your power supply or somewhere in the cab.

For some reason my first gut feeling was the fuse. Luckily it's in a very easy to reach location. Guess I'll try that first since it'll be something dirt cheap to replace.

MattMan · Feb 16, 2010

Most of the time the fuse will be black inside or cloudy if it is blown. They are pesky little things but do not cost an arm and a leg to replace. Hopefully that is the issue and your cab gets back up and running, from the way you describe it that is what it sounds like though.

RabbitTroop · Feb 16, 2010

Not sure if you found it or not, but it sounds like your power supply may be dead/dying. If you hear it sound like it is coming on, like the normal whine of the monitor, but don't see a picture or anything, chances are its the power supply. It's a super simple fix with just a handful of wires to move over to a new PSU... Just make sure you get one intended for coinop usage.

andy251203 · Feb 16, 2010

Hey Abasuto, this was that cab I sold you a while back. I'd be willing to troubleshoot/repair it if you're interested. Send me a PM and we can talk.

Hewitson · Feb 17, 2010

Abasuto said:
For some reason my first gut feeling was the fuse. Luckily it's in a very easy to reach location. Guess I'll try that first since it'll be something dirt cheap to replace.

You posted here without even checking it first??

People here don't like trying the obvious, do they? I won't even bother asking if you've got a multimeter.

BatManG85 · Feb 18, 2010

Hewitson said:
You posted here without even checking it first??

People here don't like trying the obvious, do they? I won't even bother asking if you've got a multimeter.

If you won't help STFU!
He stated he knew JACK SHIT ABOUT CABS!

Could be lots of things, but the fuse/power supply seem the most obvious.

MattMan · Feb 19, 2010

So any luck, did you manage to figure it out?

Spike Spiegel · Feb 19, 2010

I just read this, and I'd put money on it being a dead power supply. Get the multi meter out and check your voltages on it.

abasuto · Feb 19, 2010

Spike Spiegel said:
I just read this, and I'd put money on it being a dead power supply. Get the multi meter out and check your voltages on it.

Yup that was it, Andy came over while ago and brought one to swap out.

So much better playing games on a cab over my supergun.

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