Fresh Paint and new T-Molding

This Galaga is in great shape.  With a little effort it could look even better.  Some folks on the forum have replaced the black t-molding on the Galaga and sometimes Galaxian cabinets with a bright green.  I like the way it looks and ordered mine from  www.arcadeshop.com.   The black areas on the inside of the cabinet have been worn down over the years and could use a fresh coat of satin black to clean it up a bit.

Oh Yeah, looking good!

Alive and well

Tonight I came home to find the conversion kit from Bob at the door.  Fifteen minutes later I was playing some sweet Galaga.  If you haven't installed one of these before, it couldn't be easier.  I think a 5th grader could do this one.  Bob includes instructions,  and the AC line is fed from the monitor power lead.  I made the extra effort to install the frame ground from the switcher to one of the legs of the transformer.  After powering up, I checked the voltages, and adjusted to right under +5.2v, but I could already hear the game playing, and could hardly wait to take a look.

This is perhaps the first game I've repaired that has a decent looking monitor.  I doubt it even needs a cap kit, it's clear, bright, and actually centered.
Of course I played a few games, right away.  Galaga is much more difficult than I remember.  Now I've got to get the marquee light working, it's missing completely.


This has been one sweet purchase.  I'll probably strip the parts out of the cab, give it a fresh coat of black paint on the inner painted surfaces, and replace the t-molding and control panel overlay.  After that this game will be in A+ condition.

Nice Score!

Naturally I wasn't looking for another game, this one was just too good to pass up. It was posted on e-bay, but pointed out to me by the guys on klov.com. From the pictures, and the description, I could tell this cabinet had potential. So I clicked the buy it now option and crossed my fingers.

Turned out to be one of the cleanest, best condition games I have purchased to date. There were the usual scratches, only much fewer. The control panel overlay is a bit worn, but still very nice. The side art, bezel, and marquee, are all in excellent condition. As it stands this game is an "A" and will soon be an "A+" on my VAPS page.

As always, with these old games, it had it's fair share of oddities. First would be the hacked power supply connectors. Wires were cut all about the cabinet and left hanging, as if someone had simply went wild with a pair of cutters. After repairing the wire loom damages and replacing the original connector (they were kind enough to leave the original in the bottom of the cab), I flipped the power on and it came up in test mode. I flipped the test switch to normal play, and the game came up, with sound, graphics, looking good! I stood there for a second or two in amazement, jaw open, and then the game just died.

Checking the voltages now (something I should have done first), the +5v that was needed at the PCB was fluctuating into the 12-13V range. Yikes! I shut the game down and unplugged the power going to the main boards. Upon checking further, the voltage could not be adjusted within a proper range of +5 to 5.2.

Bob Roberts to the rescue. I ordered his "switching power supply conversion kit". I plan to leave the original linear power supply intact and in the cabinet. I'll install the new "switcher" and rest easy that this one won't catch fire.

Lastly a big THANK YOU, to my bud Brian Rodocker for the loaner truck! And also for the "buy it" words of encouragement.