A very enjoyable watch, appreciated all the editting so it wasn't overly long too. Great to see you brought it back to life, mine's currently being repaired as it had died.
Thanks Skyway. I really appreciate the feedback. I learned after the repair that the original transformer has a thermal cutout in it that often fails. I have been told this can be bypassed and the original transformer retained. Anyway I live and learn. Glad you enjoyed the video and thanks so much for taking the time to comment. I hope your repair goes smoothly.
I had a childhood friend that had a Vectrex. I always had such envy because it was groundbreaking to have a console that was capable of producing vector graphics much like games that were in the arcades around the same time. It was very pricey from what I remember when it was released.
Glad you have find memories. Me too. I only ever played them in the shops but was always fascinated perhaps partly because I was a massive asteroids fan. The were pricey but as time passed I think they dropped significantly, although prices seem to be going up again. Hope that you enjoyed the video and thanks so much for your comments.
Ah the vectrex... thank you for reviving this beast. I can’t wait to get my hands on one. Well done being pragmatic with the switch even when you were at the low point.
Thanks ShoulderShot. That switch really was disheartening, but I'm learning as I go! That Vectrex must have sat unused for years! Glad you enjoyed the vid.
Ha, i just picked one up thanks to you and this vid. Mine had an offset screen and a quarter size display with no sound. Also froze after half an hour or so which was a repeatable error. Bought it on spec not working but thinking the ICs that were plugged had ‘creeped’ due to heat cold cycles from power up and off. Shorted the tube before working on it of course!!!! Inspected the boards and solder connections which were all sound and no burnt or discoloured pca’s. So I removed all the floating ICs, cleaned their pins with a glass brush, reseated all ICs and cleaned all the boards. Then cleaned the 4 pronged plug at the top of the board as well as other connectors. Yahoo, works perfectly and have a new cart of games coming. Now to tear it apart for cosmetic repairs. Cheers, Geoff
Your voice reminds me of Jeremy Irons. After watching Zack Snyder's Justice League, and all of Alfred's tinkering...this video really fits! Great job, by the way!
Thanks how funny, I don't look much like him unless he's really let himself go recently, but I'll take the complement. I'm glad you enjoyed the video. Thanks so much for your comments.
What a great fix Roger. Have never seen one of these growing up but can remember playing those types of games on other consols, so nostalgic just watching that. Keep up the good work. Mick 👍👏🍻
Thanks Mick. I never had one either but remember a freind did. It always struck me as been closer to the arcade than any of the other handhelds perhaps because the arcade was pretty basic too. Glad I was able to bring back some nostalgia for you and very pleased you enjoyed the video. Thanks so much for taking the time to leave feedback. Cheers! Roger
Hi Thanks for your comments. I figured air on the side of caution with regard to the CRTs, I am far from an expert in these repairs so please don't take anything as advice, TBH I found it all little scary. I agree if you are unsure, better to get someone who is. Unfortunately I don't do repairs for anyone else (I am not nearly good enough to do that) so can't help. But stop back if you know someone who can as I often get asked. Glad that you enjoyed the video. Cheers Roger
Great stuff! Really enjoying your videos. It's refreshing to see someone like you taking time out replying to peoples comments on here. Keep up the good work!!!!
Always good to have an isolation transformer with adjustable current limiter when working on High-Energy devices like Tubes and high voltage capacitors...
@Retro Tech Repair so 3 years later I have stumbled across this videi and comment again. I now have a vectrex (yay!) But it stopped working (boo!). Internal fuse blew so I need to get a new one and find the cause.
Great, I love these videos, I felt so bad for you around the 18 minute mark. Great work. I think that I may even have learned a thing or two. Keep on doing what you do and I'll keep watching ;)
Thanks so much. I'm learning myself as I go. Yes 18 minutes was a low spot, but I was thrilled to get there in the end. Thanks so much for your feedback, I REALLY appreciate it.
Hi Fabio what great news! So glad that the video was useful and thank you so much for taking the time to comment. Hope you have many years of vectors ahead of you
Glad you enjoyed the video. Unfortunately I can't help with your vectrex as this is just a hobby and I can't really work on anyone else's machine, but I do hope you find someone locally who can help. If you do and they'd like to chat to me after watching the video let me know. Thanks again for your feedback.
@@jarnopp Oh I don't mind helping whenever I can, I just don't work on anyone elses stuff in case I mess it up. I have plenty of unsuccessful "repair" fails.... I'll post a video of those one day! Cheers!
Hi there, great vid, Somebidy else may have already mentioned this but the original transformer wouldn't have failed for no reason at what is normally low current.... Chances are pretty high that your mains filter caps are leaky (not physically but electrically) and your new transformer will likely fail in a similar manner some time in the near future. Would reccommend you replace all mains electrolytic filter caps at a minimum, though I'd replace them all given the units age.
Thanks @dom291 I will definitely look into that. I gave the vectrex away (I don't have the space for all the things I repair) but it's still with a freind so I can look into this. I actually ordered all the Caps at the time of the video, just didn't get around to doing it. Thanks for the suggestion
Well done. I had a bit of a job with my NES which I scored at the local op shop. Someone had tried to fix it by cutting the IRQ line and took out an adjacent line. I noticed the bodge wire while cleaning the 72 pin socket and the ohm meter proved there was no continuity so in went another wire and it fired up straight away. I had to used the power supply from my SNES the NES was missing it’s one. I have a few vintage consoles but not a Vectrex. I did see one way back in the day but they were very expensive in Australia.
I suspect that the previous owner had this connected to the line while a thunderstorm was in progress. A big voltage spike on the line generally takes out the primary. Having this unit turned off is no protection, as the switch is on the secondary, so if you have one of these, unplug when not in use. A metal-oxide varistor (MOV) might be a useful addition to one of these.
Thanks for your video. I tried my old Vetrex few weeks ago and seem to have the same kind of issue. When I turn the knob switch, no sound, nothing. I will try to turn several time to turn the switch several time as you did to see if it works. I don't feel really confortable to replace the transformer as you did.
Thanks for your comment.... how did it go? I think transformer failure is quite common, but there could be other faults im afraid. Thanks for your comments. Hope you got it sorted out.
I used to love Blake's 7. As I remember Avon was the kind of shifty one, you didn't quite trust.... Perfectly fits (LOL). Thanks so much for the feedback 👍 makes a big difference to me.
RetroTechRepair loved Blake’s 7 too. Despite the low budget I loved the much darker stories compared to Us SciFi. Yes Avon was the one you never was sure of but in the end he was the most loyal one... Paul Darrow was an excellent actor IMHO, he sadly passed away a year ago.
RetroTechRepair im also currently reworking my Vectrex. Already Didam full,recap but the one issue I have with it is that the picture is wavy in certain scenes of games.
That buzzing and humming the unit made when you switched it on is pretty normal. Even 30 years ago when playing it there was a noticeable buzz from them.
Good to know... I'd heard of the Vectrex buzz but wondered if mine was worse because I could only find an unshielded transformer. Thanks for the info and for taking the time to comment. Hope you enjoyed the video.
Great question actually no I didn't. I've learned a couple of things since this repair. The vectrex buzz is no worse on my machine than others, and there doesn't seem to be any other interference. I also learned the failure of the factory transformer is often a thermal fuse attached to the winding that can be bipassed (at the bipassers own risk) avoiding the need to replace it at all. Thanks again for your comments 😃
Great! Thanks so much for the sub, the feedback and the comment. Appreciate it a lot. Welcome! Looking forward to having you along as I learn more stuff about this old tech!
Never say never! It's possible, at the moment I don't have much room for CRTs. I have a small flat and a small desk in the hall I work from. Thanks for the suggestion 👍 perhaps I could try some portable CRT TVs
@@RetroTechRepair that would be awesome, I use to own them and are on of my favorite TV technologies, you could say I'm stuck in years past, if you do take suggestions maybe a Cassette or VHS vid too sometime down the line? I still know plenty of people who use both😂😂😂
the vectrex transformer is easily repairable, its just a thermal switch that goes bad under the outer layer of tape, i have a video on that, no need to replace the xformer
I did find a similar video, but unfortunately after I had repaired mine. Still I don't profess to be anything other than a total amateur. Thanks for your comment. Hopefully it will help someone with a dead Vectrex fix theirs for less.
The high voltage just hurts doesn't do much else. I repaired old tv's as a kid. The charge is painful and reaches far. As it can be 30000 volts. I have seen the arc go towards the discharge wire tool(build into many old tv's) And spark cam from under the seemingly isolating rubber suction cup like electrode. That thing stops isolating well enough eventually.
Thanks spacelicious! Doesn't sound like something I'd enjoy! I think ar the time I'd heard of some RU-vid rules about anything showing an exposed CRT needed a warning. Either way I decided better safe than sorry. Wish i still had the vectrex.... I gave it away!
Hi Edwin, sadly my only experience with the vectrex (or any CRT repair) is limited to that what you see in the video. I really can't help. I have seen a forum post on somebody who re-wound a flyback.... can't say I'd recommend it, but here's the link (you probably have found it already). Let us know if you find a solution. Thanks and good luck. atariage.com/forums/topic/283550-vectrex-flyback-transformer-repair-new-primary-winding/
@@RetroTechRepair Thanks for the reply. I did find that link already. I've also heard about classic macs having a compatible unit, but haven't been able to verify it. I'll let you know. Thanks again.
@@edwinvalencia3981 that's interesting, please pop back and let us know how it goes. I wonder if any other small monitors of the era might yield something. We probably need to find someone who repairs vintage CRT tvs
Just stumbled across this video and interested in your comment about replacing IC303 to reduce the wobble please can I ask how do you know that’s the chip that will affect it? II’ve just recapped mine and it has considerable wobble so considering replacing that IC to fix it Thanks in advance
Hi Andy, sorry to say that video was a long time ago and I was probably just re quoting something without basis. I got much of my Info here console5.com/wiki/Console5_Tech_Wiki sorry I can't be more help
Hey Roger, great video, can you share where you got that transformer from please and its values? Is it a 50 VA Chassis Isolation Transformer with 230v primary and 2x9v secondary? I too have a Vectrex badly in need of a replacement. Thanks! Oh yeah, also the wiring inside the plug on my Vectrex was shocking (pun intended)! I wish I could upload a picture here as it was somewhat imaginative.
Big thanks to you Roger as I've now repaired my Vectrex using the part you suggested! It was from CPC part number 835-515 and search terms 'TRANSFORMER, 50VA, 230V, 9V+9V, CH/MOUNT'. I went back to get a link but it's no longer listed however. Big thanks again though for pointing me to the part number in your video.
I have the same symptoms and have ordered the same replacement transformer. Could I ask, what did you do with the white wire on the 230v side? And when connecting your 9v outputs does it matter which connects to which?
@@RetroTechRepair It's one of the three connecting the little fuse board to the transformer and is visible in your video at 12:27, but it disappears later. I removed it so it wasn't loose in the case and things still work OK. Now I just have to find a fix for a slightly wavy screen...
@@b.i.g.g.u.s glad to hear it. I see the wire you are talking about but It's over years now since I had the vectrex and I honestly can't remember. Glad you figured it out
i am investigating this also as the video sort of jumps ahead and you see the wire and then suddenly its gone. i believe i have connected it all correctly but when i switch it on i can only hear a slight humming noise through the speaker. the screen doesnt seem to want to do anything
brilliant mine too the transformer had failed but the guy that repaired it i think fitted a wrong type and now has a wobbly screen since rebuild ? any ideas ? or help ? appreciated not so bad on minestom still noticeable though but other games are unplayable due to a wobbly effect ?
Hi, unfortunately I don't know much about these games nor am I skilled in repair, I kind of make it up as I go along. So I can't really help. Sorry. Stop back and let me know if you find a solution
Hi there thanks for your comments 😊 I used a transformer from CPC Farnell. I don't remember the part number but I believe it's visible in the video. Also I think NES4Life has details in his comments on this video. Sorry i dont have the details I have learned a lot about RU-vid since this video. Good luck with the repair
I have just installed this exact power supply and ive switched it back on and.. i get a slight hum from the speaker but the flyback doesnt seem to kick in nor do i hear the game booting up. just wondering that would a dead flyback cause the game to not boot up as well? i thought if the screen was dead perhaps the game would still run independently. just trying to rule out what the next step could be to fix this.. does it matter about polarity on the ac that goes into the top two connections of the transformer? this vectrex was working fine and then powering on one day the screen sort of just turned into a dot and faded away. thank you
also one thing to note is that the little board with the fuse for the ac in, this is slightly different to mine where your cables are arranged slightly differently. as i followed your video for the repair, i believe i have it set up correctly there were 3 wires. one to the fuse (com) one to 230 and another to 240. the white wire was in 230 from the transformer so this one was removed. doing a continuity check the 230 pad on the board doesnt connect to anything at all so i believe that this was correct to not wire to this one
wow so some wd40 on the switch solved it? I have sold many vectrex over the years but have kept one for myself that is a little battered, it worked fine though until I tried it again after it being stored for a year or so and then nothing.. no power! Cathode tubes scare the crap out of me, so i have never wanted to even risk looking at repairing it but if it is just the switch then this would be an ideal easy fix to get it running again!
Hi Retrobution (great name by the way). Very wise to be careful of the high voltage, I don't know much about it and did have some critical comments on the approach I took so please don't take the video as instruction. Couple of things worth noting the WD40 I used was WD40 contact cleaner (not normal WD-40) I have now started using servisol switch cleaner which contains a lubricant. The switch wasn't the only problem. The vectrex had a transformer defect too. I replaced it on mine but learned after that the can sometimes be repaired. Anyhow thanks so much for your comment. Good luck with your vectrex... A great unique console
@@RetroTechRepair thank you for the reply! i will get some wd40 contact cleaner and servisol as that will come in handy for refurbishing. Yes the vectrex is truly unique and the buzzing high pitch sound when its on is normal haha. i find it hard to explain to people how cool the vectrex is, emulation doesnt quite do it justice and to see it live on its own screen is very cool. your approach seemed ok to me and similar to how others have repaired monitors etc on youtube! i wont attempt it unless i can get help from a friend who is good with this kind of thing :) im alright with everything else except cathode tubes!
Thanks Simon, now you mention it I think I remember techmoan doing one of those buzz off kits. A freind has my vectrex now he's had a few problems with it so perhaps it might return. Thanks for the tip and for taking the time to comment.
regarding the buzzing , this seems to have been a reported issue on earlier revisions, but someone much cleverer than me solved the issue . int03.co.uk/blog/2016/02/06/vectrex-buzz-fix-enjoy-the-silence/
