I just joined so hi everyone...

Ok, so I was playing my Tron machine last night, and everything was working fine. I noticed that the black light over the control panel was starting to flicker on the left side. It was really warm too. About 15 minutes later, all the lights went out on the machine. The marquee, the control panel, the light under the control panel, everything. However, the game, monitor, and sound worked just fine, though. Its only the lights that don't work anymore.

Soooooo, I took out the fluorescent black light that sits over the control panel and replaced it with the one just under the control panel. No lights. Then, I replaced the starter for the control panel light. Nothing.

Has anyone run into this problem before? Just playing along just fine and all the sudden, no lights? I'm hoping its not a short somewhere...I'll never find it then, because I'm no whiz when it comes to repairing electronics.

Suggestions are welcome.

No prob.. Come and talk to us often.. We really like new folk..

Well, I replaced the rest of the fuses, and still no lights above or below the control panel. Next, I tested the black light in the marquee light fixture because I know that one works, and the black light lit up. So, now I'm thinking it must be something to do with the ballast. But why would a ballast cause two lamps not to work? Doesn't each lamp have it's own ballast? Could the fuse have blown the two ballasts?

That is a good question. It could be the fixture itself. I know that me and my brother replaced the entire florescent fixtures in both areas with cheap ones we found at Wal-Mart.... but we do so many mods to the machine since we bought it broken and it has been a long time.

I'll go ask him next time I see him about this.

Ok, well guess what? Tron lives! I replaced one last fuse that I missed earlier, replaced the starter under for the black light under the control panel, and put the black light in above the control panel. I switched the machine on and everything works!

But I have to say, I think the wooden cabinet housing this thing is on its last leg. The door that reveals the electronics on the back no longer fits and the screws holding the main side walls together are pulling apart. Every time I have to turn the machine, open the control panel, or replace a component, something chips away or flakes off. It literally falls apart in my hands! I wish there was a way to tighten the cabinet up. because if I have to move, it may not survive the trip!

Thanks again for all the help!

Wm6929 Wrote:I know this is a old post. But I need to respond just the same. Concerning the Lights in a Tron upright, or any simular upright. Check the starter first. They are the first to go out. Then check your fuses. Ballast are the last to consider. One one tron, I replaced all of the ballasts with something I found at Lowes. I did not solder anything but used wire nuts, and replaced them in no time.

Greetings, Wm6929 and welcome to TRON-Sector!

I know that technically, you're not new here as you've been a member for 8 years, almost to the day. I still felt a welcome was in order though. And happy rez-day tomorrow!

A little late with the technical advice, but better late than never. Others may encounter this problem and your advice will be here to benefit them in their research.

I hope you'll join us in conversation a little more often in the future.

A couple of threads you may want to hit are:

What's with your name?

And...

Don't forget to PING in every time you have yourself Another dose of TRON

I think you'll enjoy your time here at The Sector