1981 Grandstand ASTRO WARS Tabletop Game - No Power Fault - Trying to Fix

Hi, in this video I attempt to fix a 1981 electronic tabletop game called Astro Wars. It was sent in by a viewer named Lee who already attempted a repair but unfortuantely couldn't get it going. He thought I might like to try so here we are :-)
If you would like to support these videos, please click here / mymatevince
Remember that this is just for entertainment and I am not an expert in these repairs. The processes in the video may not be the best way, the correct way or the safest way to fix these things. I do love fault finding and trying to fix broken things, so I hope that comes across in this 'Trying to FIX' series. Many thanks, Vince.

[@AliA-jm7gx]

seeing this guy fix things helps me through depression

[@bempomaa489]

What’s happening? May I ask you 😉😁

[@martinda7446]

We all should send our warmest thoughts out to anyone unhappy today. You have mine Ali, and start repairing things because doing it is even better.

[@jrrrrmeecourchene3732]

Me too

[@martinda7446]

@@jrrrrmeecourchene3732 😺🐶🦝 Hope these guys cheer you up. Hold on there's another one...just on his way.... 🐹 - sorry I'm late.

[@reacey]

Me too

[@DeneF]

Got this for Christmas when I was 13 in 1981 off mum and dad. All three are long gone now and this has actually brought a year to my eyes and found me missing those wonderful times even more so considering the carnage of last year and this year so far. Wow! Such memories! Great video. Many thanks.

[@MrMarkysimm]

Aww same here

[@NOWThatsRichy]

Same here, I've still got 2 grandstand table top games, which I also got as presents in 1981 from my parents, when I was 13 ! I've got 'Invader from space' & 'MunchMan' (like PAC-MAN), still with all the boxes & instructions, also still have the original Grandstand mains adaptor too. Must get them out one day, not been touched for about 30 years!

[@mrjsv4935]

Nice retro game, great to see these old games repaired and not thrown away :)

[@martinda7446]

I'm an electronic engineer, at one point I spent fifteen years running a specialist repair service and now design my own things and restore vintage audio...I am always very impressed at how well you manage. OK I'm shouting at the screen sometimes - But nowhere near that you'd imagine. There have been occasions you have gone down a rabbit hole early on and all I can say is it is fun and not annoying to see. Wonderful channel. It is always exciting to complete a repair for me too.

[@GigsVT]

He has gotten a lot better too.

[@martinda7446]

@@GigsVT He has an excellent success rate - I can't remember the last time he had to give up...

[@GigsVT]

@@martinda7446 yeah even back when he didn't know as much he usually got there in the end, just took longer to find the true problems.

[@samcarsonx]

my mum still has her original astro wars game! it's in great condition because of how well she took care of it for all those years...

[@StezStixFix]

Excellent video, Vince. 👍 I love how the screens look on these things, so basic but they really do pop.

[@NOWThatsRichy]

Love those old VFD displays, they did used to eat up batteries pretty fast though, a mains adaptor was an essential accessory for long game play with these items!

[@notnowmike_]

Didn't think I'd be interested in this. But after watching I'm really glad I went along with this journey.

[@Keythong]

I too had one of these as a kid, as did lots of my classmates. I remember one particular day at school when we could bring in a toy from home (I can't remember the occasion or reason why), well six of us all brought in Astro Wars and we had a little tournament together. Good old days!!!

[@MrMarkysimm]

It wa the last day b4 school holidays when you could do that, happy memories

[@whatyeonaboot]

Great work. Brought back memories from my 9th birthday, 40 years ago

[@RetroTechRepair]

Great video Vince, I love these VFD games. The power transistor seems to be a common fault in Epoch games like astro wars and scramble. There are a couple of diodes that can lead to faint display and sound or no display and an overheated transistor too. The design was approved on later games, but plenty of versions have this problem. Your great vid Inspired me to finally to post a video on them myself. Thanks.

[@sam_8a]

Nice video!! You can add a diode at input to protect it from reverse polarity

[@Operational117]

Always love seeing an electronics repair, no matter how old or niche it may be. INFO EDIT: There are indeed two types of transistors: NPN and PNP. In an NPN transistor, current enters the base *and* the collector, leaving the emitter. The emitter’s current is the sum of the base and collector currents. A PNP transistor, however. has the currents go *the opposite* direction. The current enters the emitter and exits the base and collector. The collector current is the emitter current *minus* the base current. The symbols are different, too: NPN transistors: Arrow goes *away from* base. Emitter is at bottom. PNP transistors: Arrow goes *towards* base. Emitter is at top. The arrow-side *is always the emitter, whether it goes to or from the base!* This applies to “bipolar junction transistors” (BJTs). “Metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistors” (MOSFETs) are an entirely different beast, as they have four parts: source, drain, gate and body (body is usually for the ground plane).

[@MichaelBritt23]

Your fault finding has really improved. I really like watching you navigate around the device and discover the issues.

[@fungunfanatic]

I was born in 82, if that was made in 81 it would make it 40 years old... very interesting fix. Well done.

[@BluejuiceT4]

I am chuckling to myself so smugly right now, Vince you literally are My Mate! I have had a Grandstand Scramble (similar inside) sat in pieces on my desk for nearly a year. You gave me motivation to go back to it and after 10 mins it fired up! Now how does it go back together! Thank you! Keep up the great work.

[@telemedic2000]

Another vintage bit of kit works again. Well done vince! Great diagnosis!

[@MikeSpeakman]

I got one of these for Xmas 1982, kept me happy for hours on end, great to see it again and well done on a tricky repair ;)

[@ktaragorn]

Didn't think I would be watching a discussion about the philosophical meaning of knowledge and its power here :D

[@mickholling6819]

Vince I'm from Harlow Essex and was for years a electronics test repair engineer. I have to say to notch man for a beginner you are doing very well.

[@mickholling6819]

top but you knew that

[@madnlooney]

loved this game when i was younger. spent so many hours playing it

[@robertoneill1979]

Mate, your deduction, improvisation and implementation on these fixes are inspirational to watch. The wire from old christmas tree lights made my day 🤩 Happy New Year Vince 👍

[@ph0enix00]

WOW This brings back memories, I had this game in 1982 when I briefly lived in Bangalore, India when I was 12 years old, think it was a in a slightly smaller form factor, but brilliant game annoyed the hell out of my parents and was banned from playing on the plane after a while!!!

[@markbradley1975]

What a great fix. I love watching these retro games getting repaired. I would have been 5-6 years old when that game came out. Keep up the great work and let’s see more of these classic games come back to life.

[@CR7hg]

I'm a big fan of different things like games and sports but honestly, I would never last 45 minutes watching any of them like I watch your videos. Unbelievably addictive. I would love to be able to know what you know and be able to understand all of it. Nowadays people just replace stuff instead of fixing it, you are a bit of an old school and I love it.

[@Labr1nth]

Talk about a "blast" from the past. Another great vid as usual 👍👌

[@finbah5706]

wow. I'm a huge fan of your channel for 2 years now. I'm stuck on this cassette player project, losing 2.7 volts from the 6 volts of batterys, to the motor. I had no idea what to do next and I watched this and now I'm going to check the transistor. fingers crossed!! thanks Mate!

[@roiberadcnoic5862]

That brings back some memories nice to you fixing the old retro game Vince 🤗

[@eightohmmedia]

Brilliant fix Vince, took me back to my childhood, loved Astro Wars, played for hours...!!

[@xrayermike]

Great video. Love watching broken things being fixed.

[@hiteshpatel9680]

My 4 year old adores your videos. What chance a birthday message for him

[@NeilsNonsense]

Thanks for this video Vince, I've fixed two of these now. The first was just the D882 which I already knew about, but the second today had the same faulty SO3 NPN transistor as you diagnosed here. I replaced that with a PN2222 which looked compatible and Bingo! One thing I gleaned from this that you didn't specifically mention was how to avoid shorts on the replacement transistor legs when bending them for a different B/C/E order than the original - just rotate the orientation of the transistor by 90 degrees. Genius!

[@MrMush78]

Had 1 of these as a kid and loved it when ive finished my man cave its top if my list as a must buy 👍

[@colin1729]

Great Video Vince. Really enjoyed the journey with you.

[@Idiotatwork]

Oh wow I still got my astro wars game...many hours of fun in my youth.

[@mrbones666]

Takes Me back to my youth. :)

[@magicstu]

This was my first ever gaming device, spent many happy hours with this mini arcade !

[@StevenIngram]

Very nice repair. I had one of those waaaay back in the day, I played the heck out of it. :D

[@sw6188]

Just to help you out: 1) If the BD139 works (as it seems to), just go with it. There is no way that the circuit would draw anywhere close to 1 amp (the max rating of the BD139), so it's quite safe to use it. Even though the 2SD882 is rated to 3 amps that's not an issue. 2) This transistor is being used for switching - it is driving that small black round transformer to generate higher voltages for the VFD. 3) Don't buy semiconductors off ebay! They are mostly fakes and will blow up or simply not work (thereby further confusing you as to what is actually wrong). A great video though and it's inspiring to see others taking on repairs like this. I have been in electronics for 40+ years as a hobby and a career and still enjoying what I do.

[@tonyfishlock7240]

Nice one Vince I'll have to to dig my one out of the shed and order up some transistors 👍 Thank you

[@instahawk8422]

I don’t even know what this thing is but seeing it get fixed is good

[@treenamcgowan7652]

Good job! Glad you got it working again, and nice job with the paint!

[@CMDRBlueeagle66]

The hours I spent playing that as a kid 😀 That surface is normal with a lot of flat 3D printed parts. Although there is ways to mitigate it depending on the slicer used.

[@Mushroom67]

This was one of my favourite toys. Awesome upload mate.

[@gaming4eva75]

My mate had one of these great times :) Vince you have the patience of a saint, if it was me it would of gone in the bin :)

[@flatman9]

It wasn't until I heard the sound then I realised I had the exact same one as a kid. Fond memories but not exactly a ps5 lol

[@ClayMann]

I remembered it immediately but I totally get what you mean by the sound. We would have played these things to death and those sound loops are imprinted in us for life haha.

[@yebbo00]

Got one coming in the post as we speak. I hope the issue of no power which I’ve bought it with…… this video helps me fix it .!

[@cantliff9]

Am I going to do the whole level without dying? Immediately dies, Vince you jinxed yourself there!

[@St4rl1ne]

I learned so much from watching your videos , so i just wanted to say thank you!

[@Zackprojects]

I loved this one! great fix!

[@ciscoponch67]

Great job, Vince!!! Happy New Year!!! And Cheers!!!

[@Wick011000]

Brings back memorys.

[@FlyTech2709]

you are amazing for keeping us entertained during lockdown keep the good work and stay safe for gods sake

[@doolz]

Great vid mate. I had one of these back in the day. Great memory ta.

[@SkulShurtugalTCG]

This thing is 40 years old now, wow.

[@Tim_3100]

Yup

[@martinda7446]

How! ''40 years old now, wow''. Holy cow. Pow.

[@MrLeftsaidfred]

Whaaaat! Gosh I remember them so well

[@martinda7446]

@@MrLeftsaidfred Ha, ha...come to think of it...Yes I'm beginning to remember...

[@dreamcazman]

I've got one here too, still works fine.

[@DEmma1972]

Pretty good fix as someone else had been on it first. Great fault finding as usual now. Good job

[@MurrayMints]

Love the old engineers term "form" = bend. I put that on many jobsheets Lol . Great videos Vince. Keep em coming.

[@philjtephenson41]

My parents could never afford this thing so i waited and waited until i could afford one for myself.....and promptly forgot about it for decades after i found the pub and women, not long ago i managed to get one of these in pretty good nick and i love it...im 51.....

[@paulboardman01]

had one of these as a kid, loved it

[@simonwalkersoundtechnique]

Still got my Astro Wars. I might plug it in to see if it still works! Great video 👍🏼

[@hadesmcc]

Lovely little fix. Cool little game.

[@matt0xx76]

man i loved astro wars back in the day !!

[@Natures_Intentions]

Awesome repair job. i can learn from your videos as i have just started my own KZbin channel a few weeks ago. Job well done!

[@MrMarkysimm]

So many memories, i had one for Christmas when I was a kid

[@JonnyImpreza]

Great memories, I had this game when I was young 🚀

[@GarthBeagle]

Nicely done!

[@jjamorris1]

fantastic work

[@leegoderz83]

Great job Vince !! Love ya vids 👍👍

[@markvandesande8855]

Not bad for 40 years old i had the firefox for a while on loan from a mate. While he was borrowing my Activision Tennis 🎾. Loved the vibrant colours. Just pre spectrum and oric 1 fantasic.

[@philtowle4683]

Broke my sons 20v die grinder by trying to power off drill battery. Barrel plug was negative centre pin. Swapped transistor with one off ebay, job done.

[@2009numan]

Nice fix mate well done

[@Doyle69]

Just bought one today with no power, always wanted one even if broke, so lets see what I can do!

[@djmips]

Nice work... Well 'cept the hot glue :/ But I'm sure one day you'll look back at this and laugh. You are always getting better and I've seen you level up and it's very satisfying. Keep up the good work.

[@HavingFunRepairs]

Vince, Happy New Year! Wonderful repair. Replaced many power transistor (high voltage type) on control/power boards for bowling lanes. Your synopsis of the issue is really good. When too much current is conducted by the transistor the result is excess heat and drop in voltage. In regards to the items I've repaired in the past it would be something like the bias on the base of the transistor was too great. Typically due to other faulty components. Since a lot was replaced on the item you repaired I suspect it was something similar and the transistor was on its last leg after being over worked. Measure and compare current draw from your power supply pre-transistor replacement and post. There are many how to videos that should show you how to do this with your Fluke DMM. Just be careful (safe) with any current type measurements. If the current draw is significantly lower, post repair, I would presume you have a repair that will last for a good while. Thanks for what you do! Cheers! Best Regards, Shawn

[@neilhebb6487]

Shout out to all the ocado workers! The bag gave it away!

[@andersmmvfc.8376]

Good job. Nice fix there!

[@spo5egy]

I remember this game well in the uk, all my friends had them and I wanted one so bad, then my uncle returned from Florida after working at NASA with a Defender game. Great times.

[@samgray593]

Just wanted to say I love your videos, Just joined your Patreon, keep up the good work :-)

[@kevinconroy2014]

First electronic game I ever owned. Played it for hours and hours.

[@1971wizzard]

I love your channel ...especially when you go...Yesssss!! its working...have you considered using an earthing strap to negate blowing circuits?....keep up the entertainment...Magical!!

[@TheMst24]

Good troubleshooting Vince. As a hint for you, you can use 3 of 1 amp power npns in parallel to have a 3 amp one if you dont have 3 amp npn. :))

[@bunnylove273]

Hi bud love this vid and the classical music it's like watching a fine ballet where u are the dancers and the music is the companion

[@cptcrogge]

Amazing piece of technology

[@jawmedia7575]

Happy 2021 Vince!

[@garethr1970]

I had one of these as a kid. I remember seeing it in my Mum's catalogue and thought it would be just like a real arcade game like Galaga or Galaxian, so I was a little disappointed that it was quite basic. I still played it a lot though - my Dad built me a power supply for it so that it wouldn't cost a fortune in batteries. My brother had the Galaxy Invader 1000 which was quite similar but more of a hand-held.

[@mikehensley78]

Nice fix!

[@danielson9579]

I never knew that about the barrel Jack good call 👍

[@brutlern]

Surprisingly colorful display.

[@TheSkaldenmettrunk]

This was very interesting as well.

[@tambias]

Great job mate,need to come to my house to repair mines!have loads of old vacuum games in the same state as that.

[@danosho-san1770]

I had this exact model when was brand new! My Dad bought it me at Norweb in Lytham.

[@pds8475]

More than likely when the power transistor went short it drew to much power from the small transistor blowing it. When Lee changed the power transistor to much power from the shorted small transistor will have damaged the base emitter junction and would eventually blow it. Although it is not short or open circuit it will be reading differently than a new transistor. The damage means that it is not fully opening and therefore the screen was dim.

[@johneygd]

Simple but sooo appealing device.

[@gregsargeant9924]

Wicked stuff mate!!! Subbed 👍👍😎

[@GadgetUK164]

Excellent video =D

[@rich1668]

I still have one of these and it still works

[@sepgorut2492]

A great episode

[@paullefur6213]

Nice one Vince buddy, great vlog, surely if you get it back to factory looking has to be worth a few pennies cause its Retro !!!

[@bitemykrank1970]

I remember I had this same console game in 1981. I had the choice for Christmas that year, Astro Wars, or the folding Nintendo Game and Watch Donkey Kong. It was a tough choice for an 11 year old, but all my mates at school had the Donkey Kong game, so I wanted to be different. All I remember about it, apart from the fact it wasn't that difficult to be good at, was it ate through the C batteries like they were going out of fashion.....a new set of batteries would give MAYBE 20 minutes of game play if you were lucky, and bought the BEST QUALITY batteries.....luckily I had a mutli plug, multi voltage reversable DC output wall wart AC adaptor for it aswell. But that same adaptor blew up many items until I realised the Astro Wars console was the ONLY unit with the power socket wired backwards. Every other socket or device I had that I could use the adaptor on was positive on the centre pin, negative on the shroud.....why this was the other way I never understood. So an accidental reverse polarity connection would be EASY to do if the reversed wiring was a standard design for this unit and nothing else. While reminiscing though......I do remember I played it a LOT, that was, until something in my underpants discovered girls, and this little game was of FAR LESS INTEREST !!!!

[@Tim_3100]

Great video

[@Retro_andy_1977]

Used to love my Astro wars