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Post by asevie on Aug 5, 2013 22:32:03 GMT -5
So I finally got a Chexx! It's in great playing condition but has 30 years of play in it. It's played over 18,000 games, everything works pretty well. After getting it and cleaning it, the short list of things to replace is; a puck, 2 gear boxes and possibly some motherboard work but it came with a spare, so between the two I'll get one back in prime shape. The plan is to repaint the players in the Miracle On Ice uniforms, replace the dome, it's starting to sag from the 3 decades of heat, put 'boards' all around the dome, custom metal nets (started those tonight) and then, finally, hack into the sensors with a Raspberry Pi computer to play horns when a goal is scored, and evntually, take over as the primary computer keeping track of score, time, etc and displaying it on a 'modern' digital screen. That step is the dream part of all this, it'll take some time. Here's a photo of the first few players. I bought decal paper and plan on making the finer parts of the uniforms, including name, number, stars and pant design on those and applying them before clear coating. Should be a busy fall!
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Post by asevie on Aug 5, 2013 22:32:47 GMT -5
Forgot the pictures... Attachments:
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Post by asevie on Aug 5, 2013 22:33:41 GMT -5
The paint is nowhere near done, this is the first pass with the colors, there is some tightening up of the lines too.
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Post by asevie on Aug 5, 2013 22:34:20 GMT -5
The nets have been started too. Attachments:
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Post by asevie on Aug 5, 2013 22:35:19 GMT -5
Here's the unit... Attachments:
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Post by herm99 on Aug 6, 2013 15:21:27 GMT -5
Nice! Love seeing the original units, that should be a fun project, keep us updated!
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Post by darerock on Aug 10, 2013 23:26:39 GMT -5
awesome i really like your ideas for the horns when the goal is scored and new digital screens! i wish i was more experienced with that stuff. I was wondering if you had a suggestion for the period indicators. some bulbs are burnt out, only 2 of the 6 work. they are in those square socket things with fine wires on the inside and tiny bulbs. would you know of any way to do something with this that wouldn't be too difficult for a novice like me? please, thanks. i like the custom nets, if you go on facebook. www.facebook.com/SuperChexxwww.facebook.com/photo.php?theres a guy who made some and they are cool!
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Post by asevie on Aug 21, 2013 22:52:50 GMT -5
I haven't broken down the scoreboard yet, I've got a loose wire in the connector which makes the score flicker. I'm afraid to take it apart until I replace the wire ($35) and the bubble ($$$). After getting to Raspberry Pi to work with the circuit I built, I'm getting a little more confident that I can get the entire scoreboard replaced with the Raspberry Pi. The switches and time part I'm good with, it's displaying the time back to the LCD display circuit that I'm not so good on. This is where I'd rather push the numbers to a database (MySQL and PHP) and then build the scoreboard in HTML5 and have the Pi display a webpage/scoreboard on the LCD. We'll see! And I'll let you know when I crack into the scoreboard. I want to replace the lights in there with LED lights for the heat issue and to get the fan out of there.
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Post by herm99 on Aug 22, 2013 13:31:35 GMT -5
I honestly have no idea what you're talking about with this raspberry PI stuff, but I think it will be cool as hell if you get it to work. I'd love to add a goal horn to mine, keep us posted, maybe I'll send you my scoreboard.
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Post by asevie on Aug 22, 2013 21:57:28 GMT -5
The Raspberry Pi is a $25 computer that has a general purpose In/Out controller that you can use to build custom electronics. With a simple script you can have the Pi perform actions based on switches. For instance, in this case, I'm intercepting the goal signal and having the computer play an mp3 of the Toronto Maple Leafs goal horn. Eventually I want to display the score and time on digital scoreboard displayed on a 7-9" LCD that sits on top of the dome. Here's the Leafs mp3 playing when the switch is activated. (The Pi is the credit card sized board at the beginning of the video.) www.youtube.com/watch?v=OULxY6rWHRg
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Post by asevie on Aug 22, 2013 22:59:00 GMT -5
The players are starting to take form... Attachments:
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Post by asevie on Aug 22, 2013 23:01:32 GMT -5
The goals roughed out. Lots of work left on the joints grinding them down. Attachments:
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Post by herm99 on Aug 23, 2013 10:19:30 GMT -5
That is awesome man, I've done some small electronic work in my days, I'll have to look up this raspberry pi deal. Players are looking good too!
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Post by doanuts on Aug 25, 2013 23:35:37 GMT -5
Asevie, I was wondering what gauge of metal you used for your goalie net mod? Do you think the mtal from a coat hanger is strong enough? I recently purchased an older super chexx and I am wanting to ix it up. Watch out for some custom players, it will take some time but I will get it done. I will watch your progress. Good luck!
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Post by asevie on Aug 27, 2013 20:46:23 GMT -5
Hey, I used 1/8" Steel Rod from Home Depot, about $2.21 each. I used 2 of them. A coat hanger could work but it seems like it would be too thin. But then again, working with this 1/8' steel sux! You have to weld it, I've tried a plumber's torch and it wasn't even close to workable with that and solder, but then again, I can't solder for crap, so who knows maybe someone more experienced could help with that. Here's the link for the rod from HD... www.homedepot.com/p/Crown-Bolt-1-8-in-x-36-in-Plain-Steel-Cold-Rolled-Round-Rod-48480/100337531#.Uh1VtBvbOnE
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