G23 std to mld swap, conflicting info on PSU

[sccarlso]

Greetings experts,

Have a query for ya’ll.  🙂

Given:  perfectly functional G23, 625 brainbox with SSD, 4GB, E4690 video card installed, std tft screen.

Switching to mld screen.

Have; screen, new mld screen door mounting plates to fit mld screen.  From what I’ve read here on NLG, I need a 440w PSU,

Was picking up some parts from my local slot shop.  The guy sells tons of full slots & parts for almost any model and is very experienced.  He’s sold many std and mld G23s.

I asked about the mld swap looking for a 440w PSU.  And he said “huh? Why?”   Told him that everyone here on NLG says you need it for mld.

Gave me a funny look and said no.  The screens get their power from the PSU on the left side of the cabinet.  The main PSU in the lower right of cabinet which powers everything else fine now.  Doesn’t change power draw if I swap to mld. 

And follows up saying that he’s done many mlds, and uses the same PSU driving a std screen to an mld, not a 440w, and just swaps the screen without any issues as the video card & 4gb needed in the brainbox already there with the requirements for an mld.  Never switched to a 440w PSU and it’s never been a problem.

He makes a good point I think. And it’s hard to argue the point if he’s done it dozens of times. 

Can any of the experts explain how he has no issues without a 440w PSU for an mld swap, but everyone here says you must have a 440w PSU to swap to mld?

And to clarify, as the displays have their own PSU on the left side of the cabinet.  Is that the 440w PSU that everyone says you need since it’s powering the displays, and the main PSU on the lower right is powering the rest of the machine now, which should have no added power draw just by the new screen since they have their own separate PSU?

If he’s not putting a 440w PSU in, and his G23s with an mld screen work just fine.  Seems like getting a 440w PSU is just a “nice to have”, but not a requirement, or his mld machines wouldn’t work.  But they do.

Any comments on this?  And can anyone confirm if it’s the PSU for the displays on the left side, or the main PSU on the lower right which is the 440w PSU that’s upgraded?  I’m familiar with IGT GK & BB2Es.  But just getting familiar with the AVP platform.

I can get a 440w, but he doesn’t do it & hasn’t experienced any problems at all without a 440w PSU in his with mld screens.

All comments welcome, good or bad!  lol

Thanks!

[Tilt]

Is this a G23V2 cabinet?  I haven't seen one that has a power supply on the left side of the cabinet.  Both of mine have factory MLDs and factory 440W power supplies that are mounted horizontally on a shelf on the right side of the cabinet.  The upper 23" non touch, non MLD monitor has it's own power supply in the top box, but the lower 22" MLD display does get it's power from the 440W power supply along with the rest of the cabinet electronics.  The G20 has a power supply on the left side maybe that's what he's thinking of?

Here's how I look at it.  IGT engineers designed these things to run 24/7 in a casino environment.  Yeah, maybe you could get away with a lower power output rating for part time home use, but for how long?  Will it take out anything if and when it does give up the ghost due to running at possibly 100% or higher of it's rated output?  Are you willing to risk damaging a $2k or so G23 over a $100 power supply that was designed to run it?  If so, go for it.  If not, get a 440W power supply and don't worry about it.

[sccarlso]

Excellent points!  That is likely his thought!

But if one of his machines goes down, he has to fix it under warranty for a year.
After that it’s not on him.

I’ll go with the 440w PSU!

Thanks, great info!

[Retro tech repair]

Not an expert on g23 but my g23 that im building has the mld powered off the 440w psu.

[sccarlso]

I’m pretty sure the smaller PSU would work.  But it would be pulling more than 80% of its rated watts, reducing the service life on an already old PSU. 

It’s not running 24/7 in a casino for years as it’s built to do.  And I’ve never heard of a failed PSU on any computer harming circuits.  Worst that could happen is it stops, or if power gets too low.  ICs get underclocked & start causing errors & unexpected behavior.  Something a casino doesn’t want.  lol

But if you’re taking the time & effort to build one out.  The clear choice is to put a 440w PSU in there since they’re readily available & inexpensive.  Do it right the first time and the chance of future PSU issues is pretty slim. 

You can put that cheap rebuilt alternator in your car too, but you’ll be replacing it again in a few years.  Get the good one & pay more, but it’ll likely last for 10 years or more.  😁

[Retro tech repair]

I’m pretty sure the smaller PSU would work.  But it would be pulling more than 80% of its rated watts, reducing the service life on an already old PSU. 

It’s not running 24/7 in a casino for years as it’s built to do.  And I’ve never heard of a failed PSU on any computer harming circuits.  Worst that could happen is it stops, or if power gets too low.  ICs get underclocked & start causing errors & unexpected behavior.  Something a casino doesn’t want.  lol

But if you’re taking the time & effort to build one out.  The clear choice is to put a 440w PSU in there since they’re readily available & inexpensive.  Do it right the first time and the chance of future PSU issues is pretty slim. 

You can put that cheap rebuilt alternator in your car too, but you’ll be replacing it again in a few years.  Get the good one & pay more, but it’ll likely last for 10 years or more.  😁

With switch mode power supplies it’s possible for fets to fail short its not common but i have seen it before if that happens the circuit will see w higher voltage than its rated for. Again this is not that common and from the power supplies i have seen this fault I believe they all failed from power surge.

[sccarlso]

I’m sure it could happen!  I’ve just never experienced it. 

My slot guy has probably sold maybe 30 AVPs where some may have had a 440w already in it, but many without upgrading the PSU and it’s worked ok.  But that’s not a very big sample.

But if it’s ok for a year then his warranty is met.  A failure after that is a paid service call to repair it.
So I suppose it’s just a risk he’s willing to take.

Since I’m doing it myself though, I’m taking the NLG community advice.  The people here are the largest sample and have nothing to gain one way or the other.  The wealth of knowledge & experience is second to none at NLG and can really be trusted!  👍

[Retro tech repair]

I’m sure it could happen!  I’ve just never experienced it. 

My slot guy has probably sold maybe 30 AVPs where some may have had a 440w already in it, but many without upgrading the PSU and it’s worked ok.  But that’s not a very big sample.

But if it’s ok for a year then his warranty is met.  A failure after that is a paid service call to repair it.
So I suppose it’s just a risk he’s willing to take.

Since I’m doing it myself though, I’m taking the NLG community advice.  The people here are the largest sample and have nothing to gain one way or the other.  The wealth of knowledge & experience is second to none at NLG and can really be trusted!  👍

There is one self proclaimed avp expert in the community that that used to be tagged in just about every post about avps. i used to go do heavily for info. Once i got a few matches and started getting heavy into the files and setups i quickly learned the guy doesnt know shit. Now i would not call myself an expert but i have learned enough to know there is a lot of misinformation out about these things. You kinda have to go with best judgment and do what will fit your needs best.

[sccarlso]

Agreed!  I look to the source as some are newbies. But some have impeccable and huge reputation power.  😁