Forums Scripts & Popups replace characters into $chr(43)

Hi all.
I try to change the characters in a line into $chr(43) [this is a +] but excluding the spaces.
example:
line = New York
new line shouild be: +++ ++++

i have this sofar, but it doesn't work.

%teller = $len(%antwoord)
var %i = 1
while (%i <= %teller) {
%hinta = $replace(%hinta,%antwoord,$chr(43))
inc %i
}

greetz
aaron