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Williams GI issue.

Jetsetron

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Jun 18, 2018
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124
Location
Lincolnshire
Having issues with one of the playfield relays for the top of the playfield GI.

I noticed it had dimmed. Fiddling with the plug got the GI bright again, but it dimmed again shortly after. Resoldered the relay pins, and changed connectors to crimp. Same problem.

Any suggestions? Can you get these relays new or refurb?
 

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Does it still go bright when fiddling the plug? If so I'd suspect you need to re-flow the solder on the connector pins again from underneath.
 
It all looks good tbh. I’ve seen this at Mania, could it be compatible?
 

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I’ve reflowed it too
Did you add some solder to the bottom of each header pin? If wiggling the connector is making the GI bright I still suspect the header. Posting a close up photo of the bottom of this board may get you some help.
 
The wire bit of the connector has been previously replaced. That means it probably has overheated in the past. The connector pins look original. I guess the connector pins are burnt and therefore have high resistance. Check and clean or replace.

Andy.
 
When you say connector pins do you mean the header bit soldered to the board? I’ve just reflowed and same problem. I’ll get one ordered to try. Thanks guys
 
Back in machine now but it looked ok. I’ll order a new header and see if that fixes it.

Does anyone know where you can buy these new if it doesn’t work?
 

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Hi, Ron,

As with the backbox general illumination, the relay contacts can be by-passed. All it does is break each conductor, so joining the two yellow wires together, and the two purple wires together should result in constant illumination of that circuit of lamps. The breaker relay pcbs are interchangeable (or were when originally fitted), so you could check if this one is the problem by trying it in place of one of the others

Edit - the relay energises to break the illumination circuits, so it's the NC (Normally Closed) and Com(mon) contacts that are used
 
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As others have said, it's almost certainly the wires / connectors. Unlikely to be the relay, as you proved it when wiggling the connector and getting it to work.

I'd fit new both sides of the connector, male and female. I'd also cut back a small amount of the wires that go to the connector removing burn't or tarnished wire until nice shiny wire is found.
 
Thanks guys. I’ll replace the headers, may try and bridge the yellows/purples for test purposes.

I’m sure the same relay is in the backbox so I could try that as suggested.

If all else fails can they be bought nos/repro?
 
Update, replaced the header/pins and the problem persisted.

On closer inspection of the pins on the actual relay unit, one looked not quite right.

Reflowed all those pins and everything is back to 100%.

Thanks everyone for all the advice and inputs ?
 

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