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DE Star Wars Repair North London

nik2000

Registered
Joined
Jun 12, 2020
Messages
17
Location
London
Hi all,
I’ve got a DE SW that needs to be looked at. It’s in North London right now so would either need someone to visit or that I could deliver/pick up the machine from.

It had some power issues, naively tried some new boards but there are still issues. I’ve realised that I’m out of my depth so would need someone that knows what they’re doing.

I don’t mind if it’s an individual/specialist, although with all due respect I’m trying to keep costs down/reasonable.

I’ve been reluctant to get help since the last ‘expert’ charged me £200+ to change some rubbers and lamps and left me with a list of problems which he didn’t know how to fix.

I hope that wasn’t too negative and that there’s someone that can help (if all goes well I’ve got some more projects that need work)
 
Andy @pinballmania doesn’t come as far South as London anymore, but if you don’t mind dropping the machine off then he may be able to help you? He’s helped me many times in the past and is one of the best, but I’ve been using Martin for home service since Andy relocated further North.

https://pinparts.co.uk/
 
Andy @pinballmania doesn’t come as far South as London anymore, but if you don’t mind dropping the machine off then he may be able to help you? He’s helped me many times in the past and is one of the best, but I’ve been using Martin for home service since Andy relocated further North.

https://pinparts.co.uk/
Thanks again, will get in touch.

If they are one of the best & We can make the price work I’m sure I could drop it off.
 
Hey Nik if you list your problems they may point to a particular area of machine and people on here can give some pointers.
 
Hey Nik if you list your problems they may point to a particular area of machine and people on here can give some pointers.
Thanks, I was thinking about that but I'm getting quite busy and have spent a lot of time on these games already.

Ideally I guess I was hoping for a local forum member with some free time that could help out & make some money.
 
Thanks, I was thinking about that but I'm getting quite busy and have spent a lot of time on these games already.

Ideally I guess I was hoping for a local forum member with some free time that could help out & make some money.

Unfortunately I don’t think there are many of us in North London - I’m in Kentish Town but I don’t know anyone at all local who collects pins, let alone knows how to service or fix them. I’d offer to help myself but I’m sure I’d only make things worse!

Martin and Andy are both great pinball techs and they’ve been able to fix every problem I’ve thrown at them over the years. I’d suggest it’s worth going with someone who knows what they’re doing and both of them definitely fall into that category.

They’re also both great people and Martin in particular has helped me with fairly ridiculous scenarios over the years - I once had a NIB machine delivered to him and he drove it up to me so we could unbox it in a van he’d rented outside my place before removing the backbox so we could get it inside.
 
I appreciated you want someone else to fix it but without knowing the glitches, it is hard for someone to work out how much help is needed or where they would need to focus.
 
I appreciated you want someone else to fix it but without knowing the glitches, it is hard for someone to work out how much help is needed or where they would need to focus.
Thanks, although I couldn't really pin down anything, I've mentioned some of the previous issues below in case it helps;

- set of coils didn't work including ball trough and shooter
- flash test was firing coils
- swapped mpu with another (and game chips). Installed new power board and driver board. Seemed to be working ok for a short while.

Then:
- The game trips the circuit breaker when it's turned on (most times)
- The voltages at the power board were very high, and a 12v trace on the power board was burnt.


The game seems like it had problems with the power board before, which I read was common in these DE games. The old owner/operator spliced the power connectors and soldered them directly to the board (so connectors need to be redone)



I've tried to give as much info as I can. I feel pretty out of my depth at this point so don't want to try troubleshooting.




To the other comment;
It does seem that there aren't many people based in London which is a shame, I'll reach out to pinball mania asap. With a couple of people I spoke to the hourly rate/call out came out to almost £400/day, which I couldn't stretch to given I've got other projects to deal with.
 
Feel free to PM me with more details of the problems. I've spent rather a long time troubleshooting a DE so can possibly give you some tips if you want to take another crack at it. Pinball repairs can be expensive and lengthybut if you've got the money then go for it.
 
Feel free to PM me with more details of the problems. I've spent rather a long time troubleshooting a DE so can possibly give you some tips if you want to take another crack at it. Pinball repairs can be expensive and lengthybut if you've got the money then go for it.
Thanks, I’ll get in contact with those recommended but if I can’t make it happen I’ll definitely take you up on that.
 
If you haven't already found someone feel free to shoot me a message. I'm based in Essex and certainly don't charge £400 for a day's work. Currently not doing callouts due to covid but can either try to squeeze you into my shop in-between bookings or pop you on my waiting list for when I reopen home visits.
 
I have to point out project machines are never quick fixes,( if done properly,) I’m about 80 hours into a sega Star Wars and I’ve not even got it back together and working yet, you actually find most of the problems by taking it apart. When I’ve finished I know I’ll have to put in another dozen hours afterwards for adjustments and later niggles.
 
If your coils were firing on the flasher test you’ll have a short in the wiring between flasher circuit and coil circuit, can just be a kink in the wrong place around a metal fitting, often reported as a failure in a relay on the playfield power board.
 
I have worked on many of that era Data East games, they are not the best made to be honest.

If voltages are very high did anyone check your mains voltages (some places can be 250v in the UK) - and if you have a transformer tapped at 220v for europe it can cause higher voltages. Tripping of circuit breaker will be a line filter. This is not an uncommon fault.

My workshop is based in Birmingham. I do call outs as well but do not carry many DE spares. Also do quite a lot of work for Pinball Heaven on the mobile servicing front, and when they are open look after all the machines in Tilt (Birmingham). Currently I have jobs booked in but could squeeze this one in if need be.

I am currently doing call outs (and have been vaccinated against CV19 - 1st dose) and work to guidelines.

Martin at Go Pinball knows his onions but not sure if he is currently working. If you have no luck - get in touch by all means.
 
thank you all, I think I have more than enough contacts now/for the future. I appreciate everyone getting back to me so quickly & for putting me in the right direction.

It's a shame most people are further away from me but I'll make it work.
 
If you haven't already found someone feel free to shoot me a message. I'm based in Essex and certainly don't charge £400 for a day's work. Currently not doing callouts due to covid but can either try to squeeze you into my shop in-between bookings or pop you on my waiting list for when I reopen home visits.
I've sent you an email :) - hopefully you could fit me in, if not, I'm happy to be added to the list
 
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