What's new
By:
Pinball info

Register a free account today to become a member! Once signed in, you'll be able to participate on this site by adding your own topics and posts, as well as connect with other members through your own private inbox!

Diagnosing solenoid fuse blowing

HomerRamone

HomerRamone

Site Supporter
10 Years
Joined
Mar 20, 2013
Messages
1,359
Location
Newcastle
A friends Gorgar is repeatedly blowing the solenoid fuse. There no apparent pattern to it - its pretty intermittent.
Im thinking perhaps theres a solenoid starting to break down or something. Question how to find out which one (other than replacing them all one at a time and seeing how it goes)

Thanks
 
Its not 100%. Every time the fuse is replaced I did a quick solenoid test then played a couple games and its fine.
Sometimes a week goes by and it pops again, sometimes many weeks.

Wont the meter reading be affected by the diode ?

My thought is that a coil is getting hot and starting to short when it does.
 
No - you can measure a resistance of a coil with the diode in place.

If it is shorting when hot, then you might be able to tell the suspect by a visual inspection - it may be burning up and discoloring the paper wrapper.
 
Tested coils. All seem to be fine. Ran solenoid test for some time. All still fine.
Played the game for a while all still fine.
Only significant discovery is that someone has removed the credit knocker. Too me a little while but eventually tracked down the wiring for it in the hope there was some bare wires but this is not the case. (Might try and refit a knocker anyway but don't expect this will help with it blowing fuses - is a replacement going to turn into a quest ?)

Not sure what else to try RE fuses at this point.
 
just to double check : are you using the right type of fuse? is it the correct value?

If two solenoids fire together then that might be the cause. eg a pop bumper or sling which goes off on its own because it’s got a very sensitive switch at the same time as another solenoid fires?
 
AlanJ said:
just to double check : are you using the right type of fuse? is it the correct value?

If two solenoids fire together then that might be the cause. eg a pop bumper or sling which goes off on its own because it’s got a very sensitive switch at the same time as another solenoid fires?
Click to expand...
Fuae matches the rating in the manual (forget what it says, but X amp slow blow}
I
None of the coils look like they've been hot (the flipper coils are not original but that's no surprise really)
I can try triggering several coils at once next time I visit cos the fuse has gone see if that pops it
 
Another possibility if is a pop bumper or sling shot switch is getting stuck on - this will draw too much power and blow the fuse. Those 3 jet bumpers and 2 slings are the "Special" solenoids - ie when the switch triggers they switch on - if the switch stays on the coil stays on. So a sttuck switch or even a sliggish switch could be the problem. I'd concentrate on those 5 coils and switches first.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom