Funhouse ramp diverter question

[DRD]

The funhouse ramp diverter looks deliberately designed to damage the ramp !

It has a sharp tip and smacks against the side of the plastic ramp as per the picture. The diverter thins to a point at the end (like a blunt knife) ....



Is this normal ? I am considering ramp options, but this arrangement looks destined to ruin a new ramp if I buy one. The mouth to the ramp also has damage to both sides, though home made cliffy could largely hide this

I could cut a slot in the plastic ?
or fashion a home made cliffy ?

On my addams family for example, there is a slot cut in the ramp that the diverter can pass through so it smacks the side of the cabinet, not the ramp itself. The diverter has a square, as opposed to pointy end too. This is a much better arrangement ....



Any ideas or wisdom gratefully received

Thanks

 

[Jay Walker]

Hi,

I can't recall the exact arrangement on FunHouse, but I take it the picture shows it at rest, and it's damaging the plastic at the end of its travel when operating. Is there much wear on the solenoid components? I'd adjust the blade/linkage so that it just stops short of contacting the plastic at all.

 

[Spandangler]

Mines the same mate. I put some Mylar on there to help protect it. Brand new ramp as well!! Thought they'd have cut a hole but nope!

 

[DRD]

I feared so. Thanks for confirming @Spandangler

Interesting to see how they sorted it by addams family. My addams always gives a resounding thwack against the side of the cabinet when the diverter fires

So I will try @Jay Walker 's suggestion in the first instance together with the Mylar and see how it goes

I am considering a new ramp, but don't want to whack a hole in it again with the diverter

 

[Jay Walker]

The usual problem with this unit on Addams is a broken '389' spring in the linkage, but unlike other games like Rollergames or RiverBoat Gambler, it doesn't cripple the machine. In fact most players don't even notice, since it seems to be somewhat self-healing; the blade/crank either move of their own accord once the solenoid plunger/spring are energised, or are pushed out of the way by the ball (it's been a while since I saw an Addams).

But back to FunHouse - if it's not feasible to adjust the diverter shaft w/regard to the crank, then maybe a longer coil stop (or plunger) could help, by reducing the travel of the diverter blade. Perhaps the hole in your existing ramp could be used to fit a small rubber buffer, similar to those on a flipper unit.