Help please, lighting string out on FG

[Matt Adams]

Like a **** I changed a bulb while powered up on my Family Guy and it has taken out row 3 of the insert lights which the manual says goes to J13-P7. There are no blown fuses so I guess I have blown something on the board. What should I suspect and is it home reparable. The only thing I have replaced on boards are BR's and transistors that have been diagnosed by others but I am willing to learn!

Any help greatly appreciated.

Matt.

 

[RGV]

Thick question: Have you checked you've not just knocked/ pulled the power connector to the string loose at either end?

 

[Matt Adams]

Hi, good question although I know the second I shorted it and it went dead. I just pulled the wire from pin 7 and touched it to pin 6 and row 3 lights with the others so it has to be something on the board that has popped :-(

 

[chris b]

I think J13 pin 7 is a column matt if it is that one then u14 is the next thing in line

 

[chris b]

sorry if its yellow and orange wire u15

 

[Matt Adams]

Hi Chris, thanks for your help, it is indeed a yellow wire with a orange trace. So the thing at U15 is a sort of 5 legged transistor (you can now see my level of technical knowledge!) what is this and is it the sort of thing I can get from Maplins or should I just order one from Andy? Best regards, Matt.

 

[cooldan]

are you sure it's not a spider who had an accident?

 

[Matt Adams]

Had to think about that one Dan, not as good as your Oasis gag earlier, get back to your pop bumpers!!! ;-)

 

[chris b]

I am no expert matt but yes that 5 leg transistor thing maplins by me are always useless for components try and or ph hope this cures it as the next chip inline is surface mounted
you can expect a pin delivery from me next week it was collected on Monday for WB

 

[pinballmania]

I think it's a vn02 driver. I have those if required.

 

[Matt Adams]

Thanks Andy, trying to put a list together so you don't just have to send me 1 component! Chris, thanks for your help, I heard a rumour SW was heading tis way, it must have been the 50 texts a day from W that gave it away!!!.

 

[Matt Adams]

Quick thanks to Chris B for diagnosing and Andy for supplying the part, all better now

 

[Nedreud]

NOTE TO FUTURE SELF: Switch off before changing these bulbs again

 

[chris b]

No problem matt glad to help

 

[Matt Adams]

NOTE TO FUTURE SELF: Switch off before changing these bulbs again

Found myself doing it again last night, idiot!!!

 

[JT.]

Out of interest, how does changing the bulb with the power on cause the damage?

 

[pinballmania]

It doesn't. But if you go in with a metal tool, you risk shorting a high voltage tab of a coil to a lighting circuit, sending a voltage spike back up to the low rated driving transistor.

 

[Matt Adams]

It's almost as if you were in the room Andy, that's exactly how it went down!

 

[BigIan]

changing bulbs with a metal tool ???

Doesnt everyone just use an old post rubber ?

 

[Spandangler]

changing bulbs with a metal tool ???

Doesnt everyone just use an old post rubber ?

Ha. Never thought of that. Cheers. Not that I use a metal tool, just my fingers

 

[Sgt GrizZ]

changing bulbs with a metal tool ???

Doesnt everyone just use an old post rubber ?

Referring to removing the sockets from under the playfield to gain access to bulb. I like to look at the position of the socket, assess how likely it is I'll be a butter fingered numpty with my driver, then leave the power on anyway

 

[Matt Adams]

What Grizz said