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Iron Man Backbox Fluorescent Tube

Andy_B

Andy_B

Site Supporter
1 10 Years
Joined
Oct 12, 2014
Messages
542
Location
Worksop, Notts, UK
I noticed the backbox on IM was looking a bit dark so I took out the backglass only to discover there was no fluorescent tube fitted. Only had it 6 months :)

Can I just pick one up from B&Q or is it machine specific?

I tried a search but nowt came back.

Thanks

Andy
 
Last edited:
Andy_B said:
I noticed the backbox on IM was looking a bit dark so I took out the backglass only to discover there was no fluorescent tube fitted. Only had it 6 months :)

Can I just pick one up from B&Q or is it machine specific?

I tried a search but nowt came back.

Thanks

Andy
Click to expand...
Not sure it's quite as simple as that. I'm currently trying to change the voltage of a Midway cabinet from 110v to 220v and there are only 2 remaining obstacles, one of which is the fluorescent tube needs to match the line voltage. Hopefully someone who knows what they're talking about can comment as I am also very interested in this topic right now!
 
Just replace it with an LED tube. It comes with a different starter too.

This is what is in my Big Buck Hunter.

I will see if I can get the Amazon link, but it was a few years back

9D4B524A-8428-41A9-AD3D-4D4483295AAB.jpeg

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I read on the group someone who did that and blew the starter up and was having loads of problems with LED conversion.

When I search 110v fluorescent tubes I get multiple returns for product that work on both 110v and 240v. Can anyone confirm?

If the B&Q route isn't viable who has the actual item in the UK?

Thanks
 
Well, mine has been in for over 3 years (including a trip to Pinfest) and no issues.

They give you a replacement starter to use, so I can only assume someone did t replace the old starter.

Your call, but why go for the fluorescent, when you can go LED reduce the heat in the backbox.
 
Andy_B said:
I noticed the backbox on IM was looking a bit dark so I took out the backglass only to discover there was no fluorescent tube fitted. Only had it 6 months :)

Can I just pick one up from B&Q or is it machine specific?

I tried a search but nowt came back.

Thanks

Andy
Click to expand...
I would just leave it.
The glare that they produce on the glass is awful, so you can't see the ball.
 
Andy_B said:
I read on the group someone who did that and blew the starter up and was having loads of problems with LED conversion.

When I search 110v fluorescent tubes I get multiple returns for product that work on both 110v and 240v. Can anyone confirm?

If the B&Q route isn't viable who has the actual item in the UK?

Thanks
Click to expand...
If they're multi-voltage and work on both they should be ok surely?
 
Have a search of old threads on Ukvac.
I remember something about fluorescent lamps. I think one of the problems is the difference in frequency between US 60 hz and Uk 50hz.
I believe there is a way round it but it’s complicated.
 
Bobbdobalina said:
Have a search of old threads on Ukvac.
I remember something about fluorescent lamps. I think one of the problems is the difference in frequency between US 60 hz and Uk 50hz.
I believe there is a way round it but it’s complicated.
Click to expand...
So for the UK market do they convert 50Hz from the mains to 60Hz inside the machine? Or does it all run on 50Hz only.
 
I had this issue, also funnily in an Iron Man except it was that the starter needed replacing so I did that, then I had no tube (or it was broken, can't remember which).

Literally went to B&Q and grabbed the appropriate size tube from there and it worked fine. Never had an issue with it in the year or so I had the game.
 
Rob zombie said:
Not sure it's quite as simple as that. I'm currently trying to change the voltage of a Midway cabinet from 110v to 220v and there are only 2 remaining obstacles, one of which is the fluorescent tube needs to match the line voltage. Hopefully someone who knows what they're talking about can comment as I am also very interested in this topic right now!
Click to expand...

Andy_B said:
I read on the group someone who did that and blew the starter up and was having loads of problems with LED conversion.

When I search 110v fluorescent tubes I get multiple returns for product that work on both 110v and 240v. Can anyone confirm?

If the B&Q route isn't viable who has the actual item in the UK?

Thanks
Click to expand...
Andy_B said:
So for the UK market do they convert 50Hz from the mains to 60Hz inside the machine? Or does it all run on 50Hz only.
Click to expand...
A 230v fluorescent tube won’t work in a 110v fitting . The 110v ones you can buy in the uk will be for building site situations I would of thought. They will be manufactured to work on 50hz.
The frequency problem I believe caused problems with the ballast over time.

The thread I think is “the defender project” but not 100%.
 
Rob zombie said:
The starter is the ballast? Is that right?
Click to expand...
No totally different things. The starter is basically a switch that causes an open circuit in the ballast . Which causes the magnetic field to collapse and in turn induces the high voltage that’s needed to start the lamp.
 
Oh boy. This is even more complicated than I first thought. Might have to just buy a step down.
 
pricey but you could botch your own one:

cointaker.com

STERN LED BACKBOX LIGHTING KIT

1. Stern Custom Deluxe Interactive LED Backbox Kit The original Stern LED backbox mod. These are custom made for each title to give the best light show possible. This kit is awesome as it is game interactive, as your game flashers light so will you
cointaker.com
 
Andy_B said:
It suggests to me it is suitable for a single 110 v tube or for a number of 220 v tubes in series.
Have I go that wrong?
Click to expand...
Like I say, I find this stuff confusing as hell. But it doesn't sound like a straight forward get out of jail card. You can still only put a single 110v tube in it, but that's what it had before you even put this thing in I'm guessing.
 
Neil McRae said:

Backbox LED lighting to replace neon tube on Stern SAM/Whitestar games

I've been reminded that I don't really like the neon tube lighting the backbox as on my newly-acquired Star Trek LE. It hums and doesn't look as good as WPC or Spike stuff. I see that Cointaker make an interactive kit for about $270 ... Does anyone have experience with these - any good? Any...
www.pinballinfo.com www.pinballinfo.com
Click to expand...
Not my thing Neil. I don't really see the point if you are watching the playfield. You'll just have varying brightness and colours of lights in your peripheral vision which I would regard as a £250 annoyance.
 
I've just ordered a step down transformer and cancelled my plans to convert from 110v to 220v. Way too much hassle messing around with this stuff. Good luck, I hope you find a solution.
 
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