What's new
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!

J120/121 Header Pin Replacement

strongs

strongs

Site Supporter
Joined
Oct 18, 2015
Messages
935
Location
United Kingdom
Hi all,

When I received my BOP I had some GI issues on the backbox and I noticed the connector for the GI was badly burned so I ordered this:
https://pinparts.co.uk/products/j120-general-illumination-connector-kit

Now I've replaced the connector the GI is working lovely but the connector still gets very hot and I've read that this is due to the header pins becoming oxidized so they'll need to be replaced too (I guess this is why they come as part of the kit above)

I've never replaced header pins before so was looking for advice or perhaps a guide on the best way to go around it.

Many thanks in advance
 
I’m on the fence about LED’s on this machine so I’d rather not get into a conversation about LED’s right now.
 
97DFDCC2-72AB-4ECE-A9BE-9BBBD251D5F4.jpeg If you are not confident about changing the pins on the board leave it to someone who does my Pinball’s pin mania or ph you will do more damage than good if you don’t know what you are doing here is one done at some point by a group member
 
I'd like to carry out my own repairs where possible (as that's half the fun I guess) I have some experience with soldering. If I was to attempt this myself do you have any tips? My soldering iron is a gas iron would this not be ideal to use? I understand that too much heat and I'll be lifting traces etc Do you recommend using flux paste? Any tips appreciated.
 
I would not use a gas iron! you need a good temp controlled iron some are not expensive, also a decent solder sucker. Add some fresh flux solder to the pins before removing the solder, you may need to remove the pins one at a time, sometimes I cut the plastic between the pins with sharp cutters to allow each pin to be pulled out whilst heating the pin solder side
 
Demo of the 'Japan' solder sucker....

I have used 3 different techniques.

First-
Use fresh solder on the solder pads on the lower side of the header pins, then re-heat and suck. If you are lucky the whole header may just fall out the board as one. If it needs anything more then a little wiggle to extract, try and isolate the stubborn pins and re-solder and re-suck it. If only one stubborn pin is left just heat the single pin and gently pull the header.

Second- Only works on nylon header strips.
Secure the board on its side so you have access with the solder weapon (gun/iron) to the pads and you also have a comfortable position to use small pliers to pull the pins.
Add fresh solder to the pin pads then start on one pin and heat it. Do not hold the pin whilst doing the heating as the pliers will act as a heat sink and stop the process working.
Keep heating the pin until you can gently push the pin inwards towards the board with the soldering iron. At this point the solder securing the pin and the nylon body of the header have melted. Keep the heat on and use the pliers to gently pull the pin all the way out through the board and the nylon. Repeat until the last pin where you just need to heat the solder and pull the pin and nylon together.

Third- Used on heatproof headers.
Add fresh solder to all header pads, you need the pins to be secure otherwise the board may be damaged. Then use a suitable heavy pair of wire cutters to cut the header pins off as close to the base as possible.
Once all pins are cut use a file or similar to remove any burs from the pins. Then use a small screwdriver to gently but firmly lift the header pin retainer off the pins. Use a bit of card to add leverage and project the board from scratches. Once the header retaining strip is off you can just heat and remove the pins one by one.

There is a fourth method mentioned above that involves cutting the header strips into individual pin sections but I have never done this as not had any soft enough to cut.

After removing the headers I like to re-flow solder over all the empty holes top and bottom and re-suck them just to clean them up and make sure they are ready to receive the new pins.

The whole process can be complicated by any previous work done on the board as different solder types react differently and if you have a mix of types it can be a pain to remove the pins so a good clean up of all the old gunk and new solder makes adding the new ones a painless process.

Once you got the new ones on, clean up with isopropyl alcohol and check your work visually, then with a meter and then check it all again once you have had a cuppa.

Forgot about this hand/finger drill...
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Pieces-Pre...514613&sr=8-2-spons&keywords=hand+drill&psc=1

If you have a damaged board where the through tube (the metal lining in the hole in the PCB) has been damaged or folded, no amount of solder heating or sucking is going to help. Only option I have found is using a handheld drill as linked above.

Good luck.
 
Last edited:
Many thanks all for your responses I may have a go...or I may wimp out last minute and send it off to someone :rolleyes:

I suppose another important question is do I actually need to replace the header pins? The old IDC was burnt but the header itself looks OK (not burnt)It does get hot though when the game is switched on.
 
You really should do the header pins. It’s a false economy. Trust me I cut that corner myself once and it bit me a couple of months later
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom