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Moving my first pin upstairs - harder than I imagined!

Dinsdale

Dinsdale

Registered
Joined
Oct 19, 2022
Messages
391
Location
UK
Hi all

Got my first pin, a Williams Terminator 2. Really pleased with the purchase but I am having issues getting it upstairs.

I have an awkward corner at the bottom of my staircase. I did measure and with the backbox down it does fit, but I need to lift it high to rest on the step that gives us the needed room. 3 people couldn't do it, one guy got squashed.

I am now wondering about disconnecting backbox. Looks very daunting. I've took pics and printed off numbered labels, but I don't want to do that unless I have to. Would removing the playfield be easier? I've looked at videos online and I can't see the T2 play frown being removed. I don't have the grab handles that others seem to, and I can't work out where I can disconnect it from.

Sorry, I know this is basic stuff and I did plan as much as I could, but obviously not enough.

Pin is now sat in the middle of my kitchen so not ideal!
 
I’d take backbox off. Done loads. If you’ve taken loads of photos and printed off labels for all the connectors you’ll be fine.

20 min job to take it off at max.
 
Andy B said:
I’d take backbox off. Done loads. If you’ve taken loads of photos and printed off labels for all the connectors you’ll be fine.

20 min job to take it off at max.
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Thanks. I went to take first one off and the green board moved and I thought "no, stop and think". Maybe I'm just being too apprehensive.
 
Taking off backbox isn't as difficult as it seems. Just label all electrical connectors and they should all be keyed anyway then just 6 bolts in the bottom of the backbox to separate the head from the base. Take time to reconnect and recheck all electrical connections and don't forget to reconnect the ground strap in the head. Just post here if you get stuck
 
I honestly don't know where to start. There's cable clips and ties I'd have to cut... I don't wanna do that. I'm nowhere near experienced enough not to cock this up.

I may just put it in my living room!
 
North east England. Anyone local that fancies making a few quid for their trouble?
 
Unless the cable clips are non original, they will all come out as one and drop into the bottom.
I had to do this with my first machine and had an attitude of “someone will help me fix it” and just went for it. It was not hard to put back.
Use a sharpie to mark the connectors with the number they are at now, and once a few are in the right place, the others fall to close to where they need to go.
 
So I've went for it. No turning back now.

I was making good progress but now I'm doubting myself again. Two small purple/brown cable that I've traced down to playfield so I know they needs disconnecting, goes all the way up to the top left to some fuse thing.

It connects to different things along the way so I'd have to disconnect that too. I feel like this isn't a few connectors - have I done something wrong?
 

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That’s the knocker in that photo, the key to this is loads of close up photos so you can see the colour of the wires.
even as you remove some of the plugs take more photos you can never have too many.
Before switch on double check with your photos that all the plugs are correct. You can do this.
 
Thanks for the encouraging words. The way I've had to unravel the wires is insane, I've had to go back on myself multiple times. It is perfectly possible I have damaged innocent wires as a result.

I'm finding more and more things I need to disconnect too. Is that normal? I read for Williams it's 4-6?
 
I did a full cabinet decal on my WH20 with about 100 photos to help me get back together again, if I recall I had 2 wires come out of the plugs, not a problem because the photos helped me identify which pin to reconnect it to.
Pull from the plug and not from the cables.
These cables have sat in that position for nearly 30 years and putting them back tends help you because of it.
 
Yup, I am pulling from the plug, just hope my stickers connect.

I've got a feeling my goal should just be to get it upstairs. I think I'm going to have to seek help to help put this all back together again.

I was really looking forward to having this ready for Christmas but there you go! I battle on!

Cheers for all help so far!
 
Thanks. I don't even like Calamari but I have nothing against Calimori.

I am now having issues getting a grip of this plug because it's blocked on all sides. Argh!
 

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Oh and it's bloody connected to another plug that I have to get down into the backbox cable hole, but that second cable is attached to the sound board making it impossible.

If this isn't a crash course in pinball, I don't know what it. I'm stood here in my kitchen laughing my back off.
 
I think I've done it. Going to continue tomorrow. Thanks for all the help folks.
 

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Dinsdale said:
Oh and it's bloody connected to another plug that I have to get down into the backbox cable hole, but that second cable is attached to the sound board making it impossible.

If this isn't a crash course in pinball, I don't know what it. I'm stood here in my kitchen laughing my back off.
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Can you get fingers on side and wiggle that one off?
 
Dinsdale said:
Nope. Used a pair of tweezers to loosen it and then shimmed the rest off with fingers.

I hope you're all going to help me plug everything back in tomorrow 😂
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You will find when you bring the loom back the cables just naturally fall back onto there correct connectors but double check once they are correct with photos etc…
 
Some require some steady wiggling to get off.

When you undo the bolts holding the head hinges be careful as once the hinges are lose and free they can fly and swing when potentially scraping the cabinet art. A sock over them can help😄. Just be ready to slowly lower them once the last bolt is coming out.

There's a good bunch in the North East that I'm sure would help you if needed, what town/city are you in or nearby?
 
Most plugs are keyed and only go in one place. Notable exception is the high voltage for the display board which you can plug into the power driver board - triple check you are correct on that one.
 
Worse scenario are operator bodges with direct soldering to board or at best chocolate blocks. Bought an addams once already decapitated and was cock a hoop with price until we got it home and found operator had just cut all the wires to get the top off.

And don't mention the "Paul Daniels" Back to the Future
 
Thanks for all of the replies. My pinball is where I want it and it play beautifully. I couldn't drag my Dad away from it. "Just one more go..."

Thanks for all of the help. The cables did go back but it took some doing. Some of my stick labels came off but I used logic to get them to the right place. So far I haven't seen issues with play, all seems to be working good.

But it was LOUD so I noticed there was a volume button on the coin door to help keep the neighbours happen.

In the words of Arnie, I'll be back!
 
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