Stern Spike Backbox LEDs dead

[SilkySox]

Hi all, my Kiss LE’s backbox has gone dark.
When it first happened a couple of weeks ago, I adjusted the brightness settings in the menu and the LEDs suddenly sprang back to life.
Today, however, I powered on, it flickered a lot - and then died. Everything else seems fine. Strongly suspect it’s not the LEDs themselves.

Any advice much appreciated!

 

[Pick Holder]

Is it just the backbox LEDs?

Those CPU boards are a fortune, and I wouldnt mess with any of them.

Best to put some LED light strips in the back and power them via a step down buck converter off the 48v or plug them into the USB socket on the board (providing it is under 400mA).

 

[Deleted member 2463]

not sure if spike 1 has this but on spike 2 there is a jumper (so they could use LEDS off the board) check it isn't loose. I'd reseat all the connectors also and check the cable from the power board also.

 

[Pick Holder]

not sure if spike 1 has this but on spike 2 there is a jumper (so they could use LEDS off the board) check it isn't loose. I'd reseat all the connectors also and check the cable from the power board also.

Spike 2 was the first to have this feature on.
Spike 1 is onboard LEDs only

 

[Deleted member 2463]

yeah I wasn't sure.

The LEDs are on 5v so worth checking if thats coming out of the power supply.

Neil.

 

[Pick Holder]

yeah I wasn't sure.

The LEDs are on 5v so worth checking if thats coming out of the power supply.

Neil.

The DMD wouldnt work if the +5v had failed.
If the +9v fails no node boards work.

It is a bugga!

I had to do a repair/replacement from Electro coin on the Wrestlemania I just sold. It was a fortune.

I would not even attempt to replace the LEDs on this board.

Like I said -
48v - 12v buck voltage converter
LED strips in the back

Wont be controlled from the software so they will dazzle you when you lift out backglass.

But it is not as if Kiss is going to be getting a code update soon.

A new board is over £700 off electrocoin. Plus VAT as well.

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This is the solution if it bothers you ! Make sure it is the 50hz european board before you order.

 

[Deleted member 2463]

yeah if that's the case probably best bet.

Neil.

 

[SilkySox]

Thanks for the info chaps - much appreciated.
Will probably go the LED strip route, though the temptation to replace the board and keep it all original is definitely there!

I get the impression this isn’t a common problem. There‘s one Australian guy on Pinside who had the same thing on his GB. His fix, in the end, was a repair, replacing the LED driver chip (U33) on the CPU.
Do we have anyone over here who would do that?

 

[Deleted member 2463]

@myPinballs is your best bet!

 

[SilkySox]

https://www.amazon.co.uk/520-6936-1...words=spike+1+cpu+stern&qid=1605389868&sr=8-4[/URL]

This is the solution if it bothers you ! Make sure it is the 50hz european board before you order.

Hi again @Pick Holder - the board in my LE is 520-6936-01A (enhanced audio, whatever that means).
Do you know if the one you shared is a later version of the same - or should I stick with an 01A, if I do go this (admittedly mad) route?
They have both.

 

[SilkySox]

@myPinballs is your best bet!

On it!

 

[SilkySox]

Just to confirm what I’m sure you all know @myPinballs Jim is THE man.

 

[myPinballs]

Just to confirm what I’m sure you all know @myPinballs Jim is THE man.

View attachment 126400

Many thanks for the kind words Certainly was a tricky repair, but happy i was able to sort it for you and save you having to get a new board.

 

[Andydn]

Well done Jim, this is great news [emoji322]


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Sako-TRG]

Many thanks for the kind words Certainly was a tricky repair, but happy i was able to sort it for you and save you having to get a new board.

Hey Jim,

I have same issue with the Node Board 1
LED drive chip.
I’ve ordered a few U33 - LED drive chips AP8801SG-13 from Farnells.

Got myself a rework station and practiced removing some SMDs and then soldering back in place.
Did this on some cheap network switches. Tested ok after……
I’m a total novice but nothing ventured, nothing gained. Attempting repair next weekend.

- Gonna use the hot air gun / flux method to remove chip
- remove old solder with copper braid
- add small amount of new solder to pads
- prime the leg pins with solder
- use hot air gun / flux to install new chip
- ensuring pin 1 orientated correctly

Wish me luck…lol

 

[drhex]

Good luck!