Tight wire from rectifier board

[Dotteddown]

Hi guys,
Playing a bit of pin tonight as you do, and the golden cliffs solenoid didn’t fire again and I was on for a good score too ! Arggggghhhhhh
I did a few checks and this may be total coincidence but I spotted the head of the machine moves a little more than I’d like when tilting
So took back glass out and door open, then tilted the machine.
I noticed the transformer moved so checked all the connectors, one had worked loose I’m guessing from being tilted ?
On closer inspection there’s a brown wire only that’s bottomed out or taut that’s stopping the rectifier from sitting flat to the side of the back board.
It actually sits on the s**** and can not be fixed one side !
I’m guessing it’s been cut off and been put back in connector for whatever reason, previous broken wire maybe ?

To improve this could I cut the wire and solder a piece in and shrink wrap over ?
So I can sit the rectifier board flat to back board and screw in so it’s solid ?
The ‘play’ in the back board I noticed one of the small wooden angles pieces of wood to strengthen has come loose, easy fix by glue and pin
Anyone come across anything like this before ?
I’m hoping it cures the intermittent issue on golden falls but even if it does not it certainly needs sorting anyway.
Any advice I’d be grateful

 

[Dotteddown]

Just had a thought maybe a packer behind the rectifier board to bring the whole thing forward say an inch so wire will not be short when boards fixed back both sides sounds like a plan maybe easier or better than cutting the wire to reconnect to extend

 

[drhex]

Yes, you can extend the cable no problem. Twist, solder and shrinktube. If you want to be sure, use a new connector as repeated use of IDCs isn't good for contact.

 

[Jay Walker]

Hello, Jam,

Apart from page 3 of the other thread (see your pm about this), I can't see how tilting the machine would help with the saucer problem; I wouldn't expect a game of that age to have a search pattern programmed in to return a 'missing' ball to the outhole.

It has the uprated power supply, as used in Space Invaders, doesn't it? Maybe that's part of the problem, the manual shows the ordinary unit.

 

[Dotteddown]

Hello, Jam,

Apart from page 3 of the other thread (see your pm about his), I can't see how tilting the machine would help with the saucer problem; I wouldn't expect a game of that age to have a search pattern programmed in to return a 'missing' ball to the outhole.

It has the uprated power supply, as used in Space Invaders, doesn't it? Maybe that's part of the problem, the manual shows the ordinary unit.

Your quite right Jay,
It does have the newer looking rectifier supply in as in space raiders.
The fault appeared again and I checked the supply and all is good, not moved and connectors firmly in place!
Back to the drawing board it seems lol
I’ve just spent the day cleaning all the contacts I could easily get to on the flipper buttons, slingshots, saucers and paid particular attention to the drops which a few which have become reluctant to drop when hit.
There the first two in line of the sequence too which was driving me mad and costing lots of missed points in play !
I did however have a scary moment where I ran the game without glass on to see if it was any improvement and the left flipper had started registering score every time I pressed lol. At this point I checked everything again and possibly one contact on the star above golden falls was possibly too close so opened slightly.
Ran again better but still the same
Decided to try it with glass in and lockdown bar in and hey presto all good
I’ve no idea
The game now seems a lot more responsive and all points register much better than before and the drop targets go down a treat so all in all not a waste of time
I’m starting to learn now that pinballs consume you somewhat especially at weekends !!
Will run again and see if fault stays away.
Next job I need to do is replace some bulbs and maybe clean out the holders for better connections.

 

[Jay Walker]

Paragon isn't of the age to have a switch operated by the flipper for 'lane change', in fact even Williams (who trade-marked the term) hadn't thought of it at the time. So there wouldn't be a switch matrix problem involving the flipper, that was more likely to simply be a switch too close, and operating with vibration.

Drop targets get such a beating that it's surprising they're as reliable as they are. The Williams unit at the time, as on Hot Tip, f'r instance, was really bad. The Bally type sometimes didn't reset properly - they'd lift up, and remain at the highest point. So at least two hits were required, one to put it back into its proper raised position, and another to knock it down. The furthest forward of in-line groups have the worst time of all, I think.

 

[Dotteddown]

Hey David,
Well it sounds like mine arnt too bad then !
They definitely work better after a good clean.
However to be honest they need stripping and servicing, to be honest the whole playfield could do with it.
I can understand now why people take the time to do this there selfs or pay a Enginer to do it.