Trough Opto Question

[Sako-TRG]

Hi all,

I'm a novice with Pinball but here's an observation.........
Had an issue where my flippers were dying mid game - similar to a tilt but not a tilt. - Stern SAM system
Went into switch test mode - checked the Optos in the trough, both LEDs on the emitter. Tested the switches manually with the balls, in the trough and up-kick into shooter lane, all switches are registering fine.
Fired game back up, same issue, flippers dying.....

This time, I inspected the cable connectors going into the receiver and transmitter opto boards in the trough.
Nothing looked out of place.
Pulled them out and re-seated them.
Haven't had any issues since.
So.......... is this a normal occurrence, the connectors that go into the optos need to be re-seated periodically?
Are these connectors a bit flakey? Would there be any benefit in soldering the wires direct to the Opto boards?

Thanks in advance.

 

[pinballmania]

The solder joints around the pins onto the small boards are often cracked. Reheat and reflow the solder.

 

[Sako-TRG]

The solder joints around the pins onto the small boards are often cracked. Reheat and reflow the solder.

Thank you very much sir, that makes sense

 

[Pick Holder]

The stern sam system doesnt use optos for flippers. They are normal leaf switches. Try cleaning these connectors with a cleaning board.

Best way to test optos is to take all the balls out the trough and go into switch test.

Leave the game on for a good 20 minutes in switch test.

You may see a bad opto triggering by iteself.

 

[Sako-TRG]

The stern sam system doesnt use optos for flippers. They are normal leaf switches. Try cleaning these connectors with a cleaning board.

Best way to test optos is to take all the balls out the trough and go into switch test.

Leave the game on for a good 20 minutes in switch test.

You may see a bad opto triggering by iteself.

Thanks @Pick Holder - understood but I think whats going on, the Optos as they are going faulty, thinks the ball drains and in in the middle of play kills power to the flippers..... so as your man from Pinballmania mentioned - re-flow the solder should hopefully put the Opto boards back to normal.

 

[Pick Holder]

Thanks @Pick Holder - understood but I think whats going on, the Optos as they are going faulty, thinks the ball drains and in in the middle of play kills power to the flippers..... so as your man from Pinballmania mentioned - re-flow the solder should hopefully put the Opto boards back to normal.

Ahhh - okay

I thought you meant they actually lost the strength. See what you mean.

My method for testing the optos still stands and has stood me right for 20+ years.

 

[Sako-TRG]

Ahhh - okay

I thought you meant they actually lost the strength. See what you mean.

My method for testing the optos still stands and has stood me right for 20+ years.

Yeah, I’ve taken note of that, I’ve written it down already