The Aussie Pinball Arcade
Aussie Pinball Forums => Technical Matters => Pinball Repairs / Problems & Assistance => Topic started by: delarge on April 21, 2013, 12:12:43 PM
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Hi all,
had a get together last night and all the machines turned on in the garage for the evening. Around 1:30 I'm playing a pinball machine and I start to smell smoke and my Sega X-Files (concave headbox) has an eerie haze to the playfield under the glass. A smoke machine in pinball sounds like a great idea, but not my work. I see that the DMD is dead and quickly turn the power off. The fumes are terrible and garage door flies up to let the smoke out. Look under the playfield and can't see any coils locked on or anything out of the ordinary. The transformer on the outside seems to be melted with black droplets on the bottom of the cabinet. Great, just when I thought I had this machine running perfectly.....
Besides the obvious transformer replacement, what else do I look for so this won't happen again? I had just replaced the DMD power supply board in the top of the headbox and thought I had a 100% machine.
Cheers!
Adam.
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I take it the game had been jumpered correctly for 240 v?
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Hey Marty,
it's been working for 12 months. Could this still be an issue?
Thanks,
Adam.
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Ahh ok... No the jumpers once set stay that way.
With the game off and unplugged if you put your nose close to transformer it will have a terrible smell..
Unusual maybe you had a power surge in area.
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It smells HORRIBLE when you put your nose up to the transformer. Smoke was the same.
Machine was plugged into a power board along with three others. All the other machines kept playing fine.
It has a 5 amp main fuse installed, but is meant to have an 8 amp. The main fuse didn't blow at all, just the DMD went dead. I hope nothing else got fried.....
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Main fuse should be generally 4 amp. 8amp is when set to USA voltage..
Hard part will be finding a suitable transformer second hand.
I would replace the line filter too just to be sure
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Besides the obvious transformer replacement, what else do I look for so this won't happen again?
It's probably just a freak occurance, not very common for transformers to fry especially when there are no fuses blown.
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Don't write the transformer off just yet. Check the bridge rectifiers hat it connects to for shorts. Unplug the secondary side of the TX and plug it in. See if the TX still smolders.
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Hi guys,
thanks for all the replies. Here's some photos of the transformer.
Will check the bridge rectifiers.
Cheers!
Adam.
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Sorry to have to say it, but that looks toasted to me. Once some of the windings over heat and they loose their insulated coating, they short together and the transformer is no longer fit for service. Once you get burning and especially smoke coming from a transformer its usually a right off.
Hopefully someone here has a spare and can help you out. If you do find a replacement, make sure you test the circuits immediately after the transformer for shorts. You don't want to fry the replacment.
Good luck, I feel sorry for you in this situation.
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Thanks. Yeah, can't believe it happened. Was such a big let down after having all my boards working and the machine playing flawlessly. Have sent a few e-mail out to dealers already about a replacement to see if anyone has a spare. Will post a wanted ad also.
Will be double checking when I get a new one installed to see if everything else is ok before turning the machine on again. Just did a check of the fuses and everything is ok except the fuse on the DMD power supply board has blown. Bridge Rectifier (BR3) is also testing funny. I just did a quick test inside the machine. Having an early night tonight, but will pull the board out tomorrow night and do a proper test.
Cheers!
Adam.
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Sorry to have to say it, but that looks toasted to me. Once some of the windings over heat and they loose their insulated coating, they short together and the transformer is no longer fit for service. Once you get burning and especially smoke coming from a transformer its usually a right off.
Hopefully someone here has a spare and can help you out. If you do find a replacement, make sure you test the circuits immediately after the transformer for shorts. You don't want to fry the replacment.
Good luck, I feel sorry for you in this situation.
Not sure how you fry a transformer if the correct fuses are installed?
Are there fuses between the bridges and the transformer?
I have seen one in an early Stern before but it had the old alfoil style fuses hehe
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I would rewind that transformer - but that's just me - I'm a freak!!!
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I need the transformer number 010-5012-00 and have found a brand new Stern transformer for $300. The part number is 010-5012-01. Is this the answer to my problems?
Cheers!
Adam.
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Email the seller n ask or email terry at pinball life because he would have sold a few otherwise you could try jody dakenberg at stern and ask him to check with engineering but I believe the new stern one will work cause stern built the sega concaves as previously mentioned . Mark might know as we'll. never had to change one in any of my 6 x sega concaves otherwise wish I could help more.
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I would rewind that transformer - but that's just me - I'm a freak!!!
Maybe Mike might be able to repair it for you????
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Great news. Heard back from Stern and their transformer 010-5012-01 will work in X-Files, I just need adapter cable # 036-5445-00.
Cheers!
Adam.
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Glad it worked out ^^^
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Would this work? I'm not sure?
http://www.pinball.co/Products/11117-transformer-01.aspx
There are a few other Sega transformers listed also under second hand parts
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Yeah, I wasn't sure about those transformers due to their part numbers being different. Didn't want to buy something and it not be right.
I have a Batman Forever in the garage at the moment, so I'm going to compare the connections with my X-Files over the weekend or earlier if I get the chance. Sick in bed today, so no pinballing for a few days.
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I'm glad to hear it sounds like you've sorted it out Adam ^^^ I must say that the smoke look really suits this theme but that did look pretty bad and smelled awful. Thanks again for a great Saturday night/early Sunday Morning pinball session at your place, we all had a ball. *%*
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Yeah, I wasn't sure about those transformers due to their part numbers being different. Didn't want to buy something and it not be right.
I have a Batman Forever in the garage at the moment, so I'm going to compare the connections with my X-Files over the weekend or earlier if I get the chance. Sick in bed today, so no pinballing for a few days.
Sick in bed it wasn't the bacon I bought up was it lol
Peter
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Nah, I think I was bitten by the Outbreak monkey....or the girl coughed on me when she got home on Sunday.
<.>
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Ok.....devastated and a bit angry now. Put my South Park transformer in X-Files. New fuses. Turned machine on with playfield up and the game powered up and the music started. I then hear a crackle in the bottom of the cabinet somewhere and smoke starts coming from the transformer. Now I've fried two transformers.
I'm at a loss now....where to go with X-Files?
Thanks,
Adam.
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Ok.....devastated and a bit angry now. Put my South Park transformer in X-Files. New fuses. Turned machine on with playfield up and the game powered up and the music started. I then hear a crackle in the bottom of the cabinet somewhere and smoke starts coming from the transformer. Now I've fried two transformers.
I'm at a loss now....where to go with X-Files?
Thanks,
Adam.
Did you power up the machine with everything disonnected first?
You need to connect one thing at a time and check that there is a fuse there to protect the transformer.
Do you have a schematic?
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Powered it up with everything connected. I changed the main fuse (5 amp) to a brand new one.
I have the manual for the game.
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Powered it up with everything connected. I changed the main fuse (5 amp) to a brand new one.
I have the manual for the game.
I just had a look at a Star Wars manual and it doesnt look like the fluro in the backbox has a fuse
All the Bridges have fuses are they the correct amperage?
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check for shorted bridges before you do much else
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Ok.....devastated and a bit angry now. Put my South Park transformer in X-Files. New fuses. Turned machine on with playfield up and the game powered up and the music started. I then hear a crackle in the bottom of the cabinet somewhere and smoke starts coming from the transformer. Now I've fried two transformers.
I'm at a loss now....where to go with X-Files?
Thanks,
Adam.
That's no good mate. I hope you can get it sorted without anymore pain.
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Double check that you have the primary taps set correctly IE: set for 240V and NOT 110V
The mains fuse may not save you in this instance - especially a 5A - I would put a 1A or 2A in with all secondaries disconnected as that should prevent transformer damage.
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Hi all,
thanks for the advice.
I unplugged the cable on the main board (from transformer) and turned the machine on. This time, the 5 amp fuse blew and the whole machine went off. Would this cancel out a bridge rectifier problem, Mike?
I have compared the primary taps with my Aus. delivered South Park machine (X-Files was a U.S machine) and it looks correct. I don't know why it would develop an issue after having it for around 12 months and working fine?
Also.....when I first turned the machine on and saw smoke (instantly turned it off). Does this mean the transformer for South Park is ready for the bin or will it still be usable as it was only left on for a short while?
Cheers!
Adam.
p.s. will go through all fuses and check their ampages.
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Ouch mate, not another one! Hopefully you haven't damaged the one from your South Park. Smoke though, doesn't sound good, I have my fingers crossed for you. As others have mentioned, you need to check all secondary connections/circuits for a short. Transformers don't just fail, well very very rarely anyway. Your machine has a fault and you need to find and fix it before plugging in anymore transformers.
Hate to say it and it won't make you feel any better, I did give you that advice a couple of weeks ago........
If you do find a replacement, make sure you test the circuits immediately after the transformer for shorts. You don't want to fry the replacment.
Good luck, I feel sorry for you in this situation.
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Ouch mate, not another one! Hopefully you haven't damaged the one from your South Park. Smoke though, doesn't sound good, I have my fingers crossed for you. As others have mentioned, you need to check all secondary connections/circuits for a short. Transformers don't just fail, well very very rarely anyway. Your machine has a fault and you need to find and fix it before plugging in anymore transformers.
Hate to say it and it won't make you feel any better, I did give you that advice a couple of weeks ago........
If you do find a replacement, make sure you test the circuits immediately after the transformer for shorts. You don't want to fry the replacment.
Good luck, I feel sorry for you in this situation.
Yes, I have myself to blame on this one. Throwing caution to the wind "I'm sure the previous transformer had just gone bad over time. The new one will be fine. There are fuses in place to stop anything bad happening...."
The transformer should work again in South Park, but whether it is safe after this happening and smoke has come out of the transformer for a short period of time?
Once again, another pinball learning experience.
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Double check that you have the primary taps set correctly IE: set for 240V and NOT 110V
The mains fuse may not save you in this instance - especially a 5A - I would put a 1A or 2A in with all secondaries disconnected as that should prevent transformer damage.
Would the machine startup at all if the primary taps were set to 110V?
Wouldn't you get other faults aswell?
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I was speaking to Adam today and asked the same thing. He had a look at the South Park taps and said they were the same. The SP is an Aussie delivered machine from memory. The X Files machine had been working fine for some time until the other week when it cooked the first transformer.
Can problems on the secondary side of the transformer cause it to cook and if so, what sort of things? My first thoughts were that there is an issue on the primary side of the transformer. It is the bottom section of the transformer that is cooking.
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Can problems on the secondary side of the transformer cause it to cook and if so, what sort of things? My first thoughts were that there is an issue on the primary side of the transformer. It is the bottom section of the transformer that is cooking.
In 99.999999999999999999% of cases a transformer (TX) will fry the PRIMARY (mains connected side) if there is an excessive load on the SECONDARY - this is VERY normal.
As this TX is basically directly connected to bridge rectifiers that would be my first port of call unless there is also some sort of surge device (MOV etc) ACROSS the secondary winding? There really is very little else that will cause a catastrophic failure such as this.
The mains fuse IS NOT THERE to save the transformer OR even your game. Its ONLY purpose is to prevent your house from burning down - do NOT ever think the mains fuse will save or protect your game - it won't and isn't designed to - that's why I suggested putting a much lower value mains fuse in with the secondary DISCONNECTED as a test. The lower value is very likely to pop if there is a fault in the TX BUT also it will likely stay intact if the TX is OK but with NO LOAD at all.
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As this TX is basically directly connected to bridge rectifiers that would be my first port of call unless there is also some sort of surge device (MOV etc) ACROSS the secondary winding? There really is very little else that will cause a catastrophic failure such as this.
I don't have the schematic for X-Files but looking at Star Wars that came out the same year there is a fuse between the bridges and the transformer, wouldn't they blow if it was overloaded?
The only thing I could find without a fuse was the Backbox fluro, could that be the cause?
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I deal with transformers a lot.. some are better than others.
Mike is correct..MOST transformers will fail on the primary side due to too much draw on the 2ndary. Transformers i deal with have an output of between 6KV and 15KV at 30 or sometimes 60mA. When the primary fails, the transformer cooks rather like what you have there.. winding laminations break down due to heat, transformer shorts and its goodbye primary winding. Ive seen it on the 2ndary also.. this is ugly as the high voltage goes bang and blows a bloody great hole in the transformer lid. Primary failure is very common if its calibrated right to spec or too close.. we always calibrate loading for modern transformers to 80% give or take 5% of open circuit current... go above this and you run them hard... go below and you cause excessive heat... the need for smaller and smaller profiles on these units has seen a decrease in reliability.
All transformers work on the same principals.. i have some transformers on the market that if they run open circuit will burn out pretty quickly... i have others that will happily run open circuit for a couple of years... its all due to the quality of manufacture... some will overheat for no real apparent reason after approx 8 - 10 years of use.. others will last a lifetime.. all down to the quality of manufacture. I know of one Chinese brand that will simply burn out after approx 2 years.. you can almost time your clock to them.
Check your bridges as suggested, but, it could also be that the transformer died ( technical term in my field when explaining to a customer).. it does happen.. not often in a pinball transformer i admit but it is possible.
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I deal with transformers a lot.. some are better than others.
Mike is correct..MOST transformers will fail on the primary side due to too much draw on the 2ndary. Transformers i deal with have an output of between 6KV and 15KV at 30 or sometimes 60mA. When the primary fails, the transformer cooks rather like what you have there.. winding laminations break down due to heat, transformer shorts and its goodbye primary winding. Ive seen it on the 2ndary also.. this is ugly as the high voltage goes bang and blows a bloody great hole in the transformer lid. Primary failure is very common if its calibrated right to spec or too close.. we always calibrate loading for modern transformers to 80% give or take 5% of open circuit current... go above this and you run them hard... go below and you cause excessive heat... the need for smaller and smaller profiles on these units has seen a decrease in reliability.
All transformers work on the same principals.. i have some transformers on the market that if they run open circuit will burn out pretty quickly... i have others that will happily run open circuit for a couple of years... its all due to the quality of manufacture... some will overheat for no real apparent reason after approx 8 - 10 years of use.. others will last a lifetime.. all down to the quality of manufacture. I know of one Chinese brand that will simply burn out after approx 2 years.. you can almost time your clock to them.
Check your bridges as suggested, but, it could also be that the transformer died ( technical term in my field when explaining to a customer).. it does happen.. not often in a pinball transformer i admit but it is possible.
I thought it may have been the case when the first transformer was smoking, but after putting the second transformer in and it started smoking instantly, I knew it was something else other than the age of the transformer.
Now this has happened, do you think the transformer is still usable in my South Park machine or if it has started smoking, does that mean it's time to get a new transformer for both machines (when I have X-Files sorted out)?
I am currently trying Mike's fault-finding tips and also looking into the fluoro tube.
Thanks,
Adam.
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Sorry mate.. missed the adding another transformer bit..
Ok... the SP tranny SHOULD be OK so long as it got turned off ASAP... the windings no doubt got hot and the laminations started to cook, but so long as the laminations didnt breakdown - youll be OK.
The flouro tube is just a tube attached to another transformer ( ballast), id be very suprised if its in any way connected to the main transformer.. it should run off the 240V or if its a 110vmachine , then off the step down. It wont come from the transformer output ( or it shouldnt!).
You have something drawing a lot of current... you need to find what this is and the best way is by a process of elimination. If you go to Jaycar you can buy a trip switch which acts like a fuse except you can reset it... or buy some fuses that are of lower value than those on the output side of the transformer. Plug in the machine with everything on the output unplugged and see what happens.. transformer wont get hot.
Turn off the machine and place a lower value fuse ( say you require 5A.. put in a 3A, if it states 2A then put in a 1A etc.. all fast blow)... plug in ONE connector and see what happens.. etc etc etc until you find just where the fault lies.
Just to add, you can put your finger on the metal plates in the middle of the transformer without danger to see if its getting hot.. or better still, a digital thermometer ( keeps hands out of harms way)
Good luck..
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Evening all....I'm back!
Just spent the past half hour working on X-Files.
I noticed a small transformer right up the back of the cabinet that South Park didn't have. A two wire connector coming from the transformer was plugged into this and wires from this transformer fed up into the head. I assume this connects to the fluoro.
Tonight, I unplugged the three connectors coming out of the transformer and the single connector at the front where the power goes in is the only thing connected. I tried a number of different fuses, with various results, but all resulting in a crackling sound and me quickly turning the machine off after around 3 seconds.
1 amp slow blow - fuse blew as soon as I turned the machine on.
3 amp slow blow - fuse didn't blow, but once I heard that familiar crackling sound, turned machine off.
5 amp slow blow - fuse didn't blow, but heard a hum, then crackling sound and turned machine off pronto.
I haven't checked the bridge rectifiers yet, but as nothing is plugged in, I'm guessing that these aren't the cause of the fault. Could the line filter have died?
Cheers!
Adam.
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So the 240v input to the primary side of transformer is still connected? If so transformer is fried most likely.
You could disconnect this input into tranny, if fuse still blows then line filter may be faulty. But sounds like transformer is stuffed.
Remember, 240v kills, always power off at gpo and unplug to be sure
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Yep, still connected on the 240v input to the primary side of the transformer. The three cables on the secondary side are ALL unplugged.
I will disconnect the input into the transformer and test a fuse that way.
Ugh....IF the transformer is stuffed (2nd transformer, two pinball machines now dead), how do I know or fix the machine so it won't blow a third transformer? I was thinking about having a viking funeral for X-Files. Maybe put it on some wheels, set it on fire and then push it down a hill.....haha....I can only laugh at this point.....*wipes tears away*
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I'm amazed you could destroy two TXs this way actually???
My plan to put a 1A fuse in the primary did the trick - with no load on the secondary it shouldn't blow but it did telling us there was an excessive load. You really shouldn't have put larger ones in at this point.
You should use fast blow types for these tests by the way.
There is still going to be an issue with a load on the secondary that has started all of this....................
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Pm sent :-)
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I'm amazed you could destroy two TXs this way actually???
My plan to put a 1A fuse in the primary did the trick - with no load on the secondary it shouldn't blow but it did telling us there was an excessive load. You really shouldn't have put larger ones in at this point.
You should use fast blow types for these tests by the way.
There is still going to be an issue with a load on the secondary that has started all of this....................
Just humoured myself and unplugged the input into the transformer and put a 1A fuse in the machine and then powered it on. The fuse didn't blow.
Anyone want a project X-Files going cheap?
<.>
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how much for cash?
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Agreed.. sounds like the last cook deteriorated the laminations.
You really do need to check your line filter and you need to check your bridges.. Once you are sure these are OK you can add a transformer to the line. What are the outputs required?? If 24V is one, then its possible to get a 240V-24V transformer and attach etc etc.. last thing you want to be doing is cooking more game transformers.. we need to get this fixed. The smaller transformers are pretty cheap and you can afford to experiment a bit to source the fault.
See how you go with the tranny unplugged and we can go from there.
Basically, you shouldnt blow any fuse with no outputs on the transformer, theres no load and so the only current flow would be from the internal resistance of the windings, unless of course you have a shorted line filter or delaminated windings... the current draw on the primary side of the transformer is small when the game is on.. transformers are brilliant at converting AC extremely efficiently and then fanning out the power.. a 2A primary draw on a transformer is 480W or thereabouts.. thats a lot of 12V.. or 6V power.. in fact will give you 80 Amps at 6V.. so you see that the primary current need only be small... 1A would be too small.. 3A may be too much.
Need the results of the line filter!
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Pm sent :-)
Thanks, Peter. You always know how to make a guy feel better. Sometimes when everything seems lost, I always look to Flash Gordon for inspiration. "ok, cool...." (Crashramp, that one was for you).
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Flash to the rescue "how can I help"
(http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/05/06/zynape8a.jpg)
I'm still laughing after your place
Peter
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Agreed.. sounds like the last cook deteriorated the laminations.
You really do need to check your line filter and you need to check your bridges.. Once you are sure these are OK you can add a transformer to the line. What are the outputs required?? If 24V is one, then its possible to get a 240V-24V transformer and attach etc etc.. last thing you want to be doing is cooking more game transformers.. we need to get this fixed. The smaller transformers are pretty cheap and you can afford to experiment a bit to source the fault.
See how you go with the tranny unplugged and we can go from there.
Basically, you shouldnt blow any fuse with no outputs on the transformer, theres no load and so the only current flow would be from the internal resistance of the windings, unless of course you have a shorted line filter or delaminated windings... the current draw on the primary side of the transformer is small when the game is on.. transformers are brilliant at converting AC extremely efficiently and then fanning out the power.. a 2A primary draw on a transformer is 480W or thereabouts.. thats a lot of 12V.. or 6V power.. in fact will give you 80 Amps at 6V.. so you see that the primary current need only be small... 1A would be too small.. 3A may be too much.
Need the results of the line filter!
Thank you kindly for the perseverance with me and helping out, as well as everyone else that has helped out with advice. I'm going to call it a night now. It's getting late and it's cold out in the garage (winter is coming....). I'm going to test the bridge rectifiers tomorrow night as my next port of call. As for the line filter, how do you test a line filter?
Cheers!
Adam.
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Flash to the rescue "how can I help"
I'm still laughing after your place
Peter
I'm imagining Flash saying "how can I help" and due to no question mark, he's just shrugging his shoulders at me as we all know he doesn't care much for us pinball fans. haha yes, always brings a smile to my face.....even now.
Time to close the door on the pinball machines for the night....can't even play South Park now. ugh....I might have to bite the bullet and buy the brand new transformer for South Park so I can at least play that and maybe it will spur me on to fix X-Files.
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Pm sent :-)
Thanks, Peter. You always know how to make a guy feel better. Sometimes when everything seems lost, I always look to Flash Gordon for inspiration. "ok, cool...." (Crashramp, that one was for you).
Well my Flash Gordon and your X files are playing equally well at the moment.Flash to the rescue "how can I help"
(http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/05/06/zynape8a.jpg)
I'm still laughing after your place
Peter
Pinball hey.......Errr ok
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Well my Flash Gordon and your X files are playing equally well at the moment.
Pinball hey.......Errr ok
Sorry to hear, Adam. This is our hobby......
@.@
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Help us Flash! Help us.
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Adam, sounds like your having a few dramas.
First thing stop!
Do not connect power!
Disconnect transformer.
Sounds like you have somesort of short circuit, probably a dead short or near dead(very little resistance)
Put your multimeter on continuity test.
Follow cables and test each pair of wires coming out of the transformer. And follow there path, away from the transformer, until you find a short or near short value.
Take pictures of anything you disconnect , so you can put it back together the right way.
I think you should be able to find the problem, without powering it up. If it is a failed device thats shorted.
Good luck.
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Adam, sounds like your having a few dramas.
First thing stop!
Do not connect power!
Disconnect transformer.
Sounds like you have somesort of short circuit, probably a dead short or near dead(very little resistance)
Put your multimeter on continuity test.
Follow cables and test each pair of wires coming out of the transformer. And follow there path, away from the transformer, until you find a short or near short value.
Take pictures of anything you disconnect , so you can put it back together the right way.
I think you should be able to find the problem, without powering it up. If it is a failed device thats shorted.
Good luck.
Aleluiah, best explanation and solution by far. ^^^ *%* ^^^
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Hi all,
the transformer saga continues....
I got my I/O power board back from Beaky today and he has fixed various issues. He did a great job as always. Here's a list of what was repaired on the I/O power board:
Had a whole heap of transistors changed and most look like they have been running hot.
The reason for this is they have been changed with the wrong type of transistor. They have been replaced with IRF540 instead of IRL540,
The I C that controls these only runs on 5 volts which is not enough to switch the IRF540 on properly.
Plus there a several incorrect value fuses on the same board.
I put the board back in X-Files, so it is all complete bar a new transformer.
Also of note, this machine has a small transformer sitting up the back of the machine. My South Park machine doesn't have this. A small blue cable is running out of the main transformer and connects to this mini transformer. There are wires that run up the back and seem to connect to the fluoro. The blue cable on South Park is just sitting in the cabinet not connected to anything and no extra transformer in this machine.
For interest sake, I left the blue cable disconnected on X-Files and quickly fired it up. The machine sounds played and the DMD turned on like everything was working as normal. Then there was the usual crackle and smoke from the transformer. Turned everything straight off. Time to find out the cause of all problems before I purchase a new transformer for this machine.
Thanks,
Adam.
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Is that small transformer the ballast for the fluro?
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Is that small transformer the ballast for the fluro?
I'm not too sure....there's also a box that says 'balasto' up near the fluoro as well?
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Big thanks to Dan (Riverinapinball) coming over after work today and helping me get started with the dead short fault finding.
As expected, the transformer was now toast and smoked with nothing plugged into it when powered on. Dan tested the oddly placed small transformer up the back of the cabinet. It had a short. It was also burned like the main transformer. Maybe it was the first to fail and then the main transformer cooked. The main transformer connected to this via a blue cable and it seems someone has spliced this to the small transformer and then up to the fluoro/ballast in the headbox. The ballast looks like it originated in Europe and was very weathered looking. One of the wires fell out when I lightly pulled on it.
What's next? Going to bypass the small transformer and run directly from the transformer up to the fluoro/ballast. Also going to remove the ballast and replace it with a brand new Australian ballast. Might also replace the fluoro switch for good measure. Dan is going to come back and help me test everything before I purchase and install the new transformer.
I welcome Dan to chime in if I have missed anything and if anyone else has other suggestions. Going to go back through this thread and read all the responses again.
Cheers!
Adam.
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Here's a picture of the ballast in the headbox.
Cheers!
Adam.
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What's next? Going to bypass the small transformer and run directly from the transformer up to the fluoro/ballast. Also going to remove the ballast and replace it with a brand new Australian ballast.
Cheers!
Adam.
Hey Adam,
No need to run the fluro ballast off the transformer, an Aussie one will be 240V so you can run it straight off the mains supply, I am not sure about Sega's but I know Gottliebs have connectors like LAI machines for connecting 240V items on the machine. Make sure you replace the tombstones too.
I would suggest only running the game off the tranny.
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Thanks, Boots. Good idea. Seems like a good way of cancelling out a fault by not having the fluoro connected to the transformer. I couldn't work out why my South Park didn't have anything connected to the blue cable coming out of the transformer, yet X-Files had the blue wire connected to the small secondary transformer and then up to the fluoro.
What do you mean by the tombstones? Also, how do I run the fluoro off the mains supply?
The game seemed to fire up normally last night other than the faulty transformer and fluoro not plugged in. This is all starting to make sense and a light at the end of the tunnel with the X-Files woes.
$#$
Cheers!
Adam.
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http://www.bunnings.com.au/products_product_lamp-holder-fluoro-hpm-tombstone-type-screwd-t-cd380_P7053563.aspx
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I agree, running the fluoro from the mains bypassing the transformer is way too go.
I can help you with that.
New fluoro ballast and tombstones as suggested , will illiminate possible fault or future fault, as the existing euro ballast is a bit sus, and slightly under rated at 220v.
Since the price of these parts is so small.
Adam, i pretty sure , you are well on the way to making this x files a reliable machine again.
Let me know when you new transformer arrives, i can help fit and mod the fluoro. My knowledge of dmds is limited, but growing.
I find my solid states , less complicated.
Remember when i problem occurs. Rather, than replace the faulty device and reconnect. Think why did it fail, is there another fault that has caused this. Inspect and test. Slowly slowly. If you are not sure. We all love a quick fix. These come from experience not luck.
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http://www.bunnings.com.au/products_product_lamp-holder-fluoro-hpm-tombstone-type-screwd-t-cd380_P7053563.aspx
Yeah this is what I mean by tombstones, but I suspect yours ares screwed directly to the back of the backbox, this means you need specific ones that have provision for the screw attaching.
You might not find these at Bunnings.
Just take one of your original ones to an electrical retailer like Lawrence & Hanson or M&M electrical and they should be able to source them for you.
While your at it maybe replace the starter holder too, all these parts should be less than $50.
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Excellent help, guys...and thanks again, Dan. Yes, thankfully the fluoro parts are cheap and gives me piece of mind that it no longer needs to be connected to the transformer.
Have purchased a new transformer for South Park this week and will get the new transformer for X-Files in a few weeks. At $350 a pop, it's been an expensive learning experience. Hopefully these transformers will last another 20 years.
Cheers!
Adam.
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X-Files update: We're almost there. I bought the replacement ballast, fluoro, starter and tombstones and installed everything last night (thanks to my dad for lending a hand as well).
Today, Dan was nice enough to take time out of his day to come around and wire up the fluoro to the cabinet. We tested it by rigging up an old cable and plugging it into the power point. We discovered the old fluoro tube was gone, but luckily I had a new one ready. It fired up first go. Dan then ran wiring down to the front of the cabinet and connected to the mains supply. We tidied up the wiring in the cabinet and then put the playfield down. Flicked the switch and the fluoro flickered on in X-Files again.
Next step is to get that brand new transformer and install it. It's been a big headache, but a good learning experience. Everyone's patience and input here is much appreciated.
Adam.
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BIG SUCCESS!!!!
Installed brand new transformer and X-Files is now working again. Fluoro is now separated from the transformer. Also happy to have South Park working again!
Thank you all for your help. Another machine lives to fight another day (the truth is out there?)
Cheers!
Adam.
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Great news Adam. Nothing worse than a broken down pin. Glad to hear there both up and working again.
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My X-Files is now a brand new machine! Pristine board work and brand new transformer have breathed new life into it.
I now have two burned transformers and wondering are they ready for the tip or sell to a scrap metal dealer? (must be a fair bit of copper wire in them. haha).
Cheers!
Adam.
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I personally would scrap them and any other metal I could find around the house/work. You won't get the top copper price but a lower mixed price maybe around $3 a kilo. Its amazing what they will pay for. On the way to the scrap yard I would stop at a motor re-winders to see if it is economical or possible to rewind them.
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I personally would scrap them and any other metal I could find around the house/work. You won't get the top copper price but a lower mixed price maybe around $3 a kilo. Its amazing what they will pay for. On the way to the scrap yard I would stop at a motor re-winders to see if it is economical or possible to rewind them.
+1
I would at least look for someone who would be interested in re winding them.
Also, I hope the 240V Ballast mod is fused.
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You could try Altro Transformers in campbellfield they have rewound trannys in the past for me.
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Also, I hope the 240V Ballast mod is fused.
I'll second that. Also if there are any exposed 240 volt terminals you may want to cover them to prevent accidently touching one while doing other fault finding.
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I personally would scrap them and any other metal I could find around the house/work. You won't get the top copper price but a lower mixed price maybe around $3 a kilo. Its amazing what they will pay for. On the way to the scrap yard I would stop at a motor re-winders to see if it is economical or possible to rewind them.
+1
I would at least look for someone who would be interested in re winding them.
Also, I hope the 240V Ballast mod is fused.
I helped Adam with this. The ballast is wired to the 240v after the on/off switch which is fused. Doesnt require any further fuses. It is wired before the transformer. So if it overcurrents will blow the line fuse and not damage the transformer.
240v connection is soldered and heatshrinked and wrapped again in electrical tape. No chance of exposing 240v.
Dan
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I helped Adam with this. The ballast is wired to the 240v after the on/off switch which is fused. Doesnt require any further fuses. It is wired before the transformer. So if it overcurrents will blow the line fuse and not damage the transformer.
240v connection is soldered and heatshrinked and wrapped again in electrical tape. No chance of exposing 240v.
^^^Good work. You can never be to safe with 240.
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I helped Adam with this. The ballast is wired to the 240v after the on/off switch which is fused. Doesnt require any further fuses. It is wired before the transformer. So if it overcurrents will blow the line fuse and not damage the transformer.
240v connection is soldered and heatshrinked and wrapped again in electrical tape. No chance of exposing 240v.
^^^Good work. You can never be to safe with 240.
+1 Good Work !
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Thanks for the reply, Dan. You did an excellent job on X-Files. It now looks like a regular Sega machine as opposed to the Frankenstein job that someone else had done internally with the additional transformer tacked in there.
I've also contacted the transformer company in Melbourne and awaiting a reply on costs of repairing the two fried transformers.
Thank you everyone for your replies!
Cheers!
Adam.