The Aussie Pinball Arcade
Aussie Pinball Forums => Technical Matters => Pinball Training 101 => Topic started by: pinnies4me on September 06, 2010, 12:46:18 AM
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I change the batteries every Spring, and today changed the AFM and FH, both got new Duracells last Spring, expiry date 2014.
AFM was fine, but FH had quite a bit of corrosion. Didn't look too bad yet, although a fair build up on the IC directly below. Once it was cleaned and back together it booted up, but no response to the test etc switches in the coin door (nor registering coins). Looks like that IC was taken out (it controls that area). This leaking must be less than a few months old as I had the backglass out with El Timbo over here and would have noticed the build up as it was obvious.
As you see, the "once a year" change rule won't save you every time, but it did hopefully confine the damage on this game to just an LM339 chip I hope.
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Has anyone tried Sony Cycle Energy, or Sanyo Eneloop Rechargable batteries in their games?. They are really good batteries that hold 80% of thier charge after 12 months even if you dont use them. Plus they shouldn't leak.
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Extra Heavy Duty Duracell Batteries (half black, half goldy colour) are the bees knees.
We use them in the Alarm Industry and they last for 5 years and I have never had a leaky battery ever, even after 5 years in many, many hunreds, if not thousands of alarm detectors. I use them in my pinball machines. Cheap batteries leak, sometimes after just 4 or 5 months. It pays to spend up front.
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I'm going to convert all my games to super caps when I get time as I'm a shocker for batteries my gorgar has the same batteries in it from when I got it ( how bars that). No leakage and they are the black and gold aswel.
But thanks nick for the reminder I'm going to rip the boards out and super cap it tonight.
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I always use duracell also.
but i am in the process of fitting remote battery holders to all my pins
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I'm going to convert all my games to super caps when I get time as I'm a shocker for batteries my gorgar has the same batteries in it from when I got it ( how bars that). No leakage and they are the black and gold aswel.
But thanks nick for the reminder I'm going to rip the boards out and super cap it tonight.
Just a word of warning when using super caps and memory backup caps... these too can leak and cause corrosion!! Being a electronics tech by trade i have seen them leak (on one occasion) in electronic equipment and corrode boards (some Sony sound systems and some older VCRs used them). Admittedly it is rare but it CAN happen. My boss just confirmed this for me as well, he too has come across leaky corroding caps and has seen them corrode boards.
So i would be checking these caps from time to time if using them.
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I have had a lot of problems with Duracells leaking, mainly in kids toys but also a few of my things. I do not use them in pinballs anymore for that reason, well actually I never buy them anymore, More leaks than any other mainstream brand I have come across ^.^
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i am fitting remote battery holders to all my pins best thing to do ^^^ ^^^ ^^^
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i am fitting remote battery holders to all my pins best thing to do ^^^ ^^^ ^^^
Agreed. I've fitted all games except Time Warp as that was with a mate, just got it back so I'll be fitting the remote this weekend.
I've used these -
http://www.futurlec.com/Batteries-Holders.shtml#3XAAHOLDER (http://www.futurlec.com/Batteries-Holders.shtml#3XAAHOLDER)
The advantage is that 9 volt style connector - makes board removal a breeze - BUT take care, you could touch the connector the wrong way and potentially do damage, so when reconnecting just need some are. If game needs a diode to stop charging (ie doing this to a game that had ni-cads, like an old Gottlieb board) better off with a four battery holder so you can install the diode neatly in the unused spot.
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On reading this post again, i remembered i went to jaycar n bought a dozen remote battery holders to fit to the machines i have without the battery holders a few weeks back. Got to fit them now when time is permitting. They cost me like $2 each from jaycar. Bargain.
It seems that most brands of batterys cant be trusted like Nick (pinnies4me) said. I wonder if the batterys leak quicker when a machine is used alot versus not used much at all over a 12 month period. (meaning hot batteries leak 0r dont leak quicker) I wonder what the battery companies would say. !@#
I find only the super heavy duty Duracell black n golds dont leak but the others do.
Board damage is a major pain in the ass after you already changed those batteries out. Glad u caught it in time Nick. ^^^ Friggin Batteries ^&^
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The batteries never been changed in this ''Gorgar'' I pickt up.
Could not makeout what brand battery's they were annymore,there were just 3 coals in there.
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Most of my machines have the Jaycar - 4 battery remote holders in them with a diode installed as well. The battery holder typically sits on the backbox frame on Wms machines or I just lengthen the wires so they can sit on the base of the backbox, right away from the boards. With DE machines I have been putting velcro on the back of the holder and sticking the other part of the velcro which I stick on the wire screen towards the top of the backbox.
I also write the date the batteries were put in the machine with a Sharpie on the batteries themselves. I try to change batteries every 6 months if possible and then use the batteries which are typically still good in the kids toys so they aren't wasted. I have also had a battery or two fail inside of 12 months. I now buy the large pack of Varta batteries from Bunnings - there is 30 batteries for about $9.
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Hey all,
Im thinking it is a priority for a remote battery holder to be installed on my williams whitewater but i am unsure if i need a diode or not does anyone know?
Otherwise the 3 pack holder with alligator clips so no soldering required seems like a good option unless someone thinks this is a bad idea and soldering is the only way to go...... would hate to stuff up the board removing and installing old one!!
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like this............
http://www.pinballheaven.co.uk/shop/product_info.php?products_id=1621
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Hey all,
Im thinking it is a priority for a remote battery holder to be installed on my williams whitewater but i am unsure if i need a diode or not does anyone know?
Otherwise the 3 pack holder with alligator clips so no soldering required seems like a good option unless someone thinks this is a bad idea and soldering is the only way to go...... would hate to stuff up the board removing and installing old one!!
You don't need a diode - it was a suggestion by Clay on the pinball repair site that the 'most common' battery holder was a 4 cell one - so you could put 3 cells in and add a diode in the 4th cell position which reduces the supplied backup voltage by 0.6V meaning that you will/might get an earlier warning that the batteries are failing.
Personally I don't subscribe to the diode idea. 3 cells mounted remotely is fine IMO.
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Ah, cool ^^^ Thanks for the reply!!
Im looking forward to getting the pinball LEDs in the mail homepin...
lets hope i can source a 3 batt holder!!
what about the alligator clip idea instead of hard wire solder, i am a bit worried about soldering on a board... i repaired a playstation controller once and i think my soldering iron is too hot as the tract lifted from the board, if i do go down this road what watt iron do people use??? my iron is 40w... to much??
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Ah, cool ^^^ Thanks for the reply!!
Im looking forward to getting the pinball LEDs in the mail homepin...
lets hope i can source a 3 batt holder!!
what about the alligator clip idea instead of hard wire solder, i am a bit worried about soldering on a board... i repaired a playstation controller once and i think my soldering iron is too hot as the tract lifted from the board, if i do go down this road what watt iron do people use??? my iron is 40w... to much??
I stock 3 batt holders BUT you can easily just jump the 4th batt position on a 4 batt holder.
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This blokes stuff is cheap enough and of a reasonable quality.
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/5X-Battery-holder-case-3xAA-3-x-AA-3AA-3-cell-4-5V-/360372823019?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item53e7e4e3eb
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$10 for five holders isn't too bad (wonder what the postage is though?)
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$10 for five holders isn't too bad (wonder what the postage is though?)
Free shipping mate.
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$10 for five holders isn't too bad (wonder what the postage is though?)
Free shipping mate.
Then a really good deal! Might read the whole ad next time !! !@)
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It's that time again guys, if you haven't changed the batteries for a while, best think about both your pins and of course the smoke detectors. Today I'll open the backglasses and hope not to find that dreaded green mist the made in China Duracells seem to like to distribute.
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It's that time again guys, if you haven't changed the batteries for a while, best think about both your pins and of course the smoke detectors. Today I'll open the backglasses and hope not to find that dreaded green mist the made in China Duracells seem to like to distribute.
I don't know if you have looked recently but ALL batteries now seem to be made in PRC......regardless of price or brand
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I don't know if you have looked recently but ALL batteries now seem to be made in PRC......regardless of price or brand
Yes, I have looked. Not saying everything from there is problematic, but batteries sure seem to leak more than they did years ago - how often has someone opened a game to find original issue 1990's batteries still there, still working, and still leak-free? My FP had batteries that I think were at least ten years old (no longer made), the Star Wars had the original 1993 Evereadys I think - with a cable tie keeping them nice and secure and putting anyone off bothering replacing them. And I for one have found leaky Duracells within a couple of months of installing. Says something for the manufacturing standards.
Wonder if I should get myself a bill from Nuggy for his work on the FH board that got the leaky Duracell treatment after about three months? Repair or replace guarantee? Probably limited to $2.00 flashlights I suspect!
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Hi Guys
Excuse the newby question, it may be the first of a few.
I opened the backboard for the first time the other day and noticed the batteries were cheapo dick smith alkalines so I will swap them out. Can someone confirm that this should be done with the power off and if it will lose all of the settings and high score?
cheers
d
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Hi Guys
Excuse the newby question, it may be the first of a few.
I opened the backboard for the first time the other day and noticed the batteries were cheapo dick smith alkalines so I will swap them out. Can someone confirm that this should be done with the power off and if it will lose all of the settings and high score?
cheers
d
you must do it with the power on or else you will lose all the settings and your machine will go back to factory default.
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Good timing to revive this thread - it's that time again peoples - out with the old, in with the new!!
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do sys 11 go through batteries quicker than other machines? cos my sys 11 games seem to go through them twice as fast as my old gtb and ss bally
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do sys 11 go through batteries quicker than other machines? cos my sys 11 games seem to go through them twice as fast as my old gtb and ss bally
That's strange, are you talking about both of them or just 1?
I have had my swords of fury for a few years now and only change the batteries once every 12 months, and they are still at 1.5 volts each when tested after i remove them.
If it is just one then it could have had the ram replaced with the incorrect type or a faulty diode on the cpu board. Or the batteries could be nearly dead when you install them.
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do sys 11 go through batteries quicker than other machines? cos my sys 11 games seem to go through them twice as fast as my old gtb and ss bally
That's strange, are you talking about both of them or just 1?
I have had my swords of fury for a few years now and only change the batteries once every 12 months, and they are still at 1.5 volts each when tested after i remove them.
If it is just one then it could have had the ram replaced with the incorrect type or a faulty diode on the cpu board. Or the batteries could be nearly dead when you install them.
its on both my sys11's seems i never changed my world cup soccer battery once in the time i owned it same with my gtb and my spacehawks, but the sys11s both now on their second lot of batteries. they both went around the same time and both had batteries put in the same time and the same batteries in all machines. spuin cos the day before i finally got a higher score than my missus lol ahaha
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that is strange,
the other thing it could be is a faulty battery holder (not contacting properly on one of the batteries)
did the replacement batteries come from the same batch / packet?
It's strange that your millionaire would be chewing threw the batteries as it spends a lot of time on so the batteries are not being used while it is on.
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Isn't there a diode that can go bad and allow the batteries to drain all the time on sys 11 games?
(Still not home or I would look it up for you)
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Hey guys, new guy here $.$
Just wonding if anyone has tried the NVRAM adaptor instead of using batteries?
http://lockwhenlit.com/anyPin.htm
Any thoughts? Just about to pick up my first pin $#$ (a DESW) and considering this as an option to replace the batteries.
Cheers
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I just ordered a couple but to be used to replace Capcom "Zeropower" RAM eventually when needed. Haven't tried them in other games, but a good idea.
I suspect our own Homepin could produce the same thing.
How about it Mike?
Hey guys, new guy here $.$
Just wonding if anyone has tried the NVRAM adaptor instead of using batteries?
http://lockwhenlit.com/anyPin.htm
Any thoughts? Just about to pick up my first pin $#$ (a DESW) and considering this as an option to replace the batteries.
Cheers
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I actually do have it to suit WPC - just haven't assembled too many up yet. They do work very well I have to say, I have one installed in my BSD.
One issue with WPC is that almost all boards have the original RAM soldered in place which means removing it and fitting a socket - that can be a pain and is the main reason I haven't pushed this project.
Shown in my machine here (the chip below the EPROM with the white tape):
(http://www.homepin.com/pics/newwpc.jpg)
I just ordered a couple but to be used to replace Capcom "Zeropower" RAM eventually when needed. Haven't tried them in other games, but a good idea.
I suspect our own Homepin could produce the same thing.
How about it Mike?
Hey guys, new guy here $.$
Just wonding if anyone has tried the NVRAM adaptor instead of using batteries?
http://lockwhenlit.com/anyPin.htm
Any thoughts? Just about to pick up my first pin $#$ (a DESW) and considering this as an option to replace the batteries.
Cheers
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NVRAM is a great option, as long as you are capable of fitting the replacement socket.
I don't know why, but the traces to the RAM socket on WPC MPUs seem to be some of the most fragile sockets ever.. so, be careful!
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Just have to find the time to fit NVRAM's to all of mine. Better yet Mike is doing it.
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Thought I'd resurrect this tread as I've just decided to purchase one of the NVRAM chips.
Found these on ebay (http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/190946708318?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1497.l2649)
Bit of a cheaper option given that the lockwhenlit version cost $39 and another $25 for shipping to Aus. The ones of ebay cost $42 posted ^^^.
As my TSPP does see a lot of use (more due to work commitments and kids), changing the batteries is likely to slip my mind so thought this would be the cheaper option in the long run.
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I have the nvram chips for my williams machines and also have the sockets, just working up the courage to do the soldering..
Might take the board somewhere to get it done? I though somewhere like the mod chip shops (ozmodchips) would be used to fine soldering?
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I have the nvram chips for my williams machines and also have the sockets, just working up the courage to do the soldering..
Might take the board somewhere to get it done? I though somewhere like the mod chip shops (ozmodchips) would be used to fine soldering?
I would strongly recommend a professional for those. Very very fine tracks on both sides. Check with the sponsors or PM Skybeau
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Send them to Mike (Homepin) and he will do them and send them back. Can't recommend him enough.
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Friendly reminder to change your batteries not only in your pins but also your smoke detectors on April 1st.
These two that are stored for me are at my big bros place, they got there yearly tickle up today.
TNT button battery on FT and new NINJA balls, polish and lamp/ switch test on both.
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I've been installing NVRam where possible. Not that I'm lazy or anything, but the risk of leaking is zero. ^^^
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How to change out a coin cell in a system 3 game?????? Class of 1812
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There need to be unsoldered from the boards from memory but if it’s holding memory I wouldn’t worry to much about it
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