Sorry, I might have worded it better. Please be patient with me, as I'm still new to this. Well, SYS80's.
The transformers are wired correctly as per picture #6 using the commons, not any machines earth's and Yes; I am referring to the 6.3/25V output transformer being my problem. (In my mind)
If I continuity check the transformers casings, they are connected to the machines earth as per earth mounting points screwed down to wooden board. If I remove or add new earth's, it makes no difference. The transformer commons’ don’t read anything to any earth point.
With the two GI fuses removed and ‘NO’ GI lamps powered (because the fuses are out), the 24V/38VDC solenoids fire/push the ball around as the machine was designed. I have two multimeter's running across a rectifier, one reading AC input and the other reading DC output.
Just sticking to the 38V rectifier for example, I have around 38VAC in and around 40VCD out. When the 38V solenoids fire, the AC inputs stay constant and the DC readings jump around from 40-50VDC when energised. I would say that is a normal slight spike, because it settles back down to 40VDC when idle.
Now If I put one GI fuse in (Playfield) the 38VAC is normal, but the DC reading ups to 50VDC. The game still plays well, but they are firing a bit stronger, sometimes it spikes to 60VDC. Everything’s still fine, the machine is still playable.
If I then put the second GI fuse in (Back Box) the 38VAC is normal, but the DC reading ups again, to 60VDC. I dare not put the PF glass in, as the 38V slings are now smashing the ball around and sometimes throwing it out of the machine! Plus it’s denting my new clear coated playfield.
I think I have seen a spike of 70VDC. No fuses are blowing buy the way.
As per ‘Mr Pinbologist’ comments, yes the GI does flicker when solenoids are fired and going off my EM’s, I thought that was normal. The 6VDC controlled lamps outputs are always spot on.
I even tried temporally running new wires from the 6.3VAC taps to the separate GI circuits (eliminating any shorts within the machines loom), but it’s still the same.
Like I said above, if I install a set of OZ delivered machine 240V transformers from the Haunted House, everything works fine, so I know there is not a problem in the GI lines.
I think I mentioned before, I have be playing with this problem for a few weeks now and can hear the transformers hum pitch change when I put the GI fuses in, so I am adamant that there is some sort of load going on. Could be wrong.
My next step is to get a cheap stepdown transformer, rewire the transformers back to the US 115V spec and see what happens.
Hope that ranting makes some sort of sense!
Cheers, Paul.
