switch diodes on bally space invaders

[pinball god]

Couple of questions.
1. Can someone tell me what type of diode is on the switches of space invaders and pins of that era and if not available, what is their equivalent?
2. I am thinking and have not tested my theory, that on one of my pop bumpers this component may be faulty as I get phantom activations from the bumper like just flipping a lot will cause an activation. Can this component cause this and do these go bad? The contact spacing seems ok and similar to the other pops.

Thanks again

Sorry for the crap photo but best I can do.

[Homepin]

They are 1N914 (or same is 1N4148 - they are identical glass, small signal types)

I wouldn't use them however as they are not "mechanically" strong enough IMO. I would replace them with 1N4007's as they are in a much stronger plastic package and will also withstand vibration and heat (from soldering) much better.

Jaycar, buy a 100pce pack for very little and they will fit in most pinball applications.

[pinball god]

Thanks Mike for your prompt reply.

Can a faulty one of these cause the pop bumper to fire for no reason?

[Homepin]

I would say yes, probably. They are so cheap throw some in anyway to eliminate it but are you certain the switch gap is ok and possibly more important is the metal part that holds the switch apart set correctly - the NON springy part that sits between the two contact bearing leaves?

[pinball god]

I would say yes, probably. They are so cheap throw some in anyway to eliminate it but are you certain the switch gap is ok and possibly more important is the metal part that holds the switch apart set correctly - the NON springy part that sits between the two contact bearing leaves?

I'll need to check again, but I did the old pound the playfield to see if vibration is the problem and all ok. Got side tracked tonight when I noticed a really sunken insert when investigating the problem. so fixed that instead. I will check the switch itself and do the jaycar purchase as well. Thanks

[pinball god]

Thanks mike, bought a pack and seemed to fix my initial problem. Next step replace them all.

[pinball god]

best thing I have ever done on my space invaders was to disconnect the caps on my pop bumpers. No more phantom activations and the pops fire like they're possessed now. The ball action is unreal as they fire every time the switch is made no matter how fast.   

[Crashramp]

Good to hear their firing well Rob, gotta love well tuned pops. You'd think they'd be easy to set too but after each of my restorations they're always the last thing I get right. Lots of games and lots of small adjustments before they're snappy for the full 360 degrees. Does my head in until I get them right.

[pinball god]

Mate I'm surprised you have the time with all those high scores you're posting on those fine games you have 

[Crashramp]

Ha ha, to tell you the truth I'd spent nights doing nothing more than trying to get the top score back on Flash Gordon.  Game after game getting my butt handed to me. Last week I had one game and it happened to be an absolute blinder on ball 2. I'd love to say it was skill but the other 4 balls prove otherwise.