Author Topic: Strange FLASH reset problem...  (Read 781 times)

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Offline ROLLERBALL

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Strange FLASH reset problem...
« on: July 05, 2009, 10:12:35 PM »
MMM ok well my flash was resetting now and then at my last meet...but didnt ever do it again really...until I found out why tonight....If i have all my machines turned on and you play the FLASH..as soon as you hit both flippers at the same time the machine hangs/freezes...BUT if you turn most of the other machines off and play it then its fine...strange??
Is it a power supply issue then??
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Offline ROLLERBALL

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Re: Strange FLASH reset problem...
« Reply #1 on: July 05, 2009, 10:13:35 PM »
Oh yeah and its all Wotto's fault...lol
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Offline Rod71

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Re: Strange FLASH reset problem...
« Reply #2 on: July 05, 2009, 10:33:15 PM »
Could check the flipper diodes. But considering it's doing it when there's other games running, i'd suspect there's a weak link in the power supply.


Marty Machine

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Re: Strange FLASH reset problem...
« Reply #3 on: July 05, 2009, 10:38:30 PM »
WOW ! sounds like a fun one to track down....

DO u have a MultiMeter, and can you measure the 240Vac at the Mains cable that is powering your flash?

Then, turn ON all your other machines, and note if the 240 is dropping down to 200V or less, if it's dropping down then you have a dodgy wire somewhere and losing current probably due to lack of strands in a badly wired plug, or shonky 4-way outlet board....

I'd like to hear more about how many extension cords you're using, and how many 4-way breakout boards etc etc...

This reaks of dodgy-ness  #@#



Offline ajlaird

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Re: Strange FLASH reset problem...
« Reply #4 on: July 06, 2009, 12:33:54 AM »
Don't plug a toaster in as well, you will throw the RCD.

Does sound like powerboard overload or power circuit overload to me. If it is the latter you are best off getting an electrician in to run another circuit. Most home circuits are rated to 10A, which means you can load it up to around 2400W; I can't remember how many pinball machines that is.

Marty Machine

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Re: Strange FLASH reset problem...
« Reply #5 on: July 06, 2009, 12:56:03 AM »
Are there any over-long extension cords that you rolled up in a neat loop to 'hide' from sight???

If so, unwind it, it'll do all kinds of nasties plus it's a MAJOR fire hazard....


Although we're all taught you can use upto 10Amps from a household outlet, the fuses/circuitbreakers are rated at 15-16Amps, So there's a little headroom to draw 11-12Amps although the house wiring might be 10Amp or 16 Amp rating which will be an issue.

Also to note, Houses are wired as 2 fused circuits for general outlet power. (Lighting, Hot water service, Kitchen Stove all have their own fuses).
Typically, the mains wiring for a house is split down the centreline of the house.
So, all the LEFT side of the house is on 1 fuse/breaker, and all the RIGHT side is on the 2nd mains fuse/breaker.

By using a power lead from both sides of the house offers you more grunt (20Amps) to play with.
You might want to wire up 5-10 pinnies on the 'left' outlet, and 5-10 pinnies on the 'right' outlet......

I went through all this trying to balance out my lighting load for Xmas lights, i use a lot of floodlights that soon exceed the 2400-3000Watts available.  #@# *%* %$%

If you're lucky to have converted your Kitchen stove from Electric to Gas, then you also have a 32Amp 'Stove circuit' free to run into your games room and run 50 pinnies on it (which is what i do for Xmas stuff).
( your gas oven only needs 2/10th's of bugger all for the spark-igniter, and can be plugged into a standard outlet in the kitchen).
 
Get a sparkie to confirm all the above  %$%
MM.

Offline slammer

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Re: Strange FLASH reset problem...
« Reply #6 on: July 06, 2009, 01:03:05 AM »
Generally when  a machine drops out when both flippers are activated leads to the Bridge rectifiers on the way out and or the associated cap down on spec.

Mayby with the lower voltage with all of the machines hooked up  this has been pushed even harder on the bridge rectifiers.

Cheers Angelo


Marty Machine

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Re: Strange FLASH reset problem...
« Reply #7 on: July 06, 2009, 01:17:01 AM »
Yep, it keeps pointing back to 240v mains issue....

Offline Extra Ball

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Re: Strange FLASH reset problem...
« Reply #8 on: July 06, 2009, 08:55:30 AM »
Paul the RHS flippers were giving me issues awhile back. I did get some resets, but mainly weak and fluttery RHS flippers. After I put in new contacts, sleeves, backstops, plungers etc, and adjusted it all the problem never came back. I was running 4 pins, a Hi Fi, and a lowboy all off the same outlet. I dont know if mains power was the issue.

Offline Strangeways

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Re: Strange FLASH reset problem...
« Reply #9 on: July 06, 2009, 09:37:39 AM »

This is a common problem and can be addressed by replacing the +5V/+12V filter cap on the power board. It should have a 15,000 MFD capacitor installed for a 3 flipper game - anything lower will cause the machine to reboot when depressing both flippers simultaneously.

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Offline ROLLERBALL

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Re: Strange FLASH reset problem...
« Reply #10 on: July 06, 2009, 11:44:24 AM »
So should I not be running 11 machine off 2 power boards....3 double adapters and 4 ext cords all out of one power point then?? !@# !@# !@# !@# !@# !@# !@# !@# !@# !@# !@#
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Offline Extra Ball

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Re: Strange FLASH reset problem...
« Reply #11 on: July 06, 2009, 12:05:00 PM »
So should I not be running 11 machine off 2 power boards....3 double adapters and 4 ext cords all out of one power point then?? !@# !@# !@# !@# !@# !@# !@# !@# !@# !@# !@#

 *.* but didnt you allways want a Fire pinball?
 :lol

Offline The pinballist formally known as Dean Morgan

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Re: Strange FLASH reset problem...
« Reply #12 on: July 06, 2009, 12:30:13 PM »
Maybe the extension lead is kinked and stopping the electricity from flowing?  :D
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Offline ROLLERBALL

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Re: Strange FLASH reset problem...
« Reply #13 on: July 06, 2009, 12:35:38 PM »
Yeah good point...maybe Ive got something sitting on the cord slowing down the flow...lol
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Offline Strangeways

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Re: Strange FLASH reset problem...
« Reply #14 on: July 06, 2009, 03:31:50 PM »
So should I not be running 11 machine off 2 power boards....3 double adapters and 4 ext cords all out of one power point then?? !@# !@# !@# !@# !@# !@# !@# !@# !@# !@# !@#

definitely not  *.*

Four machines off one 10 AMP GPO is enough.
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