Quite BAZAAR - Blowing Bulbs

[millsy]

Millsy has another problem that needs solving 
As you can see in the attached pict, the bonus half moon crescents light up 1-9 as you acheive each bonus -Problem is I replace the bulbs and they blow after a while, thought It may have been cheap quality bulbs but this didnt fix it,so I worked out when they blow. This is what happens :
Noticed the moon that is illuminated goes slightly brighter when the flipper is activated, no problem -bulb doesnt blow, It only blows when the last ball is drained,activating flippers and goes game over (The bulb goes really bright then blows during this sequence).
Would putting a resistor on each of these bulb sockets solve this weird happening, if so what type,size resistor would I use ?
Any thoughts out there.
Kev

[The pinballist formally known as Dean Morgan]

Sounds like a short is putting a higher voltage into your lamps.  Fitting resistors may?? fix the problem but it is fixing the symptoms only and does not address the root cause (short).

You really need to dig deeper and find out where the additional voltage is coming from.  Do you have schematics for the game that you can scan and email to me and I may or others on here, may be able to help further.

[millsy]

Have schematics but still struggling to read them, will scan so you can have a look if Ok.
Kev

[The pinballist formally known as Dean Morgan]

Have schematics but still struggling to read them, will scan so you can have a look if Ok.
Kev

No worries

[Strangeways]

Try replacing one of the offending sockets ?

[millsy]

All sockets have been replaced - each socket has a separate power source - all other lights,PF,Bumpers dont dim at all only these 9 when lit 

[The pinballist formally known as Dean Morgan]

In the back box there is a unit that pulses each time 10 point is scored, this unit supply the feed to the bulb 0 to 9 dependant on its position.  Each bulb has a common looped from one to the next and then a single wire to each from this stepper (count) unit.  I suspect that for some reason a higher voltage maybe soliniod voltage is being placed into the unit during this sequence as you call it.

Once I have the schematics can tell you were to start.

[millsy]

The 1-9 bonus operate off its own bonus unit (Refer Pics) What is strange the lights wont blow during game,only when game goes to game over whilst using flipper - Might be related to gameover/tilt/match no circuits ? Will trace wire from bonus unit and see where I end up.
Kev

[MrMaloo]

Just a quick thought Kev . Might be worth checking out the circuit that illuminates the "Game Over" bulb in the backglass . Could be a possible short there somewhere particularly if the bulbs only blow when it goes into game over .

[The pinballist formally known as Dean Morgan]

Ok so you should only ever have 6v on these lamps.  This is shown as tappings 8 & 10 on the transformer.  From what you describe when the game over relay is activated it blows the globe.  Maybe when this is activated it is putting a higher voltage thru these lamps.

With the playfield lifted and the game in playing mode, push the game over relay in and see if the fault occurs.  Be CAREFULL not to touch anything dont want you getting a shock.

[oldpins]

Millsy, has the problem started since replacing the old bulb sockets?

[millsy]

Pretty sure this problem has been there since I received the machine - Bonus didnt work at all - In the process of replacing the old tilt,game over and match sockets at this present time - Suspect it is in the Tilt relay circuit as i earlier had problems with the tilt circuit.
Bulb only blows If Flippers activated on last ball drain.

[millsy]

Update
All light sockets rechecked and replaced in backbox -still blowing bulbs (Getting low on bulbs)
Worked out when game has finished the bonus number present goes out,game over,tilt etc are showing on backglass as they should - this part i cant understand, soon as you press either flipper button the bonus light number comes up bright then blows,the flippers dont move,just the bulb lighting up & blowing - Whats the flipper button circuit got to do with the bonus light ? Should there be any voltage in the flipper circuit when game is finished.
Ah well,back to the drawing board.

[oldpins]

Be patient mate, you will find the problem. I had a problem just recently with a Gottlieb machine and for weeks studied the schematic and tested all circuits. Finally I found there were 2 wires crossed over on the 'ball in play unit'. The flippers on this machine do remain powered when the game is over. (May have been a attraction feature).
Do you have a picture of the flipper circuit?

GT

[millsy]

Maybe be easier not to touch the flippers after finishing game,once I reset for a new game,no problem.