Fathom and leds

[pinfrog]

Hi all , Ok thought I would try led globes on my Fathom but seem to have a problem. Started with replacing lamp board with the new altek replacement board. All controlled lamps above the play field work as they should but most lamps except for one or two below the p/f all flash in test mode and in game play when they come on, and NO the globes are not flashers. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Cheers Les.

[Strangeways]

"All controlled lamps above the play field work as they should but most lamps except for one or two below the p/f all flash in test mode and in game play when they come on, and NO the globes are not flashers"

Lamps in test mode are supposed to flash.

For any LEDs not working, removed them and bend the legs on the LEDs so they fit the 555 socket. Common problem.

[Retropin]

Sounds to me that the LEDs are flashing in game play is the problem?

[wiredoug]

can we define flashing?   is it really on off on off or flickering?

[pinfrog]

Sorry guys ,Ill explain a little better. Nino when in test mode and the lamps "blink'' on they also flash on and off in the short period they blink on. In game play and the bonus lamp is lit for instance, it will continue to flash fast. I would say at a rate of 4 to 5 times per second. I hope this makes sense.

[pinfrog]

To Wiredoug, it is a definite on / off flash and not a flicker

[DSB]

Not an expert on the matter but does it have something to do with the switching cycle speed of the lamp matrix? LEDs would be much more affected by the switching cycle than incandescent  lights as they will turn on and off almost instantly. If it is the problem there may be a simple patch for the game ROM to correct it? Maybe a more technical person can answer that question. Check out this link while you wait with an interesting product to correct flicker. http://ledocd.comuv.com/  Found it while investigating LEDs myself. Don't know if any one has tried it.

[Strangeways]

So there are two changes - The Altek Lamp Driver and LEDs.

I'd suggest replacing a few of the LEDS with standard 555 globes to isolate the issue. Sounds like it is the LEDs. They might not be suited to the game. Different quality and manufacturers of LEDs can create different results.

[oldskool1969]

So there are two changes - The Altek Lamp Driver and LEDs.

I'd suggest replacing a few of the LEDS with standard 555 globes to isolate the issue. Sounds like it is the LEDs. They might not be suited to the game. Different quality and manufacturers of LEDs can create different results.

Good to meet you the other day pin frog, agree totally with niño here but try the non ghosting, no-flix option first as it may just cost you a little less than alter board

[elkor-alish]

The instructions that came with the Altek lamp board should have had a small section on how to mod the board to accept LEDs.
If this mod is not done you'll continue to have this issue.
Do you still have the instructions?

[oldskool1969]

 http://www.pinballcenter.eu/cms/front_content.php?idart=33&idcat=20&lang=2
Very interested in these new European LEDs which apparently solve all the EE early electronics issues
All the best with it anyway

[jonninemonic]

You're on the right track ;.

I've tried a wirde range og LEDs of the last couple of years and the Noflix series are one of a few that actually works in these older games. However, most of the suppliers today understand and tries to find solutions to this problem.

I'm using Noflix PLUS in all my older Bally games (Fathom, Embryon, Xenon, Centaur) and those work perfectly here. As mentioned in the above referenced article the first generation of LEDs turn on "too fast" for the older games which in many cases result in flickering.

[pinball god]

I got a batch of 3 led globes of a known brand ablaze, and slowly but surely they are dying via this high speed flicker. I have noticed this using them as gi globes that are always on. Each individual led dies on the globe. Has happened on my fh and tz. I have moved them to other games and they do the same.

[swinks]

curious of what brand leds your using as was reading a altek lamp board caters for leds but based on the first post doesn't seem the case.
http://www.allteksystems.com/products-mpu-replacements.html#lamp

[pinball god]

curious of what brand leds your using as was reading a altek lamp board caters for leds but based on the first post doesn't seem the case.
http://www.allteksystems.com/products-mpu-replacements.html#lamp

I have no problems with my embryon with altek and leds