Bally Centaur Playfield Swap

[Strangeways]

This job is different from what I usually do, but it was an interesting adventure. Initially, it was a repair, which was related to some of the GI not working correctly and some switch issues. The switch issues were easy fixed, but the GI was difficult. Basically, only a couple GI lamps were working, and then the power supply would overheat and shutdown. So I had around 15 minutes of diagnosis before I had to switch off the machine. It was either a short with a wire or a socket. I thought it might BE the SCR or the Aux board, but they were ruled out once I replaced them.


While this was happening, the owner decided to have the playfield replaced with a new one. So when it arrived it went straight to Tim for a re clear. This was a good outcome, as the new playfield in the machine had a number of issues that I didn't like - The metal parts were stripped of their Zinc coating and then dipped in oil to stop the inevitable surface corrosion from starting. So that game me the opportunity to plate and rebuild the underside correctly.


Since it was a repair that turned into a playfield swap, it is presented here differently.


Here are the original photos from 2-3 years ago of the playfield ;






















While diagnosing the problem, I removed assemblies and that's when I found the mechs had been stripped and badly re assembled ;











Have a look at the dodgy pin on the RHS drop target !











Stripped plating on all assemblies..





















GI Culprit found !









So well hidden, that it took half the playfield to be stripped in order to find it !














Continue with the playfield strip ;









.. and I'm done !









and here is the replacement playfield, that @el_timbo86 cleared to perfection !







What a beautiful playfield !

[el_timbo86]

Coming along Nino! Going to be great once you weave your magic mate.

Timbo
HRP

[Pop Bumper Pete]

Centaur, always striking

[ddstoys]

Bloody lucky it turned into a rebuild that short would have been a night mare to find. 

    Gotta love a centaur


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[pinoffski]

for just black and white the artwork is amazing
i can look at it all day and find something new

[AndrewGB]

Looking nice Nino!!

[Strangeways]

Here are pictures of some of the mechanisms that a previous owner or restorer decided to "clean" by stripping the Zinc. All this does is invites corrosion and rust down the track, but it looks good initially. In fact, this individual smothered the parts in oil, so the knew they were doing the wrong thing !!




















.. and here is the oil, trapped under the bushing..






















Parts had to be disassembled and then degreased. After that process, they are cleaned in the ultrasonic cleaner ;









Here are the plated parts (all done in-house). Big difference ;









Drop Target Assembly was a complete mess ;









Disgusting..









Plated - Looks much better ;

[Crashramp]

Looking good Nino!

[Strangeways]

Now I move on to replacing the playfield. The Globe sockets were new, but many were not soldered firmly, so here was the opportunity to work on that. New Playfield ;





I simply re drill the holes so I know exactly where things go - especially for the lamp sockets and braid.


Next I install the wiring loom and secure the loom ;





I install one socket at a time. They were all numbered and then transferred to the new playfield ;







I need to grind the base with a dremel so that the solder will make a good contact.










I dip the base in solder paste, and then tin the tip. Then the socket is installed prior to the braid.









Braid installed and ready to solder. The solder will be as good as it can be, and won't be an intermittent problem.

[Strangeways]

I like to double check the alignment of the slings etc just in case the pre drilled holes are not in the right place.







Perfectly straight !





In Line targets rebuild with some new parts. Plated and looks awesome !











Another Drop Target Assembly ready !





Drop Targets installed. What a massive difference !

[Crashramp]

Great tips on the globe holder soldering Nino. Huge improvement on the drops too.