RHS sticky flipper - Cactus Jack's

[slammer]

I put new coils,EOS and sleeves in that machine when I rebuilt it.

I would of not put more than 100 games on it, check the return spring has enough tension.

Like Nino said, power off when it is stuck to m ake sure it is a physical issue and not an electrical issue.

I bought my parts from PBR for the Cactus Jacks.

Cheers Angelo

[ajlaird]

Hi Angelo, the coils did look pretty new!

I have turned the machine off when the flipper got stuck and have confirmed a physical issue rather than electrical.

I think I might try replacing the plunger if I can get hold of one; maybe I will take both mechanisms apart and compare, maybe even swap plungers (assuming that is possible) to see if the problem is definitely plunger related.

[silverball]

I put new coils,EOS and sleeves in that machine when I rebuilt it.

I would of not put more than 100 games on it, check the return spring has enough tension.

Like Nino said, power off when it is stuck to m ake sure it is a physical issue and not an electrical issue.

I bought my parts from PBR for the Cactus Jacks.

Cheers Angelo
I probably put 20 games on it since angelo owned it, didnt have to do a thing as  the game was fully shopped and working like a dream something must be loose or binding.

[ajlaird]

Well, as you know I like to play my machines; the kids and I have given it a pretty good hammering!

Some of my games have lasted 20 minutes or more so it cops a decent workout.

When I get the chance I will take both sides apart and try to work out what is going on.

In the meantime I have to work out the shed layout...

[Strangeways]

Tap the bottom of the flipper shaft to create a gap between the bottom of the bushing, and the pawl.

This happens quite often on rebuilt flipper assemblies - especially Gottlieb. Tighten all the hex screws as well.

[ajlaird]

Tap the bottom of the flipper shaft to create a gap between the bottom of the bushing, and the pawl.

This happens quite often on rebuilt flipper assemblies - especially Gottlieb. Tighten all the hex screws as well.

OK, will try that first.

[ajlaird]

OK, I think I have fixed one of the problems but not the other.

First problem was that the spring had crept past the coil holder and as a result there was a physical issue where the flipper was sticking pretty consistently. This was confirmed by switching the machine off with the flipper stuck and the flipper remaining stuck. When I took the stop off again I realised that the spring was out of position. This issue is now fixed! Manual testing of flipper confirms no physical sticking (plus I tried tapping the bottom of the flipper shaft just in case).

Now, the flipper is sticking due to an electrical or electronic issue. It still gets stuck, but this is definitely due to current flowing through the coil, as when the machine was turned off with the flipper stuck, it dropped back immediately. In fact, when the machine was turned back on the flipper moved to full stroke! I think I will be checking the RHS flipper button/switch for starters, as tapping the cabinet or hitting the button a second time will cause the flipper to drop back down.

[ajlaird]

Yep, RHS flipper switch was arcing and occasionally spot-welding itself together; ideally I would put a new switch in but for now I have sandpapered it a bit.

All good for now, but I think I will try to track down some flipper switches.

[goodolddays]

So .. my original suggestion was the culprit eh? Glad to hear you found the problem

[ajlaird]

So .. my original suggestion was the culprit eh? Glad to hear you found the problem

Yep, but it was a bit of a journey to get there, as another problem arose in attempting to track down the first.

I took the Cactus Jack's into the PSP meet and the flipper behaved itself.

[Marty Machine]

Poor bugger, when you were explaining that fault to me tonight at Marks, it was just a stroke of bad luck having 2 faults causing the same problem, sort of masking eachother.

I HATE those faults ;-(
MM.