Weak Flippers

[DataEast Fan]

Hey Guys

Picked up another early Data East pin last week but its having flipper issues, I've completed a few searches but can not find the same problem in any other thread.

The flippers seem to work at like 10%, they are very slow and have no power behind them that they are lucky to flip the ball over to the opposite flipper. The bats move fine by hand with little effort.

Any Ideas?


Cheers Mark.

[ajlaird]

Check EOS (end of stroke) for starters.

[Pintoxicated]

Is this the BTTF machine that was on eBay?

[DataEast Fan]

Is this the BTTF machine that was on eBay?

Yes mate it is, I was disappointed not to have bought the one Markc had a few months back so my wife bought it for me as my Christmas present.
I've been a massive fan of these movies since I was a kid, so it was something I had to have.

The condition of the machine is excellent.  The people it came from have had it for nearly 14 years and had it set up under a staircase away from direct sunlight and pedestrian traffic. Came with its manuals, keys and a bunch of receipts for parts from over the years.  Once i sort out the flipper problem then I'll be able to have a crack.

Cheers Mark

[Pintoxicated]

Is this the BTTF machine that was on eBay?

Yes mate it is, I was disappointed not to have bought the one Markc had a few months back so my wife bought it for me as my Christmas present.
I've been a massive fan of these movies since I was a kid, so it was something I had to have.

The condition of the machine is excellent.  The people it came from have had it for nearly 14 years and had it set up under a staircase away from direct sunlight and pedestrian traffic. Came with its manuals, keys and a bunch of receipts for parts from over the years.  Once i sort out the flipper problem then I'll be able to have a crack.

Cheers Mark

I would have liked that machine myself but it wasn't to be - at least it went to someone on the forum.

As mentioned, the first thing I would check would be the EOS switches, these have had the same effect on my DE machines if they aren't adjusted properly - the flipper loses all strength.  Give me a yell if you need a hand or more info.

[markc]

BTF  always sell fast , great pin , great theme  , and if it has the real backglass  even better
its always amazes me how Micheal J fox would let them use a picture of himself for the backglass

[Pinballace]

To get back to the issue at hand, if it's both flippers and the EOS are good then you may have a voltage problem.  Simple to check the coil voltage with a meter in game mode.  If it's low (DC voltage) then check it on the AC setting, if the AC voltage is high (+10v or more) then it's likely you have a bridge rectifier issue. 

[DataEast Fan]

Did a bit of work with it today.

BTTF doesnt use EOS switches, found a blown fuse on the PPB Board. Replaced the fuse but the second you start a game the VUK and knocker activate and stay on causing the fuse to blow again. If I disconnect both coils and the system will be fine, both flippers work at 100%, checked both coils which are fine but if  I connect either one back up then I have the same problem.

Anyone else come across this problem??   

Cheers Mark.

[dj10555]

If the Vuk and knocker both locked on when the game is powered on then you probably have a faulty TIP36C on the PPB board. I would measure these first and also measure the resistance of the VUK and knocker coils to check they have not burnt out from being locked on. Also worth check that the diode has not fallen off either of the coils.

regards Derek

[pinnies4me]

I've only ever touched one DE game - SW - and that was once - but the issue was a weak flipper, I recall it would engage but not hold I think. What I found was that on the fuse board, the fuse tabs were cracked at the bottom (near the PCB) so contact was minimal. Replaced them with some Jaycar ones and haven't opened that game up in three years.

[Maxprofits]

It could also be a diode installed the wrong way, on a switch or a coil. Can be a bastard to find. Let us know how you go.

[DataEast Fan]

Update: taking on board the replies I've had we do more checks on certain component and as Derek said it ended up as a couple of faulty TIP36c's.  Replaced both on the PPB along with the coil, coil sleeve and diode on the VUK and now the game is working great

Thank you to all that replied and a BIG thanks to Blair for the detailed PM's
 I've only been a member here for a short time, but this is a great site made up of top people who are all willing to help out anyone where they can, why would I go anywhere else.


Cheers Mark.

[Strangeways]

Update: taking on board the replies I've had we do more checks on certain component and as Derek said it ended up as a couple of faulty TIP36c's.  Replaced both on the PPB along with the coil, coil sleeve and diode on the VUK and now the game is working great

Thank you to all that replied and a BIG thanks to Blair for the detailed PM's
 I've only been a member here for a short time, but this is a great site made up of top people who are all willing to help out anyone where they can, why would I go anywhere else.


Cheers Mark.

Good to hear, Mark - I would have gone with the fuse clips, so I've learnt something 

[dj10555]

Good work Mark. Glad it is fully running again. The other problem which happens on the PPB is that the GI connectors burn and normally both the headers and connectors need replacing.