Ed Cheung's WMS CPU tester

[Steevsee]

Had my eye on this Williams CPU tester for awhile. http://www.edcheung.com/album/album05/pinball/cpu.htm

Anyway I finally took the plunge yesterday and placed an order, which should arrive in a couple weeks. 
The kit comes with unique parts only(PCB and pre-programmed PIC chip).
I still need to order all other common parts to assemble it once it all arrives, but it should be quite interesting.

This guy works at NASA and repairs/restores pinball Machines in his spare time.  How cool is that!

Anyone here have one, or used one before?

[ddstoys]

Never seen one so what does it do?

[Steevsee]

Never seen one so what does it do?

Tests CPU Switch Matrix, Lamp Matrix and all coils(cpu controlled and special).
Uses a small LCD screen to replicate the score display, so you can run all the standard diagnostics from the board and view results on the mini screen.
Runs on +5v and +12/-12v, so eliminates need for high voltages for displays. Built in DVM and logic probe with display on the LCD.
Can be used with Williams system 3 - 11 CPU boards.
Lots more info on the website.

[ddstoys]

That's awsome will checkbout the website when I finish work

[Pinballer]

I looked into ordering one of these several months ago.  It would definitely be a valuable tool when repairing the earlier Williams boards, especially the System 3 ~ 7 boards.

I haven't order one as yet, mainly due to the fact I could not locate all the additional parts required from the one supplier.  Please report back with how you go ordering parts etc.

 

[Homepin]

I looked into ordering one of these several months ago.  It would definitely be a valuable tool when repairing the earlier Williams boards, especially the System 3 ~ 7 boards.

I haven't order one as yet, mainly due to the fact I could not locate all the additional parts required from the one supplier.  Please report back with how you go ordering parts etc.

 

exactly my comment - some of those parts will not be easy to track down - but a great tool I  sure.

[Steevsee]

All the parts are available from http://www.digikey.com.au/.

[wonder]

Have one,but have not need to use it yet.Found the problem the old fashion way, swapped boards.

Will be nice to get to sorted  one day.

Craig

[Steevsee]

Just placed the order for the parts thru Digikey.

I already have some of the common items like connectors, resistors and capacitors; as well as a suitable benchtop power supply.
Otherwise I pretty much ordered everything else right off the parts list.
Total for parts (including US$30 shipping) was AU$98, so all up cost for the tester will be AU$260 delivered.

Of course I'll still need to assemble it once it all arrives. Looks like some SMD soldering involved, so i'd better get out the magnifying glass.

[Pinballer]

Can you please post the parts list with the associated Digi-Key part numbers?

[Steevsee]

Can you please post the parts list with the associated Digi-Key part numbers?

PM sent.  (Parts list was a bit messy to post here).

All the parts info was contained in the manual for the tester, which was sent via email, in response to my initail enquiry.

Digikey may not be cheapest but certainly more convenient for me to order everything together.

[Pinballer]

Thanks mate, got it, much appreciated.

[Steevsee]

WOW.
Just received shipping confirmation email from digikey with my tracking no.  Only placed the order a few hours ago!

[ajlaird]

Certainly looks interesting; maybe a bit pricey but if you had enough machines in the Williams System 3 -11 range it would be worth it.

Last time I bought parts I used Futurlec but I don't know if they would have all the parts or not.

[Steevsee]

Just had a good look at Futurlec.  What a great site and great prices too!

They seem to have all the parts needed for the tester, except for one - "IC SOCKET 40PIN CLOSED FRAME SMD", Digikey PN -ED2136-ND.
As a quick price comparison, here are the parts totals from Digikey ($79.81) and Futurlec ($45.25). 

I can't imagine shipping from Futurlec would be any more than Digikey's $30.

I know where I'll be looking first for any electronics parts from now on.
Thanks for the great tip Andrew.