OpenSource GTB Power Bumper Driver Board

[zitt]

I just finished the design of A New half-sized Pop Bumper Driver Board intended to be a drop in replacement for the original System 80 Gottlieb design. Fixes many of the design issues present in the original design including many Best Known Methods posted @ Pinrepair.com.

I have decided to release this design under to the public under the TAPR Non-Commercial Open Hardware License which indicates:

You may make products based upon this design, provided you do not make more than ten units in any twelve month period for your personal use.

BOM costs are under $11 not including the PCB. The PCBs are less than $28 from batchpcb.com and a link is included in my Blog post.

Please check it out at:
http://pinball-mods.com/blogs/?p=4

The rest of the site is not complete; so please make sure you use the link above.

[ajlaird]

Nice one! It is always a good thing to find alternatives that aren't too expensive.

[Homepin]

I think it looks great and would be a perfect replacement supplied as a factory assembled unit. I really don't think the average pinball hobbyist is ready for surface mount.

My replacement board fits into the exact screw holes of the original - uses easily available through hole parts that can be bought anywhere but adds a microprocessor so that bumper timing is adjustable and allowing a power up delay. It comes either built and tested or as a DIY kit.

It also includes a test switch (to fire the PB) so that fine tuning of the mechanism can be made while the PF is lifted.

www.homepin.com/pics/gott_replacement.jpg

[zitt]

I think it looks great and would be a perfect replacement supplied as a factory assembled unit. I really don't think the average pinball hobbyist is ready for surface mount.

Fair - I'm a hobbyist and do surface mount as a rule now. Just easier to assemble IMHO.
I may redo the design one day in thru hole - but as you indicated; there are other replacement boards out there.

My replacement board fits into the exact screw holes of the original - uses easily available through hole parts that can be bought anywhere but adds a microprocessor so that bumper timing is adjustable and allowing a power up delay. It comes either built and tested or as a DIY kit.

It also includes a test switch (to fire the PB) so that fine tuning of the mechanism can be made while the PF is lifted.

Good ideas - but for the moment i went for low cost. I had no idea your design existed; but it goes to show that their are more than one way to solve the existing problem. Microcontroller is a bit of an overkill; IMHO - but certainly makes for a flexible design.

[Homepin]

 Microcontroller is a bit of an overkill; IMHO - but certainly makes for a flexible design.

I would have agreed a few years ago but these days a microcontroller is less than the cost of discreet I.C's and so it make sense to use one at $2.50 each - it also cuts down on stock held as they are not "project specific" and can be programmed as required for the job at hand.

[zitt]

How is $2.40 less than $0.80?
Like I said - your design is fine - just not sure it warrants a microcontroller.

I do like your opto isolation idea.