RFM - Help Needed Please

[Pintoxicated]

Hi Guys,

I just picked up a project Revenge From Mars and I am stuck with one problem after sorting a few out.

In short, about half of the switches are not working including the trough optos, launch lanes, exit lanes, bank of four targets under the monitor plus a few others.  I have re-seated most of not all connectors and I will go through and do it again.  There does not appear to be any power getting to the optos in the trough - no light at all that I can see through the digi camera.  This results in the machine constantly spitting out balls when the machine is on.

This is the first Pin2000 machine I have had and I am hoping there is an answer out there and even better a quick and inexpensive fix.

The interlock switch is intermittent as well so sometimes I can get into the menus and other times it doesn't want to play at all.  I had to swap a wire over on the interlock switch cause it was reading open when it was shut and vice versa which fixed it and then after a while, it seems to stop working altogether again.

CPU fan is currently working but I will replace it along with the power supply which had a very lazy fan to start with.

Cheers,
Blair

[Caveoftreasures]

Did u buy that RFM from Brisbane/Gold Coast ?

[MartyJ]

Hey Blair,

I've never worked on a P2K so I cannot offer any solid advice, but AFAIK we should be able to spitball some ideas...

First things first - Have all fuses been out, tested with a DMM, correct value and reinstalled?

Switch matrix's as you know are a nightmare....But keep it simple and from the manual have a look whether its full rows or columns which are out and check the chain to make sure it hasn't been pinched etc...

If that all looks good might be time to remove the big ol' driver board and your trusty DMM....If I was closer I'd certainly swing in as I'd love to get my fingers dirty on one of these!...

[MartyJ]

Are you getting +12vDC on the receiver board J1-1.  I think this should be being fed the +12vDC from the 10-OPTO switch board mounted to the u/s of the playfield...

[Pintoxicated]

Thanks Marty.  There is power to the 10 opto board and there is one or two optos that do work.  I haven't actually bothered checking for 12V at the trough boards - they look fine but are simply dead.  If it was just the trough optos that were dead I would go the whole hog on the trough boards but there are numerous other switches that are dead as well on two columns.  It looks like the switches that are dead, which are a mixture of optos and normal switches are in 2 columns and all related back to a ULN2803 chip on the driver board - U45.  I am going to replace that chip and see how that goes.  I also replaced the LM339 chips on the 10 opto board as well as the cap today just to rule that out and it didn't make any difference.  Everything else looks good so cross fingers the problem is the ULN2803 chip.

Whilst it is frustrating getting to know the Pin2000 machine it will all be good in the end.  I am a bit scared to tinker with the computer section but there is only one way to learn.

Brett - yeah the machine was from Qld.  I was aware of the issues with the machine prior to purchase, I was just hoping that the fix would have been quicker and easier than what it is proving to be.    

[ddstoys]

Hey Blair
             sounds like your on the right track with the chip especially if it controls both of the columns that have issues.     Replace the Chip and let us know how that goes.   

[MartyJ]

Ahh good stuff.

I look at the computer inside a P2K just as I would any other home computer.  Nothing too hard - dust + heat is enemy #1.

Replacing PSU's, heatsink fans etc is easy.

[ddstoys]

Your spot on Marty they are just like a home computer your welcome to call in and have a play with my RFM if your ever out my way 

[Caveoftreasures]

The reason I asked if it came from the Gold Coast was that 2 x sellers had a RFM each.

One seller listed his as a project but everything worked perfectly, cause i played it several times, and the other seller listed his as a project as well but it did have some issues he hadnt had a chance to fix.

The great thing about the PIN2000 platform, is that the fuses are lit up if working/not working anywhere on the machine. I agree with Marty, check all fuse values and replace as needed. I always change every fuse for a brand new one whether it needs it or not. I reckon find someone who lives near you with a RFM, throw your machine on a trailer, and go visit the other RFM owner and check everything on your machine side by side a fully working one.

I reckon the PIN2000 platform is the easiest to work on. The manual is excellent and the service menu is so easy once u get used to it.

Who has a RFM who lives nearby you Blair ?  

[dj10555]

Hi Blair,
I'm not familiar with Pin2000 but the transmitter optos should be lit all the time in a WPC game so there may not be any 12v getting to the transmitters. If you have found all the switches are out in 2 complete columns then the ULN2803 is probably the culprit. Sometimes on WPC games, when the 2803 blows it will take out the chip connected directly behind it.

regards Derek

[Pintoxicated]

OK now I am getting frustrated.

I changed the ULN2803 chip (and stuffed one of the traces in the process and had to install a jumper) and still no change whatsoever to the machine.  No opto switches working except for one.

There is definitely 12V at the 10 opto board.  It is something in the switch matrix somewhere....I think.

Anyone want a cheap RFM project machine?

[Caveoftreasures]

how cheap. lol

stick with it.

even if it means driving the machine to someones house on a trailer a few hours away, dont give up just yet.

[Pintoxicated]

how cheap. lol

stick with it.

even if it means driving the machine to someones house on a trailer a few hours away, dont give up just yet.

$2100 as is where is and I would be tempted.

[Caveoftreasures]

Blair, I will post down the 2 x factory RFM manuals monday morning for you.

You are welcome to keep them at no cost because I have a spare copy of each, and they will be best with you rather than sitting unused in my bookshelf.

Happy to help out a fellow member anytime i can.    We have to get this RFM working 100% whatever it takes. 

[Pintoxicated]

Thankyou very much Brett. 

Hopefully this bug gets sorted out sooner rather than later.