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TB pinball enthusiasts?

#61
on my Paragon, I have started having an issue with one of the flippers ... it will on occasion fire with no force and/or on rotate about 5 deg when activated. 90% of the time it's strong as can be, and it happens in equal proportions during all play phases (when the flippers are cool, after light use, and when 'warm' after an extended play cycle with multiple players)

unsure if it's a switch (side button) issue, of simply the flipper needing a rebuild. I have the EOS set to specs, and the other flippers with like adjustments are all firing like new. a rebuild isn't too tough (heck, I build basses and pickups from scratch), and only takes a couple hours to do a pair, so I'm not opposed to rebuilding them and upgrading the return springs in the process.

since it's my first time dealing with this issue, I'm in research mode at the moment. once I know what it is, and how it was remedied, I'll post an update.
 
#62
Rodent said:
I've not worked on the coin slots before, so this will be new territory for me. Odd think on this game is that the coin return rod is rigged to add a credit when pressed in - weird. Unsure at the moment if this is a switch setting or 'owner rigged feature'
Click to expand...

That's a new one on me. I bet that's a hack by a previous owner. If you can't figure it out post a couple pictures of the inside of the coin door.
 
#63
Rodent said:
on my Paragon, I have started having an issue with one of the flippers ... it will on occasion fire with no force and/or on rotate about 5 deg when activated. 90% of the time it's strong as can be, and it happens in equal proportions during all play phases (when the flippers are cool, after light use, and when 'warm' after an extended play cycle with multiple players)

unsure if it's a switch (side button) issue, of simply the flipper needing a rebuild. I have the EOS set to specs, and the other flippers with like adjustments are all firing like new. a rebuild isn't too tough (heck, I build basses and pickups from scratch), and only takes a couple hours to do a pair, so I'm not opposed to rebuilding them and upgrading the return springs in the process.

since it's my first time dealing with this issue, I'm in research mode at the moment. once I know what it is, and how it was remedied, I'll post an update.
Click to expand...

Flipper coils have two-stage strength levels: "power" and "hold". When the flipper is at rest, you press the flipper button and it activates the stage one power stroke. When the flipper gets near the limit of its travel, it opens the EOS (end of stroke) switch. That deactivates the power stroke and switches it to stage two, the "hold". The "hold" is much weaker.

It sounds like your flipper is operating only in "hold" mode. Check the EOS switch carefully. They tend to get badly pitted and covered in carbon, which prevents the power stroke from working well. When the flipper is at rest, the EOS switch should be fully closed (contacts touching) and those contacts need to be pretty clean. Rarely it could be a coil or something else.

If flippers didn't have this design, the coils would quickly overheat and melt, not to mention possibly blowing a transistor driver.

Also make sure the flipper paddle moves freely all through its travel, shouldn't be any mechanical binding at all.

Also, the flipper coils should have a capacitor connected across, um, the EOS switch lugs if I remember correctly. The purpose of the capacitor is to greatly reduce arcing across the EOS contacts and extend its life.
 
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#64
Behold Hercules! The worlds biggest pinball machine! Hail hail!
The pinball was the size of a cue ball. A fun but slow machine. The pic doesn't due it justice.
IMG_1060.JPG
 
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#66
Makes total sense. One thing I need to verify is if Paragon is 'Open' or 'Closed' when at rest, since both options were in use by Bally and Williams during this time period.

Paddle movement is free and smooth. I do need to check the contacts for carbon buildup - this I haven't done due to the lighting ... I now have something to be done first tonight after I get a couple more pickup sets boxed up

Alkali Ike said:
Flipper coils have two-stage strength levels: "power" and "hold". When the flipper is at rest, you press the flipper button and it activates the stage one power stroke. When the flipper gets near the limit of its travel, it opens the EOS (end of stroke) switch. That deactivates the power stroke and switches it to stage two, the "hold". The "hold" is much weaker.

It sounds like your flipper is operating only in "hold" mode. Check the EOS switch carefully. They tend to get badly pitted and covered in carbon, which prevents the power stroke from working well. When the flipper is at rest, the EOS switch should be fully closed (contacts touching) and those contacts need to be pretty clean. Rarely it could be a coil or something else.

If flippers didn't have this design, the coils would quickly overheat and melt, not to mention possibly blowing a transistor driver.

Also make sure the flipper paddle moves freely all through its travel, shouldn't be any mechanical binding at all.

Also, the flipper coils should have a capacitor connected across, um, the EOS switch lugs if I remember correctly. The purpose of the capacitor is to greatly reduce arcing across the EOS contacts and extend its life.
Click to expand...
 
#67
Rodent said:
Makes total sense. One thing I need to verify is if Paragon is 'Open' or 'Closed' when at rest, since both options were in use by Bally and Williams during this time period.

Paddle movement is free and smooth. I do need to check the contacts for carbon buildup - this I haven't done due to the lighting ... I now have something to be done first tonight after I get a couple more pickup sets boxed up
Click to expand...

99% of my experience is Williams and Bally-Williams after they merged. Paragon might be different with the flippers.

You'll figure it out!

The old rec.games.pinball newsgroup is still active and a potential source of help.
 
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#68
jasmangan said:
Behold Hercules! The worlds biggest pinball machine! Hail hail!
The pinball was the size of a cue ball. A fun but slow machine. The pic doesn't due it justice.View attachment 1158637
Click to expand...

I read a pinside thread about Hercules a while back. A guy has one of the backglasses and was inquiring as to value. Since the machine was never produced in mass the estimates varied. Most of the few machines that were made fell apart from the sheer weight of all the mechanisms needed.
 
#71
I vividly remember the first time I encountered a Gorgar - Seattle Center food court main floor used to have an arcade with hundreds of games back in the early 80's. The machine growled 'Gor Gar!' right as I was walking past it, causing me to turn and stare as I had not yet heard a pinball with 'speech' capabilities. I must have spent $10 before running out of cash and moving on to the entry line for the concert I was there to see in the Arena.

A fun machine to play, but not one I'll be adding to my personal collection
 
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#72
found a great resource detailing how the Bally flippers switching works here: Invalid Link Removed

excellent writing at a level that a non-EE can understand and make use of. even more beneficial in that it includes details on how the upper flipper switching works, and notes where the NC and NO switches are located with respect to 'lower' and 'upper' flippers.
 
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#75
have a player's condition Comet (Williams) on heading my way week after next when I can make the drive to pick it up.

WilliamsCometPinball.jpg


that'll finish off the available space available in the bar, and make for a nice 80's theme (Paragon + Flash + Comet)
 
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#77
IPA said:
After bass and beer, playing pinball is my top hobby/money drain. Got into it a couple of years ago and play at least a couple of times a week. Getting pretty good, too.

Just wondering if anyone else out there loves to play? Do you all own any of your own tables? Post pics if you do!
Click to expand...
I love to play. Always wanted a table. Never pursued getting one. But whenever I am at an arcade I ten to play it at least twice. I do have pinball games on my cell phone for it's a decent substitute.
 
#79
Rodent said:
have a player's condition Comet (Williams) on heading my way week after next when I can make the drive to pick it up.

View attachment 2781370

that'll finish off the available space available in the bar, and make for a nice 80's theme (Paragon + Flash + Comet)
Click to expand...

One of my favorites from kid-hood. First ever Million shot in pinball.
 
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#80
Does anyone remember a game from the late 80's that had Gorbachev as one of the main characters? I think it was called Taxi and you had to pick different people up. I played that one for hours and hours! Man, the 80's was so long ago!
 

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