Julie Pinball Volume Control Overhaul

[MrGoodBurn]

I had to bring Julie home from work today because one of the volume controls decided to die at about half volume. Most likely my fault for playing with them more than I should have.

I decided to go over to my local electronics store and pick up a real volume control so I can turn it all the way down without damaging the amplifier. All of the connections are made behind the speakers with the original wiring preserved just in case I decide to reverse the work. I repaired the harness where the original volume controls were in patched with solder and heat shrink to eliminate any potential problems. I de-soldered he wires from the back of each speaker, and soldered them to the new harness; sealing the connections with heat shrink. I then soldered the new harness to the speakers, and sealed the connections with heat shrink. I'm a perfectionist, and hate to butcher anything unless I absolutely have to. You can see in the pictures how clean the installation is. If I was ever to become a dealer; this is how I would do every machine.

My list of supplies:


Purchased

1 15w 8ohm L-Pad (5 or 10 watt would have done the job but the smallest they had was a 15 watt)
1 Small Metal Enclosure
1 Package of heat shrink Tubing


Already Had at Home

Soldering Station
Solder
Lighter
Wire Strippers
Screwdriver
Double Sided Tape
22GA Twisted Pair Wire
A Lot of Patience

My Total Investment: $22.00
(only that much because I didn't want to wait)

I must say I'm impressed with how much better Julie sounds!

I was getting distortion at lower volumes with the 1K Pot; now it's perfectly clear no matter where I set my volume level.

I have attached some pictures of what I did if anyone is interested. I know I didn't mount it in the best spot, but once I build cabinets it will be relocated.

[JohnD0406]

I must say I'm impressed with how much better Julie sounds!

Everyone who uses those 1K pots has no idea...

I installed my L-pads on the bottom right of the cabinets the machines are installed in. You'd never know they were there if I didn't say anything... I like the box you put it in.

StarWarsLpad.jpg JulieLpad.jpg

[MrGoodBurn]

I was thinking about the right side bottom as well, but when I was looking at all of my options, I noticed that I didn't have enough wire at home to do it. When I finally build my cabinets; I will relocate the controls to the top, or just under the machines. I have some nice quick connects that I will use to make the controls easy to bypass, as well as extend the wire length. The box is similar to the ones I have used in my Pachislo machines. They do add about $7.00 to the cost of the project, but I think it's worth it. It protects the connections, and makes for a nice clean finish. My only complaint is that the box adds extra size to the to the project so it's harder to find a good place to mount it.

Eventually people will catch on to the L-Pad. It costs a little bit more, and requires a little more work to install, but it's well worth it. I may even make up a few and see if I can sell them in the auction for a few bucks more than I have in them.

[fronzdan]

Ok you've convinced me. I just ordered a couple to try out. I've never bothered to try L-Pads because the simple pots seemed to work ok. But I have one machine by Fuji that just sounds like crap with standard pots. I assumed it was just a lousy sound system, but I can't imagine they'd make one that sounds that muddy. Hopefully this will be an improvement.

[MrGoodBurn]

Ok you've convinced me. I just ordered a couple to try out. I've never bothered to try L-Pads because the simple pots seemed to work ok. But I have one machine by Fuji that just sounds like crap with standard pots. I assumed it was just a lousy sound system, but I can't imagine they'd make one that sounds that muddy. Hopefully this will be an improvement.

Any machine you use an L-Pad on will sound much better. Keep in mind that some machines do have very low quality sound. My Monster Village is one that has bad sound, even with no volume control at all. It sounds high pitched and very tinny.

[fronzdan]

This is a 2005 Fuji and if I can remember correctly, it did sound way better before I put in the pots. And this was with the blood pouring out of my ears because of the volume.

Now it sounds a bit like the speaker is in a fully enclosed box or as if it's stuffed with cotton balls. There's no range. (And yeah I checked, there aren't any cotton balls or an old sock stuffed over them)

[new in town]

The L-Pad schematic using all three connection points on it.

[MrGoodBurn]

Here are a few more pictures.

[new in town]

Very Professionally done!

Heat shrink is your "Friend"

I've put many of the same L-Pads on both my Pachinkos and Pachislos. They sound great and I like the ability to keep the volume at a sane level during play or "Crank it!" during a Fever of Bonus Round from outside of the Pachi.

People that come over can't believe the sound from "Those little speakers".

And yes the sound quality is ten fold over the smaller pots.

Some of the machines use two L-Pads. A two channel and one Mono control. Mostly the Pachislos but a couple of the pachinkos (yellow cab for one) uses two.

Stereo L-Pad: Parts Express:L-Pad 15W Stereo 1" Shaft 8 Ohm

Mono L-Pad: Parts Express:L-Pad 15W Mono 1" Shaft 8 Ohm

[rubberratt]

mmmmmmmmmmmmmm parts express

ya gotta love 'em

[MrGoodBurn]

I've been using Parts Express since they were strictly a catalog shop. I was extremely happy when they finally went on-line. It makes things so much easier...

[fronzdan]

Well I got them installed and they have improved the sound quality a little. I used two stereo ones since it has 4 speakers. The sound from the tweeters is bright and clear. The midrange ones are still a bit muddy, but better. And now I can tweak the volume separately. Now I just need to buy a bunch more for the other machines.