Transformer Problem

[RKnarr01]

I just went and installed a new 8 amp transformer on one of my pachinko and as soon as i plugged it in i heard a "pop" and then the machine quit working and i saw smoke come from the top of the back of the machine. what might be the problem and what might of caused this?

[RKnarr01]

I just opened up the machine and it was a fuse that had blown and thats also what i believe was smoking. Would this fuse prevent damage to any of the internal circuit boards because on the board where the fuse is there is an area that is burnt. the area that is burnt is on the face of the board that has the switch to turn the machine on/off accessable.

[napster]

Not a easy question to answer. Why did you install the 8 amp transformer. Was a 8 amp transformer the original transformer? or did you "UP" the current? Did the original transformer burn out? If so was it a "One shot". What type of fuse does this new transformer have? Since the machine went dead, the problem lies in the low voltage power supply, which is connected to the transformer. The most common problem would lie with the bridge rectifier. Since you saw smoke, there would be obvious charred components. You need to look and identify these charred components. Let me know what you find.

[napster]

Fuses DON'T smoke...They just blow. This fuse is protecting electrical components.

[RKnarr01]

ok then what must of smoked would be these two circular objects that are on the circuit board with the fuse they have smoke residue around them. I installed a new 8 amp transformer because the other transformers cord was not long enough. Im pretty sure it wasnt an 8 amp trans. before.

[napster]

Can you send me a pic of these circular components? Also, 8 amps may have been just to much for the machine to handle. And if you look at the old transformer it should state what is rating was. Have you got the machine working again? Or are you leary of firing it up again? If its working, then everythings ok. Its the smoking part that worries me.

[Tulsa]

Even if you upped the amperage on the tranformer it should still only have a certain voltagle output, regardless of the amperage. If you blew something, I would first question how you hooked it up and was it a dc output tranformer?

[RKnarr01]

Napster,
I threw the old transformer out a few weeks ago and i dont have a camera to take pics of the circular components but they have fell apart and you can see that they are burnt. I havent got it running again because tommorow i have to buy a new fuse and figure out if i have the transformer connected right.

[RKnarr01]

Even if you upped the amperage on the tranformer it should still only have a certain voltagle output, regardless of the amperage. If you blew something, I would first question how you hooked it up and was it a dc output tranformer?

I bought a box of the 8 amp transformers from rob at pachislousa.com

[Tulsa]

They should be fine then. So the next question is did you create a short somewhere?

First thing I would do is meter the output of the transformer. And before I installed any more of them, meter each output individually to make certain you are getting what you expect.

[RKnarr01]

how might i be able to find if i created a short? do the wires from the transformer have to be connected to any specific wires on the extension cord and/or on the cord to the machine? i cut the wires and then used wire nuts to secure them together.

[napster]

There is a primary and a secondary winding on the transformer. If the primary windings are not marked, then it would be the thicker wires. This goes to the wall outlet. The thinner wires go to the machine. What does the label on the transformer say????

[logicprobe]

An 8 amp transformer means it is CAPABLE of 8 amps. It doesn't force 8 amps.

My questions are:

Was the power cord pre-installed on the transformer, or something you attached to it yourself?

Are there any markings on these "circular components"? Writing? Colors??
What pachinko is it?

Can you at least BORROW a camera that can do a good closeup, and post it here?

I'd say don't bother putting another fuse in. Fuses blow in the line of duty. The next one will (or should) too. Somethings wrong, and it ain't the fuse!

[RKnarr01]

I attached the cord myself
No markings that i can read one side of the casing fell off when it blew up
I might be able to get a camera on the way home from work tommorow
It's my Ukiyoe pachinko

[logicprobe]

I attached the cord myself
No markings that i can read one side of the casing fell off when it blew up
I might be able to get a camera on the way home from work tommorow
It's my Ukiyoe pachinko

I don't have a Ukiyoe to photo to help you out.

WHAT BLEW UP?? THE TRANSFORMER???

(Did he just turn that step-down into a step-up? Over 500V to the 24V line??? Oh my!!! )

[RKnarr01]

There is a primary and a secondary winding on the transformer. If the primary windings are not marked, then it would be the thicker wires. This goes to the wall outlet. The thinner wires go to the machine. What does the label on the transformer say????

I dont see a lable on the transformer and both sets of wires appear to be the same thickness

[napster]

Yes, yes, logicprobe I know that you can't shove current down the throat. I just threw over thirty years of electronic wisdom down the tubes. My Bad

[Tulsa]

I'm beginning to believe you wired the 120 side to the power supply and the 24v side to the wall outlet.

[RKnarr01]

tulsa thats what i thought i might of done. if you set the transformer in the upright position i connected the machine wires to the top set of wires on the transformeer and the extension cord to the bottom set of wires.

[napster]

Yes ,I agree, he just turned a step down into a step up....Ouch