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Thread: Best Volume Control

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    Fever Hunter kkentert's Avatar
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    Default Best Volume Control

    I know this is sort of a repeat post, but I can't find a really great answer by searching.

    There are so many potentiometers out there, but I only have one thing that REALLY works well - unfortunately, they're $11 each plus shipping.

    First, I tried 10K-ohm 250W DC pots from radio shack. On my "EXHAUST" pachislo, they seemed to work OK, but not great. On my "Devil May Cry" Pachislo, they work terribly, going from quiet to loud with a mm turn. I ordered a Pachinko from slot-pachinko and they installed their "Alpha Carbon" volume control and it works GREAT.

    My question is this...I need to add volume control to my new machine, and I need to change it on the Devil May Cry. What have you guys found to work well? Do I just need to buy 4 Alpha's? Is there something less $$$$ I can get that will work well?

    Also, slot-pachinko used these great little clip on wire unions, where I had soldered my wires. The crimps look like they take a second or two to install, and seem to work great. They look clean too. Does anyone know what they are called? They look like little round buttons that both wires go in, then you squeeze them with a pair of pliars.

    Thanks!


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    Fever Hunter kkentert's Avatar
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    Default Re: Best Volume Control

    OK- I know what the connectors are. They're called scotchlok connectors.

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    Kungishi outdoorenth's Avatar
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    Default Re: Best Volume Control

    These VCs have been used with success:

    Radio Shack
    1K-Ohm 15-Turn PC-Mount Cermet Potentiometer/Trimmer - RadioShack.com


    Parts Express
    Parts-Express.com:*L-Pad 15W Stereo 1" Shaft 8 Ohm | tweeters tweeter stereo pad PA network mounting midrange L-Pads l-pad l pad Crossovers ads 8 ohm

    FTKServices
    9 pack of volume controls for $15 (Auction ID: 2349, End Time : Jun. 07, 2009 00:03:06) - PachiTalk.com

    You can find similar connectors at Radio Shack, they are red in color and you put the wire ends in and clamp down with pliers. I believe they sell them in packs of 10 or so for a good price.
    ______________________________________________________
    Here's a quick google search for the scotchlok: scotchlok - Google Product Search
    Last edited by outdoorenth; 06-05-2009 at 02:14 PM. Reason: Automerged Doublepost
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    Fever Hunter kkentert's Avatar
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    Default Re: Best Volume Control

    Thanks!
    Has anyone found that any ONE of those things is better than the other?
    I also just found the "Resources" section which I didn't know about till now, and saw an article. That seems to say the L-pads are better because they supply a constant load (or something like that)
    Would you agree, or are the volume controls sold in the 9 pack just as well? I really like the idea of a stereo controller since I can never seem to get the speakers on my other machines the same volume.

    Thanks again!

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    Sandwich Shooter JohnD0406's Avatar
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    Default Re: Best Volume Control

    "BEST" is an L-pad, as it provides a constant load to the amp, and won't introduce audio distortion when lowering the volume. If you're going the route of standard pot, you won't need more than 250-ohms unless you want it REALLY quiet (far too quiet). The advantage to 250-ohm pots over 1K+ pots is more range and finer control. Also, you'll need to get at least a 2W rated pot, as those cheap 1K pots typically sold as pachi volume controls will eventually burn up. I would recommend NTE part 501-0003 / RV4NAYSD251A (250-ohm 2W). I typically use 100-ohms or less of volume reduction. Use a multimeter to measure what you use, and to balance left and right reduction equally (with the machine off).
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    Fever Hunter kkentert's Avatar
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    Default Re: Best Volume Control

    Thank you, thank you, THANK YOU!!!

    though I must admit, I don't really know how to use a multi-meter. :-( I know I should, especially since I have a pretty god basic understanding of electronics, but I don't.

    By the way- How do you guys add a signature to your posts?
    Last edited by kkentert; 06-05-2009 at 02:56 PM.

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    I am Spartacus!! bfree's Avatar
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    Smile Re: Best Volume Control

    On Home page go to User CP
    it takes you to edit signature
    Bill
    "trying Is the first step towards failure" Homer J. Simpson

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    Sandwich Shooter JohnD0406's Avatar
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    Default Re: Best Volume Control

    Quote Originally Posted by kkentert View Post
    though I must admit, I don't really know how to use a multi-meter
    Get a cheap digital multimeter (DMM), look for the section with the ohms symbol, and you'll see numbers like 20, 200, 2K, 200K, etc. That's the maximum range of the measurement. If you're measuring a 250-ohm pot and have it set below 200 ohms, the 200 range will work fine. If you have a 1K pot, set the DMM range to 2K until you get the volume set where you want, then reduce the DMM range for more accuracy.
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    Default Re: Best Volume Control

    I fit L-pads to my Speed Racer and they work great, but they won't get rid of that wired gurgling noise just make it quieter.

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    Default Re: Best Volume Control

    Quote Originally Posted by monkeyboy View Post
    I fit L-pads to my Speed Racer and they work great, but they won't get rid of that wired gurgling noise just make it quieter.
    I have no idea what that sound is, since I don't own that machine, but a lot of these machines use heavily compressed audio and video, which have audible and visible compression artifacts. Nothing will get rid of those, but the right components won't make it worse.

    If you have a volume control switch, set it for HIGH if you're using an L-pad. Most switches are post-amp, which are just resistors in circuit, which are the same as using a pot. Settting at the highest setting will not degrade the audio, letting the L-pad do all the work. Some switches are pre-amp however, and setting them at their lowest setting in conjunction with a pot will yield the best sound quality.
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    Default Re: Best Volume Control

    most volume controls need the machine set on the lowest volume, so less power goes thru them
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    Super Turtle BigBearSteve's Avatar
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    Default Re: Best Volume Control

    L-Pads
    My favorite color is Ham

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    Default Re: Best Volume Control

    Thanks Bigbear. I did end up getting the 2w 250 ohm pots. Since I already got them, I'm going to give them a shot. I guess I'll get a set of L-Pads as well, and try them in one of my other machines.

    Still wish I had that family guy slot!
    Elvira Pinball, Devil May Cry, Exhaust, Speed Racer,Looney Tunes Mahrajah Basement/Club where my pachis live...

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    Default Re: Best Volume Control

    Quote Originally Posted by kkentert View Post
    Still wish I had that family guy slot!
    I wish I had time to play it
    My favorite color is Ham

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    Fever Hunter kkentert's Avatar
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    Default Re: Best Volume Control

    :-(

    Aw. I'm sorry. But if you don't have time to play it, is it right for such a machine to just sit there? I think you should sell it to me. ;-)
    Elvira Pinball, Devil May Cry, Exhaust, Speed Racer,Looney Tunes Mahrajah Basement/Club where my pachis live...

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    Default Re: Best Volume Control

    L-Pads are the best.

    Some machines are real good at smoking the cheap pots, and others may never smoke them. If you're worried about the cost of volume controls, want good sound, and a reliable volume control; you will want to use an L-Pad. The cost of an L-Pad is far cheaper than the cost of continuously changing the cheap pots.

    L-Pad =

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    Fever Hunter kkentert's Avatar
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    Default Re: Best Volume Control

    :-(
    why didn' I just get L-Pads instead of wasting $20 on one set of pots!

    So- I installed the pots on my Speed Racer, and now, there is a high pitched hum. It's constant. I'm guessing that's one of the things the L-Pads wouldn't do.
    Elvira Pinball, Devil May Cry, Exhaust, Speed Racer,Looney Tunes Mahrajah Basement/Club where my pachis live...

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    Default Re: Best Volume Control

    The basic function of the L pad is to isolate the load from the amplifier & provide a stable load to the amp regardless of what load is actually present.
    that would be better for the machine as opposed to smoking the pot which eventually could cause the amp on the machine to fail .
    notice

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    Fever Hunter kkentert's Avatar
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    Default Re: Best Volume Control

    And that is the perfect reason for me to spend a few extra dollars on L-Pads. I don't want long term issues because of cutting corners.
    Elvira Pinball, Devil May Cry, Exhaust, Speed Racer,Looney Tunes Mahrajah Basement/Club where my pachis live...

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    Kungishi outdoorenth's Avatar
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    Default Re: Best Volume Control

    Quote Originally Posted by kkentert View Post
    :-(
    why didn' I just get L-Pads instead of wasting $20 on one set of pots!

    So- I installed the pots on my Speed Racer, and now, there is a high pitched hum. It's constant. I'm guessing that's one of the things the L-Pads wouldn't do.
    Unfortunately, all Speed Racers have the speaker hum.
    Machines I own: ...see my profile


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