Special electric 1976 Nishijin Model C fishing theme

[lotsoballs]

I just got this thing home, found this “Chinese pinball” advertised on FB marketplace for $75; took a chance on it at $50 since I’ve got the pachinko restoration bug; it’s also got a single solenoid i would assume spices up the gameplay not unlike a Powerflash, UFO, Pirahna, Curcuit racer, super Don, Ski Jump, or Special Roulette. I just finished a Model A recycler, and now I’ve got a Model B Sausage model and this Model C as my winter projects!

Seller had it 20 years and had no idea what it was or how to use it; looks like it was stored in a shed or under a carport because it is NASTY, rusty and had stink bugs living in it!

As you can see it’s got a few issues:

1. Rust on the chrome; looks like 90% of it will polish out; any tips on the heavier rust areas?

2. It’s missing a large panel/jackpot cover; anybody have a parts machine model C?
I guess I’ll be looking around ebay or see what I can rig up if not.

3. The wiring for the solenoid is cut; any ideas on how I should connect it to the power connector for the lights?

Plan is to find out if the solenoid works; evaluate if this thing is restorable or just a pricey parts machine. I guess I can part it out on ebay if it’s not repairable. I saw Naha13 has one of these; anyone else have one? I wonder just how “rare” this model is?

After a couple mins of polishing with Blue Magic:

[machgo]

Looks awesome! Also looks like almost every pachinko I've bought...

I want one.

As to the solenoid, what does it do? Does it make the big fish --looks like an angler fish--pop out? You might try to sneak up on it voltage wise and see if it fires. Solenoids can be sourced fairly easily if it has failed, which is rare under normal use.

[Wayne-Ooo]

I got a little "chuckle" when you said " I’ve got the pachinko restoration bug", cause I think I do to. After doing the Circuit Racer machine, I've been searching for another machine to do.

You might remove the plastic cover for the solenoids and see if they are marked, as to the voltage. The ones on my Circuit Racer, were labeled with the voltage, part#, etc..

I can't wait to see it restored. I LIKE IT!!!

[lotsoballs]

Looks awesome! Also looks like almost every pachinko I've bought...

I want one.

As to the solenoid, what does it do? Does it make the big fish --looks like an angler fish--pop out? You might try to sneak up on it voltage wise and see if it fires. Solenoids can be sourced fairly easily if it has failed, which is rare under normal use.

I think the solenoid opens the side pockets? Not sure yet...

The good news is the chrome wasn’t quite as bad as it appeared originally; there’s a bit of pitting but not terrible. I think I can just cut a piece of plexiglass and screw it on the the rear to serve as the cover for the rear jackpot mechanism.

Bad news it’s there’s a tiny plastic hinge that’s broke off on the center angler fish (right side) you mention; he rocks back and forth and there’s 3 different holes the ball can fall into. I need to fix that hinge so the fish pivots easily. I’m assuming one lucky hole might activate the solenoid to open some or maybe all tulips?

I’ll fiddle around with the solenoid this weekend for sure.

I think I could probably come up with a fix with a fix though:

[Moparformances]

neat machine.. never seen that center feature before.. huge

[Moparformances]

ya might consider cutting a slot in the plastic near the edge.. finding a washer the right size to fit the rod. then epoxy the washer in place and grind smooth

[lotsoballs]

I found an old thread with pics of how the wiring is supposed to look; if anyone knows what transformer this one needs please chime in. It’s been a few years since I fixed up a Powerflash and that one has a 24v transformer; I guess I need one of those? I didn’t see any marking on the solenoid to indicate voltage.

https://www.pachitalk.com/forums/sho...n-payout-light

Turns out how it’s supposed to work is if a ball goes down the center hole it triggers a switch for the solenoid to open all 3 upper tulips; if you go in the left or right hole, only the left or right corresponding tulip opens.

[lotsoballs]

Good news; I’ve deemed it worthy of full restoration! The payouts are now working with the help of a jerry-rigged piece of cardboard (temporary hopefully haha).

I learned a cool trick that does wonders for rusted chrome; rubbing a wadded up ball of aluminum foil soaked in salt water takes the rust right off without scratching it badly like steel wool.

I’ve ordered a 24v transformer for testing the solenoid; hopefully I can get that working!

[lotsoballs]

Good news folks; I got antsy about waiting days for a new transformer I just disconnected my “wall wart” for my Powerflash and hooked it up to my single lonely solenoid on the fish machine, hit the activator switch and it jumped to life first time in decades!

So this machine is all systems go ready for restoration! Please let me know if anybody has a parts model C they might have a jackpot cover and track cover... apparently model C’s are way more scarce than A’s or B’s

[Moparformances]

stupid expensive but its the one i have used for lots of powerflash and other vintage that require power

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Radio-Shack...wAAOSwpoVdNKxX

[Moparformances]

still to much $$$ but heading the right direction

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Radio-Shack...gAAOSwJHhepmvy

[Moparformances]

search this on das e-bay

" radio shack 273-1512b "

nothing at a fair price point.. ya I'm cheap... but a few options

[Spyder138]

When I saw your post I title I thought you were referring to another Special Elec "fisherman" game that I will post a couple photos of. When I saw your photos, I couldn't remember where I had seen that machine before. I thought maybe one had been for sale locally recently on CL. I was looking through my phone for something else and look what I found! I have one of the same machine stashed somewhere, although I have no clue where. I guess I may have to start looking through my racks this weekend. LOL.

Here is the machine I thought you were referencing.
IMAG0339_resized.jpgIMAG0298_resized.jpg

Here is the unboxing photo I do not remember taking. Only difference is that mine has the Special Elec background. I believe most Special Elec machines had the green background as seen in the first 2 photos I posted. I think the only other Special Elec I have with the blue background is the Super Don.
IMAG0748_resized.jpg

[lotsoballs]

When I saw your post I title I thought you were referring to another Special Elec "fisherman" game that I will post a couple photos of. When I saw your photos, I couldn't remember where I had seen that machine before. I thought maybe one had been for sale locally recently on CL. I was looking through my phone for something else and look what I found! I have one of the same machine stashed somewhere, although I have no clue where. I guess I may have to start looking through my racks this weekend. LOL.

Here is the machine I thought you were referencing.
IMAG0339_resized.jpgIMAG0298_resized.jpg

Here is the unboxing photo I do not remember taking. Only difference is that mine has the Special Elec background. I believe most Special Elec machines had the green background as seen in the first 2 photos I posted. I think the only other Special Elec I have with the blue background is the Super Don.
IMAG0748_resized.jpg

WOW, I like the blue background on this one...very tempting! I already ordered a different fish/ocean themed playfield though 1976 “Bonefish”.

Hopefully mine turns out as nice as yours! I like the colorful “sunrise” playfield mine came with from the factory, has but it doesn’t really go with the center feature. Not to mention it’s got bad water stains so it’s got to go!

[lotsoballs]

Making some progress; machine is completely disassembled; new transformer arrived and solenoid is ready for action; all that’s left is sand the playfield board, apply the new playfield and reassemble which is super easy on a Model C compared to a model A or B.

[lotsoballs]

It’s done! Well, 99% done; I think I’ve got a bad micro-switch on the low ball warning light as it stays on all the time regardless if full of balls or not, so I unscrewed that bulb for now. Most importantly the solenoid and payout lights work fine though.

I like this one; it’s nice and colorful, good theme and getting a ball in the middle hole is a nice treat that opens all 4 tulips so it pays out really well!

[Wayne-Ooo]

Well done!

The Fishbone playfield suits it well.

[Tink]

Nice job. Hows your light power connected? Have seen power to wrong connectors make the low ball light stay on.

[Bigdog]

Nice job!

[lotsoballs]

Nice job. Hows your light power connected? Have seen power to wrong connectors make the low ball light stay on.

I’ve got the lights on a separate 9v battery source for simplicity’s sake for now. Haven’t converted the lights to 24v like my Powerflash.

I tried the white and orange but nada.