L-Pads, more questions

[dalto]

I read the thread on volume and decided to install some L-pads.

I had a few questions though for anyone here who can answer.

1. What guage wire is typically running to the speakers and is it stranded or solid?
2. Since they no longer sell the stereo 3/8" L-pads at partsexpress I was thinking of getting the 1" ones so I could control both speakers at once. Do you usually leave these in the machine or stick them out the side?
3. From the wiring diagrams I've seen it looks like a should just tap the negative and put the L-pad inline with the positive. Is this correct?

Thanks again,

Dalto

[Firewire]

I think the easist method is to use www.pachislo.com's simple in-line job, but if you want an L-Pad here is my reply.

1) I've used 20 gauge stranded (and also 18 & 24).

(2) Went with the 1" L-Pad that I ran through the side. I had to use a 3/8" drill bit to make the whole about 1/4" deeper on the inside on some machines to make it far enough through so that the threads stick out for the nut and decorative plate.

3) Check this thread on installation and a simple diagram:

http://www.pachitalk.com/forums/show...ighlight=l-pad

[Ken Layton]

If Parts Express doesn't have the L-Pads you want, MCM Electronics (www.mcminone.com) does. Check out MCM's part numbers for the 3/8" long shaft L-Pads:

# 50-090 Mono 15 watt $2.86
# 50-275 Stereo 15 watt $5.94

# 50-080 Mono 50 watt $6.77
# 50-280 Stereo 50 watt $11.95

# 50-070 Mono 100 watt $7.95
# 50-285 Stereo 100 watt $13.95

[v3550]

If Parts Express doesn't have the L-Pads you want, MCM Electronics (www.mcminone.com) does. Check out MCM's part numbers for the 3/8" long shaft L-Pads:

# 50-090 Mono 15 watt $2.86
# 50-275 Stereo 15 watt $5.94

# 50-080 Mono 50 watt $6.77
# 50-280 Stereo 50 watt $11.95

# 50-070 Mono 100 watt $7.95
# 50-285 Stereo 100 watt $13.95

Looks like MCM has comparable prices.
Parts Express had them last week and received today:
#260-250 15wt mono 1" shaft $3.35
#260-251 15wt stereo 1" shaft $5.25
Shipping to me $7.09...ouch!

[websherpa]

On my Hanabi Hyakkei which I am installing a Stereo L-Pad now, the speakers are clearly marked with polarity and rated for 10 Watts each, which means that a 15 Watt L-Pad is just fine (This was one of my FAQ questions, whether to get a 15W or 50W L-Pad - as I've seen people blow 15W L-Pads on regular amp systems - hey, I built a 7Watt per channel 300B Tube amp that blows away most 80 Watt per channel solid state amps)

[websherpa]

One more quick question. (L-Pads are installed, I took some pictures of the procedure, hope to post them soon.)

When I turn the volume of the L-Pads all the way down, they don't cut out completely. Is that normal? I expected them to turn right off so I could play "silently in the night" (well except when I hit the Big Bonus ).

P.S. I've been havin' a hoot with my new Hanabi Hyakkei, great game, so many nuances - and my son keeps hitting bonuses. Gotta love those #6 - 120% odds.

[dalto]

One more quick question. (L-Pads are installed, I took some pictures of the procedure, hope to post them soon.)

When I turn the volume of the L-Pads all the way down, they don't cut out completely. Is that normal? I expected them to turn right off so I could play "silently in the night" (well except when I hit the Big Bonus ).

P.S. I've been havin' a hoot with my new Hanabi Hyakkei, great game, so many nuances - and my son keeps hitting bonuses. Gotta love those #6 - 120% odds.

When I turn my L-PADS down all they way they do not turn the volume off, they do reduce it greatly though. Have you tried turning the factory volume control down as well?

[websherpa]

Thanks Dalto, yes, the volume is greatly reduced with the L-Pad turned down (and the machine volume is on the lowest setting - which isn't so bad turned all the way up, but you do hear it throughout the house - we'll keep that setting for gaming night!).

It's just that I expected the L-Pad to reduce it to Nil, but I'm assuming now that this isn't the case. Is there a safe way to have no sound (I haven't done speaker electronics in 25 years so I can't remember - though I know in testing amps, I have used 8 ohm large (hi watts) resistors instead of speakers - I suppose I could switch in one of these - but only if someone knows if it's safe for the amplifier?

[dalto]

This may be a silly question but aren't the reels and the tokens making more noise than music/sound at this point? Would additional reduction of the volume make a difference?

Also, the machines are significantly less fun without sound IMO.

[websherpa]

Not a silly question at all. Yes, the reels (and tokens) are more noisey than the sound (in fact I'm worried that the reel motors are too lound, but that's another story - I think that's common with these manchines - this is my first one).

I suppose having no sound would make it that much more quiet (and less fun), I was worried that the familiar sounds of the musical coin drop, etc. would wake my son as his ears perk up the moment he hears me star the machine!

[alstonj1]

heres a suggestion line the room with cork board and weather strip the door . you might just get to play the game with out waking the dog that way .......just kidding ....

[websherpa]

I did a check of the reel motors individually and the third reel motor (the one out of position) is much louder than the others, so likely the reels either got dropped (there is a crack on that one too), or hobbled together from a couple machines. My dealer pachislocanada.com has agreed without hesitation to either replace the reel assembly or the machine - we're just working it out now - Dan's been great.

[dalto]

I apologize if I posted this twice, I would swear I posted this earlier but a search turned up no results.

I test wired my new stereo L-PAD from Parts Express and it works great. However, I have no idea how it goes together physically. It came with a flat washer, a washer with edges, a faceplate and two nuts.

Can anyone help me fit this puzzle together?

Thanks in advance.

[v3550]

I apologize if I posted this twice, I would swear I posted this earlier but a search turned up no results.

I test wired my new stereo L-PAD from Parts Express and it works great. However, I have no idea how it goes together physically. It came with a flat washer, a washer with edges, a faceplate and two nuts.

Can anyone help me fit this puzzle together?

Thanks in advance.

I mounted them this evening this way:
L-pad/one nut on the inside/faceplate/star washer/flat washer/nut/knob.

The nut on the inside will help with the depth adjustment of the sound adjuster tube fitting through the cabinet. I found that my inside nut was almost screwed all the way down to the end of the tube. Yours may vary......
Finished results pictured.

[dalto]

What did you use to connect the wires to the L-PAD. Is it a quick disconnect of some sort?

[v3550]

What did you use to connect the wires to the L-PAD. Is it a quick disconnect of some sort?

I used those quick splices. The kind where you a wire runs through it and the one splicing goes in part way. You then squeeze a metal insert down and close the lid. Easy and works great.

[v3550]

I used those quick splices. The kind where you a wire runs through it and the one splicing goes in part way. You then squeeze a metal insert down and close the lid. Easy and works great.

PS. I also used the same size wire as the existing speaker wire.
22 gauge.

[dalto]

I used those quick splices. The kind where you a wire runs through it and the one splicing goes in part way. You then squeeze a metal insert down and close the lid. Easy and works great.

That is what you used to tap the existing wire, right? Did you use a connector to connect your new wires to the L-PAD itself?

[v3550]

That is what you used to tap the existing wire, right? Did you use a connector to connect your new wires to the L-PAD itself?

Just used quick connectors to splice into the existing wires. Then soildered two wires that are to be connected to post #3 and finished that off with heat shrink. Then soildered the wires to the L-Pads. Sorry for the fuzzy picture earlier.

[dalto]

Ah OK, thanks!

They must have changes their L-PAD prices over at parts express, I ordered last week as well and the stereo L-PADS were between $3-4 each.