1980 Magic Neon Challengeball

[lotsoballs]

Crisis averted; it’s back in service now I confirmed the buzzing old transformer just took its final breaths today; RIP 🪦 wonder how much voltage it was putting out to keep blowing fuses like that? [emoji298]️[emoji298]️[emoji298]️

Now I need to hard wire a smaller transformer that doesn’t weigh 20 lbs like this modern pachinko transformer I’m using for now. I don’t want anybody plugging this thing into 110v after all the work and money importing and fixing it up! [emoji102]

[emmadog]

looks great.
the banked scoring just lets you select the numbers associated with A or B or both to complete rows/columns. this feature carries over from game to game until used.
if you make a replica for the number panel, i'd be interested in buying one.
i've got a handheld CNC machine but a 3D printer is prolly what most would use to make one.

[MrGneiss]

Yay, I'm glad it wasn't anything more serious!!

[lotsoballs]

Yay, I'm glad it wasn't anything more serious!!

Uh oh… I may have spoken too soon; after bypassing the old transformer after the incident with it, it seemed to be fine. But after plugging it in again later it’s started blowing fuses every time I turn it on! [emoji24][emoji24] I’ve tried 2 different modern pachinko transformers (24v) with same result. [emoji45]


So frustrating after spending hours fixing it up to only get to play for 10 mins [emoji30]

It’s not completely dead; as I can see the lights briefly come on and a noise from the speaker before the fuse blows. Wondering if some component got damaged when the old transformer went bad causing this condition…no smoke or burning smells happened however.

It’s even blowing 20 amp fuses?? Even though the transformer is just 8amp 24v. Any suggestions on troubleshooting further are welcome!

[Drunkenclam]

That sounds like a dead short. But not quite as it would blow instantly if it was.
Which side of the transformer is the fuse that blows? Primary or secondary?

If I come across this on something larger. Say a 16 ft revolving door. with no clues.
its a painful case of disconnecting components and replacing fuses. Trying to trace what circuit is causing the fault.

Start with basics like the light matrix and coin mech.

But as you see a glimmer of life before it blows. I would be probably looking for a blown capacitor (just like the slo reel stop boards that blow fuses)
Looking for bulging tops or split cases.

[lotsoballs]

That sounds like a dead short. But not quite as it would blow instantly if it was.
Which side of the transformer is the fuse that blows? Primary or secondary?

If I come across this on something larger. Say a 16 ft revolving door. with no clues.
its a painful case of disconnecting components and replacing fuses. Trying to trace what circuit is causing the fault.

Start with basics like the light matrix and coin mech.

But as you see a glimmer of life before it blows. I would be probably looking for a blown capacitor (just like the slo reel stop boards that blow fuses)
Looking for bulging tops or split cases.

Thanks for the tips! Yes; it’s only mostly dead; not all dead. It was working perfectly for a bit; but I can’t see any noticeable issues with the components; posting pics of the boards for any visible clues anybody can find.

The fuse that’s blowing is the secondary one on the machine itself below the off switch; the fuse on the original transformer on the 100v side of the transformer was still intact as the old transformer got noisy when issues started?

Currently as you can see from the picture I simply disconnected the old transformer and its power cord and reconnected it straight to the machine; then plugged the cord into 24v 8 amp transformer.

Weird thing I keep noticing is the fuse on the machine will blow whether or not the power toggle switch on the machine is the on OR off position? Doesn’t make sense to me why the fuse is blowing if it’s “OFF”?

Also noticed this really big green (capacitor?) component behind the fuse area/power switch… possibly suspect…

[Silverballs]

Nice work on getting it this far m8. This kind of tinkering is far above my pay grade as I've just recently wrapped my mind around the mechanics of ball in a cup.

[MrGneiss]

Oh my, I jinxed it!!

I hope it's an easy fix!!

[takethecastle57]

Hum. . . with the miles and miles of enamel wiring and Heat and Age the chance of one, two . . . or more could and will break down the insulation between windings and cause a short the "noise" is the sound of the transformer winding fields collapsing .

Get a load of me I haven't thought about serious electronic principles for a decade or more .

[emmadog]

got any old school tv/radio repair shops in your area?

[lotsoballs]

got any old school tv/radio repair shops in your area?

Yes; but they are all terrible… [emoji28] Seems like very few decent shops left. I’ve been down this road before; with my other parts machine arrange ball that has some suspected bad capacitors; none of the local shops want to touch it with a 20 ft pole since no schematics available; they said it could take hours of work with no guarantee it would work and don’t want to fool with it unless it’s a TV or audio equipment. [emoji849][emoji24]

So I sent off the boards to that machine to a semi-local friend of a friend who has a side hobby of repairing boards for old arcade cabinets; however apparently he’s a busy guy as he does it as a hobby on the side, and had the boards for nearly a year now; still waiting…I might never see them again lol. IF that guy ever repairs the other parts machine boards I will give him the boards from this one to replace capacitors.

It’s either that or I’m just going to have to learn how to identify and replace them myself. [emoji51] one day… [emoji28]

[takethecastle57]

How to troubleshoot down to component level without schematics YouTube video


https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=QFAWb1F_EpE

[lotsoballs]

How to troubleshoot down to component level without schematics YouTube video


https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=QFAWb1F_EpE

^ I knew this post was coming…. [emoji28]

[Drunkenclam]

Unplug everything from the board with the fuse (execpt the incoming supply) and see if it still blows when power applied

[lotsoballs]

Unplug everything from the board with the fuse (execpt the incoming supply) and see if it still blows when power applied

I like your way of thinking; eliminate the other variables to narrow down the troubleshooting area…[emoji106]

Just tried unplugging all the connectors to all the boards; and interestingly enough it STILL blows the fuse! So good news can’t be a board issue. Since no boards are connected at all.

There is no board behind the power switch and fuse area however; just that big green now highly suspect capacitor looking component; I think replacing this guy might be the logical next step? Since besides the wiring harness; there’s not much else to fail (that’s currently connected to a power source)


Will start looking for one of these:

[Drunkenclam]

A faulty bridge rectifer diode can also cause a short.

With everything disconnected

If you can a continiuty tester. Disconnect the transformer from the machine and check the 2 wires going into the machine.

test in both directions. ie swap the red and black leads over from the meter.

Assuming the wires are connected to this board and you can isolate it from the rest of the machine and it still blows. The fault is here some where



board.jpg

Untitled.jpg

[lotsoballs]

A faulty bridge rectifer diode can also cause a short.

With everything disconnected

If you can a continiuty tester. Disconnect the transformer from the machine and check the 2 wires going into the machine.

test in both directions. ie swap the red and black leads over from the meter.

Assuming the wires are connected to this board and you can isolate it from the rest of the machine and it still blows. The fault is here some where



board.jpg

Untitled.jpg

I’ve got a cheap multimeter; I only know how to check voltage with it. (Just checked the output of the transformer; 26v )

Any clue one of the various settings on this for checking continuity? If not in may need to buy one.

[Tink]

That green component is a varistor. Should be an easy replace if you can find the specs.

[Drunkenclam]

Thats the one you want. Most beep when you touch the probes together so you don't need to watch the screen.

Make sure you disconnect the transformer. Or you will be picking up the transformer coils, not the board.


meter.jpg

[Drunkenclam]

That green component is a varistor. Should be an easy replace if you can find the specs.

If faulty. Can also cause a dead short.