1980 Magic Neon Challengeball

[Tink]

If faulty. Can also cause a dead short.

Can be checked for resistance as well. Low resistance would indicate faulty.

[lotsoballs]

If faulty. Can also cause a dead short.

I think it might be faulty; I tried checking continuity on the area where the 2 blue main power wires connect to the fuse and power switch accordingly; and saw the numbers on the multimeter jump into the 1000s….even though the switch is OFF and there’s no fuse in the fuse holder…. Seems like that varistor component is the only thing in common/connecting those areas.

Any idea how to find a replacement? Can’t seem to find the part number on the few sites I’ve checked.


Here’s the area where I tested; on either side of the big green varistor component; hard to see what the probes are touching but it’s where the main power blue wires connect along with that varistor. (I broke/lost a probe on the multimeter so had to improvise with making a new one with a nail) [emoji28]

[lotsoballs]

I just read this researching what a varistor is… seems like I could just remove it and see what happens? I’ll could just take my chances on lighting strike damage I guess? [emoji848] Or only use it with a surge protector power strip…

According to google: “What happens when a varistor fails?”

“Varistors that have failed no longer provide protection against over-voltages. However, it is typical for them to fail to a short-circuit condition, causing a local fuse such as the one in the image provided to open, indicating a fault of some kind.”

[Tink]

Is there a manufacturer name or symbol on it? I could not find any info either from the part number.

[takethecastle57]

YouTube : "4 Basic Electrical Testers and how to use them " instuctional video from a actual u.s. of a. Electrician .



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

[Drunkenclam]

Sure. But leave the rest of the machine disconnected first.
Just in case.

Then if OK. Source a new one.

[lotsoballs]

Is there a manufacturer name or symbol on it? I could not find any info either from the part number.

No, the only parts numbers/symbols are on the side I posted a picture of; I cannot find this component anywhere…. It’s nearly 45 years old maybe they don’t make them anymore??


I just hope it’s not really needed, as google says, just extra surge protection; will try cutting in half one of the leads to that varistor later and see if that fuse still blows. I’ll just make a note to not play it during lightning storms if this works…[emoji120][emoji298]️[emoji28]

[takethecastle57]

All the varistor on eBay right now


https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_fro...istor&_sacat=0

[Drunkenclam]

I think there is a post somewhere where Daverob suggested one rated at twice the voltage (48v). To replace one blown on a machine plugged into the mains. I would have thought a lower value but above 10% would have been safer. Say around 30v.

[lotsoballs]

Good news and bad news; bad news is the green varistor does not seem to be the culprit; I disconnected it; yet the fuse kept blowing still. Then I noticed a connector (with big yellow wires) I missed (forgot to disconnect) that sends power throughout the machine; so tried unplugging that too and the fuse stopped blowing… so the short must be somewhere along the wiring harness or solenoids. Upstream of the offending connector. Not the power switch/fuse area.

Also when further disassembling the the area where power gets distributed I found a pachinko ball where it wasn’t supposed to be; right on top the middle of a 4 pronged curcuit “hub” that routes power throughout the wiring harness; wonder if that ball caused a short or blew something? [emoji848][emoji15]

[Tink]

That ball could be the culprit. I'd start looking up the wires from the ball location.

[lotsoballs]

I’m running out of ideas at this point; can’t find any issues with the offending wiring harness; however did find a couple of tiny diode looking components on the bottom of each of the solenoids that are connected to the harness with the short. Any ideas what these are and how to test them?


All the other boards are disconnected still.

[Drunkenclam]

Test a diode with your meter on the beep setting. Should get a beep one way, Swap the leads around and you should get no beep.

[emmadog]

about to put my machine back in storage and don't know if it'll help but i can take pics or check something.

[MrGneiss]

How's this one doing?? Did it get all fixed up??

[MrGneiss]

Has anyone heard from lotsoballs?? looks like he hasn't been on since before xmas!!

[takethecastle57]

Hum ? Anyone here have a email address or a good phone number for contract ?