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Trouble/Repair Log
Log structure:
=== <trouble/repair topic> === Current status: <status> as of <date> ==== <log entry date> ==== <log entry content> <status as of the end of the log entry> <signature (type ~~~~ to insert your signature)> ==== <log entry date> ==== <log entry content> … === <another trouble/repair topic> === Current status: <status> as of <date> …
Flippers not working
Current status: Not working as of 2016-02-13
2016-02-06
Checked fuses—one had been replaced recently; it was still fine. The fuse on the "50 V FLIPPER POWER" board was blown. The fuse specification sticker was obscured by a warranty void sticker, so I checked the manual: 5 A slow-blow. We had no such fuses in stock. I tried a 5 A regular fuse and a 6 A regular fuse; both blew with a few flipper actuations.
Next I inspected the flipper mechanisms and found the right flipper's NC switch had blackened contacts and white residue on the leaves. It measured 400 ohms closed. John W. suggested that this might cause the machine to not detect that the flipper had returned to its rest position and continue applying power to the return coil of the solenoid. (Are the solenoids double-acting?) I tried sanding it in place, but this had no apparent effect, so I took it out and sandblasted it. It's perfectly clean and shiny now, with closed resistance under an ohm.
After cleaning the switch, I tried again with another 5 A regular speed fuse, which blew again after a few actuations of the flippers.
Not fixed yet—need to buy 5 A SB fuses.
–– Ian Oliver 01:46, 13 February 2016 (PST)
Left flipper sticks on the down-stroke
Current status: Not working as of 2016-02-13
2016-02-06
Detected during testing of flippers described above.
I first checked its motion by hand: the flipper moves up smoothly, but sticks (pretty hard) at two separate points when moving down, before reaching its rest position.
I then disassembled the flipper mechanism. All parts (flipper pivot, linkage, solenoid plunger) moved smoothly individually when disassembled. I reassembled it and it was no better than before.
I tried cleaning inside of solenoid with a paper towel patch and toothed tweezers, thinking there might be grit in it. Matt F. suggested that the solenoid may need lubrication; we didn't try that because we weren't sure what lubricant to use and the manual didn't say. (He thought looked like graphite, but we doubted this because it would be electrically conductive. Furthermore, it didn't wash off of my fingers easily.)
Not fixed yet—needs more diagnosis and/or proper lubrication
–– Ian Oliver 01:46, 13 February 2016 (PST)