Pinball 101



  Here are just a few simple suggestions to help you with your new pinball
machine.  Although, these are only suggestions they can sometimes save you
precious playing time or a costly repair bill.

I. Relays

   In all Electro Mechanical (EM for short) there are hundreds of leaf relays
   that make up the workings of the pinball logic.  In most pinball machine
   failures it is usually one of these contacts that has gotten misaliened or
   a build up of carbon on the contacts.

   Most contacts connect in such a way to create a sweeping motion so the
   contacts clean each other.  Wiping away old carbon build-up.  A machine 
   that has been sitting for several years/months will sometimes not work 100%
   until after several games have been played.  By this time most contacts in
   the machine have been tripped enough to sweep clean the carbon and function
   100% again.  This is one reason these EM machine are so popular in northern
   resorts, they can remain off all winter long and work fine the next spring
   after a few good games.

   If a contact is still not working correctly you can take a standard business
   card and place it between the two contacts in the leaf relay and gently rub
   the card back and forth while gently pressing the two leafs together.

II. Power

   Most EM machines house a dangerous amount of high voltage extremely close
   to the front coin door of the machine.  In many cases there is 110V leading
   right up to the credit button.  It is for this reason that you be extremely
   careful when working inside the machine.  Turning the power off is the best
   bet for the unseasoned professional.

   In some EM machines there is an active coil running even when the game is
   sitting idle.  This coil will get hot over extended periods of time.  It is
   for this reason that you completely unplug your machine from the wall outlet
   when you are through playing.  Better safe than sorry.

III. Cleaning

   Keeping your game in 100% working order is always easier if the game is 
   nice and clean.  All of the relays in an EM machine will cause a lot of
   carbon dust to build up on your playfield surface wiping this clean
   every month or so (depending on frequency of use).  A dry damp cloth does
   a good job.  DO NOT USE FANTASTIC OR OTHER WATER BASED CLEANERS ON
   PLAYFIELD!  Water is a playfields worse enemy and can cause the playfield
   to crack, peel and flake.  A damp cloth or special pinball cleaner (if
   available) is best).

IV. Backglass

   Some older EM games have backglasses that are starting to peel.  This is
   usually caused by over exposure to the high intensity light bulbs behind
   the backglass.  This damage is usually caused by extended hours of the 
   pinball machine being on (like in the arcades) this is usually not a worry
   in home use.  Some games have also being stored in a warehouse during it's
   lifetime.  In these warehouses the temperature can fluxuate greatly and
   cause the paint on the backglass to fracture or peel.  Keeping your 
   backglass at a constant temperature and humidity will preserve a backglass
   for generations to come.

V.  Playfield

   Playfield should be regularly waxed. Pinball wax can be used but a good
   car wax with a high Carnuba content is just as good if not better. Wax 
   well the areas of the playfield that see the ball most. Especially the
   areas where the ball rapidly changes momentum, like around kickers and 
   pop bumpers.

VI. Fuses

   Fuses are located in the front of the cabinet and under the playfield
   fuses under the playfield usually are used to protect a given feature
   of the game where as fuses in the front of the cabinet are more general.
   If a fuse blows it usually indicates a problem with the machine.  Correct
   the problem before plugging in another fuse.  Replace fuse with the same 
   type. 

   Slow blo fuses are used because the current in the circuit being
   protected sometimes exceeds the current rating of the fuse for very short
   periods of time.  Replacing a slow blo fuse with a fast blo will result in
   the fuse blowing during normal play. Do not replace the fuse with
   a bigger fuse in the hopes that the problem will go away.  What usually
   happens in this case is that the circuit the fuse was designed to
   protect will be harmed as a result.  To correct a problem first ascertain
   what the fuse was protecting and then follow that circuit to see if a
   short can be found or an electronic component has gone bad.  Use an
   ohmmeter to spot problems.  0 ohms means short circuit.

IV. Maintenance

   Your game should come with a complete set of rules and/or schematics.  
   These are a great tool in helping you understand how your game operates in
   the event the game should malfunction.  If you allow someone to enter
   your home to work on your machine make sure he/she does not run off with
   with this documentation in some cases this documentation is very hard
   to find or cost dearly to obtain again.

IV. Other

   If your pinball (the little silver ball) ever becomes pitted, throw it 
   away.  These balls cost very little and a rusty ball with wear you 
   playfield to bare wood in a hurry.


   Enjoy!