It's still a battery, why not just skip the batteries altogether and use memory capacitors or NVRAM?

Buy a remote battery holder and velcro it to the inside of the head "off the board". Use lithium batteries instead of alkaline, they're more pricy, but are a much better battery. Or do what wayout440 suggested and go with the NVRAM.

i live on the wild side .. i use the proper battery holder and the proper batteries in everything.

Bought my South Park machine in January from Cali. First thing I did was replace the batteries. Thank God they hadn't leaked and caused damage. They were 6 years past their expiration date! I will change all my batteries once a year like I do with the smoke detectors. Best thing you can do and the cheapest damage preventative in pinball.

yeah thats it .. you maintain your stuff every year and you dont need hacks then.

I would not consider a memory cap or NVRAM a hack, I consider those an upgrade. Not only do you not have to worry about scheduling to replace batteries, you also save money. The day you have a defective battery leak prematurely is the day you'll wish you had done that "hack".

all batteries have the potential to leak and cause damage... there's no real good reason to "not like alkaline batteries"...

either:

- regularly change them...
or
- get them off the board with a remote battery holder...
or
- install nvram and never worry again...

www.LockWhenLit.com/anyPin.htm

--
Rob Anthony
Pinball Classics
http://LockWhenLit.com
Quality Board Work - In Home Service
borygard at gmail dot com

I just had battery issue. Williams Big guns. I looked at sticker installed Oct 2013.
I just had D2 go bad open. Two things I thought, well good thing it died open as if shorted those batteries would have made a big mess in no time, second I am glad i had already put a holder in with an extra blocking diode(which i had forgotten about). So no chance of board getting messed up. D2 already bad board out, so i changed to super cap. Sorry but no way would I do NVram to much $. It is like LED never recoup what you invest.

Three AA batteries once a year for 15 years... ~$3x15=$45
One anyPin NVRAM Battery Eliminator... =$40

Sorry, math proves you wrong.

--
Rob Anthony
Pinball Classics
http://LockWhenLit.com
Quality Board Work - In Home Service
borygard at gmail dot com

Assuming you change them every year,, but yeah,,, you can change them every 6 months and still have one leak, or you can not change them for 4 years and never leak... Batteries just suck.

In all my machines I go with remote battery holders I wire in for cheap, although on machines I never want to open up again, I put in NVrams. I've been using them more and more because I only want to f' with the MPU once.

Some machines like Williams System 11b/c's are a bit of a pain in the arse because you need to desolder/solder in a socket on a board that has rat hair for etches. But others like your WWF I believe are already on sockets so its almost a no brainer to use an NVram solution. I picked up some of Pintech's 6116's for I think under $25 each in quantity. (I think parts alone at Rat Shack cost me $10 to make remote battery holders, plus the cost of batteries).

IMO, the important thing is to get the batteries off the board, regardless of what method you choose.

$45 for a NVRAM is still cheaper than 1 corrosion repair.

This doesn't even account for inflation, Rob. in 15 years you ain't paying $3 for 3 AA's anymore. Gonna be at PatZ? Bring eliminators, I'll take a couple.

I was going off 30 for a NVmodule LOL.

Uhm try .35 / battery x3 = 1.05 you can change them every year as good habbit plus 2.00 holder.
So 25 plus years till any savings seen. And you know that every 2 years is fine with regular batteries.

Sorry but 3.50 cap still the next better option. Good thing I have my hip boots on.

Haven't talked with Kevin yet about being at PatZ (I know we're getting close, just been swamped). If I'm there, I'll certainly have anyPin available.

--
Rob Anthony
Pinball Classics
http://LockWhenLit.com
Quality Board Work - In Home Service
borygard at gmail dot com

duplicate

You can plug in various numbers anywhere you'd like in the equation, the fact remains, that in the long run (maybe too long for some), NVRAM *will* pay for itself over time on savings when compared to buying batteries. anyPin NVRAM is a one time cost, done, that's it, no more changing batteries, pulling the board, nothing, you're finished for your lifetime.

Batteries are a recurring cost every year (or however long you decide is worth the risk). Caps are a recurring cost as well, they won't last as long as NVRAM, and then there's the cost/time/hassle of pulling the board out to install the cap. Not to mention a lot of modern games don't do well with memory caps.

--
Rob Anthony
Pinball Classics
http://LockWhenLit.com
Quality Board Work - In Home Service
borygard at gmail dot com

I've had batteries leak 2 months after installation.

Whatever method you choose, get the batteries off your board!!!!!!!!!

A well-done remote holder can be removed without a trace and nobody would ever notice.

So, if you want to call it a 'hack', call it an easily reversible one!

No good hacks are easily reversible! =P

I like to use a 4pin .100" header pin and friction lock connector when doing a AA in a remote holder. That way you can have the PCB with no wires dangling around. I think that is the least hacky way to do a remote.

In this picture you can also see the rechargeable battery used in a remote fashion. I don't do this, but a lot of people did in the past. That is an acceptable method as well. Put it in a bag so when it does start to leak, it is contained somewhat.

20130308_220314.jpg

Important part is just getting the battery off of the computer board. Many good options for doing so depending on your skill level at soldering, style preference, price point etc...

I love my NVRAM. Replaced the 6116 chip with it on my Bally 6803 board. Cost $25 or $30 I believe. Now I never have to worry again. Well worth the investment for a machine that you want to last.

Rob, this may sound really trivial, and I don't mean to offend in any way, but does your adapter come in green?

anyPin is purple. There are green alternatives that work just as well

I still have a few DIP 28 nvrams that I'm keeping for my own personal use. They are black and blend in well.

WPC-s can be set up with remote holders pretty easily by using the battery board header on the CPU. WPC-95 has pads to add one as well!

If you really want a green version, yes I can hook you up.

--
Rob Anthony
Pinball Classics
http://LockWhenLit.com
Quality Board Work - In Home Service
borygard at gmail dot com

2014-04-07-20.26.01.jpg

So you just want to lose all your settings and scores to notify you that it is time to change the batteries?

NIMH batteries cost an average of 2 1/2 times more than alkaline. Why not invest in a non-battery solution?