(Topic ID: 94326)

STNG: Modding a Modded Klingon Bird of Prey

By Zitt

9 years ago


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  • 11 posts
  • 4 Pinsiders participating
  • Latest reply 9 years ago by Zitt
  • Topic is favorited by 8 Pinsiders

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#1 9 years ago

I recently purchased a 1994 Hallmark Star Trek Klingon Bird of Prey from a fellow Pinsider. This Ornament came ready to install into my Star Trek: The Next Generation Pinball machine. However before I installed it in the machine; I wanted to make further modifications to the item. My previous installation had installed a die-cast 2005 Corgi Klingon Bird of Prey for which I'd followed the recommended installation of putting the incandescent light bulbs under the ship:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/52968060@N00/14413802051/sizes/o/
14413802051_10443291a0[1].jpg14413802051_10443291a0[1].jpg

I have decided to release the schematics to the public under the TAPR Non-Commercial Open Hardware License which indicates:

You may make products based upon this design, provided you do not make more than ten units in any twelve month period for your personal use.

If you agree with the license terms the resultant schematic is posted here under TAPR/NCL license:
http://pinball-mods.com/blogs/?p=452
Total cost to build this board in single unit quantities as of 6/15/2014 was $14.55 / a pair of boards.

This project requires SMT soldering skills so be prepared. I used a syringe with solder paste to populate the PCBs then used a skillet to reflow the solder. Here's the assembled PCBs:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/52968060@N00/14437352373/sizes/o/
14437352373_504b7eba42[1].jpg14437352373_504b7eba42[1].jpg

Then I assembled tested the circuit first with my 5V bench supply; then with a 6.3VAC transformer from RadioShack:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/52968060@N00/14230710547/sizes/o/
14230710547_fa899c5fae[1].jpg14230710547_fa899c5fae[1].jpg

With the boards tested; I began refitting the Hallmark KBOP mod which looked like this:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/52968060@N00/14230561618/sizes/o/
14230561618_da59aabffa[1].jpg14230561618_da59aabffa[1].jpg
I removed the green heatshrink hiding the LED wing guns and cut the red & black wires as I had recreated the wires in the PCB and had embedded the resistors hidden under the black heatshrink near the guns:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/52968060@N00/14230713217/sizes/o/
14230713217_9e47c67cd6[1].jpg14230713217_9e47c67cd6[1].jpg

I carefully marked drilled the wings of the KBOP and taped them with my #2-56 tap set. You MUST be careful here not to drill through the wings. Here's the PCBs mounted:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/52968060@N00/14230563538/sizes/o/
14230563538_af63a5d598[1].jpg14230563538_af63a5d598[1].jpg

#2 9 years ago

I then proceeded to solder the cut GI wires for the wing guns to the Jin connections on the PCB. I also connected the Guns to the JWing connection at the edge of the PCBs with a short piece of red rework wire after removing the inline resistors at the LEDs. I secured the electrical connections at the gun LEDs with some liquid black electrical tape:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/52968060@N00/14230568730/sizes/o/
14230568730_570642f3d1[2].jpg14230568730_570642f3d1[2].jpg

I then proceeded to attach the GI connection from my machine along with the bracket. Reusing the older wireing harness as desoldered from the bulb socket assembly made sure the under wing LEDs lit in the same was as the bulbs:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/52968060@N00/14415886292/sizes/o/
14415886292_2da4da91e6[1].jpg14415886292_2da4da91e6[1].jpg

With that the modification of this mod is complete. Here are some mandatory money shots to encourage you to do the same to your machine:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/52968060@N00/14230572488/sizes/o/
14230572488_03256a466b[1].jpg14230572488_03256a466b[1].jpg

https://www.flickr.com/photos/52968060@N00/14417163065/sizes/o/
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Overall I'm very happy with the results; the Red LEDs really light up the Playfield and I do not have to look at those light bulbs any more.

This PCB obviously fits the 1994 Hallmark ornament seen here and it also seems to fit the Corgi 2005 Klingon Bird of Prey also used in modding these machines.

#3 9 years ago

I am consistently jealous of you guys with this know how !!!

1 week later
#4 9 years ago

I have a single pair of these wing boards from my prototype board build. I plan on installing it on the 2005 Corgi BOP I pulled from my STNG for the hallmark above.

If anyone is interested in this "bolt on" assembly ... let me know.

#5 9 years ago

Looks cool, good job! BTW, your clear plastic there is upside down and backwards....

#6 9 years ago

wicked cool. I am interested , But which bolt on assy You referring to?

#7 9 years ago

Basically; it'd be the Corgi Bird of Prey with my LED Wing boards pre-installed.
I'd have to order some parts from Digikey; to make the GI wiring harness.
The final project would mean you'd disconnect your existing KBOP ... move the mounting bracket (without the Bulb sockets) to the new Corgi model... and feed the wires back under the PF and connect it where the old one went. Maybe a zip tie or two.

I'd need to think about a price for this... I'll do so this weekend if your seriously interested.
Given PinDecals sells the Hallmark w/o the wing LEDs for $170... it'll be way south of that number given the Corgi model has no LEDs in the model.

Corgi model is pictured in my Blog post:
http://pinball-mods.com/blogs/?p=452
second picture down.

1 month later
#8 9 years ago

Is there any interest in this mod - pre-assembled?
IE complete PBA (Printed-circuit Board Assemblies)

These would be completely assembled with all SMT components; you'll still need to attach to your KBOP and any soldering to the ornament.

Don't have street prices yet (waiting on quotes); but would expect the pair of boards to be under $50.

1 week later
1 month later
#10 9 years ago

Didn't have any takers on the KBOPs... which one is still for sale.

I have a limited quantity of under wing LED boards for sale to the public. The come fully SMT assembled. All you'd need to do is attach to your KBOP and solder them inline. For a standard Hallmark ship; it's soldering 4 wires. Shouldn't take you more than a hour for your first try. I can supply a PDF in the near future of assembly instructions if there is interest.

The only differences between the prototypes and these production boards are:
1) LEDs brightness issues are fixed - all LEDs are at same brightness.
2) The board have built in 6.8ohm resistors to directly drive the Hallmark ship's LEDs.
3) The PCBs are Red - not purple.

I'm going to be working in the coming weeks on adding a shopping cart system to Pinball-Mods.com so people can order instock items... but if there is interest; I'll offer them for sale via Private Message for $39 + shipping.

2 weeks later
#11 9 years ago

Step-By-Step assembly / installation instructions were posted to my product page a few minutes ago.
Would appreciate you guys looking over the instructions and associated pages and provide some feedback.

https://pinside.com/pinball/forum/topic/stng-wingled-kit#post-1974986

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