(Topic ID: 326222)

Adding power supply in a 1981 Embryon machine

By Tricky_Rick

1 year ago


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    #1 1 year ago

    I have a 1981 Enbryon machine that I'd like to mod. Specifically adding LEDs to certain areas. I bought a power supply to power the LED illuminated legs I just bought.

    I bought this power supply... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07X1LBK19

    I thought it was cool as it gives 24V/12V/5V all in one tiny little supply. I received a private message saying I should post here asking if everyone thought it was a good idea because you guys would probably talk me out of it.

    So... What say you? I don't see it as a hazard as I'd only be powering a few LEDs.

    Thoughts?

    #2 1 year ago

    I guess I will try to talk you out of it...

    Early Solid State classics like Embryon are called classics for a reason. These Bally/Stern/Williams titles are the pinnacle of pinball IMO. Unique themes, gorgeous artwork, inventive layouts, killer sounds, electronic speech, etc. Perfect overall design from the coolest era in pinball.

    I'm all for adding LED lighting & getting creative with some of the matrix products out there to improve the playfield. But when people start modding these titles....painting the legs & coindoor, adding stange toppers, LED leg lights, & god knows what else.... it just looks wrong. And if you ever go to sell it, the buyer will likely not be thrilled about the changes you've made either.

    It's not a modern game. Classics should remain classic looking. But that's just my opinion.

    #3 1 year ago

    https://pinside.com/pinball/forum/topic/embryon-owners-club-fans-also-welcome/page/11#post-5680762

    This is what I did to mine, and to be honest, I still feel guilty about adding that spinner spotlight. I couldn't imagine adding under-cab & exterior LED lighting.

    It is your game though, so you can do whatever you like. Hope it works out for you!

    #4 1 year ago
    Quoted from Tricky_Rick:

    I have a 1981 Enbryon machine that I'd like to mod. Specifically adding LEDs to certain areas. I bought a power supply to power the LED illuminated legs I just bought.
    I bought this power supply... amazon.com link »
    I thought it was cool as it gives 24V/12V/5V all in one tiny little supply. I received a private message saying I should post here asking if everyone thought it was a good idea because you guys would probably talk me out of it.
    So... What say you? I don't see it as a hazard as I'd only be powering a few LEDs.
    Thoughts?

    As far as aesthetics goes, I figure, it's your game, do what you like.

    Some people will adhere to purist ideals and say you shouldn't change anything. But that's an aesthetic choice in and of itself. Many people have this tendency to want to personalize objects they own, or even add adornments to their own bodies. Motor vehicles, computers, houses, even mobile phones, get this kind of treatment, and there are probably dozens if not hundreds of common examples elsewhere in consumer goods. Why not pinball machines?

    Personally, I keep my machines as close to original as I can. I'm even loathe to replace incandescent lamps with LEDs in spite of the benefits of maintenance and visibility. But then, I also think jacked-up pickup trucks and lowered Honda Civics look pretty stupid too. Obviously there are lots of people who disagree with me, and I think that's fine. As long as they don't want to modify my truck or car or pin or whatever, more power to them.

    The one exception to this would depend on how you view your ownership of the machine. Some people treat pinball machine collection as an act of historical stewardship. If you feel that way about the hobby, then you probably should be keeping your machines in original condition. But otherwise, whatever you like seems perfectly fine to me. And even in the case of stewardship, as long as the machine is easily restored to its original condition, then as long as the temporary change makes you happy, go for it.

    All that said, I doubt you need a power supply that large for some basic LED lighting, and I'm a bit wary of any non-UL/ETL-certified product, especially sold on Amazon, and especially from China. Way too many stories of cheap Chinese Amazon-sold electronics bursting into flames, usually involving lithium ion batteries, but sometimes just bad wiring.

    I would look for a smaller sealed power adapter that has just the voltage you need, and is rated closer to what you need (add up all your LEDs watts, divide by 80%, and make sure your power supply is at least that big), and make sure it's certified by UL, ETL, or both.

    #5 1 year ago

    That's exactly the power supply I have used in several games I have modded and added LED strip lighting, etc. Good choice.

    #6 1 year ago

    Running a 12V supply in a Star Trek cab for stadium lighting. It's plugged into the service outlet with a switch socket, haven't put it on the switched power.

    #7 1 year ago
    Quoted from HoakyPoaky:

    https://pinside.com/pinball/forum/topic/embryon-owners-club-fans-also-welcome/page/11#post-5680762
    This is what I did to mine, and to be honest, I still feel guilty about adding that spinner spotlight. I couldn't imagine adding under-cab & exterior LED lighting.
    It is your game though, so you can do whatever you like. Hope it works out for you!

    Are those XPin displays?

    #8 1 year ago
    Quoted from pete_d:

    As far as aesthetics goes, I figure, it's your game, do what you like.
    Some people will adhere to purist ideals and say you shouldn't change anything. But that's an aesthetic choice in and of itself. Many people have this tendency to want to personalize objects they own, or even add adornments to their own bodies. Motor vehicles, computers, houses, even mobile phones, get this kind of treatment, and there are probably dozens if not hundreds of common examples elsewhere in consumer goods. Why not pinball machines?
    Personally, I keep my machines as close to original as I can. I'm even loathe to replace incandescent lamps with LEDs in spite of the benefits of maintenance and visibility. But then, I also think jacked-up pickup trucks and lowered Honda Civics look pretty stupid too. Obviously there are lots of people who disagree with me, and I think that's fine. As long as they don't want to modify my truck or car or pin or whatever, more power to them.
    The one exception to this would depend on how you view your ownership of the machine. Some people treat pinball machine collection as an act of historical stewardship. If you feel that way about the hobby, then you probably should be keeping your machines in original condition. But otherwise, whatever you like seems perfectly fine to me. And even in the case of stewardship, as long as the machine is easily restored to its original condition, then as long as the temporary change makes you happy, go for it.
    All that said, I doubt you need a power supply that large for some basic LED lighting, and I'm a bit wary of any non-UL/ETL-certified product, especially sold on Amazon, and especially from China. Way too many stories of cheap Chinese Amazon-sold electronics bursting into flames, usually involving lithium ion batteries, but sometimes just bad wiring.
    I would look for a smaller sealed power adapter that has just the voltage you need, and is rated closer to what you need (add up all your LEDs watts, divide by 80%, and make sure your power supply is at least that big), and make sure it's certified by UL, ETL, or both.

    I truly appreciate the time you spent on your post! Thanks!

    I agree with you. I'm like a little kid at times and have to stop myself.... Lest I end up with a Chevette with a huge spoiler on the back! I agree and all the changes I have made can be undone in about 5 minutes. I have kept all boards (In working order) and they will stay with the game also. I have replaced a few incandescent lights with LEDs and I added some LEDs behind the back glass to give some movement. I don't think it is too gawdy. But the legs might be a bit much. I may save them for another pin I'll get once I have the game room all finished. The only reason I snagged this game was that my son needed it gone for right now. He hasn't played it in 20 years. I attached a picture of him circa 1995 when he was 5... Now he is 6'4". When I get the game room finished... I'll tape the picture to the back glass.

    PatrickEmbryon (resized).jpgPatrickEmbryon (resized).jpg
    #9 1 year ago
    Quoted from Tricky_Rick:

    Are those XPin displays?

    Yeah xpin 7-digit were installed when I purchased

    #10 1 year ago
    Quoted from HoakyPoaky:

    Yeah xpin 7-digit were installed when I purchased

    A few differences between yours and mine with stock displays. Not sure if it is just the video as the sounds your pin makes are exactly the same as mine. But the voice on your speaks slightly slower and deeper... Pretty cool.

    I also notice that you don't have the flashing score to show who is up to play... And at the very end it doesn't roll the two digits to the right of the credits (Ball# also) at the very end to see if it will match the last two digits of the score to win a free game. I guess the XPin displays take that away. Might be a fair trade and if you never knew the difference then it really doesn't matter. I just can't imagine Bally making a game where going over a million points is easy but then they only have 6 digits... I don't get it. Must have been a problem they couldn't overcome easily for some reason.

    #11 1 year ago

    Embryon can be rolled multiple times in a single game, especially if you have the home ROM installed with 2x scoring during multiball. It requires a 7-digit modification for sure.

    I'm not a fan of the xpin displays. They are out of sync with the sounds when counting the bonus at the end of ball. Mine are also flaky at times. That's probably what you're seeing in that video. As I said they came with the game when I purchased, but there are other alternatives now.

    If you have an NVRAM Weebly MPU, he has built-in code that allows for 7-digit conversion on many Bally early solid state games. Just requires the installation of any type of 7-digit displays, some additional wiring run & the flip of a dipswitch. That's the route I go.

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