Just noticed that the strobe on my AFM isn't working. I would order the Pinbits upgrade, but it's sold out. Looks like Bay Area Amusement has just the bulb.

Anyone have advice on performing this repair? From what I've read the bulb may or may not be the problem.

Thanks.

I did already send them a request through their website asking when they might have it back in stock. No answer so far.

First step I suppose is opening the metal shield on the backboard & seeing what's going on back there!

Looks like the rebuild kit is also from Pinbits and in stock. Thanks!

http://www.pinbits.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=13_11&products_id=214

Ah! Also, Pinbits has a link to a nice how-to with appropriate troubleshooting documentation & warnings. I probably wouldn't have seen this if I didn't go looking for the repair kit.

http://www.iobium.com/fixing_the_afm_strobe_board.htm

Yeah, certainly it makes sense to check the bulb first as it would be the simplest thing to fix. I haven't even taken it apart yet. Nice tip on the fire alarm bulb… not sure where I'd get one though.

So, I checked the bulb and sure enough it was black and definitely dead. I ordered a replacement/upgrade from Pinbits, put it in this morning and… nothing.

Pulled the strobe board off the back (which I probably should have done to begin with anyway) and found that the 100v capacitor which is supposed to be at C1 completely missing (see pic). Wasn't in the cabinet, wasn't in the metal cover over the board. Just gone.

https://dl.dropbox.com/u/2953140/afm_strobe_board.jpeg

Also a friend pointed me towards this article which indicates that the 100uF 100v capacitors are non-polar and not as easy to find as one might think. http://kcpins.com/archives/63

I have a few options now I suppose.

1) Try to find a couple of capacitors to rig up like the kcpins article indicates (probably cheapest).
2) Order the Pinbits repair parts kit (since it's still possible something else may be broken).
3) Just send the whole board to Coin-op Cauldron (most expensive, longest wait but surest solution for a fixed board).

Opinions? Thanks!

Well, I replaced the caps as described in that KCPins article. Still no dice. Next suspect is the triac I think. Does anyone know if these test differently than a transistor? I can't get continuity from any pair of the 3 legs (and I would imagine at least one pair would have it).

Just a follow up here. Upon closer inspection I saw that the leads for the trigger transformer were broken. And, they're so thin that attempting to repair just resulted in them melting. I ordered a new one from Pinbits, soldered it in this afternoon and PRESTO! All is well.