So I reinstalled the shaker on a board outside the pin to saee its movement .. if there is any movement
I had a real goos ALIEN(S) game with all missions (expect LoaderBattle) and 3 multiballs (HyperSleepp, Senetry, Ambush) and the shaker moved one very short time when i hit in the "MuThUr"-Lane left. All the rest .. silence ....

Here a movie from Shaker-Test-Mode
https://www.dropbox.com/s/49kmo0b2v4uxx03/Alien_shaker.MOV?dl=0

Maybe the power is missing ?!

I'm not technical at all when it comes to Alien and trouble shooting, not even sure how to hook external monitor. The game seems to be getting power, but the CPU fan isn't even working. So I assume that's a sign the CPU itself is dead? If so, where would one find a replacement?

If your CPU is really dead, here is a one replacement but that’s for the last Aliens produced.

https://www.free-play.se/en/game-specific-parts/heighway-pinball/alien/alien-game-computer.html

Weird thing: running 1.2 but when magnet activates, Every once in a while it shuts down the upper right flipper? No fuses are blown. Any ideas? I’m not sure exactly when it happens but I thought it was when magnet engages turn the main off but now it seems to still do it.

Hello guys,

I need some advice regarding the right coin controller for Heighway's ALIEN.
Which one do I need?
Are there similar parts from STERN, I guess the coin door is nothing special - should be Stern SAM?

DSCN6780 (resized).JPG

regards
Averell

I supplied the shakers. Check the weights are not hitting the cover (just run it briefly with them removed). If it is binding, file off the coreners of the weight. All the shakers are tested before despatch.
It will run on 18V if that can be achieved.

Great idea to burn the power driver!!!
Just take a closer look to the small wiring... voltage drop at the connectors and Wuuuuuuuusch the circuit is history!

I have the zotac from the earlier ones sitting around that I'd sell. It has .94 installed on it right now.

Turn off your Shaker and see if the issue still happens

Mine was doing the same thing. Swapped in a spare I/O board and it's been fine since. Didn't try trading places with a different I/O board in the machine. Swapping USB cables didn't make a difference.

I have a late build game so placed an order from free-play. But thank you for the offer!!

Thanks for the offer dung. I’m have a later build soc

Just to close the loop on my issue, the CPU battery was dead.

Glad to hear you were able to solve it.

I swapped two of the boards inside the game and is doing the same thing on the other board. The only thing I can think of it’s the cable then unless these red boards can’t handle the newest software? Is it possible to downgrade to the .8 firmware to see if that’ll work?

image (resized).jpg

If you haven't already replaced the factory USB cables, that's certainly a good first thing to try... pretty easy, pretty cheap, and it'll likely be helpful sooner or later.

I’m not sure if the game had the updated cables as I am the second owner I think. I keep ordering the wrong type of cord do you have a link to the correct one? I’m sure Amazon is getting pissed for me returning them all! LOL I did downgrade the I/O board to .8 And Wala it seems to be working fine. Not sure if that impacts anything else like the lights because I’m still waiting to hear from timebandit To replace them. Just curious does anyone know where I might find an unobtainium Backboard with the space Jockey? Mine has a very minor crack on the edge that drives me nuts and would like to replace it.

If you're running older game code 0.8 firmware is probably the one you want, AFAIK with the latest game code 0.9 is preferred, though whatever works is fine obviously.

Are you talking about the game plexi backglass with the clear part for the screen? I have one I could sell... logo is out of place on it, but it's not broken. I could send you some pics later this week if you want?

Thanks buddy, I’m looking for the backboard on the playfield that is illuminated with the space jokey on the right side. Minor/hairline crack on mine, wonder if I could fill it? The backglass trans light on mine is fine for now but maybe someday I should get a spare!

Thank you for your replay !
Pretty cool design the shaker with the 2 covers.
The arms are moving free but I will measure the power, maybe that is the problem that I do not get 18 Volts on the shaker.
Maybe that is also the reason that the shaker was working bad in the BK due Stern has 12 Volts for the shaker ... I guess.

Shaker runs at 12V. In some applications I have people running off a flasher at 18V. I'm suggesting this for your bench test only!

Ah okay .. missunderstanding. On 12 Volt it is ... lame. In Alien and in BKSOR.

Is there a pre-made undercab lighting kit that is easy to install for Alien? I wouldn't mind having a green light underneath. can someone point it out for me?
Key word being "easy"
thanks

No.

Just buy on eBay or Amazon RGB LED with a remote and connect to 12 Volt .. thats it ... around 10 dollar
If you have too much money ask in other forum here on pinside and all this "modder shops" will sell it to very very special "my frieeeeend" for 120 Dollar ...

I still have upper flipper deactivating sometimes: happens mostly with magnet engaging. Where can I order a new magnet just in case and what are the proper cords to buy for the IO boards? I keep ordering wrong ones.

With all the machines I've bought and Sold I've finally got 2 that aren't going anywhere...I've never been happier with my 2 Pin collection!

20190621_225940.jpg

man that's a thing of beauty. The two best in some time.

Ball stuck !

0FA2E8F6-6E66-4461-98A2-D8504806460B (resized).jpeg

My wife managed to do that once.

Doesn't look like Pinball Brothers Ltd will be around much longer. According to Companies House the company is due to be dissolved in about 3 weeks:

https://beta.companieshouse.gov.uk/company/10822960/filing-history

Of course they may choose to challenge the strike-off notice. We'll see.

Please not a similar desaster to Heighway again?

This is all just part of the process for an American boutique pinball company to purchase the liscence and rights to reproduce Alien again!!! (dare to dream.. dare to dream!)

So now is the time to file claims with companies house to IP they possess for the board designs, software code, etc, as owners of their products needing such for future repairs? Anyone in the UK understand the system over there for recovery of such?

Or just all the interesting stuff is already under other entities and they are just ignoring the old uk entity

Exactly this I guess as well

I wouldn't read too much into it. Compulsory strike off could be initiated by non or late payment of taxes, or failure to file accounts on time, or another administrative oversight. If there are debts or other liabilities it would certainly be objected to by affected parties.

If the directors wanted to wind it up it would be a voluntary strike off.

so I got around to install the shaker. I got the pinball life one referenced in the thread. Sam version.

It works but SUPER light. Are you guys putting the power past normal for shaker? I was never impressed with it but thought I would give it a try. Any thoughts?

Maybe I should have gotten the spike 2 version?

This was recommended - which i bought....

https://www.pinballlife.com/shaker-motor-kit-rev-b-for-most-stern-sam-system-games.html

Cointaker Red Tremor shipped from the factory for many/most of the games... that one has good oomph.

Yeah that is notorious for being overpowered.

Is it ok to increase strength via the menu option or will that cause problems with the game?

Yes, the cointaker red is working good but the processing is bad.
You have to take care at the connectors and the wiring, no isolation and short circuit possible due to rubbing the wires at the frame while shaker is in action.
So this needs to be improved first to prevent damage at the power board!
The cointaker red is working with 12 volts at 4000 rpm.

Hoarded a few more spare parts for my Alien, just in case. These PCB:s are so big, need to figure out a place to store them.

IMG_6385 (resized).JPG

IMG_6386 (resized).JPG

Those PCBs look fragile in places too. Definitely would want to store them with protection to avoid any bending at all.

That's what mine came with...Fits this game perfectly...Plenty of power...

Got that same package a couple weeks ago....I'm just leaving them stored in that box it came in...

Overpowered in most games, perfect for alien.

By the way .... I have bought the following pcb from PinballLife

Alien Top PCB
PB-PCBT
$149.95

Bottom PCB
PB-PCBB
$119.95

Total $358.10

Due the high shipping costs to Germany I would sell the 2 pcbs if someone wants them.
The buyer has to pay me the boards (already payed) and also for shipping from PinballLife to his place directly to PinballLife!

Would be nice if someone wants them and help me out .....

Do any alien owners have a picture of or know how the little reed/magnetic switches are wired under the Playfield? They have 6 pins - do they just plug into 2 3pin wire harnesses that are the switch/switch ground and then a ground and low voltage to run an onboard chip(s)?? Any info would be super handy, thanks!

Has anyone figured out a permnant fix to a ball going from trough into lane, hit the lane wall and bounce back into trough ?

Reduce the strength of the trough eject coil?