Alien (Heighway Pinball)
Heighway Pinball, 2017You're currently viewing posts by Pinsider webdiddy.
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Hey guys!
Got my Alien SE today, it's running the latest firmware (1.2) with updated IO boards.
I am having a problem though (shocking right). Most of the time when hitting the pops it seams like all the coils are turning of (or maybe just the flippers) making the ball drain, they start working again the next ball, until I hit the pops again. I tried pushing all the connectors under the playfield with no success.
Quoted from knockerlover:Usually this is due to poor usb connectivity. The game shipped with literally the worlds cheapest cables. Consider replacing them with nicer cables that have ferrite core/chokes to help reduce chatter/noise interference.
Okay, how do I know the cables I'm about to buy is higher quality? And should I replace cables for all 4 IO boards?
Also, it's my pops that's giving me most trouble, they now also activate by them selves sometimes. What IO board controls the pops?
Quoted from mavantix:Remove the mech from the game, and adjust the servo arm on the bottom? Make sure the wire connecting to the jaw isn't binding. It's possible the servo is bad or the screw holding the arm is loose. The servo can be replaced with a more reliable one too. It's a bit of work removing the parts and wires, but definitely doable.
Thank you. I've been fiddeling with the servo like crazy but I can’t get to work better than it is right now. The problem is that I dont even know what the original angle of the arm is supposed to be. Any advice for a replacement servo?
Quoted from webdiddy:Thank you. I've been fiddeling with the servo like crazy but I can’t get to work better than it is right now. The problem is that I dont even know what the original angle of the arm is supposed to be. Any advice for a replacement servo?
Okay, so I got hold of a replacement servo, replaced the broken one and now everything is working as it should.
I was thinking about doing a small light mod, I have a strip of addressable leds I had for min pinduino, I was thinking about tying it in with a portion of the GI.
Anyone have a tip on how to do that? I am so nervous tinkering with this pin due to the fact of getting new spare parts is hardly an easy task.
Any help would be awesome!
Quoted from Per_:The Alien WS2812 color LEDs recieve their color data as serial data packages sent over a single wire (serial bus). You can connect additional WS2812 LEDs in parallel, they will show the same color (as TimeBandit did with the sling shot update). But you can neither connect other LED types nor LED strips in this way.
But you can use a microcontroller like the Arduino to determine the color of a selected Alien LED and to trigger your LED strip to show some related color(s). To know the Alien LED color you can either analyse the color data on the serial bus or use a color sensor. As the first option is more complex and implies connections to the Alien hardware I would start with the second option. Color sensors are inexpensive, can be placed anywhere in the pin and there are many tutorials fitting to your use-case. Here is an example: https://learn.adafruit.com/adafruit-color-sensors.
Great info! Thank you! 
Am I the only one who is not a big fan of the "scream again" ball save sound?
I think it sounds like a wookie from star wars and thats the completely wrong franchise.
I wish there was either a human or a xeno screaming instead, the rest of the sounds are great but the "wookie" scream takes me out of the immersion a bit.
So I am now having trouble with a bunch of lights.
Som times som are stuck on in one color, others can be off at the same time.
See images from the test mode below to see witch lights are affected.
20190305_135810 (resized).jpg20190305_135814 (resized).jpg20190305_135819 (resized).jpg20190305_135821 (resized).jpg20190305_135825 (resized).jpg20190305_135829 (resized).jpg20190305_135833 (resized).jpg20190305_135806 (resized).jpg20190305_135838 (resized).jpg20190305_135843 (resized).jpgQuoted from knockerlover:http://pinwiki.com/wiki/index.php?title=Heighway_Pinball_Repair#Alien
The Lamp ID is based on the following sequence [IO Board #-Chain, Lamp ID]. Translated, 1-A1 would be IO Board #1, Chain A, Lamp 1. One thing to note is that these lamps are serially addressed, which means that if one LED fails or is missing, all following LED's in that chain will not work correctly (locked on, off, flashing, etc.)
Find the earliest Trouble LED in the chain and try and reseat it slightly. You may need to reflow the solder underneath as early PCB traces are weak. Do this as a last resort.
Thank you!
It turned out to be the usb cable going to I/O bord 2, the reason I didn't test the usb cable before posting is because this was one of the cables I replaced.
Quoted from webdiddy:Thank you!
It turned out to be the usb cable going to I/O bord 2, the reason I didn't test the usb cable before posting is because this was one of the cables I replaced.
Scratch, that, not sure it's the cable, the same problem is back with the (new) replacement cable.
Quoted from knockerlover:In your case I would slightly tweak/reseat" 2-C8 Left Orbit Lower", and "2-C1 GI Right Orbit Lower" you can sometimes do it without loosening the screws for the large PCB board, but in most cases you have to take a few out to slightly lift the board away from the playfield.
Thank you, I'll give it a go.
I have another problem.
During normal ball play the through just starts kicking out new balls, it continues to do so for a while, everything else (flippers/lights) looks like it's working as it should during this (except the light that are out due to a different problem..
Any clue on what could be causing this?
Quoted from knockerlover:In your case I would slightly tweak/reseat" 2-C8 Left Orbit Lower", and "2-C1 GI Right Orbit Lower" you can sometimes do it without loosening the screws for the large PCB board, but in most cases you have to take a few out to slightly lift the board away from the playfield.
Also worth mentioning is that all the lights I'm having trouble with are working correctly right after a reboot. They blink a change color for about 20 seconds then they freeze up or stop working.
Quoted from knockerlover:The picture you posted before. Did you plug something into that LED_Chain_Out-2A socket? That could be the source of your issue.
If you take out the lights that are causing an issue and plug it into one of the little green free standing boards in the GI, does the bulb work as expected? I would keep testing individual potentially problem bulbs like this until you find the culprit. You may need to reflow solder on the LED or find a replacement. You can move problem bulbs to the end of the chain for the time being to minimize the impact.
No, I did not plug in any extra LEDs.
I have two extra LEDs I can use, I tried swapping out one of them (2-C8 Left Orbit Lower) with no change. The light is still stuck.
Hurray!
I finally got my LED problem sorted.
I started going through the problematic LEDs one by one testing them one by one on one of the little green free standing boards in the GI like @knockerlover suggested. Luckily I only had to test three LEDs until I found the culprit. The faulty LED was stuck at white light only, I replaced it with a spare one and BAM, everything is back to normal 
BIG thanks to @knockerlover for helping me to sort it out!
At the moment all that's left to fix on my game is the random way it starts kicking out balls during normal play.
I have replaced all the USB cables with shielded cables.
I have routed the USB cables to the left side away from the larger cables.
I have rotated I/O boards.
I have checked the balls for magnetism.
I have cleaned the optos on the through.
I have reseated all the connectors on the through.
I have no also taken out the through emitter board and reflowed solder on all solder points, I am still getting the same problem.
What I did notice (maybe) is that the through kicks out balls until it has cleared all 6 balls, I am not sure about this, I need to test this some more.
Quoted from bcd:Have you tested each trough switch individually in test mode? It sounds like they are reading active all the time, so the game thinks the ball ejects are not working.
Yes, I have tested each trough switch individually in test mode and they are all behaving as they should.
Quoted from Jvspin:Perhaps the balls are magnetized and sticking together in the trough.
That was one of the things I was suspecting so I took a little paperclip to each ball, even though some of them was a tiny bit magnetically charged it was not enough to hold the paperclip.
Just before the pin starts kicking out balls the shooter lane coil misfires with no ball in the shooter lane, then it starts kicking out balls.
Could this just be something simple as a shooter lane switch adjustment? Should I make the switch less sensitive by bending it down?
What I am guessing is that the shooter lane switch gets falsely triggered by maybe vibrations?
So I was adjusting one of the switches in my left sling as it was stuck on.
Doing that with the game on was not a smart idea, I managed to short the LED behind the switch.
It's not totally dead, it's more like mortally wounded, shining the wrong colors and blinks a lot.
Does anyone know where I can get a replacement? Freeplay don't seem to have them in stock.
Kinda idiotic to leave the LED board exposed like that, just a matter of time before they get shorted just from balls hitting the switch and pushing it back into the LED.
Quoted from knockerlover:timebandit makes a replacement that is even better than the original. It has two LEDs around that are mounted so they aren’t behind the rubber or switch blade. It’s much better and brighter.
Thanks, I'll contact him.
Quoted from Indypin:Thanks to you, I was FINALLY able to find these Alien mods. I ordered the APC, the chestburster and the mother alien as well. I already had the die cast version of the landing ship and placed it at the same spot. These mods look highly detailed. The APC would look perfect over the APC targets, giving you an idea what to shoot at. The mother Alien obviously has to be by the eggs guarding them (just like in the movie) and I can't decide where I'm going to place the chest burster yet once I get them in the mail. (overseas shipping, ugh)
Had to get the chest burster since it's the only stage in the birth of the Alien that is not represented in a toy figure. (egg, facehugger, chest burster, alien). Can you send a pic of your Alien playfield with all of the mods installed showing the whole playfield?
We modders have to stick together.
Yes. I think these figures are perfect for the pin.
I will take a picture of the whole play field tonight.
Quoted from Indypin:One last question. Did you place the figures on some plastic plates and then onto the playfield? You made yours look professionally installed.
Yes. I cut small acrylic stans for the figures and drilled holes where they needed, I then hot glued the figures to the stand.
When you get you figures remember to use some glue on every piece during the assembly, especially on the Queen figure as it includes many tiny pieces.
Quoted from MK6PIN:Red screen is typically the connection, btw, especially if it returns to normal. After a long night of playing, all the vibration probably exposed it.
I'd unplug the cables(both ends) and reseat..
Is this the kind of screen we are talking about? I get that too from time to time.
The pictures are of the screen turning green, I've had mine turn red also though.
I have cooling fans in my cabinet also, I plug them right in to the computer motherboard.
One fan to blow air over the motherboard/cpu one fan to blow on the power supplies and one fan in the back to suck air in and another one to blow air out.
I can take a picture later today.
Is your Alien pin suffering from face huggers with broken tails?
Here’s a pro tip that worked for me.
Use some E6000 to glue them make sure you get some extra glue out over the tail to add some more support, let the glue set overnight. I've done this to both my face huggers and they look like new, I have played att bunch of games with no issues since gluing them.
https://www.amazon.com/E6000-237032-Craft-Adhesive-Clear/dp/B004BPHQWU
81Zi2iEAVEL._SY879_ (resized).jpg
Quoted from delt31:Appreciate the kind words guys!
So what is up with the free play website? Do they have the original specs and reproducing all of this stuff or did they came across extra stock and selling out so once it's gone, it's gone for good? Website says they will notify when back in so to me it sounds like they're mass producing which would be amazing.
The owner of freeplays.se is one of the investors, that should clear some things up.
I have a question about the derelict ship mode.
Are the posts in the orbits supposed to be activated when shooting up the orbits?
Mine does not activate in derelict ship mode, it's kinda hard hitting the pops without the help from the posts
Also.... if anyone got a tip on how to hit the hypersleep lock ramp a little more accurate I would appreciate the help, feels like I will never get to see the hypersleep multiball.
Quoted from Ferret:The "explore" orbit (I believe its arrow will be blue) should divert the ball into the pops. The "boost" orbit (green) increases pop value and adds time, but does not divert to the pops. The colors alternate after each orbit shot. Instructions on the screen should remind you which is which.
Thanks man!
I obviously need to pay more attention to the screen
Just a quick question guys!
Maybe I should start my own thread for this question but I'll give it a go here anyway.
Due to some financial troubles, I might have to sell my SE machine including the beacons topper.
Here in Sweden this pin goes for about $7600US but I have noticed it's valued much higher in the states and I need every buck I can get.
My question is, is shipping the pin to USA even an option?
Here in Sweden, it's almost impossible to book shipping for something as large as a pin if you don't have your own company.
But is there a way for someone in USA to book the shipping for pickup here in Sweden?
Thanks.
Quoted from jeffspinballpalace:Lucky you owning a golden goose - Alien. There are international shipping companies who can do it once game is strapped to a pallet. Buyer would use one of these to provide shipping plus custom clearance and delivery service. Esimate of door to door service to US is $1.5k (my guess having done a similar shipping from Belgium once.
Great info, thank you! Maybe I should list it on the market place.
Quoted from fosaisu:A few threads with more discussion of international shipping:
https://pinside.com/pinball/forum/topic/international-shipping-
https://pinside.com/pinball/forum/topic/machine-shipped-from-belgium-carriers
Thanks. I'll have a look.
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Maudheim
Evansville, IN