I too Had been collecting for well over 20 years and Houdini was my first NIB game. I too was concerned about similar dimpling, but everyone said it was normal and that it would not impact play and that it would eventually cover the playfield.
Well, it’s been well over 1.5 years and as far as I can tell, they were correct. My playfield has a very subtle pounded look to it that I only notice before I turn on the game. Once the game is on, I no longer notice it. It absolutely does not effect play.
That’s my experience.

This is where I get my T-Molding: https://www.t-molding.com/gold-t-molding.html

Thanks buddy I appreciate the advice. I know this subject has been pounded to death (No pun intended lol) But I was just concerned about the one I could feel with my finger. I guess I’ll keep getting my butt kicked by Houdini but playing it more and more I get to learn the shots like most people say people don’t give this game the credit it deserves.

They will go away pretty fast in less than 500 plays.

Thank you!!

It wont affect game play... It will smooth out over time. Nothing you can really do about it anyway

AHHHH, I missed this part about changing the file name. I tried recently to update to the BETA and the game would not boot, so I re-installed the last published code and the game played . I will try it again- thanks for the info.

On the suoer awesome pinball show episode 8, Josh said there is a cheat to reach Master Magician Mode. He said those who have thr beta code have a clue to what it is. Any of you testers stumble on this yet?

Since I installed the beta code I have reached it once and have been 1 letter away tons of times. Not sure why I have progressed better after beta code, but it's been purely luck I think.

No idea. Maybe he changed the Morse code on the start button to give us a hint?

Rosh,
2 questions on our Houdini:
To update to the Beta code do I need to remove this "_19.12.23B" from the full file name I downloaded?

houdini-gamecode_19.12.23B.pkg

I have 5 Pins on a dedicated 20A Circuit & usually the Trunk Shot is 100% but I'll go through bouts of it either being continuously thrown short (100% hitting the face of the Trunk) OR being continuously thrown long (100% hitting the lid of the Trunk) and then back to 100% landing in the Trunk.

Curious if the supplemental power supply will help resolve this issue (current PS is only the Big Coil type Transformer)?
Thanks !

If you have older code - this.

On games with the much older code you have to trick the update. What you do is rename the file you downloaded by removing thev19.4.7 at the end.

Change the name of the new code file to be houdini-gamecode.pkg remove any version info from the name. In the future it will not be necessary to do this.

LTG : )

Only need to change the name if the game is currently on very old code, and this needs to be done one time, after this update you can leave the file as named for future updates.

If the wall voltage tends to vary up and down, then yes, the switching power supply add-on will typically resolve that variation.

Currently running V18_12_12 so sounds like I'm good-to-go Code wise.

I up-voted you twice because you finally got a Houdini Kim!

I think you will benefit from it. I give a steady 48 volts

I would update to the newer code off the website.

What's the strategy for hitting the milk can loop? So far I've been using dumb luck.

We've had our HOUDINI since TPF 2018.

Here's a pic of our lonely PS ;-})

What does the supplemental PS cost as I'm sure I'm out of the warranty period ?

I'll be updating to the Beta Code later today - Thanks Rosh !!
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Yes, get the extra power supply from the API store. Should be $150.
Glad your doing good Kim, we haven't spoke since the double topper connector's you made for me on my TOTAN.

https://store.american-pinball.com/products/houdini-power-supply-upgrade

LTG : )

Lower the flipper bats angle by 1/8" so that they droop slightly.
Much easier the hit the milk can and doesnt impact gameplay.

Loaded the new Beta code. Quick and easy. 20 games in, like most everyone else that has reported back, no major issue to report.

Unfortunately, my personal experience is that the new code apparently hasn’t conquered how to make a terrible player any better.

LOL. Make sure you've lowered the flippers a touch, as was suggested above. makes a humongous difference, just moving them like 1mm lower

Would someone near there pin be able to tell me which one this cable plugs into?

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If you are sure there is just one cable not connected than it would have to be the one labeled “in”

Thank you!

I ordered the power supply upgrade, shaker motor, knocker, EOS switches and a few spare coils. Thanks to Shalin Shah working with me to place the order and get it shipped during all of this. At first I saw the 9 screws on the front of the power supply but did not see the information provided above the screws. I followed the directions to ensure I placed the wires in the correct place. It is late, so I will work on connecting the provided 6 pin molex connector, attaching ground, and moving the black and brown wires to the appropriate wall nut tomorrow.

Once I have the new power supply, then I will work on the other items. I already like the game (I made it easier so I can enjoy it more) so hopefully this will just make the game that much better.
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Do yourself a favor and use something other than those wallnuts to connect the new PS, they are crap. I soldered and heat-shrunk mine but you could use a terminal strip, regular wire nuts (tape them up if you do) or some of the other methods people have posted in this thread.

How long did it take you to get your order? When did you order?

I ordered on April 8 and got the order yesterday April 27.

Yes, Quickly figured they were hard to use. I ended up using these. I found them on Facebook and they work nicely.

You can find them on makegoodies.com

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Hmm. I requested the skill shot kit on April 6th, didn't get an acknowledgement until the 20th, and still haven't heard any word about it shipping.

I received and installed my knocker kit from API today. Very nice integration with some of the modes like bullet catch and it also knocks when extra balls are awarded. I definitely recommend this upgrade along with the shaker. Houdini rules...one of the best pins ever!

Unless API has changed the kit since I got it, it's really just some instructions and a 3/16" black rubber. Sorry for the bad pics but that's the best I can do for now but hopefully it'll be legible. Essentially you remove the 7/16 ring that is around the 2 posts by the guide, bend the guide to touch the first post and put the 3/16 ring on the remaining post. If you don't have a 3/16" rubber ring, shoot me a PM and I'll send you one for free.

Houdini_skill_shot_1 (resized).jpg

Houdini_skill_shot_2 (resized).jpg

What is the recommended degree pitch for Houdini? Thought I read somewhere too keep all legs at lowest position but not sure.

Few ways to say it. Leg levelers screwed all the way in, is the starting point.

copy that. Thanks

Lower your flippers, as was mentioned above. START from the legs screwed all the way in, get the game level (mine is in my basement where the floor slopes slightly), then screw the back legs out a few turns so it's raised up a 1/4" - 1/2" more

Must have missed this before. I just did the fix and it works better now. I can make all three targets now.

I had to use a round file on the bracket holes so I could fasten it back down in the new location against the post.

Thanks. I think these instructions are on the website but I only read far enough to see there was a kit so I didn't know that was all. I guess I could just buy one.

I'm still trying to get my game dialed in. One problem I keep running into is the ball gets stuck on the lip of the stage door when it's open sometimes, and when it goes into ball search mode, the door just closes on it making it stuck. Has anyone else had this problem? Is there an easy way to fix it?

Increase your playfield angle

Make the back legs a tiny bit taller

Does anyone know or can anyone provide dimensions for the Backbox of Houdini. I am planning to make a Virtual Pinball and really like the look of this cabinet.
It would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

Mario

I’m installing the Knocker kit with the updated power supply from the factory. Since none of the photos match on the install kit where should the 48 V brown/black wires plugged into?

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Does 6B on the PDF help ? http://s4.american-pinball.com/img/support/2019-9/Knocker-Installation.pdf

LTG : )

Thanks Lloyd But I wasn’t sure if I was supposed to open the unit and break the manufacture seal LOL. I figured I want to wait To get the OK from American Pinball before voiding my warranty?! LOL

Ask rosh or Ferret They'd know. I don't do tech stuff for them, so I can't tell you to do something that would void your warranty.

LTG : )

Can you not just complete the install skipping the steps for the optional add-on power supply?