Houdini
American Pinball, 2017I had my playfield apart to work on the stage and I had removed the rear catapult guide and right ramp to make things easier. I have this piece that I cant find a home for. I believe it goes at the top of the playfield center left but cant seem to figure it out. I was going to put it together right away but it took 7 weeks to get back home and work on it. Any help would be appreciated.
20211114_212823 (resized).jpgQuoted from Bankshot:I had my playfield apart to work on the stage and I had removed the rear catapult guide and right ramp to make things easier. I have this piece that I cant find a home for. I believe it goes at the top of the playfield center left but cant seem to figure it out. I was going to put it together right away but it took 7 weeks to get back home and work on it. Any help would be appreciated.
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I looked all over and cannot see that guide. It may be under a plastic. Hope someone else knows.
Quoted from Bankshot:I had my playfield apart to work on the stage and I had removed the rear catapult guide and right ramp to make things easier. I have this piece that I cant find a home for. I believe it goes at the top of the playfield center left but cant seem to figure it out. I was going to put it together right away but it took 7 weeks to get back home and work on it. Any help would be appreciated.
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Tada!
Left side of the stage is just to the right of this. I was working on mine at the time I snapped this photo. If assembled, the wireform would be there too (the one that sends the ball to the catapult).
Quoted from K9Marshal:Houdini left flipper staying up and now ejecting balls non stop - never had this issue prior to new code download - any ideas???
what do you mean the flipper is staying up? Does it go up when the game is turned on? Or does it stay up when flipped? When it is up, what happens if you power down?
Do ball start kicking out at start up or when you start a game?
You can see me the logs and I can see if they shed light on what is going on.
Quoted from mbwalker:Tada!
Left side of the stage is just to the right of this. I was working on mine at the time I snapped this photo. If assembled, the wireform would be there too (the one that sends the ball to the catapult .
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Thanks for the help, really appreciate it!!!
Quoted from rosh:what do you mean the flipper is staying up? Does it go up when the game is turned on? Or does it stay up when flipped? When it is up, what happens if you power down?
Do ball start kicking out at start up or when you start a game?
You can see me the logs and I can see if they shed light on what is going on.
Basically when you start a game the balls keep feeding into the trough and when your flip up it stays up for a couple of seconds and then drops down
Quoted from K9Marshal:Basically when you start a game the balls keep feeding into the trough and when your flip up it stays up for a couple of seconds and then drops down
You can always try to re-install the update to see if the corrects things, but that flipper things sounds more mechanical than software. Either the flipper switch or a spring or a mis-aligned plunger.
The balls coming out, seems like an issue with the trough switches (missing 12v). Remove the balls from the trough, go into test->switch and put the balls back in and see if they register correctly. If not, check the connectors to the trough.
Quoted from goatdan:Got the shaker kit. Where does it plug in? Related, got the knocker, but no knocks happen.
I can't seem to find install instructions anywhere, and didn't get them in the box.
http://s4.american-pinball.com/img/support/2019-9/Knocker-Installation.pdf
http://s4.american-pinball.com/img/support/2018-6/Shaker.pdf
Quoted from goatdan:Ok, can't seem to find this... Got the shaker kit. Where does it plug in? Related, got the knocker, but no knocks happen.
I can't seem to find install instructions anywhere, and didn't get them in the box.
Make sure there are 2 fuses in the little accessories board on the side of the cabinet..
Mine came with no fuses and I had to order them.
I finally got around to installing the current update of the API website.
The installation went perfectly this time, no redoing it a couple times, no drama.
No changes needed on any of the settings!
Trunk catapult works 100% in seance and the elephant mode. Scoop ejects work 100%, no extra balls or wierd lockups or sound issues so far.
The game seems to have more stable power. This is better even than after installing the cap kit.
The game seems smoother and quicker with sprightly power.
Its a blast to play!
Nice job on the update
Quoted from goatdan:Thanks for the updates, just what I needed... Now just need some fuses!
I think they were 5 x 20 4 amp slow blow
No one had them here in Reno, So I ordered a bunch from a bulk guy on Amazon, as well as some other sizes for other games.
Quoted from pinballinreno:I think they were 5 x 20 4 amp slow blow
No one had them here in Reno, So I ordered a bunch from a bulk guy on Amazon, as well as some other sizes for other games.
Did you check Ace Hardware? They seem to have more odd sized fuses than anyone else in my area.
Quoted from Beez:So …. Question….
If I buy a NIB Houdini I need to buy an additional power pack for the flippers?
Everything should be included on the current builds.
No upgrades needed.
Quoted from Beez:So …. Question….
If I buy a NIB Houdini I need to buy an additional power pack for the flippers?
Yes, rosh said that new production units have all the power updates built in. The "flipper performance" module and is actually a large energy storage capacitor that mounts very close to the flippers. It's a small board mounted to the underside of the playfield, with a two-wire connector IN, and another two-wire connector OUT. Flippers need lots of energy for the first few milliseconds, and the capacitor makes that stored energy available very close to the coils, eliminating 4-5 feet of wire between the coil and the power supply. (The longer wiring to the power supply as originally shipped by API acts like a resistor at high current used by flipper coild which causes a non-trivial loss in the energy needed by the flipper coils).
Yes, new units have the power updates built in at the factory.
Quoted from bobukcat:Did you check Ace Hardware? They seem to have more odd sized fuses than anyone else in my area.
The pandemic closed my local ace hadware, and the hybrid Ace Harwares dont have the same stock.
Its a mail order world in Reno, always has been I guess.
Wild west, shootouts etc...
Quoted from pinballinreno:The pandemic closed my local ace hadware, and the hybrid Ace Harwares dont have the same stock.
Its a mail order world in Reno, always has been I guess.
Wild west, shootouts etc...
I miss Reno, haven't been there in a LONG time but used to go 4-6 times a year for work, quick drive up to the ski resorts when open too.
I finally confirmed it with it happening a third time. I got the seven letters to spell HOUDINI. The master magician mode starts, and of course I can’t successfully complete it, and I get timed out. Before the latest code you would just continue on if you had more balls up your sleeve. Now, after the latest code update the game finishes at the conclusion of master magician mode, regardless if you have more balls to play or not.
Not much of an incentive to collect the seven letters.
Wondering if this has happened to others?
Or has it been changed in the latest code update to conclude the game at the unsuccessful master magician mode?
Quoted from Freddykaboodle:I finally confirmed it with it happening a third time. I got the seven letters to spell HOUDINI. The master magician mode starts, and of course I can’t successfully complete it, and I get timed out. Before the latest code you would just continue on if you had more balls up your sleeve. Now, after the latest code update the game finishes at the conclusion of master magician mode, regardless if you have more balls to play or not.
Not much of an incentive to collect the seven letters.
Wondering if this has happened to others?
Or has it been changed in the latest code update to conclude the game at the unsuccessful master magician mode?
There is a setting to allow the game to continue after the master magician mode.
Quoted from pinballinreno:There is a setting to allow the game to continue after the master magician mode.
Ahhh, many thanks.
Quoted from Rdoyle1978:I’ve fallen behind - what’s the latest code? Is the beta still being tested ?
New finished code on the API website,
Its really nice.
Considering the purchase of a new Houdini … looks to be around 7.5k NIB.
Seems prices have continued to increase but I also see this pin selling for much less on the used market.
My question … I’m not in this hobby to make money - I enjoy playing my games. What do you all think? Are you still totally in love with your pin or do you wish something newer was in your collection in place of your Houdini? Will this game get old in a 5 to 6 pin lineup?
Quoted from Beez:Considering the purchase of a new Houdini … looks to be around 7.5k NIB.
Seems prices have continued to increase but I also see this pin selling for much less on the used market.
My question … I’m not in this hobby to make money - I enjoy playing my games. What do you all think? Are you still totally in love with your pin or do you wish something newer was in your collection in place of your Houdini? Will this game get old in a 5 to 6 pin lineup?
I think all pins eventually get old or at least take a back seat. I loved my twilight zone and had it for a long long time. Then I wanted something else. For me and my lineup, Houdini remains a constant go to game. It’s such a deep game, as was TZ, that it continues to bring me back for more. I love the game and see it lasting a long time
Quoted from zahner:I think all pins eventually get old or at least take a back seat. I loved my twilight zone and had it for a long long time. Then I wanted something else. For me and my lineup, Houdini remains a constant go to game. It’s such a deep game, as was TZ, that it continues to bring me back for more. I love the game and see it lasting a long time
Fully agree, love this game.
Quoted from 27dnast:Do coil settings get reset after the software update? Or are they saved?
Mine stayed the same
Quoted from 27dnast:Do coil settings get reset after the software update? Or are they saved?
No settings get changed during updates, unless noted in release notes.
Even when using “reset defaults”, coil and pricing settings are not touched.
Anyone know what type of LEDs are used for the cool white GI. (1smd, 2smd, other?) I noticed one of my slingshot LED is a warm white and I want to match the other 3.
Also, I have some Brightbuttons to install, but I noticed the coin return 12vLED that Britemods use for the connection is a warm white bulb. Houdini coin return use cool white, which look odd when you have both next to each other. I searched for a 12v warm white or a cool white 12v matrix connector but I can't find a good solution. Any ideas?
Quoted from Markharris2000:Yes, rosh said that new production units have all the power updates built in. The "flipper performance" module and is actually a large energy storage capacitor that mounts very close to the flippers. It's a small board mounted to the underside of the playfield, with a two-wire connector IN, and another two-wire connector OUT. Flippers need lots of energy for the first few milliseconds, and the capacitor makes that stored energy available very close to the coils, eliminating 4-5 feet of wire between the coil and the power supply. (The longer wiring to the power supply as originally shipped by API acts like a resistor at high current used by flipper coild which causes a non-trivial loss in the energy needed by the flipper coils).
Yes, new units have the power updates built in at the factory.
When did they start adding this? Within the last year or more recent?
Quoted from Beez:When did they start adding this? Within the last year or more recent?
If you have an older game like mine, its a huge improvement.
get this:
http://s4.american-pinball.com/img/support/2020-8/Houdini--Coil-Performance-Improvement-Kit.pdf
Quoted from Beez:Joining the club !!!
Going to be getting a NIB Houdini soon !!!
Can’t wait !!!!!!
Yay!
Quoted from Bagdad:Anyone know what type of LEDs are used for the cool white GI. (1smd, 2smd, other?) I noticed one of my slingshot LED is a warm white and I want to match the other 3.
Also, I have some Brightbuttons to install, but I noticed the coin return 12vLED that Britemods use for the connection is a warm white bulb. Houdini coin return use cool white, which look odd when you have both next to each other. I searched for a 12v warm white or a cool white 12v matrix connector but I can't find a good solution. Any ideas?
Same problem with the CGC games. 
Quoted from wolftownjeff:Same problem with the CGC games.
Huh, my Houdini has incandescent bulbs in the coin return inserts, came that way from the factory. I always thought that was a little odd but never pay much attention to it.
Quoted from wolftownjeff:Same problem with the CGC games.
Quoted from bobukcat:Huh, my Houdini has incandescent bulbs in the coin return inserts, came that way from the factory. I always thought that was a little odd but never pay much attention to it.
Now they come with these, they are cool white. It would be nice if BriteMod kit came with a replacement LED (same as the connector) so it could at least match when your having that kind of issue.
P1050863 (resized).JPGQuoted from Bagdad:Anyone know what type of LEDs are used for the cool white GI. (1smd, 2smd, other?) I noticed one of my slingshot LED is a warm white and I want to match the other 3.
Also, I have some Brightbuttons to install, but I noticed the coin return 12vLED that Britemods use for the connection is a warm white bulb. Houdini coin return use cool white, which look odd when you have both next to each other. I searched for a 12v warm white or a cool white 12v matrix connector but I can't find a good solution. Any ideas?
Houdini's GI are socket style 12V LEDs, they are not smd.
Coin doors originally had 12V bulbs and was later switched to 12V LEDs
The key take away: 12V
Quoted from rosh:Houdini's GI are socket style 12V LEDs, they are not smd.
Mmm, I just removed one of the GI bulb from the return lane and it says 6.3v..?
I just need to find where to order the 12v led for the coin door in warm white now...
P1050868 (resized).JPGQuoted from Bagdad:I just need to find where to order the 12v led for the coin door in warm white now...
https://www.cometpinball.com/search?q=12+volt
LTG : )
Quoted from brenna98:just incase you missed my post in the black Friday thread.
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Im in!
Quoted from Bagdad:Mmm, I just removed one of the GI bulb from the return lane and it says 6.3v..?
I just need to find where to order the 12v led for the coin door in warm white now...[quoted image]
Interesting, that's a Cointaker LED and probably this kind: https://cointaker.com/products/44-47-2led but as rosh said all the GI in Houdini is 12VDC (there's no 6.3AC supply in Houdini, only 12VDC, 5VDC and 48VDC). So I'm now very curious what bulbs those actually are, I wouldn't expect a 6.3VAC bulb to last more than a few seconds in a 12VDC circuit but Cointaker (and Comet) list very few 12VDC LEDs at all. Put a DMM on the socket and see what the actual voltage is, the wiring diagrams in the Houdini manual are not very detailed.
Quoted from brenna98:just incase you missed my post in the black Friday thread.
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So no 20% off a new LOV?? Dammit!! 
Quoted from brenna98:just incase you missed my post in the black Friday thread.
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Thanks Dave. Hadn't seen this.
Quoted from NoQuarters:Thanks Dave. Hadn't seen this.
You buying toppers now? Great Black Friday deals!
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