I got it to start. I had to shut it off. Seems to be working now. Fun pin!

An external sub.

I think that this is a really nice mod. It looks like a stock addition that should have been included.
https://pinside.com/pinball/market/shops/1080-the-mod-couple/01864-api-houdini-api-grand-theater-3d-facade-makeover-mod

The speakers are mounted in vertical position.
But they are not downfiring. On my picture I think you see just the magnets of the speakers.

I think these addon plastics are a nice mod. They are called convolux in germany.
The attached pics don't do them justice. Original they look a lot brighter.

IMG_20220605_130951 (resized).jpg

IMG_20220605_130954 (resized).jpg

IMG_20220605_131000 (resized).jpg

IMG_20220605_131004 (resized).jpg

IMG_20220605_131015 (resized).jpg

Nice. Who sells them?

https://www.shop.freddys-pinball-paradise.de/convolux.php

You where able to take 7 balls out of the game? Or are you counting the captive ball in the stage?
There should be 6 playable balls installed.

As for the stage, test the optos in switch test. Front of Stage, Stage, and Back of Stage

If the ball you shoot into the stage just sits there, you need to calibrate the stage
Houdini - Stage Calibration

Thanks, there was 7 not including the captive. I took out the extra ball and it’s working great.

Thanks for the video on the calibration! It seems to be working pretty well now but good to know

removed

I recently found out that preorders are available for a new Houdini Deluxe production run. I'm thinking of finally throwing down a deposit. Just curious if anyone here is already on the list? If so, when did you put your deposit down, with which distributor, and has any ETA been given? I went through Cointaker for my last NIB pin. I live in Seattle but am moving to California (Bay Area) later this year (aka I'll likely already be in CA by the time it's ready to ship). Unsure if that changes who I should order from. Appreciate any insight! Love this game.

There is a guy out of Fairfield, which would be close, who is excellent that is a rep for American Pinball. Don Highley’s Custom Service. He’ll deliver, set up and stand behind what he sells

Great thank you zahner ! A quick google search for his business didn't turn up a website. Any chance you could PM his contact info?

picking up a houdini next week.How do I know which power supply I have? thx

Installation from AP's website would help - http://s4.american-pinball.com/img/support/2020-8/Overseas-48v-Power-Supply-Supplement.pdf

Also see picture - compare to what is in your game.

LTG : )

a9918352c3a8e042b0c1b53948f3729989eae8a9 (resized).jpg

I think that’s actually the old power supply with the upgrade addition. Both are in older machines. The new power supply looks I believe like this:

DD7E77B7-3DB6-4ECE-B164-038D4234B21B (resized).jpeg

does anyone sell a lamppost mod yet? Saw a few on here and they look pretty nice.

Houdini Coil Power and EOS Upgrades

May need to replace 1 houdini leg bolt. Lost in transit who sells them..thx

https://www.pinballlife.com/williamsbally-extended-black-leg-bolts-2-34.html

LTG : )

Houdini didn't use acorn head leg bolts. It has socket head cap screws.

Houdini leg bolts...

DSC_6591 (resized).JPG

McMaster Carr....

https://www.mcmaster.com/screws/socket-head-screws/socket-head-screws-6/thread-size~3-8-16/alloy-steel-socket-head-screws-8/length~2-3-4/

3/8-16 thread, 2 3/4 inch length, partial thread.

Huge thank you !

LTG : )

Thx. Just need one so I’ll either reach out to American or order a new set from McMaster

To be honest, I didn't care for those leg bolts that came on my Houdini. They're ugly. I replaced mine with the acorn head style. They look MUCH better in my opinion.

Love my new Houdini. I’ll go through the thread but I just need to dial in trunk shot. At 27 it hits the front of chest. At 28 it throws it wildly to left. I have all Leg levelers all the way in. Maybe raise the front legs a couple turns? Best way to dial it in?

Hi. There's a Houdini on location near me. I'm curious about one detail on the machine. It has side by side switches on the left loop, which I've never seen before. One of them is low, likely too low for the ball to activate it. Is there a game function that raises one switch and lowers the other? Or is this switch just broken?

IMG_20220618_160401196 (resized).jpg

Both of my switches are at the same height.

already explained, lane was too large there, and than with 1 switch only it was not always registering the ball, than they added another one...
to reply your ask, these 2 are there for the same purpose, no difference

Please assist on a scoop fix? My ball never comes out cleanly and takes sometimes 4 to 5 attempts to make it out back on to the playfield. Power adjustment really isn't the cause. I don't want unnecessary wear in that area so I'd like to get it sorted. Searched the threads for "scoop fix" but all I keep seeing is adjustment to keep it from draining. Please and thank you.
Hope Josh is doing well with whatever he decided to do or where to go in life. American Pinball is an awesome company with awesome people that spend a lot of time on this site and it is appreciated.
r/Mike

Sorry for all the newbie questions. Looks like AP is out of the $150 Power supply. Any other options? Vendors sell them?

Same here, I replaced those ugly bolts with brass bolts. Looks awesome.

7F52CCC9-E66B-4789-BF96-C688AA121CE2 (resized).jpeg

2 Things.
Can you show us a picture of your bottom cabinet with playfield propped up?
Let's see what you got.
AP is making more Houdini's. I would just call them tomorrow and see what they have in stock.
They have more.

Power supply

96964726-67CF-421E-AF18-16371B80A131 (resized).jpeg

Confirmed. You need it, and the coil upgrade if that's not under playfield.
Also, if you don't have the knocker or shaker motor I highly recommend it.
Josh's code for knocker and shaker are amazing, and integration into game play and modes makes this game go over the top.

Thx. I have shaker. Need to check on knocker and coil upgrade.

https://store.american-pinball.com/products/kit0006-00

https://store.american-pinball.com/products/houdini-knocker-kit

LTG : )

Read my many posts on that subject.

Also, the capacitor-coil upgrade increases the reliability of the catapult a lot.

In my opinion, you really need it and the EOS switches.

When, and if, you can get the uprade for the power supply, replace the wal-nuts with lever nuts:

https://www.amazon.com/GKEEMARS-Electrical-Connectors-Conductor-Splicing/dp/B09QKMCJVN/ref=sr_1_19

This is important as it increases ground and power stability a huge amount.
It also lowers resistance and increases current flow in an already anemic system.

The wal-nuts are garbage and not rated for stranded wire at all.

If API doesnt have the power supply, see if Dave (@brenna98) can recommend another suitable MeanWell supply.

I think the API one was 500 watts, but a robust 600-750 watt one might be better.

Is this normal behavior? Every time I flip a flipper the screen changes on the theater.
It does it while the ball is in play.
please see video:

r/
Mike

Yes

Thank you.

heu... may be i've forgotten, but no !

this should only happends when you put the ball in the theatre while having the choice of the mode available...

This is normal behavior and it's intentional so that you can essentially choose what illusion you want to start, if you have control of the ball and you know the next shot is going to open the theatre. You just flip past the one you want by one and then when you flip to hit the theatre it's on the illusion you want when the ball hits it and opens it. Then it stays static on that illusion until you start it unless you get Magician's Choice from the magic shop before then.

How do illusions work. Sometimes when I enter the stage the illusion is set for you and other times you can choose? Can I control which illusion will be set when I enter the stage?

What ever illusion is on the screen when the stage OPENs, is what you get. If you have earned “magicians choice” via skill or mystery, the stage screen will remain static with that image.

As said above, by careful flipping you can get the illusion you want, just need to remember it will move when you flip so you need to be one off, in the right direction of what you want . If the status screen is displayed when you open, you will also get magicians choice.

thx. Only other question. Last night we got straight jacket several times and it asked you to flip to choose backwards, or backwards reverse flip etc and no matter how many times we flipped the choice option never changed. I think it eventually timed out and gave us backwards and reverse flip because we could never change it.

Fixed! After a call to American Pinball Dave suggested I check my level. While I did take the time to re-level recently, It was off ever so slightly. I keep my machine on furniture sliders to protect the carpet from permanent dents, and I guess it settled to one side. Not really noticeable on a bubble level but off enough when using a digital app on my phone. The thing is I was amazed at how much it effects the shot. It was hitting the side wall before and now it is dead center.

You need to hold the flipper in for a half second or so, wanted to avoid a stray flip from pre-maturely choosing

I took mine out, put it in a vise and tapped it with a rubber mallet. The radius was to tight for me and the coil setting to get it up and out, shot it right between the flippers every time. I forget now what the shipped radius is, but you can use a scrap piece of PVC the next size up as a guide.