(Topic ID: 232484)

Bally Evel Knievel Power Supply problem

By rubble300

5 years ago


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  • 12 posts
  • 4 Pinsiders participating
  • Latest reply 5 years ago by rubble300
  • Topic is favorited by 1 Pinsider

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    #1 5 years ago

    Hello all, i am having a problem with the pop bumper bulbs burning out after couple of games, from cycling on/off from the spinners. I looked at the voltages off of BR1 supply board TP1 was 5.4 vdc and 3.3vac. I replaced BR1 and still same measurements. Not sure what i am i missing.
    Please inform, tx. Joe

    #2 5 years ago

    Are the bumper bodies and sockets securely mounted? No looseness at all?

    #3 5 years ago

    all good and tight, i also switched the pop bumper bulbs from 44 to 47's to stay cooler, but their burning out.

    #4 5 years ago

    The supply voltage coming from the bridge is for all lamps. If it had issues, it could not selectively burn out specific bulbs. In other words, there is a specific reason the pop lamps only, are burning out.

    I believe that the pop bulbs in EK are controlled lamps... You could try a different lamp driver board, if you have a spare. Or, track down the transistors on the lamp driver board that run those lamps and test them.

    I would replace the bulbs and go in to lamp test and confirm that they work for 20 minutes-cycling back and forth, and then report back here if they are functioning after 20 mins.

    #5 5 years ago

    all lamps and the pop bumper lamps still work after lamp test (cycling on/off). unfortunately no other lamp driver board to swap.

    #6 5 years ago

    ran lamp cycle test for half hour

    #7 5 years ago

    Then I would say unless those bulbs are running VERY bright, that the actual pop's downward movements are causing the bulbs to fail. Try a different brand. I have a very similar problem with my Stern Ali... I use old EM bulbs from the 50's in those pops and they last a LOT longer than the Chinese bulbs of today.

    #8 5 years ago

    Yes, i did revert back to the old school bulbs and they did last longer, but those still burn out. On the Evel game, the spinners cycles those pop bumper lights quickly on/off. Thinking this could be voltage or inrush current problem.
    With the lamp test or lamps constant on, doesnt seem to be a problem. The game and pop bumpers are currently "on" and will have to take a look in a couple of hours.
    Maybe the pop downward movement is causing, but not sure how to verify.

    #9 5 years ago

    Chinese bulbs barely last a few days in pop bumpers on SS machines. For those only I use LED's which will last.

    #10 5 years ago

    Tx for your responses, snyper and MrBally.
    More info, just played a couple games without pop bumper caps on to watch the lamps. After a little playing i noticed one bulb getting brighter than the other, eventually burning out. After about 5 minutes more playing the other started to get brighter than burning out.
    As for the LEDs, any mods needed?

    #11 5 years ago
    Quoted from rubble300:

    Tx for your responses, snyper and MrBally.
    More info, just played a couple games without pop bumper caps on to watch the lamps. After a little playing i noticed one bulb getting brighter than the other, eventually burning out. After about 5 minutes more playing the other started to get brighter than burning out.
    As for the LEDs, any mods needed?

    Yes, but if you want to specially just add them to the pops, you only need to solder a single 470 ohm resistor across each bulb's circuit. Or, there could be specific LED bulbs that address these issues on the market already, that add the required resistance... I haven't shopped for LED bulbs in a while so I can't say for certain.

    The other more pricey option is to buy a NEW Bally / Stern Lamp Driver Board with LED support from Weebly... https://nvram.weebly.com/new-pcbs.html

    I think they are $90 shipped. He also has the "Pinside" linked business.

    #12 5 years ago

    Tx for all the info, i will start with the leds and added resistance. See how that works out. Not sure i want the added expense for new board, but thats a good call.

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