little update on the 'Watch...
Lamp matrix up and working! Traced everything back to the connection at the board, and noticed wires 1 and 8 don't terminate at the pins on the board, but rather continue through (assuming for matrix continuity), anyways, the corresponding yellow and brown wire was loose in its connector. a light push with a small flathead, and we were back up and running!
So far:
Shark flipper fixed and fully working (flipper board, repaired missing low voltage section scr)
Upper left flipper fully functioning (replaced cracked bushing, replaced broken compression spring, re-sleeved coil)
All lights/lamps now working.
Both lower flippers fully rebuilt (sans Sonic bats, as they are awesome!)
All lamps (sans stapled GI) replaced with cointaker warm white 1smd frosted Led's.
To do:
Burn/Install Chad's code
Pull the convoluted puzzle of ramps and habit trails for a deep (and I'm guessing first ever) shop job (replace rubbers/full clean and wax/replace GI with LED's)
Adjust the right shark ball launcher, as it shoots and then bobbles a captured ball about half the time (Could also be final game leveling issue, as it's in a temporary work location)
Color DMD, as it looks awesome!
Final thought before full teardown: Does everyone leave the upper left flipper alignment so that it is resting against the wall, or is it supposed to be angled out slightly? Seems like a shot to the ironman ramp will be very challenging. Now that I've just typed that, I should probably tighten down the pawl at the very end of the flipper's stroke to get the full range of motion. As it sits now, it probably has spring tension pushing it into the wall, and there's still more range of motion left. i.e. currently, the flipper can only get 45 degrees of angle, but buy adjusting it in the pawl, I could probably get 65 degrees and still maintain it being flat against the wall while it is at rest. Will check when I get home...
I know it's preference, but do you guys recommend 2smd frosted bulbs (in cool or warm) for the stapled down GI? I like the look of warm, but this one might benefit from cool. (All backboard, inserts, and in/outlane guides /slingshots currently 1 smd frosted warm white). The center of the playfield is much darker than the rest of the game, as I'm sure you're aware.
Final thoughts on the game: This thing is beautiful. Cosmetically, this is the nicest one I have ever seen. The cabinet is *almost* perfect (a nick here or there, but no paint loss/scratches), zero fade, and the playfield/plastics are flawless and everything is present. I can't imagine anybody would have bought this game for home use back then, but it could pass for it. Once I get this baby fully cleaned and dialed in, I can't see it leaving anytime soon. I practically had to kick my wife and two of her girlfriends off the machine when I got back from a show this weekend so I could really get to work on it. It is absolutely packed with features and shots, and is surprisingly deep! The old saying 10lbs of $#!+ in a 5lb bag comes to mind.