(Topic ID: 118014)

Aztec changer/alternator [Solved]

By NextoPin

9 years ago


Topic Heartbeat

Topic Stats

  • 12 posts
  • 6 Pinsiders participating
  • Latest reply 9 years ago by NextoPin
  • No one calls this topic a favorite

You

Linked Games

Topic Gallery

View topic image gallery

alternator.jpg

#1 9 years ago

I have an Aztec, the alternator is messed up, is there a way I can jump it to the spinner until I can replace the alternator?

#2 9 years ago

EDIT: really, there's an alternator in EMs? I'll shut up, sorry.

#3 9 years ago
Quoted from NextoPin:

I have an Aztec, the alternator is messed up, is there a way I can jump it to the spinner until I can replace the alternator?

Nope. Recall that a spinner always comes to rest with the switch in the same state. An alternator is supposed to change state from make to break, etc.

It's surprising how many WMS EM games of this era are missing that part.
--
Chris Hbler - CARGPB #31
http://www.Team-EM.com
http://webpages.charter.net/chibler/Pinball/index.htm
http://www.PinWiki.com - The Place to go for Pinball Repair Info

#4 9 years ago

Oh. Duh.

Makes total sense.

Could I stack the switch on one of the score motor cams?

#5 9 years ago
Quoted from NextoPin:

Could I stack the switch on one of the score motor cams?

You'd have the same problem. The score motor always returns to the same state.
Generally, the alternator circuit scavenges off the 10 point relay and perhaps some other combination.
You =might= be able to take over the 10 point reel's match feature contacts, but of course, that would only work for that particular player while that player was playing since Aztec is a 4 player game. And, you'd lose the match feature if that matters to you.
--
Chris Hibler - CARGPB #31
http://www.Team-EM.com
http:/webpages.charter.net/chibler/Pinball/index.htm
http://www.PinWiki.com - The Place to go for Pinball Repair Info

#6 9 years ago
Quoted from swampfire:

EDIT: really, there's an alternator in EMs? I'll shut up, sorry.

I think Williams calls it a "change" unit if we're talking about the same thing. My buddy Vic found an awesome all original "Blue Chip", but someone had amputated this part out of it. He has since found one and installed it. It alternates lanes and pop bumpers on the playfield, and also selects the match numbers.

#7 9 years ago

Maybe piggy back it on a vertical switch behind a rubber ring? With insulator and riser/standoff post.

#8 9 years ago

The 'alternator' is this little gear with a switch that rides on it. When the ball hit's the switches on the sides of the rollover lanes it advances the gear and opens and closes the switch changing what features are lit such as the upper 2 or lower pop bumper and some of the bonus advance switches and rollovers.

Here's a pic of it. after looking at it some more, I think I can repair it, I thought it was a stripped gear, it might just be a tension spring.

alternator.jpgalternator.jpg
#9 9 years ago

I think I got it working at least mechanically. There was a tension spring on the back of the center "gear", I adjusted that slightly and now it makes it all the way around where before it would stop on one of the faces. You can see the spring just below the screw in the center above the shaft.

When I move it manually it doesn't do anything, but if I manually press the change relay it will alternate the bumpers and bonus shots. Still need to do a little more digging, but almost there!

#10 9 years ago

Dear NextoPin
The "Tension spring" You say - actually is a "Stop for NOT turning around the axle the wrong way". Loosen the two screws (seen in the pic exactly in the middle of "Left <-> Right") now You can move that metal blade ((pointing to the little black plastic "wheel")) back and forth. Pull it back (on the picture: push it away from You) until with a little klick its resting under a "Notch" / "tooth" of that little "wheel". In this position the axle can NOT turn in the wrong direction.
"Axle turning in the right direction": a "Point" on top of the White "Wheels" (left and right) will turn away from You - the direction the thing is moved.
"Axle turning in the wrong direction": a "Point" ... will turn / come towards You / will come closer to You. Greetings Rolf

#11 9 years ago

I fixed it!

I determined that the change relay was not being energized. The change relay is turned on by a switch similar to the alternator pictured above that sits between the 2 match unit boards, the switch was bent and dirty. I tightened the screws on the switch, cleaned the contacts and now it's working! My first 100% working EM! Awesome.

#12 9 years ago

Martin, I had this thread up on my screen and didn't see your update. That's exactly how I adjusted it to enable the alternator to rotate (step) completely around, but that was just part of the issue. When I pressed the switches on the playfield to "alternate" the bumpers and bonus lanes the alternator coil wasn't firing. It fires through the change relay but that coil wasn't firing either, in the end, it was a switch adjustment on the match unit.

Promoted items from the Pinside Marketplace
From: $ 5.95
Playfield - Protection
The Pinball Scientist
Protection
From: $ 12.99
Cabinet - Other
The Pinball Scientist
Other
850 (Firm)
Machine - For Sale
Baldwinsville, NY
$ 44.99
Cabinet - Shooter Rods
Pinball Shark
Shooter rods
$ 79.99
Cabinet - Armor And Blades
PinGraffix Pinside Shop
Armor and blades
$ 24.95
Tools
Magaro Machines
Tools

Reply

Wanna join the discussion? Please sign in to reply to this topic.

Hey there! Welcome to Pinside!

Donate to Pinside

Great to see you're enjoying Pinside! Did you know Pinside is able to run without any 3rd-party banners or ads, thanks to the support from our visitors? Please consider a donation to Pinside and get anext to your username to show for it! Or better yet, subscribe to Pinside+!


This page was printed from https://pinside.com/pinball/forum/topic/can-i-use-a-spinner-in-place-of-an-alternator and we tried optimising it for printing. Some page elements may have been deliberately hidden.

Scan the QR code on the left to jump to the URL this document was printed from.