Xenon
Bally, 1980Documenting a Xenon playfield swap for mkdud
It’s been started and I’ll see it through as the owners friend doing the swap unfortunately passed away.
Some initial pics. It is getting a CPR silk screened Gold. The old one has a decal on it that doesn’t look bad.
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Have what’s left of the playfield torn down.
The decaled playfield doesn’t look bad but compared to the new one it’s a major difference.
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Tumbled the parts that were on old playfield that I removed and organized. Found a couple of “Canadians” as I used to call them when I was in the office furniture business. I’ll order proper Philips cuz ‘Murica!
A slotted screw snuck in so have them on hand to replace.
96833602-EC48-4315-880D-B7EDEC4A50E8 (resized).jpegEF115AF4-C193-4C12-BBA3-A6365D713E20 (resized).jpegC6B97871-0940-4B68-B120-512167F04F5B (resized).jpeg85103938-9D22-4C24-A7DE-6B97C958A2C0 (resized).jpeg552132EC-E9EA-456A-950C-FB0BC62BC4CD (resized).jpegStarting to prep holes. I’m starting on the rails first. The originals weee stapled but I’ll be going with the above mentioned countersunk screws. There were a few in it already.
I use a counter sink drill bit first a bit larger than the bit I’m using. Drill, blow, and prep with the kruzman kit.
248F9B9D-9781-47B2-A1CC-101131ED9558 (resized).jpeg53F109C0-DE45-48CE-BF9F-61D0C47D4EF2 (resized).jpegA348AF88-4186-43EE-B83C-273E390DD6B2 (resized).jpeg3CC4D922-9710-46D2-95B7-DA600FD09515 (resized).jpegQuoted from LORDDREK:Gee the old playfield doesn’t even look that bad…
Sorry I just saw it has a decal.
Yes, and I knew this swap was inevitable as the overlay is starting to bubble. One of the areas that was getting bad was the upper kick out hole.
I am glad it worked out that you could help this fella. Its great when I get to help someone with a prob. Its no skin off my teeth, and it really helps both dave and the owner. Occasionally life works out.
Quoted from kruzman:I am glad it worked out that you could help this fella. Its great when I get to help someone with a prob. Its no skin off my teeth, and it really helps both dave and the owner. Occasionally life works out.
Ron, Thanks so much for referring me to Dave, and Dave, thanks so much for working on this changeover.
Finally back at it. The supervisor is wanted to hit Allentown with me but I don’t think she’d like the noise!
045E282D-457E-4860-9A97-F181C0350678 (resized).jpeg64C7AE96-7643-4E28-8982-6A3F86F81891 (resized).jpegB6DB67BF-5A3A-40CD-94EF-FCF19F41DF8B (resized).jpegD612FD17-4054-4B83-B2F5-0DE18B676A4E (resized).jpegCouple of differences at the back right area. New cpr is missing some of the back right plastic post holes. Will drill them and install if he wants them.
There’s also two extra holes back there I’m guessing for GI that the original didn’t have. Will add them too if he wants.
I have a new rubber kit but seeing if he wants to go Titans. The translucent ones I’d think would look awesome. But white would look nice too.
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Testing out some new bits from kruzman Can’t recommend his clear kits enough. They’ll last you several playfield swaps and aren’t just for his gorgeous clear jobs. Any new playfield will need this prep. In my experience, CPR usually needs most all holes opened up even including T nut barrels. No big deal, but I’d you run anything into a new playfield, you will need to prep the drilled clear. And Ron’s kits are the t%&$ for this.
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Started laying down the harness, attaching the switches, and installing the lamp sockets. Things are very well labeled. Many switch stack dimples were off so ran new pilots.
990A78D1-2FA6-4F83-94C4-F0D48DF0EE08 (resized).jpeg1ECBB8A2-8FF6-4919-884E-4ED06F303963 (resized).jpegE8BF50C4-33B7-4F5F-93AC-867D60F05994 (resized).jpegWhen you do the power wire, do you just sketch an approximation from the prior of, or do you make a template. Thanks
Quoted from topkat:When you do the power wire, do you just sketch an approximation from the prior of, or do you make a template. Thanks
What do you mean by the power wire?
Oh the braid! It was done already when it came to me and they sketched. I used the old as a template and mimic the old. I’ll take mechs and place them in any areas that need run so not to interfere.
You can do that method for sure. I countersink all my holes and have them just large enough for wire guides spades to pass through. I have yet to have an issue doing it this way. On this one a few were broken off already so it was already done lol!
Quoted from dmacy:What do you mean by the power wire?
yes... Sorry. I did mean the bare wire , the braid. When I think braid , I think ground braid.
You answered it..thanks
I should have checked this before hand but thankfully nothing has to come off. Not sure if newer digital playfields will be missing this hole but check for it.
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But it looks great now all done.
2E2EF0A0-61C3-4633-953C-E9EC0203ED05 (resized).jpeg99EB614E-DE84-44FF-A262-20663C5AC7C1 (resized).jpegThe trough and pop-bumper holes being off are EXACTLY why I wanted to trust Dave to complete this changeover. I am thrilled he is able to do this for me! I would have had such a hard time with these issues, and he is a true professional to be able to recognize the issues and be able to do this project right.
I might be able to fix Pinball pcb's, from older TTL to modern surface mount stuff, as well as fix the most complicated issues with vector monitors and VG pcb's. But I would NOT have been able to do what Dave has done without tons of second guessing and difficulty. I would also be running the risk of messing up a CPR playfield. Again, I am thrilled Dave is able to do this for me! Thanks again, mk
Great work so far, following the progress.
Terrible quality control from CPR, which is not surprising, over the years it has got worse unfortunately. Pop bumper holes being out, there is just to plausible reason as to why this wasn't picked up early, before production of playfields started. Let alone shipped to customers.
Thanks guys. It’s funny because it’s a Gold, but I understand that’s because it’s the playfield overall and nothing to do with dimples, etc. The playfield looks great and the other holes and dimples have been good. Hopefully this is just a one off.
Quoted from dmacy:Finally got the pop bumper parts. The pop lamp wiring holes are wrong. [... ][quoted image]
I am sorry to tell you that the pop lamp wiring holes are wrong in exact the same way like it is on your picture on my playfield. It's the original playfield. This bug is 40 years old now and has faithfully been reproduced by the aftermarket manufacturer.
Quoted from Thunfisch:I am sorry to tell you that the pop lamp wiring holes are wrong in exact the same way like it is on your picture on my playfield. It's the original playfield. This bug is 40 years old now and has faithfully been reproduced by the aftermarket manufacturer.
Ah, that explains it lol!
I e always had issues with the ball trough switches on xenon. Wondering if the eddy magnetic sensor route would be the way to go?
Sorry for the slow progress. I wrapped up most everything but the pop bumper switches (waiting on one that was to be here today but didn’t make it) and the roll overs.
Roll overs are now down! So getting to the finish line.
Wife has me busy helping her with her raised bed garden. And she has two more to build. 
1D69D5D4-DCE3-4C3F-97CF-F3E4330FCD3F (resized).jpeg4ADE253C-93B7-40FF-847C-873C7E0F203B (resized).jpegI noticed you included a pic of the measuring template I throw in the kit, for measuring drill bits and screws. One of the many reasons I love that cheap, yet priceless at times tool is I realized that my 2 drill bit sets are slightly different size, even though they both have 1/8" bits, one is a little bigger than the other. I keep one set for only drilling thru a cleared pf and the other set is for everything else. BUT just because it says 1/8 doesnt mean you can count on it being the same 1/8 as another or the screw you are using.
The tool is not necessary, but since its only 6 bucks, I always include it in the kit, to promote pre drilling (and I like to use one size smaller, and not drilled full depth when I pre drill.
I dont mean to pimp your thread, but I just got a couple hundred more bits delivered so I have about 15 kits in stock if anyone needs one, or wants info, get a hold of me at [email protected]
If you all ready have a kit and, you need more glue, or hypos, or stone, or bits, I discount the parts for people who have all ready bought a kit.
The kits help me so much with the cost of the power, and heat in the shop, so thank you./kruzman
Always welcome Ron! Your kits really make it easy for any playfield swap. They should be included!
And those bits are great!
Good idea for raised beds. never seen it done that way. is this the first time, or can you tell me from experience it stops the vermin and deer from destroying your hard work. at least they wont stomp it all, unless there is a goat near by 
I am so bummed that I am not doing my garden for the first time in 16 years. There are about 15 does that make my 10 acres the center of their range, since I have the river. I figure at least 11 will have at least 1 fawn soon. I have to throw frisbees at them as it is in the winter. They totally destroyed and killed all of the shrubs around my house. hostas? oh they love hostas!
Plus if I had a woman or family I could manage the garden, but just maintaining the yard is hard to do alone when you work 6 days a week. I know boo hoo, but I am bummed. One year I gave over 200 lbs of organic produce to loaves and fishes or the local version of it. Food pantry.
Never let your veges rot on the vine. I would take a box to my bank and give it to the girls to split up. I always grow wayyy too much.
It’s my wife’s first time but she spent all last year researching it. I still think she’ll bury me in it and I’ll make good compost. 
Looks like we are wrapped up less the top eject. A friend welded it and haven’t been able to get it to see how it looks.
GI testing good as is the inserts. Huge thanks to Lovef2k for his help with parts and answering my million questions. Hope to catch you at the next show.
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Ok thanks. It didn’t come to me with one. The owner watches this so hopefully he can comment. I don’t usually do these Ballys and probably won’t do many more.
Quoted from dmacy:Ok thanks. It didn’t come to me with one. The owner watches this so hopefully he can comment. I don’t usually do these Ballys and probably won’t do many more.
I have to look for the metal wall; it may be in with some of the items that didn't get to Dave. Dave, Thanks so Much for doing this! What a great job you have done! -mk
The back side looks awesome! I have seen a lot of freshly installed pfs where the wiring looks like a rats nest. especially on old pfs that have been worked on so much previously.
Beautiful work.
Thank you for letting me work on it. Please reach out if you have any issues and post some pics when it’s up and running!
Quoted from jibmums:Looks good. You have a metal "wall" missing, should be mounted on top of the left rear plastic, over the guy's leg/boot.
Would anyone happen to have a pic of this missing metal "wall" please? I know this part never made it to Dave.
I would like to know what I'm looking for. I might have never had one on the old PF since I got the machine. Please help if you can. Thanks, mk
Quoted from mkdud:Would anyone happen to have a pic of this missing metal "wall" please? I know this part never made it to Dave.
I would like to know what I'm looking for. I might have never had one on the old PF since I got the machine. Please help if you can. Thanks, mk
Here you go!
101_2809 (resized).JPG101_2810 (resized).JPGQuoted from jibmums:Here you go!
Thanks so much jibmums for the pictures! I am sure my Xenon never had this metal wall / shield since I got the machine about 20 years ago. I have to see about trying to get one. I also want to see if there are screw holes on the side rail where this shield may have been many years ago (20 +/-) before I got the machine.
Here is a picture of the old playfield before it was disassembled and long before Dave got it. The shield is definitely not there. I'm going to post on the "Try Xenon" forum about getting a shield for my new PF that Dave did such a nice job with. Thanks again, mk
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Lake Havasu City, AZ
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