Building a custom topper for a Bally Old Chicago.
I want to include a coil in the topper that will fire based on a pop bumper being hit.

Can I tap into a pop bumper coil and run the wires up to the topper?
I planned on using the same rated coil.

You guessed that pretty quick.

Printing a full size Tommy Gun with flash in the muzzle & wanted to make the gun action slide each time a pop bumper is hit in the game.

I'm open to any size coil as it just needs to make the action slide.

Are you talking about using something like a #CC-31-2000 (chime coil)? instead of Old Chicago's AP 27-1300 that is the pop bumper coil.

Open to any coil for this project.

That is a good idea. (Right, parallel not in series, good correction) The only missing part in my mind is that in parallel the same power source is still being utilized. If what MarkG is saying is true and a single pop bumper line is rated for 5 AMP & the single pop bumper pulls 4amps. I could try to located a .5amp coil and be within safe operating conditions?

Great ideas.

I like adding an extra switch to the 10 point relay in the back box instead of the pop bumper under the playfield. Much more room in the head than under the pop bumper.

So if I have this correctly:

1) Tap into the main line coming out of the transformer going into the game.
2) Run it to a switch added to the 10 point relay stack.
3) Run from the switch into a 5 amp 250V fuse.
4) Up to the coil in the Tommy Gun.
5) Ground lug on the coil direct to ground in the game.
6) Using a molex connector on the gun so it can be disconnected.

I like this a lot.
I'll add a toggle switch so the gun can be shut off without disconnecting it too.

But this is what I'm going to try. Simple, clean, will get the job done.

I'l use the same coil as in the 10 pt. chime just to keep the game parts easy to keep a back stock of.

Test print at 25% scale came out pretty clean.

Making adjustments for wiring and building slide mechanism next.

Tommy Gun Topper 1 (resized).jpg

Tommy Gun Topper 2 (resized).jpg

I would think from all the other games I've worked on its more than possible. an open slot or just adding a custom bent switch at the end of the stack should do the trick.

I'll post progress. Game is being delivered tomorrow.

Well, it started with the idea of a red #44 flasher LED. Then I thought making it involve game play would be even better.

I picked up the game about an hour ago and while looking at it, I think a switch on one of the relay stacks will control a light at the end of the barrel.

I am concerned that if I tie into every single 10 point shot, the gun is going to be constantly going off. Perhaps the hundreds relay would be better. I have to look over the feature scoring to figure that out.

Tonight I spent some time working on the slide mechanism

IMG_5769 (resized).jpg

IMG_5770 (resized).jpg

Old Chicago Back Box Relays (resized).jpg

20 Gauge wire for the coil line?

That is a pretty nice light & I could build 10 with that bundle you found. The barrel should be exactly 1 inch from my current projected measurements. So It might be a little to large.
I think a #44 in red might have a better look from the side since it will stick out more.

Planning to tap into the back box GI for power.
You might be right though, just taking power from the coil line and stepping it down with a simple resistor. Worth figuring out how to make that work. Reduce complexity of the design by doing that.

Good point. I agree. I’m also thinking with a second power rail for the LED. If the location the game lives in thinks the gun is loud. I can turn the coil off but keep the LED on.

The gun is going to be facing sideways on top of the back box. Three reasons for this.

1) A sideways view let’s everyone see more detail on the gun.

2) I have the option of beefier components because I can hide it all behind the gun.

3) I may be able to get away with less material needed if I only have to print one side.

As far as the striking point. I’m going to try just a coil stop first and see how that sounds in open air with no sound deadening.

awesome awesome, thank you. I’ll see if I have some laying around to add into my bench test.