(Topic ID: 200886)

Data East Star Wars Lamp Matrix troubleshooting

By Sub7vn

6 years ago



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smoked_transformer_molex (resized).png
#1 6 years ago

Greetz all, I have been troubleshooting the complete lack of matrix lamps working-either columns or rows, on my latest DE Star Wars pin. Mains and Flashers work fine, I have gone through diagnostics, nothing seems amiss there, other than none of the matrix lights work. I followed most of this troubleshooting here -http://techniek.flipperwinkel.nl/desega/index3.htm#lamp, but nothing sticks out.
I checked impedance across resisters with no opens (R55-R62), I have checked for burnt fuses at F2 and burnt molex G.I connectors, as well. Right now, I am not sure what I should look at next. Because its the entire matrix of columns and rows that do not light, if feels like it should be a fuse. Help would be appreciated. Thanks in advance.

#2 6 years ago

Do you have about 18VDC to power the lamp matrix? You can measure at the right side, lower connector.
--
Chris Hibler - CARGPB #31
http://www.ChrisHiblerPinball.com/Contact
http://www.PinWiki.com - The Place to go for Pinball Repair Info

#3 6 years ago

ChrisHibler thanks for the suggestion. This started a whole other process which I wouldn't have thought to do in the sequence I did, without some feedback. I tested for 18VDC, and got intermittent voltage when testing w/ DMM, from one side of the connector to another. I reset the connector, and all the matrix lights go on...awesome!...intermittently. I then followed power back from the board to the transformer to see if/whether there is something causing this, or was this a voltage irregularity. I found something in the transformer molex connector, which seems to be causing a problem as well. One side, completely smoked. I'm not sure how I missed this before. So, I clipped it out, and used some wire nuts temporarily to see if that might be the solution, before re-terminating these. Sure enough. works like a charm. All matrix lamps on, all the time.

smoked_transformer_molex (resized).pngsmoked_transformer_molex (resized).png

#4 6 years ago

The connector pictured carries GI power...and yes, they are often smoked. Good detective work!

It's reasonable to bypass that connector. It was only there to ease manufacturing. A solid solder connection under some heat shrink tube will clean it up.
--
Chris Hibler - CARGPB #31
http://www.ChrisHiblerPinball.com/Contact
http://www.PinWiki.com - The Place to go for Pinball Repair Info

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