Wanted to share my experience dialing in my DILE #96. Brief notes before listing the issues I tackled.
- This is my first JJP pin. Can't recall purchasing a machine I enjoy more. Dialed In is a stunning pinball on many levels.
- Despite my enthusiasm, I can't recall having to invest this much effort "dialing in" a *new* pinball machine (which is kind of ironic
- I started collecting pinball machines in 2004 (LOTR and TSPP were my first 2) and have owned a bunch over the past 13 years.
- Thanks to JJP's Pat Lawlor, Ted Estes, and Steve Zamonski for their help!
- I'm running v1.5, 6.5 pitch, leveled.
The problems/solutions/links below are intended to help current/future owners. For folks that don't have a problem popping the hood, tweaking their pinball isn't a big deal. Unfortunately, I know many JJP owners that aren't "hobbyists" and don't have the time/energy/motivation to tackle the problems below. I hope JJP support will review this post with JJP artisans building these gorgeous machines (with the goal of improving future builds). The list below is unique to DILE #96, however it's possible some of these problems have been duplicated on other Dialed In builds.
Problem #1: Flippers felt sluggish. Flipper shafts were bound tightly to the playfield (should be ~1/8” of "play") and the EOS switches weren’t adjusted.
Solution: Adjusted the flippers and EOS switches (http://www.flippers.be/basics/101_adjust_pinball.html). Huge difference.
Problem #2: Significant damage to SIM Card hole (https://www.icloud.com/sharedalbum/#B0dGlxzuqGVfIFy). DILE #96 didn’t have factory installed protection. While waiting for the protectors to arrive, the damage occurred with only 76 plays on the machine. If your DI has factory installed protectors, you don't have to worry about damaging your playfield.
Solution: I decided to install “Cliffy” protectors (phone scoop and SIM card hole). Contacted JJP support regarding difficulty of removing the post on the right side of the phone scoop (Steel Mini Post, 10-32, 1-7/8", Round Base). JJP support sent me a new/updated post, which is symmetric with the left post (5/16” Hex Sleeve Post, 2-1/4”). Extracted the 10-32 mini-post with a hammer and nail punch. I have no idea how many DI's shipped WITHOUT protection. If your DI is unprotected, DO NOT WAIT TO INSTALL PROTECTION.
Problem #3a: Left Ramp/Wireform ball hangups and lossage (https://www.icloud.com/sharedalbum/#B0d5BydzFUsA0b).
Solution: Moving the ramp 1/4” closer to the wireform. No more air balls, hangups or ball lossage. Ramp shoots perfectly now! Thanks to patl and metallik for suggesting this solution. I guess some TAF's had bad transitions between the ramp & wireform?
Problem #3b: Left Ramp/Wireform switches hang too low. Concerned they might be contributing to air balls & hangups.
Solution: Turns out ball hangups weren’t effected by the low hanging switches, however raising them seemed prudent. Some Pinsiders suggested bending the switch up, but I decided to move the entire switch up by shimming the bottom (https://www.icloud.com/sharedalbum/#B0dGdFryYG82KLw). These switches are extremely delicate and I was concerned bending the switch could damage it.
Problem #3c: Left Ramp/Wireform switches reversed (https://www.icloud.com/sharedalbum/#B0d5fEtEvtDtAu).
Solution: Swapped the connectors under the PF…trivial change suggested by JWJr.
Problem #4: Missing "Betty Ball Trap Prevent Bracket" (https://www.icloud.com/sharedalbum/#B0dGhtLJ3Ga4m0B).
Solution: Since fixing Problem #3a, the ball hasn’t fallen off the wireform once. Nevertheless, I will install the bracket when it arrives as a safeguard. Thanks to check_switch_26 for noticing the missing part.
Problem #5: The “catch and release” theatre events result in MANY Straight Down The Middle Drains (https://www.icloud.com/sharedalbum/#B0dGrhkPxG2TCix).
Solution? After removing the mylar, noticed my magnet was ~1/8” raised above the PF. Lowered it to be flush. Getting the huge hex nut to move was a PITA…I imagine it was tightened with a machine? Unfortunately, leveling the magnet hasn’t changed the behavior.
Still getting many "catch and release" SDTM drains. I’m hoping this will be improved in the next software update. The magnet is in the center of the PF and it’s not surprising that simply “releasing” the ball will result in drains. Assuming all the PF magnet holes are drilled in the same location, you'd think everyone would be experiencing the same behavior (which is ANNOYING). Nevertheless, lowering/leveling the magnet is goodness for shots not being “caught” by the magnet. FWIW, the “catch and toss (backward)” works great.
Good luck to everyone getting their game to work optimally. Again, it's an AWESOME game, worthy of the time and effort!
snaroff