Indiana Jones: The Pinball Adventure
Williams, 1993I am shopping my IJ and just want to make sure I am putting the diodes in their correct orientation. My research leads me to believe that in general the direction does not matter but that orienting the diode away from the coil stop (i.e. The coil sleeve protruding out the side of the coil with the diode)is the best practice to minimize chance of damage to the diodes. Is this correct thinking or are there coils that should always be oriented a specific direction?
It is generally considered best to orient flipper coils so that the diode end is away from the coil stop.
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Chris Hibler - CARGPB #31
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Quoted from ChrisHibler:It is generally considered best to orient flipper coils so that the diode end is away from the coil stop.
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Chris Hibler - CARGPB #31
http://ChrisHiblerPinball.com/contact/
http://webpages.charter.net/chibler/Pinball/index.htm
http://www.PinWiki.com - The Place to go for Pinball Repair Info
Great, thank you for clarification. So other than the flipper coils, does it really matter which direction the diode is facing?
Electronically the diodes MUST be installed the correct way around or you will let the magic smoke out. As Chris has said, it is "best practice" for the coils to be installed with the tag and diode ends away from the coil stop where possible.
If you connect the wires the wrong way around on the coil (actually the diode) the diode will explode in your face.
The "band" end of the diode is marked with a white line and this end MUST be wired to the B+ (positive power supply).
In pinball machines, this is the 70V (usually) supply that is daisy chained between all coils.
Quoted from Homepin:If you connect the wires the wrong way around on the coil (actually the diode) the diode will explode in your face.
The "band" end of the diode is marked with a white line and this end MUST be wired to the B+ (positive power supply).
In pinball machines, this is the 70V (usually) supply that is daisy chained between all coils.
I see. So the most important thing is proper wiring of the diode. Assuming the wires are connected properly, the coil can face either direction but it is best to keep the wired end of the coil (properly wired, of course) on the opposite side from the coil stop--right? I am sorry if I am confusing in my questions but whoever shopped my IJ machine before I got it had put the wrong coils on and seemed to orient them in different directions. I just want to make sure I put them back in right.
Quoted from deanearp:I am sorry if I am confusing in my questions but whoever shopped my IJ machine before I got it had put the wrong coils on and seemed to orient them in different directions. I just want to make sure I put them back in right.
On flipper coils the diode end is opposite of the coil stop, up by the flipper shaft - to reduce vibration breaking them off.
On things like pop bumpers, slingshots, etc. The lug end goes by the coil stop.
Now if your game is a Williams Indiana Jones, only three lug coils like flippers get diodes. Your other two lug coils don't have diodes on them, the diodes are on the power driver board in the head. On those coils it doesn't matter which side the wire goes on.
Go to the Internet Pinball Database and look at the underside playfield pictures of Williams DMD era games to see how the various coils are mounted.
If you get stuck, post a picture here and people will help.
LTG : )
https://pinside.com/pinball/forum/topic/vids-guide-to-upgradingrebuilding-flippers
Although on some games where the wires don't have enough slack to install the coils "properly" it's not the end of the world in a home use environment.
Quoted from LTG:On flipper coils the diode end is opposite of the coil stop, up by the flipper shaft - to reduce vibration breaking them off.
On things like pop bumpers, slingshots, etc. The lug end goes by the coil stop.
Now if your game is a Williams Indiana Jones, only three lug coils like flippers get diodes. Your other two lug coils don't have diodes on them, the diodes are on the power driver board in the head. On those coils it doesn't matter which side the wire goes on.
Go to the Internet Pinball Database and look at the underside playfield pictures of Williams DMD era games to see how the various coils are mounted.
If you get stuck, post a picture here and people will help.
LTG : )
Now I understand. I think I was not using the correct terms which was leading to my confusion. Where I was saying "diode", I should have been using the term "lug". Your explanation makes sense.
Thanks to all of you on Pinside who have knowledge that you are willing to share that helps newbs like me out. I have only been a member on this site for a few weeks and the community effort to help others is unlike any other forum I have seen.
Quoted from deanearp:Thanks to all of you on Pinside who have knowledge that you are willing to share that helps newbs like me out.
Only thing I ask as when you gain in knowledge and experience. Your time will come when you can help others. And then you become part of what makes pinball really great !
LTG : )
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