(Topic ID: 249629)

Doctor Who opto mystery

By beeker3000

4 years ago



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#1 4 years ago

Hi, one of the ball lock optos on my mini-playfield isn't registering in switch edge testing and I'm hoping someone can guide me towards next steps. It's just the left-lock opto. The right-lock opto works and I've been using it as the baseline for diagnosing the issue.

So far I've replaced both the transmitter and receiver and verified that they are functioning. I'm also registering 13.4V, same as the right-lock. So it seems that the optos are operational and have "spark". Where should I look next? If this is a board issue, which one is the likely suspect - CPU or Opto Switch board? And is there a way to tell? From just eyeballing the boards I see nothing remarkable about either one. No corrosion or burn marks on either.

Thanks in advance for your help!

#2 4 years ago
Quoted from beeker3000:I've replaced both the transmitter and receiver and verified that they are functioning.

If the opto isn't regeristering in switch edge test, how do you know they are functioning?
Disconnect the receiver opto and make/break the switch row/column wires for the reciever. If it works, you have an opto problem, if it does not, you have a break in your row or column lines. An opto is simply a replacement for a mechanical switch, so the same rules apply for diagnosing typical switch problems.

#3 4 years ago

Thanks. I verified by soldering the receiver opto to the right-lock (the working one) and it showed up in the switch edge test.

#4 4 years ago
Quoted from beeker3000:

If this is a board issue, which one is the likely suspect - CPU or Opto Switch board? And is there a way to tell? From just eyeballing the boards I see nothing remarkable about either one. No corrosion or burn marks on either.

http://www.pinwiki.com/wiki/index.php?title=Williams_WPC#7_Opto_Board_Testing

The 339 chips are a weak link on the opto driver board. I would start with the main mpu board first though, disconnect the switch matrix to playfield connectors and test those circuits first - the 2803 is the weak link there. But you could do it in either order.

It's probably the opto driver board, it usually is. Those large 2w resistors like to cook things.

#5 4 years ago

Pinwiki is such a great resource but I always forget to check it. Appreciate you pointing me in the right direction.

#6 4 years ago

I was able to narrow it down to the opto board thanks to the Pinwiki link. Thanks again.

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