Earthshaker
Williams, 1989Quoted from o-din:OK , I see what you are talking about now....etc.
Here are a few pix of mine during teardown. This motley assortment of mismatched washers and such can't possibly be factory-correct, but aside from the obvious upside-down metal post that needs righting, I'm in the dark as to how it should be.
The top post is longer so the sling plastics sit at a slight angle. The only place for washers is on the left post that supports the ramp. And on mine there was three.
Quoted from jibmums:Here are a few pix of mine during teardown. This motley assortment of mismatched washers and such can't possibly be factory-correct, but aside from the obvious upside-down metal post that needs righting, I'm in the dark as to how it should be.
Start by eliminating ALL the washers under the plastics, notta one is supposed to be there. The sling plastics do no sit level in this game they are higher at the forward-most post, Whirlwind is the same way, its a 90's Lawlor thing I guess. Personally it drives me nuts and I have both games, so I replaced the the forward-most (metal) 1 1/4" posts with the same narrow post, but clear plastic, and 1 1/16" (same height as the star post). Now my slings are level and there is zero effect on play. If I had to guess why they designed it that way, i'd say it was to protect the sling plastics by raising them up, but I have protectors, so i'm covered!
Quoted from Mike_M:Thanks for the confirmation - didn't look like anything had been removed.
I believe Upper GI Relay, Lower GI Relay, and Jackpot Flasher are all out when running the solenoid tests. Didn't have much time to dig into it today. Will need to dig further and see what's common across those 3.
It plays great so I didn't even notice those 3 were out.
Turned out to be something super simple- red wire had come loose upstream of the GI relays & the sun/jackpot flasher (at the '5000 w/ lit' flasher.)
I have an earth shaker that has had problems with the flashers on the center ramp not working properly. 2 bottom ones were dim and top 2 didn't light when they were supposed to but would light at other times. I had tried to trouble shoot this 2 times in the past but after an hour gave up. I tried again this weekend and found that the connector for the center ramp flashers under the playfield was pinned backwards. I didn't have a tool to repin it right so just jammed the connector on backwards. With it backwards all the wires line up end to end. Strangest thing I have seen. Now my ramp flashers work great.
I think the next thing I will do is get some LED strip in the back to light up that area and I want to do something like a spot light for the fault that turns on when the ball runs through there. Maybe get a PIG and tie it the the switch for the VUK with a delay off.
Quoted from Pugsley:I think the next thing I will do is get some LED strip in the back to light up that area
I've been thinking about something similar for my ES. I have some Comet "Matrix" LED strips that I'm putting in my MMr; if I have any leftover may try them out in ES.
Quoted from Boise_D:How do you even begin to get the middle ramp off?
It's easiest to get the playfield out of it's hinges, pick it up and move it back out of the cabinet a bit to start. Removing the institute gives you a place to grab along with the apron.
I took mine apart without doing that but knew I would have to do it to put it back together.
It's not an easy maneuver but it makes working on the top rear of the playfield much easier. You need to disconnect the ramp wiring under the playfield and push the connectors on through. You can pull it out quite a bit but don't go past the cabinet pivot and support the front over something solid.
I've heard that some people make custom wooden blocks for support, so they can pull completly off of the pivot and work on the top of the playfield. Have you heard of this? I wanted to get ES out, and onto my homemade rotisserie over the summer but it didn't happen.
What's the interest like for a sinking building mod? They seem to pop up here and there for around $300.
When I owned mine I reverse engineered how it worked and have it all documented. Even made a model to 3D print but sold my game before I did. I could possibly do a run of these if there's enough interest. Certainly at a much lower cost, also!
Quoted from dudah:What's the interest like for a sinking building mod? They seem to pop up here and there for around $300.
When I owned mine I reverse engineered how it worked and have it all documented. Even made a model to 3D print but sold my game before I did. I could possibly do a run of these if there's enough interest. Certainly at a much lower cost, also!
I'm in for one possibly... I was going to build one from legos, I bought a motor so far, but your solution may be just the ticket
Quoted from dudah:What's the interest like for a sinking building mod? They seem to pop up here and there for around $300.
When I owned mine I reverse engineered how it worked and have it all documented. Even made a model to 3D print but sold my game before I did. I could possibly do a run of these if there's enough interest. Certainly at a much lower cost, also!
I'd say go for it... Between here and ebay, you'd sell more than enough of them to make it worth your while. In the meantime, i'd be very interested in more details about your project. Will you be replicating the Williams design, or the Basement Arcade mod that really doesn't work like the OEM does?
Quoted from TheOnlyest:I'd say go for it... Between here and ebay, you'd sell more than enough of them to make it worth your while. In the meantime, i'd be very interested in more details about your project. Will you be replicating the Williams design, or the Basement Arcade mod that really doesn't work like the OEM does?
How is the basement arcade mod different? I thought it worked just like the factory mod?
Quoted from snakesnsparklers:How is the basement arcade mod different? I thought it worked just like the factory mod?
It moves at least twice as fast and the building doesn't go down as far.
Good point. I have access to a nice 3D printer now so it wouldn't be hard.
Next question - is there anyone that has an ES in Chicago that I could test my sinking building mod on? I'd give them one at a greatly reduced price of course!
Quoted from dudah:Good point. I have access to a nice 3D printer now so it wouldn't be hard.
Next question - is there anyone that has an ES in Chicago that I could test my sinking building mod on? I'd give them one at a greatly reduced price of course!
I'm in Detroit - not really close but I'm definitely interested. And willing to help you develop it if you're interested.
Hey gang, I need a favor... If someone with a prototype game (with the factory moving institute) would snap a few clear pics of the assembly under the playfield? I need to see both sides if possible, with the building in the up default position.
I would really appreciate it guys... Thanks in advance!
Funny that you say that the Basement Arcade mod is different since we tested next to a real original one and they worked the same. It's possible that in the last 13 years of making them, that we sourced with a faster motor along the way, but that can easily be adjusted with a resistor if someone wanted to slow it down (not exactly sure why you would want to though). And one piece of advice, printed parts are not going to work as well as what we use. I guess you'll figure that out though.
PS - Sorry if it sounds sarcastic - I feel like I need to defend our product since we were the only one to try it for all of these years. We still make more from time to time.
Quoted from awarner:Funny that you say that the Basement Arcade mod is different since we tested next to a real original one and they worked the same. It's possible that in the last 13 years of making them, that we sourced with a faster motor along the way, but that can easily be adjusted with a resistor if someone wanted to slow it down (not exactly sure why you would want to though). And one piece of advice, printed parts are not going to work as well as what we use. I guess you'll figure that out though.
PS - Sorry if it sounds sarcastic - I feel like I need to defend our product since we were the only one to try it for all of these years. We still make more from time to time.
No need to defend, as I in no way insulted your product! I will say that its too pricey for me, which is also NOT an insult, just not enough bang for 300 bucks to me. I have only seen this mod in one game, and the movement was way too fast and abrupt... For the effect to be worthwhile in my opinion, the building should move slowly and steadily down, similar to the graceful consistent fall of a demolished building.
Giving credit where credit is due, your unit is probably the most well engineered and highest quality "home-brew" pin mod I have ever seen.
Drop targets.
This may sound strange but what is supposed to happen when you hit the drop targets? Mine don't score, yet they reset at the end of the ball. Do you get any points when hitting down each one? I think mine never have awarded anything.
I have a switch 29 problem (right hand drop) - will check the opto, but it has made me wonder how they are supposed to function!
From http://pinball.org/rules/earthshaker.html :
"The three drop targets are located near the bumpers at the base of the building. Hitting all three targets awards the current point value, resets the targets, and increments the value of the Jackpot.
The initial value at the start of each ball is 50K, and increments by 10K (up to 100K) each time the targets are reset. The "BILLBOARD VALUE 100K" Match-up award sets the point value to the 100K limit.
Also do they only reset at the end of the ball?
Can anyone help explain?
Quoted from galaga50:Drop targets.
This may sound strange but what is supposed to happen when you hit the drop targets? Mine don't score, yet they reset at the end of the ball. Do you get any points when hitting down each one? I think mine never have awarded anything.
I have a switch 29 problem (right hand drop) - will check the opto, but it has made me wonder how they are supposed to function!
From http://pinball.org/rules/earthshaker.html :
"The three drop targets are located near the bumpers at the base of the building. Hitting all three targets awards the current point value, resets the targets, and increments the value of the Jackpot.
The initial value at the start of each ball is 50K, and increments by 10K (up to 100K) each time the targets are reset. The "BILLBOARD VALUE 100K" Match-up award sets the point value to the 100K limit.
Also do they only reset at the end of the ball?
Can anyone help explain?
Sounds like yours are not reading correctly when they are down.
They should reset at the end of each ball, and also immediately when all three are dropped.
The end of ball reset is automatic and will happen every time.
The all three down reset will only happen if the game knows they are all down. It won't know that if the switches are not registering correctly.
See what happens in switch test.
Quoted from RCA1:Sounds like yours are not reading correctly when they are down.
They should reset at the end of each ball, and also immediately when all three are dropped.
The end of ball reset is automatic and will happen every time.
The all three down reset will only happen if the game knows they are all down. It won't know that if the switches are not registering correctly.
See what happens in switch test.
Agreed, sounds like one of the 3 optos on that drop bank is not reading. Switch test. Great Lakes makes a repro board if needed.
Quoted from Jeroen:Repro playfield just went into production at CPR....
Woo Hoo!
If you aren't signed up, get signed up now!
Quoted from Mike_M:Agreed, sounds like one of the 3 optos on that drop bank is not reading. Switch test. Great Lakes makes a repro board if needed.
Thanks guys yep I've ordered a new opto thingy.
In time I might buy the great lakes board - I've pre-ordered a new cpr playfield and a playfield swap is a good time to upgrade!!!
Quoted from Jeroen:Repro playfield just went into production at CPR....
http://classicplayfields.com/order.html
Any idea when they might be asking for payment on the pre-orders? (I realize I could ask them but assume people here might have experience with them)
Quoted from alec_p:Any idea when they might be asking for payment on the pre-orders? (I realize I could ask them but assume people here might have experience with them)
I once bought a repro ES backglass but that was direct from their store. I am also on the list for a repro WhirlWind playfield which is just ahead of the Earthshaker.
Might be able to tell you when that ships...
Hey all,
I'm new to Pinball playing and with the help of FLASHBALL just purchased my first machine. Of course it was a Earthshaker. Just wanted to post a intro thread so I can keep up with this thread!
Quoted from rgb635:My first pin also Adam! I never forgot it from my childhood days shaking the arcade floor!
Mine too! ES was the first pin in my collection since the 7 years I've been in the hobby. Believe it or not... I was playing ES with a close friend of mine during the Loma Prieta earthquake that hit in NorCal in '89. Perfect timing!! 
...
Hey gang, new to the club. Was hoping someone could snap a picture of their hardware in the back box used to lock down the back glass with the key? I just bought something off EBay and have everything installed, I think, except the metal pole with the different ends used to actually secure the glass. Not sure how it fits correctly in it.
Thanks much!
Rob
This is the piece I am not sure of. It is installed in some fashion to secure the glass. Any pics of your machine's backglass would be extremely helpful.
Thanks!
Quoted from MAJRob:Hey gang, new to the club. Was hoping someone could snap a picture of their hardware in the back box used to lock down the back glass with the key? I just bought something off EBay and have everything installed, I think, except the metal pole with the different ends used to actually secure the glass. Not sure how it fits correctly in it.
Thanks much!
Rob
MAJRob Let me know if you have questions. Here are three photos. Photo two shows the rod in the closed position. When I installed the slotted plate on my lock cylinder I must have tried fifty different configurations (there is only about four possible ways to install it) before I figured it out.
(or maybe one photo, or ten repeated photos? Attaching photos acting odd this morning.)
20170222_064520 (resized).jpg
20170222_064549 (resized).jpg
I got my Earthshaker 2 weeks ago and started having a bunch of issues. One of my buddies has held me every step of the way, but one thing that went out that we don't have much we can do about is the display. I'm going to order a new display once I can save a little money, but I was wondering if anyone had one for parts that they would move cheep. Steven told me to post that the top row had started to gas out, and that we could possibly swap a glass out if we can get our hands on one. Thanks! I also added a pic, this was a route machine that they literally just electric tape the display in there!
This is exactly what I needed, thank you very much. I will crush on this tomorrow. Appreciate all the help very much YeOldPinPlayer.
Will report back when it's good to go!
Quoted from YeOldPinPlayer:majrob Let me know if you have questions. Here are three photos. Photo two shows the rod in the closed position. When I installed the slotted plate on my lock cylinder I must have tried fifty different configurations (there is only about four possible ways to install it) before I figured it out.
(or maybe one photo, or ten repeated photos? Attaching photos acting odd this morning.)
IN the club. Have owned a very nice ES for about 12 years now. Great pin.
Quoted from DatNoobAdam:I got my Earthshaker 2 weeks ago and started having a bunch of issues. One of my buddies has held me every step of the way, but one thing that went out that we don't have much we can do about is the display. I'm going to order a new display once I can save a little money, but I was wondering if anyone had one for parts that they would move cheep. Steven told me to post that the top row had started to gas out, and that we could possibly swap a glass out if we can get our hands on one. Thanks! I also added a pic, this was a route machine that they literally just electric tape the display in there!
Not sure how bad your display is from the picture. The seller here is a good guy to deal with if you really need to swap the display out:
Quoted from fossmin:Looking for a playfield plastic protector set for ES. All the usual suspects seem to be out of stock. Anyone know where to buy one?
Thanks
Gerry
The #1 usual suspect has em in stock! http://www.marcospecialties.com/pinball-parts/CG1213
Quoted from MAJRob:This is exactly what I needed, thank you very much. I will crush on this tomorrow. Appreciate all the help very much YeOldPinPlayer.
Will report back when it's good to go!
Your pics were perfect, all good to go!! Thank you very much
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Valparaiso, IN
Canberra
