(Topic ID: 166666)

Fish Tales Lighting issue + Overlay question

By davijc02

7 years ago


Topic Heartbeat

Topic Stats

  • 11 posts
  • 7 Pinsiders participating
  • Latest reply 7 years ago by Msch
  • Topic is favorited by 2 Pinsiders

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#1 7 years ago

Just purchased my first pinball machine which is fish tales and I love this game. One issue that I just noticed is that in the stringer of the four fish the one of the right does not light at all. Also, my 4x insert does not light and my tropical, freshwater, and deep sea inserts will not light. The game has all LED's all of which work fine with exception to the ones I listed. I swapped out bulbs with known working ones and still didn't work. I then swapped out lamp sockets thinking those could be bad which still didn't work? Any ideas on what this could possibly be? The lamp board bad on those particular inserts?

In addition to the lighting issue I have ordered the large tacklebox overlay and would like to install that soon. What is the best way to remove the artwork on the inserts? Tape off around them and use sand paper? If so, what grit would you recommend? just trying to get a little insigt on how others approach this job.

Thanks

#2 7 years ago

Take a look at the solder joints on the header pins of insert lamp boards ,not sure about overlay i have never used them

#3 7 years ago
Quoted from pintime:

Take a look at the solder joints on the header pins of insert lamp boards ,not sure about overlay i have never used them

I've seen cracked solder joints on this light board and had to just reflow solder on those header pins. I've also had to re-pin the connector that plugs into this light board. I think those overlays are designed to go right over the top of existing artwork., but have never used one.

#4 7 years ago

I've had to replace a few diodes on the bonus x board

#5 7 years ago

I scraped off the insert art on mine before putting on the overlay with a razor. Takes a long time, so be aware!

#6 7 years ago

For the inserts I would use a chisel placed perpendicular to the playfield and then scraped across the area.

Check the lamp matrix and see if your lights that are out are in the same row or column.

http://www.pinballrebel.com/pinball/cards/Tech_Charts/Williams_Fish_Tales_Tech_Chart.pdf

#7 7 years ago

Update:

Tonight I unplugged and plugged the connector in that goes to the light board and was able to get the "Tropical Fishing" light to illuminate. I decided I would do the unplugging/plugging back in a few more times then the "Tropical Fishing" light refused to work but the 4th fish in the stringer started working as well as the 4x light. However, the 4th fish and the 4x lighting were intermittent during gameplay. One game they would work perfectly then for the next few games they wouldn't work. Then magically they would start working again.

This problems confirms that the board should probably be reflowed and may as well rebuild the connector. Only problem is I have no idea how to do either. Is it complicated to repin this connector? I've never soldered before and i'm hesitant to begin on a light board.

#8 7 years ago

Both fairly easy tasks if you have the right tools. I replaced my connector with a crimp style connector instead of the IDE connector. Crimpers can be expensive but I brought mine home from work to do the job. Reseating the connector works to remove oxidation from the pin/socket. The connectors are are designed for a set number of removals and installations. You may find that the connector, if it it fits snug is probably okay unless a wire is not fully inserted into the IDE connector. IDE -(insulation displacement- cuts into the wire insulation to make the electrical connection.). Soldering takes a little practice but is easy to master . On the back side of light board, the side you don't plug into. Apply heat to the pin and board at the time until the solder begins to "flow" or turn to liquid and "wick". Add a small amount of solder, just a touch and then remove heat. Allow the solder joint to cool before moving onto the next pin. You can use a wooden clothes pin or the old connector to keep all the pins aligned and straight. As long as you allow each pin to cool before moving on. I hope this is enough info. I can offer more help if you have any questions. If you are still apprehensive I could send you some junk circuit boards to practice on.

#9 7 years ago

Do you happen to know the name or part number for the new connector you used? Thanks for all the info!

#10 7 years ago

If you look up FT parts on Marcos website you will find the parts you need

#11 7 years ago

A crimping tool is a must have, as well as pins. You can find the tool on Amazon, pins at pinballlife

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