(Topic ID: 205342)

Gottlieb, Victory, Recent acquisition. Question about battery backup.

By mettyfish

6 years ago


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  • Latest reply 6 years ago by zimjoe
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    BackupCapa2 (resized).jpg
    BackupCapa3 (resized).jpg
    BackupCapa1 (resized).jpg
    2017-12-19_17h12_09 (resized).png
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    #7 6 years ago
    Quoted from mettyfish:

    This is my first post and really glad to be here...
    ... Do I need to change it out with one that is not on the board. Thanks for suggestions.

    Hello and welcome aboard,

    Yes, even if it seems in good condition, it is imperative to remove the original battery because it can start to leak suddenly, and seriously corrode / damage the CPU board. Everyone will tell you, we must quickly unsold the big black cell, which is quite easy to do with an iron and a pump. The pinball can also work very well without this battery, but of course, the scores will not be kept, nor the setting of thresholds for replays, nor the credits !

    The simplest method is to replace the battery with a super-caps: it is a capacitor of 0.47 F (or more) that is connected in place of the battery. Just need two pieces of wires, and for connecting, the polarity is the same. Simple and very reliable (we use this method for many years, the retention is very long).
    Super CapsSuper CapsThere is some others methods, like use of Alkaline bat. or Lithium, but they require another modification on the CPU board, to avoid to charge them.

    As mentionned by Billc479 and @ForceFlow, the NVRAM is also a good alternative, no more battery required. But, it take place at the location of the 5101 RAM (Z5). Unfortunately, on Gottlieb unmodified boards, this chip is soldered, so you have to desolder it and install a socket. This require some skill and is not recommended for a beginner. But may be, your board is already modified ? Indeed, the RAM chip 5101 is quite fragile and often defective on old boards. It has often been replaced (and not only on Gottlieb boards, but also on other brands) and the new one may be installed on a socket. If this is your case, then the NVRAM could be a good solution, but as the battery is still in place, I believe that you have an unmodified board.

    Another tips for your Victory 80B (that has nothing to do with the battery ! but also a nice improvment) : a Freeplay version of the game PROM is available - for free - at our website.Take a look at : https://www.flipprojets.fr/Proms80B_EN.php
    Note that we only provide the binary files, so you can program the EPROM by yourself (or ask to someone doing for you).

    #10 6 years ago

    Yes, mounting a capacitor is the easier way.

    Unsold the battery : you will notice, that it is hold in place by 4 pins (one for +, one for -, and two not connected).
    Look at my picture : you can easily identify the + (printed on the board) and the - (on the opposite side).
    Simply connect the capacitor with two wires (one red, one black) to the + and -.

    The polarity is indicated on the capacitor (usualy, the - is printed on a band). Connect the + on + and the - on -.

    To fix the capacitor, we use hot glue (the capacitor is mounted with pins on top).
    Once solded, we add some hot glue on pins, to isolate it.

    No need to modify the board (no resistor or diode to remove).

    Super caps can be found at any local electronic reseller, or even at pinball shop, or ebay. This is a very common component.
    The capacity doesn't really care : 0.47F is very common, but if you found 1F or 2F it's also OK.
    Avoid the models with lower capacity like 0.1F or 0.22F.
    The super caps are usually at 5.5 volts. Don't confuse with a common capacitor of 0.47 µF (that are usually, 16 or 25 volts).
    Super caps are also known as "backup capacitors".

    The retention is very long : with a 0.47F, we had a CPU board left alone in our workshop for more than a year, and the scores were still saved after this time.
    Also, take care of the pins : choose a round model, with radial pins like this one:
    2017-12-19_17h12_09 (resized).png2017-12-19_17h12_09 (resized).png
    As you can notice, here, the "-" is on the right (pin identified by a black band with "-" printed).

    #17 6 years ago
    Quoted from mettyfish:

    Thx a bunch. I understand everything but it says to "fix the capacitor". Does that mean glue it to the board? And "also take care of the pins". Are you meaning polarity?

    Yes, we glue the capacitor on the board. We use hot glue because it can be removed if needed. You can also use silicon or double-face foam tape, but never try super glue (cyanoacrylate) ! We also add a drop of glue on the pins, to isolate them.
    BackupCapa1 (resized).jpgBackupCapa1 (resized).jpg
    This is a backup capacitor mounted in one of ours boards, but note that this one is special : because we add a switch to cut-off the power (use for experimental), on a "normal" board, you don't need it.

    About the pins : polarity of course, but also the type of package. On market, you can found many models of backup capacitors, but some have pinout that are not suitable, like this:
    BackupCapa2 (resized).jpgBackupCapa2 (resized).jpg

    Using a standard "radial" is better and avoid risk of short-circuit, look for models like that:
    BackupCapa3 (resized).jpgBackupCapa3 (resized).jpg

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