Fellow Pinsider's,

For the last few months I have taken a break from doing actual restorations. I've had several ideas floating around in my brain that wanted to get out. They have and here's a small sample of one.

I have created a Lamp Driver Test Fixture that can be used to assist in troubleshooting early Bally and Stern Lamp Driver boards. I'm attempting to make troubleshooting the early SS pins a bit easier, especially for a novice. This first product can be used in the game (using the machines built-in test function) or on a test bench (the latter assumes you know how to apply input signals to drive the lamps). This is not a completely new idea; it has been done before, albeit simpler. I modified it so that this test fixture actually simulates the load of the incandescent lamps. In this way, the SCR's see the same load as if in a game which can help spot a weak SCR that breaks down under load.

The premise is simple; the led bar graph will illuminate the respective led when the SCR (on the lamp driver board) is gated. A silk-screened chart (to the right of the led bar graphs) has three columns labeled J1, J2 and J3. Within those columns list the SCR (or Q#) associated with that J connector. Where the column contains an XX, that indicates no connection (no associated SCR). The alligator clip lead (which supplies power to the test fixture) attaches to the switched illumination bus (either on the backboard or on TP1 of the Rectifier board). This method will help narrow down where the issue with an "unlit" controlled lamp is; either on the driver board itself or in the wiring/lamp socket.

I have included a few pics and a short video below so you can get an idea of what it is and how it works.

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Right now I am gauging interest in this product to determine if there is sufficient demand to make more. I am in the process of putting the finishing touches on a Solenoid Driver Test Fixture and will offer that one soon. I am also in the second phase of creating another device that will work with these two boards (LDTF and SDTF) that will allow complete testing (on the bench) of the early SS Lamp Driver and Solenoid Driver boards.

If there is enough interest, I will ask for $40 shipped anywhere in the continental US. If the demand is higher then the price will go down. To get the pcbs manufactured will take approximately 10 days and then another 2 days for assembly.

Thanks for looking.

Phil

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Good idea Chris! Hadn't thought of that.

Ok, how about a "kit" price of $30 shipped anywhere in the US. Any interest in that option?

Thanks.

Phil

Thanks to everyone for the kind words and interest, both here and via PM. I sincerely appreciate it!

Ok, update here.

I got enough interest to get these going. The first out the door will be the LDTF. I've ordered the boards from the fab house. I've also ordered all of the parts. Both the boards and the parts should arrive later this week.

For the second board, the SDTF, I made a couple changes to the design and am waiting on a prototype board to come back to test the changes. I don't have a price for this one yet, but plan to keep it at or near the same price as the LDTF.

Again, thanks. I'll get these out as quickly as I can.

UPDATE #2

First batch of LDTF (lamp driver test fixture) boards and parts are in. For those interested in the "kit" version (you solder the parts), I can ship those immediately. Kits are $30.00 shipped anywhere in the US. The fully assembled/tested version is $40.00 shipped anywhere in the US. Outside the US, we can work something out based upon where you are.

If interested in either version, send me a PM with your choice of either "kit" or pre-assembled version along with your email and mailing address and I'll send you a PayPal invoice. I'll work on a website and alternative pay system later but wanted to make these boards available now.

Thanks again for the interest.

Phil

Update #3

I shipped 10 orders yesterday, most to US and one to Australia (thanks Gibo). I'll ship out a few more today. The orders seem to be split evenly among both versions.

Many thank to all that ordered. Once you receive your item and use it, I would appreciate your honest feedback.

Thanks again for the interest.

Phil

Thanks John. I sent you a PM. I can definitely send to Canada.

Phil

Thanks for your interest. I sent you a PM.

Phil

Thanks for your order. Yours is going out tomorrow morning with a half-dozen others. I'm hoping to wrap up testing on the SDTF prototype and get it into production real soon.

Phil

Someone had asked me in an email if the parts were surface mount or through-hole. I am designing all my boards using through-hole parts so that anyone that can solder can change any part that may need it.

I am playing around with a SMT design but that's just for me to keep the brain working.

Nope. No problems at all. That's a good looking J1 output.

Yes, everything is looking good on J3. Exactly right.

My apologies, I was not clear on the fact that the LEDS line up with an associated SCR Q#.

Yes, what you see on J1 is a good output and correct.

Great question! The top two LED's are not connected to any Lamp Driver board output. With this test fixture, I am monitoring 28 pins with the LED bar graph components. I could not find any LED bar graphs in any multiple that would give me 28, so I used three 10 LED components.

I had considered using single led's but quickly ran out of real estate as I was trying to keep the footprint small. My intent there was it could be thrown in a tool bag for quick and easy troubleshooting in the field.

The last two pins of the Resistor Network (at the top of the board) are also not connected to an output but are connected to their respective LED (27 & 28). These could be used in a pinch but the tech would have to know how to correlate them to the correct SCR. In the case of a failure of an LED segment, I would recommend a replacement of that particular LED bar graph.

One thing with this device is that after you use it a few times, you'll quickly note when something is not right with the board under test. You'll easily know which LED's are to be off for a particular J connection.

WOW!! LDTF is currently sold out. Don't worry though, more on the way from the pcb fab house (due next week). I'll have additional components later this week.

I cannot thank you all enough for your support of this device. I sincerely appreciate it!

Thanks Ingo! Glad it made it safely. Definitely would like to get your (and anyone else that ordered one) feedback.

Best regards,

Phil