How are you all ordering from BAA when they are out of stock on the coil?

So I put a shaker motor on today and a switch fell off. Fixed

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The gap always pulls in and closes up for me once the screws pull it in. Yours must be really out of square if it doesn't. The Stern ones will be the same way, that part is made with a specific common angle, just like the lesser Stern one.

Too bad the TWIP award voting is over because Neil's discovery and the resulting fix is EASILY the best tip for the past year and deserves some kind of award! No fuss, no muss, replace the coil and auto launch is fixed. Don't bother with ANY other solution, just do this and be done with it.

I largely agree with this (having struggled with many of the previously pitched solutions). My only caveat is the shooter guide itself is still a bit wonky. Last night it was failing 5-10% of the time. Not a huge problem, but it's a shame the guide isn't more solid (in terms of how it's fastened to the PF).

is yours a pro?

Premium. As far as the shooter goes, there isn't any difference. True?

I know this sounds like a minor problem, but has anyone had an issue where the upper right flipper is very loud when returning? It didn't used to be so loud when the flipper comes back to it's resting position. I tried adjusting the rubber stopper that the flipper hits, but it doesn't seem to be doing anything. It's like a loud thud/clack whenever I flip. And it's just the upper right flipper and none of the others.

Been discussed for a while. No one knows what causes it. It comes and goes on the machine on route here, but is very annoying.

I had the same issue with noise when the right upper flipper returns to the resting position. Fixed it by relieving some of the tension on the return spring.

This made all the difference for me as well. Power at 205 for now. Definitely needs more powerful coil as stock.

Yep, Stern needs to make a running change and up the coil for the launcher to Neil's solution.

That's it? Swap the coil out in the auto launch? Are there any power issues to worry about?

and add my initials to the code high score

yup. the increase in the coil is negligible from a power POV. Been running it a while now without any issues. Mine is working 100%. Just remember to knock the power down a bit so trooper is not overpowered.

if you think about it a new game plays fast there is little resistance on the ball, after time the ball slows and that causes the issue. Stern probably never play the game on a dirty enough game so probably didn't predict this. Thats why folks doing the wax fixes it for a while.

Cheers,
Neil.

yes but I seem to see pro's with more issues?

I'm too lazy to order the coil. I think I'll just unwind three layers of wiring on the coil and see how she goes. If I screw it up, I'll be motivated to order a new coil.

Stern answered my email. They suggested doing the correct adjustments to the shooter lane first. Changing the coil should be no issue. Worst that could happen is overcurrent protection could kick in. From Neil's posts I do not think that will be an issue. We are going to change our coil over when we get a chance.

As another data point, the stronger coil is working great for me...no issues.

Shooter is still imperfect...some days it's 100%, some days it's 95%. Overall, seems to be working 97% of the time, which is fine.

Neil i bet tons of people will be wanting you to autograph their auto launch coils!

He'll be at Tpf and I'm sure he's doing a signing and photo session.Jusr remember to form an orderly line people.

Thanks snaroff I am looking forward to putting the bigger coil on.

LOL I'm ready!!!

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Lol there you go!

I've had some auto-plunge issues also...from what I've read, its the exact opposite of what everyone is experiencing. If I manually plunge, or auto plunge the results are the same. Even tossing the The balls keeps hitting the X multiplier post. Even launching the ball out of the shooter lane with my fingers doesn't change the results. Reading through most of this thread, I couldn't find anything on the concern I have. Any hints on what I could do?

Sounds like your lane guide actually needs to be bent UP.

Use your phone in slo motion mode to record it and upload to YouTube and we can help.

Will do later tonight

Or...it sounds like the ball is hitting the tip of the upper right flipper.

Try holding the flipper up manually then launching a ball.

So just cut this diode off?

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yes

Finally had an issue with the sarcophagus lock switch. Was going to replace it with a roller until I realized that the switch is simply bent incorrectly for proper functionality. I just pulled the actuator off, clipped it a little shorter to avoid the tip hitting the end of the ball guide slot, and bent it upward so that the ball comes into contact with it earlier. The original shape of the actuator was bent upward too late and resulted in the ball not depressing it far enough. My alteration will make this bombproof until the cheap Stern switch actually fails.

While I had the glass off and balls out, I decided to tackle the autolauncher. Mine has always worked well after my initial adjustment. I'm at about 90%. I took some layers off the coil, which seems to added a few precent to my consistency.

Switch:
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Coil:
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Why wouldn't you just buy another coil? Pathetic looking coil to re-install on your 7k toy...

are you serious on that coil ? LOL

I put the paper back on perfectly for people that might care in the future. It actually looks better than it did with the uneven wind that it had, not that I care. Why would I unwind in the first place? Because it works and I don't need to bother buying another coil. Less waste and it took me 10 mins total. Yay me!

nothing wrong with that..

No, don't put the paper back. It lies.

How dare you leave that naked coil!
Lol

Dont get too cocky on that switch in the sarcophagus lock because its very finicky and might not turn out as good you think after you play a few games.....ask me how i know. I hope that it is fixed though for you because pulling that sarcophagus lock and soldering a new switch in is no fun at all. Good luck.

So I have to cut the diode off the new coil??
Why?

I've fixed and replaced many switches in my time. The original switch was bent in a way that required too much pressure from the ball. After my fix it takes feather light pressure to trigger it, just like the upper switch. I'm extremely confident. I'll let you know if and when it fails though!

Yes, for this instance.

I believe it's because the diode was moved up to the board on this machine so you don't need one at the coil.

I hope it doesnt fail but I thought mine was fixed and i started patting myself on the back too soon and had to end up putting in a new switch which wasnt an easy job. Those switch arms are made out of spring steel and not easily adjustable like most switches. Hopefully you got it right though, sounds like you probably did.

We have these things... called pens.. they can be used to make markings that tell us things later...

Remove the diode because if you solder the wires to the wrong lugs with the diode in place, you will short the circuit directly to ground and cause damage. Diodes on coils have not been needed for maybe 30 years now because the diodes are already on the electronic driver boards. The diode works to suppress the voltage spike that happens when a coil fires. Without the diode, the voltage spike ruins the transistor that drives the circuit.

Rob

Not true. Lord of the Rings early in the 2000s, FOR SURE has diodes on the original run, but NOT on the later LEs, which is really confusing.

There could be a few exceptions of course. And then there's STTNG which has a diode tieback wire on the drop target coil which seems like a terrible idea. That little wire breaks off from vibration and poof!

It's probably easier just to still sell (standard, non flipper) coils with diodes and then they can be used for almost any game application.

Rob

I'm with Who-Dey on this. I got the faith healers to check out the switches after they did their work on the auto-launch and nadda. Moving to the Williams style roller switches has put this issue to bed an I highly recommend that solution.

Update on this issue in case anyone else has it. I fixed it today after putting my phone in the cabinet and videoing what was happening. Turns out the wire-gate was getting caught on the edge of the metal mini-ramp that goes down to the VUK. I took it out and bent it a bit so it no longer gets caught. Working perfect now.

I also replaced my auto-launch coil as people have been talking about and the new one works fantastic. Makes the loop every single time. I have it set at 225.