First, wasn't sure what sub-forum to put this under, so hope PLT is ok.

Anyway, bought a routed LOTR about a month ago. Fully stripped it, removed mylar and cleaned everything (as much as a beginner can clean everything!).

In any event, I noticed that the machine played different on many levels. I'll give one example. When locking the ball, (prior to clean-up), the ball would lock either through Gollums Cave or the ramp. After I cleaned it, strictly through the ramp. Now all of a sudden it's doing it through both again (out of the blue).

I'm confused. Would like to link up with someone who is well versed in LOTR who can tell me if my pin is screwed up or not! Please PM me.

Thanks.

Thanks. Thought something was screwy.

Well, sorted out the problem gents. I had to bend the actuator a bit, works like a charm now. Have another question for you guys. (Hopefully you revisit this thread!)

1. A new issue, during Fellowshop MB, a ball is consistently getting caught between Balrog and the left post. Like I said, this is new, no idea why it's happening.

2. The mode light is lit from the beginning of a game. Prior to shopping the game, the mode would never start when I hit the ring. After shopping, through fluke, it was working fine. Until now. Mode light is lit, I hammer the ring, no modes start at all.

Any guidance is much appreciated!

Too funny bigdaddy!

LOTR_breath, thanks for the tips. Will check that in the AM in regards to the Balrog. He's definetly not closing snugly to the centre ramp so I'll check the shaft.

In regards to the ring entrance, I ran the magnet test tonight, doesn't read the ball at all. So I'll have to look for the opto. I checked the fuse, fuse is fine (it's only a 3 Amp, so I know I should up that to a 4 Amp) The spinner for the most part works as well. I say for the most part because it only registers about half the times it spins. For example, I spun it by hand so it rotated about 6 times. It only registered about 3.

I've had the pin about 3 weeks now, the more I play it the more I'm noticing things that need to be fixed. I guess this is the risk you take when buying a used pin!!

Also, if you can help with a fix. I bought a new clear plastic insert for the ring. It's about a week old. Just noticed tonight when I was trying to do the magnet test, there's a chunk out of it already. Piss me off! Is this typical or is there an easy way to adjust the angle of the ramp?

Well, pushed the Balrog back as far as it could go, does not close up right agains the left post of the ramp. Appears to be approx a 3/4" gap.

I'm also having problems with the Ring. Not accepting any hits, no modes start etc. When I get destroy the ring, hit the ring many times, nothing happens. Subsequently ran the magnet test, rolled ball through (tried both grab and throw and grab and drop) to no avail.

So obviously I have to start troubleshooting my ring now. Any recommendations on where to start?

Thanks for your patience and guidance.

Well switched out the 3 Amp for a 4 Amp (from what I've read for a non LE). No difference. Will try a 5 amp in the morning and let you all know!

Thanks for the advice gents, regardless if it works or not!

On another note, is starting the modes tied in as well to the opto's?

Well, couldn't wait until tomorrow morning. Just changed the 4 Amp with a 5 Amp. Unfortunately, no change. No modes start, and no sucking in of balls!!

Well, my trouble shooting woes continue. Found this switch (from looking at the manual I believe it is #25) going up the ramp to Ringwraith that wasn't registering. Was a patch job from previous owner. I stripped the electrical tape and the pic attached is what I found. Reconnected the wire, plugged it back in and the switch tested fine. However, there is no diode on this switch.

Given my very limited technical knowledge, I have no idea if this switch even needs a diode. Could someone point me in the right direction? If it doesn't need a diode, I hope to just be able to solder the wire back together and try to protect it a little better than what it was.

Thanks!

switch.jpg

While I'm at it, is it possible that this could have also been leading to my ring woes (i.e., the circuit being broken?)

Thanks for the responses guys. Just looked under the PF. There is a yellow sticker right by where this switch plugs in, but about 90% of the sticker is gone, and can't make out what it says. So, I'm also guessing it's safe to assume that this particular switch doesn't require a diode. Hey, whats the worst that can happen?

xblood, I have checked the switch on the spinner. It wasn't registering everytime, so I had to bend the aperature a bit. It registers all the time now. Also, the coil test doesn't report any errors on the magnet. So I have to assume that's ok. The magnet was working sporadically a couple of weeks ago, now it doesn't. I'm starting to think it's a opto issue. (Once again, in what very limited tech knowledge I have!)

Hi xblood. So did the test you suggested and indeed, got the buzzing sound.

So I assume that means my magnet is good? Any suggestions what I should do next? By the way, thanks so much for assistance provided so far!!

Hi ice. Tried that, doesn't grab the ball. I hit the spinner with a finger while holding the ball up by the magnet, nothing. But the switch on the spinner does register!

Too the point now where I figure it's gotta be the opto or the opto board. Problem is, looking at Marco and PBL, can figure out what it is I need to order. Can anyone more knowledgeable than me help me out??

Just wanted to thank everyone along the way who helped me sort out my LOTR issues. Finally got the Ring figured out. I was actually taking off the optos and noticed that a wire was sitting there, not connected to anything. Subsequently scoured through my manual and determined that it came out of the molex plugged into the opto board. Modes and ring are now working 100%. So gratifying to fix it finally. But wouldn't of been able to do it without the help of pinside (and one of my buddies).

So, the LOTR seems to be working great now. Just a light in one of the bumpers won't light up (I've changed the bulb, it's not a bulb issue!) LOL. But I can live with that for now. Now I need to destroy the ring!

Thanks DC. I'll double check that but pretty sure I have 906's in them.

Hi Jud. You mean from underneath the yellow plastic piece they go into? I've checked the wires where they are soldered to and seem pretty solid. I did notice however that the bulb sits in it kind of loose. Pulled the wires off the bulb a bit but didn't really seem to make the bulb sit that much more solidly.