RockMakers
Bally, 1968Hello, I have a Bally rockmakers pin. My voltage readings off the transformer are roughly half of what the schematics state. My bulbs are dim and the flippers are lazy. The transformer appears to be wired 220 volt. This may have been a german machine. Does that make sense the voltage is half wired on 220? Cheers
If you do have a machine set up for 220 volts, like in Europe (Germany) or Asia, that could be the case.
A great deal more detail will likely be required to get assistance on exactly what to do here...
I suggest that you start by checking your outlet to make sure that you have good voltage there.
Perhaps it is something simple...
Check this thread for more information on another machine that was converted as you describe...
https://pinside.com/pinball/forum/topic/changing-a-euro-plug-cord-to-us-not-in-vids-guide#post-5239245
If you determine that your machine is a 220 Volt model that you want to run on a 120 Volt supply, you might be able to purchase a travel converter and operate the machine on your 120 Volt outlet with no modifications.
Something similar to the one on the link below could be a solution.
You would need the step up function...
There are many brands, sizes and varieties of these available, so I not endorsing this particular unit.
This is only meant as an example of what you could use:
amazon.com link »
I have 120 volts on the bottom of the transformer. 28/3.2 volts on the top. It is definitely wired for 220 but it has a us/cdn plug wired on. My Capersville has the same transformer wired for 120. If these are the same transformer, can I wire it 120v like is shows in the schematics? Ive read that these transformers seldom go bad.
If your transformer has a tap on it for 120 volt service, it might be possible.
A schematic above, provided by MarkG could be your answer.
I am not that familiar with your machine, so I am not sure.
Be very careful messing around with these voltage connections and such, as an incorrect connection and wrong voltage application could be dangerous.
If you have 120 volts between lugs 7 and 9 then your transformer is behaving as it should and just needs to be reconfigured for 120 volts. If you have 120 volts between lugs 1 and 5 there is more to look into. The plug may have been replaced by someone using a step up transformer as Dent00 mentioned. If you do reconfigure your transformer be sure you unplug the game, pay close attention to the ties between the lower lugs since they need to change too, and double check that the fuses are not oversized.
If this were mine.. I would pull every fuse or unsolder wires going to the game before attempting some unknown reconfiguration of the mains connection. No sense in breaking what is not broken.
If there are plugs to your electronics and such, I would definitely pull all those, just cause you can.
Take some photos before you re-energize, so you can put everything back in order.
Also, if there is an explosion, you can see what you had before it was destroyed.. (Just joking)
I am thinking that someone had this machine with a euro plug and simply changed it for a cdn/us plug but didnt realize it was wired 220. I checked the language on the coin slot and it was from the netherlands before the euro in 2002. It was stored in california since 1988. I bid on it at auction last year and didnt get it. But I ended up with it anyway last week. Coincidence......I think not
Quoted from Geertsen:I am thinking that someone had this machine with a euro plug and simply changed it for a cdn/us plug but didnt realize it was wired 220. I checked the language on the coin slot and it was from the netherlands before the euro in 2002. It was stored in california since 1988. I bid on it at auction last year and didnt get it. But I ended up with it anyway last week. Coincidence......I think not
Perhaps you have good karma...
I wonder how a pinball machine migrates from the Netherlands to California...
Someone must have had a free relocation package and the machine was included in the household goods.
Either that, or someone paid a generous shipping fee and had a grand plan that never materialized.
Just curious...
Quoted from Geertsen:I am getting the following values. Between 1/9 121v. 8/10 3.22v. 4/10 32.6v.[quoted image]
in your photo, (the bottom of) your transformer is "tapped" for 220v
look at the schematic MarkG provided (there should be one inside the game as well)
on the line side of your transformer:
you will have to REMOVE the tie between lugs 3&5 , MOVE the yellow (white neutral wire) from lug 9 -to- lug 5 ; JUMPER 5&7 together , JUMPER 1&3 together (lug 9 is unused)
on your load side:
every thing looks fine (it isn't "high tapped" there)
check the value of that input fuse it [email protected]@K's like a 15 or 20 Amp fuse the placard says an 8Amp fuse is required
with all fuses removed except the input fuse near transformer, check the voltages to ensure they are correct
check the values of the other fuses
& hope to hear from you soon 
That pinball machine has travelled more than most people that I know...
Netherlands, California and now Canada...
That's a lot of airline points miles, assuming some was not on a boat.
Too bad it can't talk and tell about it's travels and such.
Probably a lot of stories to tell.
The machine isnt pretty at all. I bought it for parts for my Capersville. It was completely dead. Decided to devote a couple hours to it and it runs really well. Now I dont have the heart to part it out. Just another money pit I guess. Lol
Quoted from Vintage-Pinball:I recently worked on an imported USA spec. Gtb Gigi and had to use a step-down transformer to accept a 240v input. Sounds to me you just need the opposite to get you up and running?
You might consider starting a thread about that. I believe 50 Hz score motors are available too. The USA version uses a 60 Hz motor.
Steve Young at Pinball Resource could tell you for sure.
http://www.pbresource.com/motor.html#gtb
Steve recently told me that he believes that some Bally machines have a 50/60 hz selector. I don't know how this would work, because it would have to be some kind of selectable gearbox. Line frequency only affects the speed of the motor, so a 50hz motor plugged into 60hz would run 20 percent faster.
Quoted from Dent00:That pinball machine has travelled more than most people that I know...
Netherlands, California and now Canada...
That's a lot of airline points miles, assuming some was not on a boat.
Too bad it can't talk and tell about it's travels and such.
Probably a lot of stories to tell.
I love the way you think. I would love to know the stories behind my machines, and how they got to where they were when they came into my life, specifically my FB II and D&D. 
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