Hi all,
New to the forum , I don’t use my pinball machine often and turn it off after using but my son left it on overnight. I woke up to a really bad smell and found my transformer melted down and was burned badly. Anyone else ever had this? Any idea on a place to get a new one and new rectifier board?
Normally, fuses are supposed to blow before getting to that point and protect boards/displays/transformers from burning up. If you overfuse (ie, install fuses rated higher than they should be) or just jumper blown fuses, then fuses might not blow when there's a problem.
Homepin was developing a replacement transformer, but that doesn't appear to be quite ready yet.
In the mean time, you can search for a used one by checking ebay and/or place a WTB ad here in the Pinside marketplace. You would be looking for the bally E-122-125 transformer, which fortunately, isn't too hard to find. But, that may cost you $100-$250.
It may also be a good idea to replace the rectifier board as well, if it's not in good shape. Those are available here: https://nvram.weebly.com/new-pcbs.html
When I opened up the back panel it was probably only the 3rd time I had ever opened it and that was to change burned bulbs. I have never replaced fuses or ever checked them before but I did find one on the rectifier blown. The wires from the rectifier look intact but old and brittle so I do plan on changing them when I change the rectifier and the transformer. Thanks for the advice and contact info for the new rectifier.
Quoted from canadaref5:but old and brittle
Wiring should not be brittle. That might be evidence that the wiring burned up and may need to be replaced.
Can you share photos of that?
Could you also show zoomed out photos of the transformer? It's hard to tell what is going on with things zoomed in so close.
Oh dear, looks like someones overfused the game impacting the ability to protect against shorts. If I'm not mistaken fuses F4 and F6 on the rectifier board incorrectly have 10amp + fuses.
I will definitely find out the correct fuse sizes and make sure I change them. Right now the only blown fuse is the one I’m pointing too in the picture.
Quoted from canadaref5:I will definitely find out the correct fuse sizes and make sure I change them. Right now the only blown fuse is the one I’m pointing too in the picture.
The fuse you're pointing to is the line fuse. It should be a 3 amp slow blow fuse. Yours looks like a high amperage fast blow fuse.
Those wrong $1 fuses could have cost you your house or more..
I have had this machine for 20 years and never knew the wrong fuses were in it. Thanks for the heads up, I guess the people who sold it to me and cleaned it up, changed the flipper rubbers and other things either didn’t notice the wrong fuses or they put them in....
Since I can’t power it up anymore I have no idea if there is anymore damage other than the transformer and rectifier? I guess start by changing them and power it up and see if it works....
Put a wanted ad on pinside. One was sold yesterday. Sorry! They do come up for sale. I think this one was used in numerous games of the era. You should also look into redoing the header connector crimps/housing. The one has been hacked in the past, probably by the same person responsible for the incorrect fuse.
Quoted from canadaref5:Never had to repair the machine in 20 years
Yep, those fuses were a 20 year time bomb
Normally, the moment a rectifier shorts out (they do that from time to time) the fuse pops protecting the transformer (and your house).
Your new board will have much heavier duty rectifiers/diodes than the original Bally ones
Like Forceflow said, get a new, better designed board: https://nvram.weebly.com/new-pcbs.html
Save that old transformer (don't take it apart), they can be rewound at any local motor rewinding shop - but it's currently cheaper to just buy a used one, than to pay $120 for a rewind
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