Batteries are almost never better.
Go for it, and "fugitabout" batteries forever.
--
Chris Hibler - CARGPB #31
http://www.Team-EM.com
http://webpages.charter.net/chibler/Pinball/index.htm
http://www.PinWiki.com - The new place for pinball repair info

Anyone have a Big Daddy Enterprises 6116 RAM adapter installed instead of using batteries? If so could you send a pic of how/where it's installed and some feedback on if you like it or batteries are better.
Thanks all.
Here is the link incase you have never seen one: http://www.bigdaddy-enterprises.com/

Hi, I do not know the adapter from bigdaddy, but we produce 6116-RAM-Adapters since many years and have therefore "some" experience.

But as I suppose, the bigdaddy RAM-Adapter supports the following pinball-machines, that use 6116-RAM-chips, as this are some early DATA-EAST-pinballs, Williams System 11 pinballs, Bally MPU A084-91786-AH06 (6803) (used by Bally Midway, Bally Wulff und Midway) und some others. I think, it does not work on a Williams system 9 game (e.g. Comet); therefore you need another 6116-RAM-adapter-hardware.

To answer your questions:
1.)
RAM-Adapters are very useful, because you will never ever need any batteries with all disadvanteges (e.g. acid damage, buy new batteries every year).

2.)
Installation is very easy, as far as the original 6116-RAM is already socketed. If not, you must first desolder the old RAM (carefully), then in a 24-pin (precision) IC-socket. Then take out the batteries and put in the RAM-Adapter. Please be carefull, to put it in the right way. You must first locate PIN 1 of the original RAM.
The put in the RAM-adapter the same way, so that PIN 1 of the adapter is in the same position as PIN 1 of the original-RAM. Do not put in the wrong way, otherwise, the NVRAM on the adapter will be destroyed. See attached files of where PIN 1 is. On our adapter it is silkscreened on the top left side and it is the same on the bigdaddy-adapter, as far as I can see on the pictures.

See attached files:

6116-PIN1.JPG

6116-Adapter.jpg

It is a great replacement but to me I like the idea of a 25 cent remote battery holder with connector mainly because of cost. The only concern i would have is for the potential of cracking solder joints with it hanging off of the board or wearing out the socket tension (if it is installed that way).

Because of the way he frames his site your link went to his home page. I'm assuming you mean

http://bigdaddy-enterprises.com/ProductPages/pinforge.html

which are actually made by Pinforge (Lindsey Rupertus.)

You've heard the arguments both ways above and both have merit. One other thing to consider is whether or not your machine is a candidate for a NVRAM adapter (not all are.)

I always think of it this way. If it's a machine I have no intention of selling now or in the forseeable future, I make the investment and get the adapter. If it's a game I know I will sell, it will either get a memory cap or a remote battery holder. I'm with Chris - batteries are almost never better and I'd rather not think about it.

I have Lindsey's adapters in four of my machines and always have a few spare in the parts bin.

viperrwk

To me, NVRAM is where it's at, with very few exceptions. Games that use a RTC like Twilight Zone, or a game with Midnight Madness mode, lose some functionality with NVRAM. Everything else gets it..

Remote battery packs are good, and work fine - don't get me wrong

I just think NVRAM is a 'cleaner' look.

Now, if you aren't comfortable soldering/desoldering, don't do it. Some games have socketed RAM chips, but most don't.

Which machine?

viperrwk