Wms hands down fully repairable

Which repro are you referring to?

My thoughts exactly ... however, if the reproductions are coming from DumbAss it's a more difficult decision but you cant go wrong either way.

Would depend on cost, but i would take original boards over repros any day if given the opportunity.

NOS boards are good, also there are some remake boards from pinball basement that are based on the original schematics and with approval from PPS
https://pinballbasement.com/

Ok. I'll bite (or put my foot in it).

I think it depends on what your definition of reproduction is. A reproduction or a re-design (re-engineering)?

A "verbatim" reproduction will produce 100% compatibility. It will also inherit 100% of the deficits, defects and potential problems.

A re-design will work but may also not be 100% compatible.

I think it's important to understand that some of the available replacement boards are not electrically identical (or mostly electrically identical). For example (and I'm not picking on them - just using them as an example) ... Rottendog uses power MOSFETs for solenoid drive instead of BJT (bipolar junction) transistors. The effect is the same but the electrical component is different and may hide some compatibility. Another example is the Rottendog MPU9211 that (presumably) uses an emulator for the Harris CVSD (HC-55536). It may work but isn't the same electrically.

My boards are not "verbatim" reproductions. They are 95%+ electrically identical (use all the same components that the original boards use to implement functionality). They offer improvements from known problems as well as improvements for safety, diagnostics or thermal characteristics (heat reduction). They can also be easily serviced as they are through hole designs. All the boards I build have sockets for ICs.

It is also important to note that any offered "verbatim" reproduction of a power (supply) board is likely not "verbatim". The linear regulator is probably replaced with a switching regulator. Some of the older linear regulators are obsolete and NLA (no longer available). They are also extremely inefficient and generate heat like it's trying to survive the arctic winter.

I don’t understand all the jargon, and I can’t put a board together. Matter of fact, I can barely solder a wire onto a lug. So when my STTNG 16 opto board started having problems, I sent it out via USPS to a Pinsider who was gracious enough to attempt to repair it. Unfortunately the Postal Service lost it and he never received it. So in comes DumbAss to save the day. He put together a board for me that is better than the original in that the components are raised off the board a bit to help dissipate heat [(I think), remember I told you I don’t know squat about these transistors, resistors, incapacitators...] All I know is the board looks great, professionally done, was cheaper and less riskier than getting a board that only seems to be available outside the US, and the game works 100% again. I would absolutely buy from DumbAss again without hesitation. I just refuse to call him by his Pinside handle in private messages to him though

The modern boards have fatter traces and better ground planes. In some cases the new boards are thicker and have "keyhole" slots for quicker mounting/dismounting of the boards in the machine.

With my boards, there are 1 : 1 original designs. I can do upgrades to trace sizes and through hole pad sizing where needed.

Any option to get your game going is a good one.

https://pinballbasement.com/collections/all

Check out my parts list, it grows weekly and will explode here in the coming months/new year.

I didn't see the option, but do you think an unassembled kit could be an option for us who like to save bucks and like to solder?

Bummed I missed these. Was waiting on confirmation they work in WH2O. Hope they restock soon!

I have a different reproduction WPC-89 power board that works in White Water (I tested it in a friend's machine) if you're looking for an alternative.

https://pinside.com/pinball/forum/topic/dumbass-test-and-reproduction-pcbs/page/3#post-5715833

Feel free to contact me if you're interested in one or for more information.

You have a choice ... and that's a good thing.

Will be in stock in about a couple weeks. 200 CPU's and 50 drivers will be in stock before the end of the year. Will be gradually releasing them as they finish testing.

Wow, this is great!

Scaling up is pretty hard, but i'm learning a lot and its going well all things considered.

I have a few more surprise part additions that will hit the site in the next year. Hoping it will drive a lot of people to the site and make the brand well known amongst the community.