Looks like the enclosed relays Chicago Coin used. Is this retrofitted or is it some odd engineering sample?

Just not sure what the point of doing that was, I mean what did it really accomplish?

Ken

It would prevent dirt from accumulating on the exposed switches in a normal relay.

It looks like it was done...just because they could, which is pointless to me because the original configuration of relays would work just as well if the machine was maintained properly. EM's should not get "Dirt" in them anyway as the only thing it should get is general dust and carbon dust which if switches are properly gaped should self clean and not be a problem in the first place.

Ken

I would be more concerned that this mod inhibits the proper operation of the game.

Otherwise a lot of work for little gain.

Looks like a "no" gain to me.

Ken

Looks like all the original analog relays and switch blades were replaced with early transistor-based relays. Kind of an early EM/SS hybrid of sorts.

Those relays wouldn't sound nearly as cool as the originals

i gotta say... that IS pretty cool...

pointless, but cool...

although it would be a fun exercise to figure it out...

That's true, maybe to allow for easy replacement if something wasn't working right (stupid technician?), but also note that the machine has to get regular use to self-clean.

Though these are pluggable, you cannot adjust (which is more likely the problem over time anyway) - but if Chicago Coin did it near the end, was it because of looking at the automotive industry or for more reliable switching? I'd never heard of them using sealed relays in their EMs (nor seen them).

Here's an image from IPDB showing the inside of a 1972 Mini Baseball with these type of relays mounted to a board. If I remember right my 1975 Top Ten had them too. The first time I saw them I thought they were pretty slick but quickly learned they are kind of a PIA. The switches still get oxidized after so many years, but they are micro and you have to carefully pop the little covers off to clean.

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