So i've been thinking about an RFM super mod for awhile now and it all came together on the bench a few days ago...

The idea is that the rfm saucers will generate full rgb patterns and then tie in to the correct mode colours during each scene. See below for a quick testing video. It will take lamp inputs to
change the colour patterns for the scenes. (I am simulating that in the vid with wire inputs)

Here is a picture of the pcb that fits into the existing saucers with no modifications needed.

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The kit will contain 2 assembled pcbs for the saucers and a controller board, which is driven from an arduino controller. I am thinking about setting up a github/code source area to release the controller code as open source so that others who buy the system can start to improve and modify the code, add new patterns, take it in new directions etc.

The whole kit will be 'a neat installation affair'. I am passionate about making super mods that look factory. There will be NO crocodile clips, NO loose wires to solder on. It WILL be all professional williams spec connections where it interfaces to the original lamp boards, or driver boards etc. (I am still experimenting with the best place to install the controller board and the cabling designs. More info on that later.)

Regarding the pricing. I am hoping to offer it for under £100 all in. This is not confirmed yet, but i don't want it to be massively expensive. We do live in reality though so i will see how we go.

The cabling coming out from each saucer pcb will be 3 wires. This is a serial design similar to how the AFM mothership led lamps worked and the helmet lamps on BoP. Recent advances in RGB LED technology (driven by LED TV's and advertising sign developments) have enabled simplification of the designs. Note the pcb in the pic has lots of unpopulated parts as i've managed to simplify it somewhat! I think 3 wires is the least number possible.

Please let me know if you would be interested in one of these kits for your RFM and what you think about an open source framework for people to use.

Here's another video of the proto installed in my RFM during boot up and attract. Note the pattern changes as the game goes into attract

More info and and updates will also be post to my blog here -> http://blog.mypinballs.com

Massive thanks to everyone who has expressed an interest in my saucers I really appreciate it.

Quick Update on Progress:

I've been working out the best place and how to connect up the control board and creating the pcb layout for that. I hope to have new pics of the layout for the control board soon. It has an 11 pin WMS spec connector that daisy chains off one of the lamp matrix connectors. I am also working on improvements to the software framework for the saucer control itself and hope to have another video of action from within the game soon to

Thanks again

Some pics of the first pass at the controller board. I think it should mount nicely as a piggyback onto the large lamp board under the playfield. The board will connect to the lamp boards 12 pin connector and then there will be a 12v power connector and the 2 saucer cables to it.

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Its big update time

Been working on getting the interaction with the lamp matrix to function nice and smoothly over the last 3 weeks and have finally got it all working well. The controller board is now monitoring all 9 feature mode lamps and setting the saucer patterns accordingly. One of the more tricky things was to get the system to be able to detect a flashing lamp and a solid lit one. The system is now monitoring the lamp matrix every 0.5ms and basing its decisions on 1000 polls. It can determine between lots of different scenarios including the in game lamp shows and main mode features. The saucers are set to the corresponding mode colours. The saucers also react to lamp shows and all the feature lamps being off.

Just adding some in game play videos now, then i'll update again and discuss some pre-ordering options.

Finally just to also mention i've been playing my game a lot today testing various scenarios and it really feels like a factory item. I'm really happy with how it's turned out and i hope everyone here will be to when you get one

The source code for the system will be a living thing aswell, updates will be released to purchasers for free adding new patterns, interactions etc as we go forward. This is one of the benefits of having micro controller control built in. Buyers will also have direct contact to me and be able to discuss ideas or 'wants' for added features etc.

Here's a quick video of me playing my game. I've taken the video aimed at the lower playfield to show the saucers lamp interaction in most detail. The camera doesn't always show red and yellow that differently, but i hope you can see the interaction ok.

A few good places to watch are at 6.45 and 8.10. You can see the system change to the green colour for the middle modes there. Also look out for the game lamp shows between modes. The saucers will change patterns during those points with random selections so its pretty organic and then back to the correct colour once the mode lamp is enabled again. Also, i have the saucers doing a full colour sweep when all lamps are off, which currently includes the hypnobeam mode.

Regarding pre-ordering. I am offering the full kit at £100 plus shipping. This works out currently at $160 plus shipping. I would like to offer a 50% upfront and 50% once ready to ship payment approach as with the 80b cpu board project. Shipping will be added to the final amount.

I will contact everyone above who expressed an interest and give them first opportunity. If anyone else want to be included now then you can be added to. Once i know how many people are in i will place the first order for the boards. As a recap the full kit will include 2 assembled saucers (including the plastic parts) and the assembled controller board plus cabling and instructions. Plus you will have access to any software updates released after the initial production and i may even get some t-shirts made!

Yes i will be looking at that within the code. I was chatting to a friend of mine who i was showing this to and we were discussing options for the sequences. Possibly the left saucer should rotate the opposite to what it does currently.

The kit will come with 2 original saucers and domes. There is a potential to alter the dome colour perhaps, or keep it original green. The lamps on the pcb line up with the holes. You are welcome to alter them as you want to though, as the pcb is easily removable.

I personally like the idea of the game still looking factory with the original parts etc

Currently i have the code set to cycle the full colour sequence (like a hypnotic trance!) during the times when all the playfield mode lamps are off. This could be altered to just turn blank the saucers instead if people prefer that. Alternatively i'm thinking maybe some dip switches on the controller board might be in order to set various features. Kind of like the old bally cpu days

Great to get feedback and excitement from others. Please keep it coming, it really spurs me on

The saucer lamps are matched to the mode insert lamps during the times each mode lamp is active, so they change to red, green or orange, but the saucers also do some full colour sequences (13 different colours) when the mode lamps are off. The saucer leds themselves can do any colour as they are RGB. Maybe in the future we can add some other patterns and colours for other points in the game, but this is what v1 of the code will ship with.

Updates would be computer (pc/mac) based using the arduino software ide and a standard micro usb lead between the controller board and computer.

Update: I got my first full set of proto boards in to test assembly, cabling and connection from controller board up to the game lamp board.
Some pics attached. I may even have a sample set ready for play expo over here in the uk

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Some pics of the latest saucer board assembly

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If you are going to the play expo show here in the uk then i will have a set of the assembled board prototypes with me. We may even be able to install in an rfm during the weekend.

Pics of the first proto controller board assembly. Waiting for some arudinos to arrive so can plug onto my lamp board. I love those molex connectors. Will upload some pics of how it fits to the underside of the playfield once the arduinos arrive

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Pic of the controller board installed in my rfm. working lovely. The board plugs on to the existing lamp board connector and also mounts to one of the lamp board screw positions. I'm very pleased with how its turned out

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Saucers Plastics and flasher domes are inbound. More pics soon.