(Topic ID: 298861)

Seawitch from scratch, Allentown edition (Bally/Stern multi-game platform)

By gdonovan

2 years ago


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  • 1,858 posts
  • 59 Pinsiders participating
  • Latest reply 3 hours ago by gdonovan
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There are 1,858 posts in this topic. You are on page 31 of 38.
#1501 1 year ago
Quoted from vinnypeppers:

Great looking car .....nice high rise......bet that goes sideways down the street, good for you on being a Jack-of-all-trades

11.08 @121 mph

Yes it is great fun on the street.

#1502 1 year ago

Thought I was done with Kings of Steel but it turns out the high voltage section of the board is shot so will be rebuilding that next week.

Fun game, better than people give it credit for.

#1503 1 year ago

Haunted House is GONE!

#1504 1 year ago

Still grinding out work around the house- 12 hours of tree work on Saturday followed by installing 2 Pella windows on Sunday. Roughed in the third window last night and hope to rough in the last tonight. Running out of time as fall is moving in fast! Wife unit is NOT happy about that, were already seeing nights in the 30's.

Only have two trees left to go thank God. Part of clearing a number of them is simply making a path for one to fall away from the house. The last one is a tall brute were going to drop in the neighbors lot with help from a friend.

Rocky and Bullwinkle is scheduled to leave this Friday and Vector not far behind.

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#1505 1 year ago

Took yesterday off from work and got the windows done! Lots of trim and sealing work so it is as good as it is going to get. 9 hours of work yesterday alone, glad that is behind me.

If that wasn't enough, rebuilt the high voltage section on the SDB for Kings of Steel, displays now running at 168VDC.

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#1506 1 year ago

Rocky and Bullwinkle is sold!

Spent Saturday moving pins; Star Trek and Rollercoaster Tycoon are in for the winter, LW3 and Checkpoint are out. Shuffling the lineup around took several hours. Not sure what I'm doing with LW3 or Checkpoint yet, might put them up for sale or just put into storage for now.

Blackout is moved to the stall of shame, when I get some free time in a few weeks I'll look at the MPU and figure out why it won't boot.

Sunday was lawnmower repair, church, trenching behind the garage for drainage and repairing two come-alongs so the last two trees can be dropped. Bad welding Harbor Freight, bad welding.

My welding repair is a touch more robust and will not fail again.

Vector scheduled to depart on Thursday. High Speed I have to bring to my buddies and setup at his place for loan.

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#1507 1 year ago

So I lied.

Was a pretty much a zombie at work today I was so beat so no physical labor going on tonight. Decided to whack Blackout with the geek hammer a bit. Swapped a chip or two, replaced the cap on the MPU, reflowed some solder. nope, nope, nope.

pincoder was nice enough to chime in on the Williams bulletproofing thread and suggested downloading some troubleshooting roms. His documentation is excellent, when I get a few bucks I'll have to hit up his tip jar! Narrowed it down to the main 6821 PIA on the MPU which was the infamous AMI brand... the desoldering station got fired up right quick, the board was socketed and the chip was replaced with a fine vintage Motorola 6821 and Blackout sprang back to life!

Nice restful evening.
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#1508 1 year ago

https://theconservativetreehouse.com/blog/2022/10/18/new-england-power-officials-warn-of-pending-winter-crisis-as-natual-gas-prices-skyrocket-and-electricity-is-likely-to-be-rationed/

"New England ISO expects the grid will be stable if there’s a mild-to-moderate winter. However, if there’s an extreme cold spell across the Northeast, then grid chaos could unfold: “The grid overall is in a much tighter position."

Glad I started on the solar this summer, I need to get the next dozen panels up on the roof ASAP. Massachusetts utilities have already asked to hike rates an astounding 64%, Connecticut will not be far behind.

Rolling blackouts are actually being discussed.

#1509 1 year ago
Quoted from gdonovan:

https://theconservativetreehouse.com/blog/2022/10/18/new-england-power-officials-warn-of-pending-winter-crisis-as-natual-gas-prices-skyrocket-and-electricity-is-likely-to-be-rationed/
"New England ISO expects the grid will be stable if there’s a mild-to-moderate winter. However, if there’s an extreme cold spell across the Northeast, then grid chaos could unfold: “The grid overall is in a much tighter position."
Glad I started on the solar this summer, I need to get the next dozen panels up on the roof ASAP. Massachusetts utilities have already asked to hike rates an astounding 64%, Connecticut will not be far behind.
Rolling blackouts are actually being discussed.

We in RI got hit with a 47% increase on electric, nuts..

#1510 1 year ago
Quoted from Irishbastard:

We in RI got hit with a 47% increase on electric, nuts..

I'm looking to offload one or two more items and leave the very heavy or very light loads on grid. The very heavy loads won't matter in a power outage (a/c, dryer, oven) and the light loads won't really dent the power bill anyways.

Steady middle of the road loads like freezer, refrigerator, ventilation seem to have the biggest impact month to month. a/c in the summer of course will spike the bill but I'm more concerned with keeping the basics running if the power goes out.

12 more panels and another inverter just came in last week, might do some welding this weekend for the framework.

#1511 1 year ago

So after being wrapped up for 26 days I finally had a chance to setup Cyclone. I really liked the game at Pintastic and was looking for a longer play at home.

Disappointment started right away when it was powered up, no boot.

So in short order reflowed headers to power board, fixed GI string out, reflowed lamp board relay so different GI string worked, replaced some flashers, adjusted pop bumper spoons. Still have a flasher or two to fix but it plays reliably now.

Sadly I'm not keen on it for some reason. I'll give it some playtime for a few weeks but I think it will moved along as well. It's a really nice example, should move quickly.

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#1512 1 year ago
Quoted from gdonovan:

Sadly I'm not keen on it for some reason.

It’s a fun game, but honestly I like Hurricane better. Most people prefer Cyclone. I would put a little more time on it before you kick it out the door.

#1513 1 year ago
Quoted from Colsond3:

It’s a fun game, but honestly I like Hurricane better. Most people prefer Cyclone. I would put a little more time on it before you kick it out the door.

Oh I'm going to, not sure why this one is where it is compared to the other one I played. Once I get the lighting finished I'll start tweaking the gameplay and level. The pop switches were so bad the ball would just fall onto the skirt with a "thud" and nothing would happen. Much more lively now.

#1514 1 year ago

I never want to hear about "Data East" GI problems again CrazyLevi ! I have never seen a pin so rife with GI connector issues and GI connections with bad solder joints like this Cyclone.

The 555 sockets are literally falling off the backbox PCB's! Got most of them fixed now, changed out a lot of the lamps to Comet LED's and have to wait for another order to come in.

#1515 1 year ago

It's growing on me.

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#1516 1 year ago

Trying to figure out what I don't like about Cyclone and what I do like about other Williams and I have to conclude it is the sound packages. I love both Blackout and Sorcerer which both have a very 80's raw & bold quality to them combined with excellent layouts but games like Cyclone & Grand Lizard fall short. The music on Cyclone is a very weak and uninspiring midi melody to my ears.

Space Shuttle had some pretty good sound and loved the theme but the gameplay got shallow for me pretty quick. Firepower also sounded good but the game seemed to geared to getting multiball.. and then what? Not much.

#1517 1 year ago

I have a Mata Hari playfield and backglass that I am going to drop into my Supersonic cabinet. Any recommendations on how / where to store the Supersonic playfield? The Mata Hari has been on my bench for months. I do not want to now rotate my Supersonic to the bench. I was thinking of making a cradle to fit inside the legs under the cabinet to store the playfield. Basically make it so the playfield sits like it is on rails as if it was inside the cabinet.

#1518 1 year ago
Quoted from Skidave:

I have a Mata Hari playfield and backglass that I am going to drop into my Supersonic cabinet. Any recommendations on how / where to store the Supersonic playfield? The Mata Hari has been on my bench for months. I do not want to now rotate my Supersonic to the bench. I was thinking of making a cradle to fit inside the legs under the cabinet to store the playfield. Basically make it so the playfield sits like it is on rails as if it was inside the cabinet.

Very possible; make a pair of brackets that attached to the legs so you can slide it in.

#1519 1 year ago
Quoted from Skidave:

I have a Mata Hari playfield and backglass that I am going to drop into my Supersonic cabinet. Any recommendations on how / where to store the Supersonic playfield? The Mata Hari has been on my bench for months. I do not want to now rotate my Supersonic to the bench. I was thinking of making a cradle to fit inside the legs under the cabinet to store the playfield. Basically make it so the playfield sits like it is on rails as if it was inside the cabinet.

I made a special shelf with removable separators to store my unused playfields and heads. I only have 1 playfield now, the rest of the playfields them have been passed on to others. The picture below shows the concept.

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#1520 1 year ago
Quoted from gdonovan:

Very possible; make a pair of brackets that attached to the legs so you can slide it in.

Yes, that is what I was thinking. I need something simple and compact to be under the existing cabinet.

Quoted from Mrg50:

I made a special shelf with removable separators to store my unused playfields and heads. I only have 1 playfield now, the rest of the playfields them have been passed on to others. The picture below shows the concept.[quoted image]

I like the storage divider unit. I wish I had more playfields and backglasses that needed to be stored.

#1521 1 year ago

I made a basic wood box which I store under a machine. Box has internal rails so the playfield can rest correctly like in the game. Not all that elegant or compact, but keeps the playfield dry & protected while stored - I swap between two Firepower playfields, the standard pf in the box & another pf (in the game atm) which I have converted to drop targets.

At least the cat was impressed, I think.
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#1522 1 year ago
Quoted from Joydivision:

I made a basic wood box which I store under a machine. Box has internal rails so the playfield can rest correctly like in the game. Not all that elegant or compact, but keeps the playfield dry & protected while stored - I swap between two Firepower playfields, the standard pf in the box & another pf (in the game atm) which I have converted to drop targets.
At least the cat was impressed, I think.
[quoted image][quoted image]

I like that, nice job!

#1523 1 year ago

Speaking of nice job.. and I think I can make it better still.

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#1524 1 year ago
Quoted from gdonovan:

Speaking of nice job.. and I think I can make it better still

That’s a pretty decent reduction already, also must be very satisfying having done that system install job yourself too.

#1525 1 year ago
Quoted from Joydivision:

That’s a pretty decent reduction already, also must be very satisfying having done that system install job yourself too.

Thank you!

Big push in the next two weeks to finish up I'm in the middle of digging another trench for conduit (groan)

When I'm finished the main system will have 24 panels, 2 MPPT 40 amp controllers, 24V battery bank and 3 24V 2000 watt inverters with automatic/manual relay switching for certain loads with controls inside the house and semi-concealed 12v emergency lighting in each room.

The secondary system (garage) will have 8 panels, a single MPPT 40 amp controller, 12V battery bank, 12V 2000 watt inverter and can be crosslinked with house in event of emergency should more 110v power be required. At the same time I'm running a new 220v line to the garage and air line from the compressor as well as a 12V battery feed.

The garage already has it's own 12V RV lamps for lighting.

10
#1526 1 year ago

Rest in Peace Miss Harley, you had a good run and thanks for being in our lives.

She died peacefully and unexpectedly today, a rescue cat about 15 years old.

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#1527 1 year ago

Hard, hard weekend but a major milestone; Trenched out 30 feet of yard to code depth (by hand) and installed electrical conduit from the workshop to the house. This will allow me to have proper power to the workshop, redundant power feed to the house from the workshop solar and a PV line to the charge controller from the remote panels. Tomorrow is November and cutting it close! Already had a few days dip down into the 30's.

And of course it is not New England without a fine crop of boulders to heft out of the way.

Pull cable later this week after my hands and arms recover.

The free oil tank is for a project in the spring/summer. It came home Saturday morning.

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#1528 1 year ago

Happy Halloween to those that celebrate!

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#1529 1 year ago

Heading into the home stretch before winter sets in! And then can get back to serious pinball stuff =)

Last night my right knee was on fire, I guess trench digging for 2 days and then toting a proton pack about for an additional made something angry. Aside from hanging some neon that I splurged for, easy night.

Pinball; Had a guy call that he wanted JP Lost World like right away! Could I deliver! I'm really busy now so he said he will come down on Saturday and pickup, we will see. Still have to deliver High Speed to my buddies house so he can enjoy it for a few months. Cyclone I'm almost wrapped up, it's ok but not pushing any of my hot buttons so might see up for sale by this weekend.

Anyone looking for a Defender arcade cabinet? Might be listing soon along with Centipede cocktail mame table.

Major stuff left to do on the house before the snow flies. (this is list for me)

1) Pull cable(s) to workshop. DONE
2) Breaker panel for 220V, outlets DONE
3) Third solar control & wiring, split off panels for workshop DONE
4) 12 panels, main roof (need to weld up framework, run PV wiring) DONE
5) 4 panels secondary roof, (need to weld up framework, run PV wiring) DONE
6) House control panel for inverter power control and status, emergency 12v lighting
7) Install emergency 12v lighting. This is mostly for my wife whom I worry about and will be more convenient than having portable lights. They are small and unobtrusive but throw off good light. The house lighting is not hooked into the solar.. yet.. as I'm more concerned with keeping critical items functioning with the solar. They will pull 12v off the workshop 12v battery bank so no draw off the main 24v batteries.

After that is done the house is set aside from cutting down 2-3 more trees and splitting the wood and frankly I can do that out in the cold/snow if need be. Not as pressing as the stuff in the list above.
Screenshot 2022-11-01 at 05-07-42 Amazon.com KITASST 12V LED Lights for RV Interior Ultra-Thin Dimmable Recessed Ceiling Puck LiScreenshot 2022-11-01 at 05-07-42 Amazon.com KITASST 12V LED Lights for RV Interior Ultra-Thin Dimmable Recessed Ceiling Puck LiScreenshot 2022-11-01 at 05-07-58 Amazon.com KITASST 12V LED Lights for RV Interior Ultra-Thin Dimmable Recessed Ceiling Puck LiScreenshot 2022-11-01 at 05-07-58 Amazon.com KITASST 12V LED Lights for RV Interior Ultra-Thin Dimmable Recessed Ceiling Puck Lib7338d7b8b7239c5db6041e0639188a25ab3463b (resized).jpgb7338d7b8b7239c5db6041e0639188a25ab3463b (resized).jpg20221031_153315 (resized).jpg20221031_153315 (resized).jpg

#1530 1 year ago

Cable pull is complete.

#1531 1 year ago

Jurassic Park Lost World has exited the building! Sold local.

#1532 1 year ago

Breaker panel for 220V, outlets DONE

Over 16 hours of electrical work and shop cleaning this weekend, not much rest.

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#1533 1 year ago

The additional solar controller for the main array was installed last night and powered up, need to pull the cables now for the secondary array and get ready to weld up the panel framework.

#1534 1 year ago

Truck service completed last night along with plumbing of the new air line to compressor and reel, progress!

#1535 1 year ago

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Day off to burn vacation time, no rest! Pallet racking as heavy duty storage.

#1536 1 year ago

And another neon sign

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#1537 1 year ago

3) Third solar control & wiring, split off panels for workshop
5) 4 panels secondary roof, (need to weld up framework, run PV wiring)

If all goes well this weekend, these two items will be put to bed.

#1538 1 year ago

Hefting up on the roof after church.

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#1539 1 year ago

Finished in the dark, but finished.

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#1540 1 year ago

10/3 wiring came in and so I was able to complete the 220v feed from the main panel and 12v emergency battery feed! Already starting to think about finishing that Flash Gordon playfield.

#1541 1 year ago

This restoration journey has been amazing to watch. Awesome job Gdonovan!

#1542 1 year ago
Quoted from TroyS:

This restoration journey has been amazing to watch. Awesome job Gdonovan!

Thank you! I'm really getting excited to almost be at the end of the house repairs and upgrades so I can bunker down in the workshop for winter with pinball projects!

#1543 1 year ago

All four inverters now have a common access point if needed in the basement. 8000 watts of inverter power available right there, 60 hz pure sine wave.

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#1544 1 year ago

Just read this thread. I am amazed at your skill set. Are you an electrical engineer?

#1545 1 year ago
Quoted from Pinslot:

Just read this thread. I am amazed at your skill set. Are you an electrical engineer?

Decades of practical experience in low and high voltage systems, automotive electrical (Chrysler trained & certified) RV electrical (DC & AC) HVAC systems, various alarm systems and egress control and Onan generator certified.

#1546 1 year ago

I'm toying with the idea of a second Centaur again, just sourced the last drop target mech.

Have new playfield, new guides (Mantis), 4 bank memory drops, orbs drops, queens chamber drops, and pop bumper assemblies.

At this point the biggest hindrance is the under playfield ball handling assembly which I was considering 3D printing in ABS.

I'll have to chew on this a bit more while I finish up other projects first.

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#1547 1 year ago
Quoted from gdonovan:

At this point the biggest hindrance is the under playfield ball handling assembly which I was considering 3D printing in ABS.

That would be a challenge! Quite a few dedicated parts their to replicate that would have to be 3D printed in metal, some are converted parts like with the two different flipper assemblies repurposed although the linear assembly has a different custom baseplate. Most of the trough guide parts above the playfield are dedicated parts too with small differences.

Taking a closer look at the ball handling components, you probably could print most of the assembles in ABS if thick/strong enough or fabricate out of sheet metal for some components.

#1548 1 year ago
Quoted from Joydivision:

That would be a challenge! Quite a few dedicated parts their to replicate that would have to be 3D printed in metal, some are converted parts like with the two different flipper assemblies repurposed although the linear assembly has a different custom baseplate.

Oh I wasn't going to direct 1 to 1 replication.

There is no reason for example why the under playfied ball shooter (which looks like an axe) can't be replaced with a DE/Stern style VUK shooter. The internal rail to the trap door can be replaced with clear tubing (like Xenon)

The upper trough part above the playfield looks like stock Bally hardware can be used with some modification or I can print something out with ABS and have just a metal trap door. If I can 3D print the major assemblies, I'll consider doing harnesses again.

I'm sure if I can offer a harness and trough package there would be a number of people interested in scratch building Centaur.

This was my initial plan before a pinsider graciously sold me a semi-loaded Centaur playfield.

#1549 1 year ago

Plugging away! Found 43 more watts today by replacing a fixture in basement.

54 watts vs. 9 watts.

Off to a late start, spent a few hours doing mortar repairs to the fireplace, old house problems..

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#1550 1 year ago
Quoted from gdonovan:

There is no reason for example why the under playfied ball shooter (which looks like an axe) can't be replaced with a DE/Stern style VUK shooter. The internal rail to the trap door can be replaced with clear tubing (like Xenon)

Ah Ok, I should have realised that you would be adapting & modifying another type of under playfield ball delivery setup to work - I haven't ever looked at any other types.

Would be great to see the end result & their would be a lot of interest for sure if you did a harness & trough package.

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