STTNG: Clean the optos for Color DMD

Hello all! My STTNG's right lower flipper all of a sudden seems to have lost high power. It still has full range of motion but when held in the up position it vibrates. It does not have enough "emuph" to even get the ball to the high end of the playfield.

I rebuilt the flippers last month. So it isn't a matter of having a dirty coil or plunger (I don't think).

Do you think I broke my coil somehow?

If you remember, I had a slew of problems with the left flipper when I got the game. That one works great now.

Thanks!

#2 11 years ago

LTG

Pinside member

Since your soldering skills improved - I'd reflow the solder on the coil lugs first.

And be sure you still have a tiny bit of up and down play on the flipper so the pawl isn't binding under the playfield.

Long shot after that pull the plunger assembly out and be sure it still swivels freely where the pawl hooks to the plunger.

If this is one of the crappy old coils like in your last pictures - I'd replace it on general principle alone.

LTG : )

#3 11 years ago

???

Shoot_Again

Pinside member

Vancouver, WA

12y 83,400 8,453 2

Do you have old fliptronics boards on it? When you go into test menu and press flipper do you get both active switches hit? Go through LTGs list first but maybe another thought the boards are not too expensive. With the chatter described it is more likely one of his suggestion IMO.

Best of luck getting it all running right.

#4 11 years ago

JSS

Stack15

Inactive member

It just occured to me that I did put the color dmd in since the last time I played it. I had to replug something from J116. I wonder if that was flipper related.

#5 11 years ago

LTG

Pinside member

OP
Quoted from Stack15:
It just occured to me that I did put the color dmd in since the last time I played it. I had to replug something from J116. I wonder if that was flipper related.

Unplug it and see. ( the big connector not the ribbon cable )

You can play a game without the DMD plugged in.

Others are having power issues with that and STNG.

LTG : )

#6 11 years ago

JSS

Stack15

Inactive member

I busted the tools back out!

image.jpg image.jpg

#7 11 years ago

JSS

Stack15

Inactive member

Reflowing the connections didn't help. So sad.

#8 11 years ago

JSS

Stack15

Inactive member

Unplugged the color DMD and the flipper works great. What gives???

image.jpg

#9 11 years ago

LTG

Pinside member

OP
Quoted from Stack15:
Unplugged the color DMD and the flipper works great. What gives???

Need a separate power source for the LCD.

LTG : )

#10 11 years ago

JSS

Stack15

Inactive member

Yeah. I just read where people are doing that. I am going to have to put the old display back in and wait for a how to article. Or maybe the color DMD people will take care of it.

#11 11 years ago

KJF

Trekie

Pinside+ Frequent

Round Lake, IL

12y 69,800 591 23 26

Check TP 1 for 12volts.
If low BR1 may need to be replaced.

#12 11 years ago

LTG

Pinside member

Quoted from Trekie:
Check TP 1 for 12volts.
If low BR1 may need to be replaced.

Not in this case, the color DMD's draw too much power.

Been a recent development/problem.

LTG : )

#13 11 years ago

SMB

Concretehardt

Pinside+ Frequent

Eugene, OR

11y 145K 10,075 2 27

This must only be an issue with STNG color DMD I have had zero issues with my MM color DMD

#14 11 years ago

LTG

Pinside member

Quoted from Concretehardt:
This must only be an issue with STNG color DMD I have had zero issues with my MM color DMD

Yes and just discovered this week.

LTG : )

#15 11 years ago

AST

Astropin

Pinside+ Member

11y 125K 8,909

Oh.....another thing. I have a fair number of LED's in mine.....maybe that's offsetting the power drain?

#16 11 years ago

AST

Astropin

Pinside+ Member

11y 125K 8,909

Where did my first post go where I mentioned I'm not seeing any issues on mine?

I have the higher power flipper coils installed also.

#17 11 years ago

JSS

Stack15

Inactive member

No problems with my TAF color DMD. Apparently it is too many optos with STTNG. This explains why there isn't a color display for TZ already. I wish I had the skill to build a power supply just for the DMD. I saw that mentioned in another thread and there are instructions - but way over my head.

#18 11 years ago

PPP

pauloz

Inactive member

11y 93,400 1,514 13 26

Have all 4 color dmd's and dont have a problem.......could just be lucky

#19 11 years ago

JSS

Stack15

Inactive member