Fix for intermittent or bad Scoop switch.
My new GnR LE with 10 plays developed an intermittent switch sensor in the center scoop. Sometimes the ball would sit in the scoop until the game went into ball search mode. I adjusted the position of the switch about 5 times and each time the problem returned. I finally took the switch out of the game and while in test mode found that the switch was defective internally.
While working on the problem and making adjustments to the switch position, I also came to the conclusion that there are several problems with the design of the scoop sensor in GnR.
First, the switch has a very short arm with a small roller at the end of that arm. IMG_5856 (resized).JPEG
Second, it protrudes very little into the hole that the ball sits in. It will only catch the edge of the ball if the ball is properly centered in the hole and finally, the weight on the edge of the ball is sometimes not enough to activate the switch.
I decided to improve upon the design of the scoop sensor while replacing the defective switch. Here's what I did.
I started with a typical rollover switch.
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I installed a new diode and shortened the arm on the switch. I left the 90 degree bend and about 1/4" after the bend.
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The mounting position of the scoop switch lines up directly with the VUK itself so I bent the arm horizontally such that once installed, the tip of the arm would not interfere with the operation of the VUK.
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I installed the switch normally and the scoop switch now works perfectly. Here is the switch installed:
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The problems with the original design:
1) The arm is short, requiring more pressure to activate the switch.
2) The point where the ball contacts the arm is near the edge of the ball. Only a portion of the weight of the ball will rest on the switch.
3) Adjusting the switch up or down on its mount covers a small range, much of that useless.
The advantages of my redesign are:
1) The arm of the switch is longer. This means less pressure is required to activate the switch.
2) The point where the ball comes in contact is more near the center of the ball which means almost the entire weight of the ball will act on the arm to activate the switch.
3) Adjusting the switch up or down on its mount covers a larger range of motion at the end of the arm.
I hope this helps others experiencing similar issues with their Scoop sensor on GnR.
BTW - I love this game!