I'm trying to dial in my LOTR flippers and had a couple questions which are probably pretty basic. I find after the lots of playing it does seem they get weaker but I also wonder if they are not as strong as they could be right off the bat.

1) In the switch tests I see there is an "ded switch" test which flashes both the left and right EOS when I'm in it. If i move the flipper with my hand it doesn't seem to change the behavior during this test - does that mean my flippers are not properly opening the EOS switches? Would that result in my weaker flippers, esp after playing lots?

2) I feel like my right flipper is awfully close to the playfield - it doesn't seem to be scratching. I've tried placing a credit card between the busing and the flipper but then I feel like it have to much "slop" and I get loud buzzing and it feels like it's not plunging as smooth as when I have a nice tight fit by pushing down on the flipper and up on the link. Any tips on keeping the mechanism tight but making sure its not going to scratch the playfield?

Thanks!

Ok so I've rebuilt the flippers and they are better. I've also added a washer under the right flipper and its a perfect height.

I now want to make the flippers the best they can be. Maximum power that lasts consistently throughout an extended playtime.

I've read all about flipper Adj 51,52,53 and also all about EOS adjustments. What I am looking for advice on is whether its better to try to reduce Adj 51="5" from "20", 53 to "0" from "3" to reduce unnecessary coil time (=heat). I have this currently and this seems to have made my flippers somewhat softer, so I'm wondering if I need to visit my EOS gap and make it the 1/8" recommended or if it's better to just adjust 53 up slightly again to restore the additional power? How much extra heat does a ms of max power really generate?

I've looked all over but nothing concrete on whether these flipper adjustments are preferred over adjusting the EOS (which initial checks looks good). I assume I want to fire the coil for just long enough for max power but not a millisecond longer to avoid the dreaded heat build up and weakness over time. I've seen some posts indicate that these adjustments didnt really do anything one way or the other so I'd love to hear some specific feedback.