The transformer in my Fish Tales has failed. I went online to see about buying a new one and none of my usual pin parts places have any in stock. A Google search showed a few UGLY and OLD used ones for sale and at some pretty steep prices.

Anyone know of some place that will refurbish an old one?

I did find one new one on eBay and it was $299.00!!!

Asking help of anyone who has gone through this same thing before, or ANY information on a place that sells new ones. The Williams part number is 5610-12835-00. From what I have read, you cannot cross-match or use any other transformer because of the voltage requirements.

Thanks guys,
Mike in Kentucky

I can't give the technical answer to this. A fellow Pinsider "Crash" worked on my pin this weekend and I remember him saying something was wrong with the voltage being given out by the transformer and that I needed a new one. I will ask him to come on here and explain the issue. So please DO check back.

Vid . . . . I know a place here that does such things. Since I have no idea what a pinball transformer consists of on the insides, I ruled them out as thinking they would probably only be familiar with repairing/rewinding automobile and small motor parts . . . . alternators and the like. I'm going to do a Google search and read up on how transformers are constructed. Perhaps if I can understand the components maybe a shop here in town could too and refurbish this thing.

To all of you . . . thank you for your comments!
Mike in Kentucky

Thanks SO much Vid for your pictures and your informative 'lecture'!!!! I wish I could download your brain into mine, then I would know a whole lot about most EVERYTHING!!!

Appreciate it!
Mike

Yes, the game worked perfectly as Crash said, until I got this idea to buy new ribbon cables for it because the old ones were getting really brittle and aged. The problem started once we put the new cables on.

Mike