Star Tech Journal

STAR*TECH Journal
April 1993
SYMPTOM
Ball gets stuck on the upper
playfield at the exit of the ball
popper.
the right flipper at the same
time, the ball will get trapped
behind the flipper.
SOLUTION
CAUSE
This symptom is common for
any game where a ball is deliv-
ered from an exit chute and
dropped onto the playfield.
Over time, a small divot may
appear in the playfield where a
ball can get trapped.
SOLUTION
First, make sure your game is
properly pitched; If the prob-
lem continues, apply a small
circle of mylar over the divot.
This should alleviate the prob-
lem.
WHITEWATER
MINI
If there is only a slight protru-
sion of the ramp above the
playfield, a piece of adhesive
mylar placed over the joint
should prevent the problem
from happening. Make sure
the surface is clean and wax
free before applying the mylar.
On one occasion we experi-
enced the ramp sitting a full
sixteenth of an inch higher
than the playfield. Our only
alternative was to grind down
the underside of the ramp to
ensure a flush fit.
Williams has informed me
that this is not a chronic prob-
lem and may only appear on a
few of the earlier Whitewater
pinballs.
CAUSE
Although the 5 volts measures
good, it has about 2 volts of
ripple riding on it which stops
the game from working prop-
erly.
SOLUTION
Check the main filters: C5 &
C6 for an open. We have seen
this type of supply used on
some of the newer Sega and
Williams video games and
have experienced the same
problem each time.
The original capacitors are
rated for operation up to 85
degrees C. If 105C caps are
available they would probably
hold, up better.
JOYSTICK
MAINTENANCE
PLAYFIELD
TIP
RAMP
MIGHTY POWER
PROBLEMS
MP-3089C
SYMPTOM
POWER
Ball gets stuck behind the top
right flipper.
SUPPLY
CAUSE
The ramp leading down from
the upper playfield does not sit
flush with the playfield sur-
face. If the ball is traveling
slowly enough, it can ride
along the edge of the ramp en-
try and if the player operates
FAILURE
SYMPTOM
Loss of game logic and sound.
The LED on the supply is lit
and a measurement of the
+5Vdc indicates that it is
present.
SYMPTOM
With games like Street Fighter
II and Mortal Kombat, joy-
sticks have been taking quite a
beating lately.
SOLUTION
After replacing literally hun-
dreds of microswitches on
these games we discovered
that by applying a thin coating
of grease to the joystick actua-
tors we saw a dramatic de-
creasein the number of switch
related problems.