Star Tech Journal

october 1994
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STAR*TECH JOURNAL
GE)
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WILLIAMS
OPTICAL SVVITCH RELIABILITY
Jonathan Deitch
Game Tech
Atlanta, Georgia
SUBJECT
In response to the observation reported in the last issue by Evan Wessel: "I'm sorry to say that the
widespread use of optical switches in newer Williams pinball games is causing reliability problems. Most
operators are having difficulty identifying and repairing these circuits which are often intermittent. Reli-
ability C(ln be improved by stronger component lead strength which can hold up to vibration. This is
especially true in under playfield ball troughs."
UPGRADE
SncKYTIP
Reliability would be greatly improved if the com-
ponents on the trough boards (this is the 7-ball
emitter and detector boards) weren't mounted as
flush to the playfields. Williams does have an up-
grade which is nice: Resistors aren't so closely
packed and the board now mounts on rubber
shock mounts.
The main problem I have with the trough boards
(and the other opto boards) is emitter LEDs and
detector phototransistors breaking off their legs
due to vibration. This has already happened four
times on Demolition Man's up-kicker. A little hot
glue around the base of the part to secure it to the
board seems to help quite a bit.
RGB PATTERN GENERATOR
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