a GI issue with conditions

beerorkid

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Here is a Q for ya. I am working on a funhouse and GI worked fine for a while and then the GI started blowing fuses. The connectors are still IDC, but in pristine condition. I think the problem started after I had put new rubbers on a few areas. When tearing down the playfield to clean it, I noticed that I did not have the left sling shot rubber on correctly and it was resting on the bulb, which basically became the peg for the side by the inlane because I missed the post it should of been on.

I could put a new fuse in and leave it powered on and it would not blow, but once I started playing it would blow the fuse after a minute or two.

1. Could the bulb being stressed by the rubber have shorted it somehow?

2. can bulbs actually fail in a way that they short out and blow fuses?

Going to continue to clean the machine and replace all bulbs and hope the issue goes away before I go through the pain of finding the issue. Bummer is that it only happened during gameplay, not in attract mode.

3. Last question is can I power on the game with most of the connections from ramps and upper playfield parts not connected?
 
1. Could the bulb being stressed by the rubber have shorted it somehow?

Yes. might be the rubber torqued on the bulb and moved the tang that connects the bottom of the bulb over to the side of the socket and its shorting out.

2. can bulbs actually fail in a way that they short out and blow fuses?

Yes but 2 bulbs or sockets shorting might be some what improbable but possible depending on the cause of the fault

3. Last question is can I power on the game with most of the connections from ramps and upper playfield parts not connected?

Yes. if you do it a few times you might get an error message as the computer might detect a fault. a normally closed switch that cant be "seen" by the CPU and after a certain amount of non-opens or it cant see the closed switch, it might throw an error message after a predetermined amount of time. the software will keep the game running so it can earn money yet throw an error message so the OP knows theres a problem. a normally open switch, the CPU might never know its disconnected as it thinks its functioning properly.

i'd take the bulb out and look down in there and see if you can detect a problem. i like to run my dremel tool down in there with a brass brush tip to clean up the general situation and then hit the socket with a vacuum and/or compressed air to get out any foreign material
 
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Here is a Q for ya. I am working on a funhouse and GI worked fine for a while and then the GI started blowing fuses. The connectors are still IDC, but in pristine condition. I think the problem started after I had put new rubbers on a few areas. When tearing down the playfield to clean it, I noticed that I did not have the left sling shot rubber on correctly and it was resting on the bulb, which basically became the peg for the side by the inlane because I missed the post it should of been on.

I could put a new fuse in and leave it powered on and it would not blow, but once I started playing it would blow the fuse after a minute or two.

1. Could the bulb being stressed by the rubber have shorted it somehow?

2. can bulbs actually fail in a way that they short out and blow fuses?

Going to continue to clean the machine and replace all bulbs and hope the issue goes away before I go through the pain of finding the issue. Bummer is that it only happened during gameplay, not in attract mode.

3. Last question is can I power on the game with most of the connections from ramps and upper playfield parts not connected?

If you keep blowing a fuse, you might be able to test using a small circuit breaker like these:

http://www.greatplainselectronics.com/Category-56.asp

I have a different type, but the same general idea. I also have a variety of them from 1A to like 15A. Saves a lot of $$ on new fuses.

If it doesn't blow the fuse in attract mode, it might be related to a solenoid. Put the game in test mode, and run through the tests. Start with the lights and work your way to the solenoid test.
 
:)

I even asked about those here while that was happening. I just figured I would put it off later after cleaning the thing. I still need to order those. Now getting back on top of it.

If it doesn't blow the fuse in attract mode, it might be related to a solenoid. Put the game in test mode, and run through the tests. Start with the lights and work your way to the solenoid test.

What a great tip. I am going to do that. Thanks.
 
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