Best practices when removing playfield electronics

jhupka

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Donor 2011, 2021
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I'm starting on my first pinball restore (Williams Flash), and I was curious what people consider the best practice is when removing electronic items from the playfield for cleaning/refurbishment. I'm talking about stuff like drop-targets and pop-bumpers. Do you normally just de-solder and re-solder, or do you typically cut wires and add a connector in the circuit so the item can be easily removed in the future?
 
I remove them and replace them the way they are. Most parts have lasted 30yrs or more before needing service and will see very little play in the next 30yrs in comparison. I can't remember the last pop bumper skirt that I have changed for the second time. Do yourself a favor and replace the light sockets on the pop bumbers with new ones why you have them out.
 
I've done several "Flash" rebuilds over the years. The first thing I do on the playfield is to install connectors on the drop target units to make servicing faster & easier.
 
Take pictures and notes, of everything, twice. Put parts and screws in little baggies and label them. I use small ziplocks for bolts/washers/etc and tape them to the parts or bag them with small parts.
 
Thanks for the advice. I probably won't do it for the pop bumpers, but I will for the drop targets - and the drop targets are the things I'm most worried about having to adjust again later.
 
The drop target assembly on Flash seems to be the most troublesome unit. This is why installing connectors on it is a good idea. Then you can unplug it, unbolt it from the machine, and put it on the workbench to clean & adjust it.
 
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