Black Knight switch issue :(

Silverunicorn

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Donor 2011-2012
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Having some issues with my Black Knight.

To preface - The Power Supply and MPU / Driver Boards have been replaced with Rottendog Boards.

Sometimes the machine will not start. Sometimes it just sits there during a game without ejecting any balls.

I have narrowed it down to the upper ball trough/ Here's the strange thing. If all 3 balls are in the upper ball lock trough, the machine just sits there. The game is still running, but nothing ejects.

If I go into the switch test when this happens, all 3 upper lock ball trough switches DO register in the test.

Rottendog said they have nto heard of this issue, and did not really have any conclusinve answers to what the issue might be. I have removed and re-seated all the switch plugs on the board as well.

Any other ideas?

I was so happy to have the machine running again, now it's not again :(

Chris
 
there was a thread about that switch area yesterday.
on mine the first time i dealt with the switch in the upper ball trough the blade had been mangled into an s shape due to the angles the ball kept hitting the nylon nub.

did you check all the switches for alignment and function up there?
sometimes when the first ball is in that trough and the switch doesn't close, it causes no ball activity.

the system won't start a game unless all balls are accounted for. gotta be a switch not getting sensed properly in one of the ball storage areas. (the card on the game even says all balls must be cleared to start game)
 
did you check all the switches for alignment and function up there?
sometimes when the first ball is in that trough and the switch doesn't close, it causes no ball activity.

yep, I checked them via the diagnostic switch test:


If I go into the switch test when this happens, all 3 upper lock ball trough switches DO register in the test.

I will physically check the switches again to be 100% certain, but all the switches to register in the tests.


Chris
 
Be sure to clean the contacts of all of those switches with a business card dipped in rubbing alcohol. Also be sure to use a ball to test the switches and not your finger. Those upper trough switches take a ton of abuse and Williams found out very quickly that leaf switches were not ideal for that application. In fact they released a bulletin and guide on how to convert them to microswitches...
 
Be sure to clean the contacts of all of those switches with a business card dipped in rubbing alcohol. Also be sure to use a ball to test the switches and not your finger. Those upper trough switches take a ton of abuse and Williams found out very quickly that leaf switches were not ideal for that application. In fact they released a bulletin and guide on how to convert them to microswitches...

I ran the switch test with the 3 balls in the upper lock trouch, and all 3 did register. I was nto testing them with my finger, but I will re-clean the switches again.

Chris
 
really?! do you have a link to that bulletin. I think that sounds wise. getting to that area of the board kinks my neck every time. i'd love to not have to deal with it any longer. :)
 
Last edited:
LOL that scan of mine sure is making the rounds these days since I uploaded it to my website and IPDB.

-Hans

I uploaded it to my site as I'm vehemently against "stealing" bandwidth and hotlinking. Found it on Google, decided to mirror it before posting... Wasn't intending to take any credit for it. :)

Edited the original post to give credit where it's due!
 
FIXED!!!!!

This was a bizarre intermittent switch issue in the 2nd upper ball lock trough.

#42 specifically.

Would register in test with all balls in the upper lock. Would not start a game. then it would nto register.


Turns out, I made an adjustment to it. It was close enough to register *sometimes*, but not 100%.

An adjustment to the leaf on the switch and it is 100% again.

So the moral is....Look at EVERYTHING, even thought it shows working.

Chris
 
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