centaur ball release problem

robotype

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I am still troubled with this, the ball won't reach the playfield

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FK1BNxQcLCA

I have two centaur machines, the otherone is a centaur II and does not have this problem so I swapped all the possible (solenoid expander pcb, solenoid driver pcb) but it did not work. I did not change the rail though but it is straight and no rust or dirt. also the balls are new and not magnetized.

at this point I would try to install a more powerfull coil, could this be a good idea? the original coil is AO 25-950 DC I already tried a new AN 26-1200 but nothing changes...which coil should I try?
 
I am still troubled with this, the ball won't reach the playfield

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FK1BNxQcLCA

I have two centaur machines, the otherone is a centaur II and does not have this problem so I swapped all the possible (solenoid expander pcb, solenoid driver pcb) but it did not work. I did not change the rail though but it is straight and no rust or dirt. also the balls are new and not magnetized.

at this point I would try to install a more powerfull coil, could this be a good idea? the original coil is AO 25-950 DC I already tried a new AN 26-1200 but nothing changes...which coil should I try?

Make sure all of the mechanisms involved are clean and operating smoothly. Then manually ground the metal tab on the transistor on the driver board that drives that coil. If it works then replace the transistor. If it's still not strong enough I would look at the connectors throughout the game, specifically the driver and rectifier boards and wiring to the coil.

Installing a stronger coil is not a good idea. Assuming it has the correct coil installed now. Chances are good the coil is just not getting enough current.
 
Make sure all of the mechanisms involved are clean and operating smoothly. Then manually ground the metal tab on the transistor on the driver board that drives that coil. If it works then replace the transistor. If it's still not strong enough I would look at the connectors throughout the game, specifically the driver and rectifier boards and wiring to the coil.

Installing a stronger coil is not a good idea. Assuming it has the correct coil installed now. Chances are good the coil is just not getting enough current.

I already replaced the tip122 related to that coil and actually I replaced ALL the pcbs inside the head with the ones coming from my other machine. I even replaced the power module and adapter in the cabinet and all the fuses. I also replaced the solenoid expander (the relay that activates the coil) with the otherone and it turns out to be even weaker. I am sure that coil is not receiving enough current, what is the best way to test the voltage arriving to the coil (using a common tester)?
 
You've probably got a bad pin in the connector at the regulator/driver board.

Manually ground the metal tab on the transistor driving that coil and see what happens.

I am sure that coil is not receiving enough current, what is the best way to test the voltage arriving to the coil (using a common tester)?

Current and voltage are 2 different things. A voltage reading may or may not indicate a problem in this case.
 
You've probably got a bad pin in the connector at the regulator/driver board.

Manually ground the metal tab on the transistor driving that coil and see what happens.



Current and voltage are 2 different things. A voltage reading may or may not indicate a problem in this case.

sorry I am italian, current you mean the ampere? no idea how to measure that...

I grounded the darlington manually and it does not solve the problem. it shoots so weak that the ball goes back in the lane...a true mistery. I am starting to think it could be a fault at the solenoid expander...as the power of the shoots is each time slightly different, sometimes the ball actually reaches the playfield but very slowly.
 
You need to replace the connectors and pins on the boards. They wear with age and need to be replaced in order for the power to arrive to the solenoid consistently.
 
sorry I am italian, current you mean the ampere? no idea how to measure that...

I grounded the darlington manually and it does not solve the problem. it shoots so weak that the ball goes back in the lane...a true mistery. I am starting to think it could be a fault at the solenoid expander...as the power of the shoots is each time slightly different, sometimes the ball actually reaches the playfield but very slowly.

Grounding that transistor eliminates a couple of connectors but I would still take a look at all the connectors in the circuit driving that coil (third time I've mentioned that ;)). Check the solenoid expander board connectors while you're at it. If the problem was worse with a known good board you might have some bad connectors there. Also check the lamp on the solenoid expander board.

You could also manually test power straight to the coil from test points on the rectifier board to eliminate the mechanism as part of the problem. I would consider doing that before going crazy on connectors.
 
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