Crispy Connectors

Nerbflong

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Playing my Bally game show pin I noticed the flashing marquee lights in the back were getting dim. So looking into it I first checked the connector on the small PCB that drives those lights in the top box. I had already replaced connectors on the PCB boards in the playfield area so it had to be up top. Yup, the pins there too were loose, dirty and the connector was a bit flakey. So in the process of replacing the connectors, I did what I knew I was going to do; drop a screw down the backside. Grrr! It pachinko'ed all the way down to the bottom fortunately, though I still had to hunt for it.

In looking for the screw, I found this connector on the bottom board that powers all the lights. It was hidden behind a bundle of wires and a casual inspection would never have found it (okay, so I'm lazy)

CrispyConnector.jpg



No wonder all the lights were looking dim!!

Promply replaced the pins on the PCB and put in a new connector. Yay! Bright lights again!
 
Yes, did the right thing!

Doing just the connector, will result in the same thing happening again.

The male pins have lost their coating and resistance builds up causing this.
 
Last edited:
He said he replaced both.


I really hate the IDC connectors. Luckily they don't meet military specifications so I don't have to worry abut them at work...
 
Just make sure to drop the power going across the connection, or eventually it still will happen again. If you've got #44 lamps in there, swap them out for #47's at the very least.

-Hans
 
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