Diverter Magnetized

Cmndr Brain

Well-known member

Donor 8 years: 2011, 2013, 2015, 2017, 2019, 2021, 2023, 2025
Joined
Oct 10, 2006
Messages
1,420
Reaction score
299
Location
Endicott, New York
I've had this problem before on a different machine, but my Funhouse left diverter is magnetized. It's kind of like the coin lockouts where a coil attracts a plate of metal to a fixed core to move a diverter. But, the fixed coil shaft is now permanently, yet weakly, magnetized and will not release the diverter unless there is enough game vibrations, such as repeatedly activating the left flipper. Is there any way to de-magnetize the coil shaft? Right now, I just placed a piece of electrical tape on the metal plate which keeps the plate from touching the fixed coil shaft and allows the diverter to spring back but, though cheap doesn't feel right as a fix.
 
Swap wires and if there is a diode turn it around, if you have ground on the left side move it to the right and vice. The diode too.

Rodger Kilgore
 
I don't remember that diverter assembly, but if there is a screw holding the core of that coil in place it needs to be a brass screw.

Rodger Kilgore
 
If you invert the DC power to the coil, like I suggested, it will demagnetize the core after a few uses and the brass screw will keep it from happening again.

Rodger Kilgore
 
I should have said demagnetize the core then replace the screw with a brass one. It would also be a good idea to put a brass washer in there as well, you are trying to make it so steel is not in direct contact with steel. That is why you see a little brass ring on coil stops.

Rodger Kilgore
 
I re-wired the coil. There was no diode on the coil itself. I believe that the screw is already a brass screw, but the next time I open the game I'll check it with a magnet and change it if necessary. So far, just changing the polarity hasn't fixed the problem, yet. Maybe after a few more games. I'll also try to take a pic. Thanks for your input. It's just funny that I've had the game for 2 years now and it gets played the most and now, all of a sudden, this happens. To be continued...
 
You could try coil test and have it repeat on that coil. If the screw is brass it will not demagnetize the core, someone may have used a steel screw until it became magnetized then put the brass screw back.

Rodger Kilgore
 
Back
Top Bottom