Pinball messes with my Space Invaders

dandaw66

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I'm an EM Pinball guy and new to the arcade-side after purchasing an original Space Invaders.

All works great, but noticed when they wife was playing one of my pinballs that it causes vertical white lines briefly to appear on the SI monitor - I'm guessing something to do with voltage fluctuating as the pinball solenoids fire.

Do I need something to smooth out the power?

Would something like this do the trick?

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00DBAAJQ6/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o04_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Any thoughts/ideas very welcome - as I assume its not doing my SI machine any good!

thanks
 
Its not currently on a surge protector - hence me wondering if something like the product I suggested would solve the issue.
 
I wouldnt go that robust with a surge protector. Even the $10 jobbers do just as well for what you need.

Or, try an outlet not on that circuit to see if issue goes away
 
OK, thanks - I've got one of those cheap multi-socket extensions that I think has (in theory anyway) surge protection. I'll try that...as moving the machine to another outlet is tricky given space (excuse pun) limitations
 
the surge protection is for over voltage spikes, such as lightning or other

don't think they have a capacitor in there to supplant a voltage draw when a flipper or other solenoid is activated, so I wouldn't trouble with

what I would do is look into how many devices you have on that circuit. could be you are operating that circuit at the peak of the

and just adding a new circuit and moving extension cords could be the solution. you don't want to have a fire if you are overloading the circuit.

could be your house/main circuit breaker is near the end of a street or
and with all the voltage drop you are operating at 105 volt instead of 115. without plugging a multimeter into an outlet, I just don't know. if that is the case than all your circuits are operating at a lower rate and one of the clues is garbage on screen when a call for more amps is needed. try hitting the side of the cabinet and see if that makes the garbage come back. if so then maybe you need to rebuild the monitor anyway

good luck and report back
 
Well one of those cheap surge protectors did nothing. I will borrow one of the more expensive ones that have the UPS just in case it helps clean the line.

My machines are all in my basement, and all the sockets are on the same circuit. I had nothing else plugged in , just the SI and one pinball, and it still causes it.

Note, the "effect" is very light vertical lines - just 1 or 2, in a random location, that appear just for a split second when a pb solenoid fires.

Do you think this is damaging the monitor?
 
You could cap the monitor? Clean the pots on the monitor with some of the ole' deoxit too security0001 has the kits for like every monitor.
 
See my question above. If the pin is right next to the SI it could cause issues with the monitors. Each coil in the pin basically acts as a degaussing coil would.
If the machines are sitting right next to each other try moving one away a few feet and see if that makes any difference.
 
Updates:

1. Tried the more expensive ups/surge protector - nope, did not cure.

2. Riptor, I have a few PBs. Even the furthest one away from SI (about 3 yards) still affects the screen.

3. Mattspad - recapping is way above my level, and even then I would want to make sure it would fix it given the machine all works great today.

As per my previous post, I wonder if it is doing any harm? Its a faint vertical line for a split second when a solenoid fires. Of course those solenoids can fire rapidly on some machines. Its very rare its being played while a PB is being played, but not never. So, if not doing any harm, I can live with it.

Welcome any other ideas/thoughts - especially anyone who has experienced this - and fixed it :)
 
As a test, I'd try running an extension cord for the pinball or the Space Invaders to an outlet on a different circuit (upstairs) and see if you still have the problem.
 
As a test, I'd try running an extension cord for the pinball or the Space Invaders to an outlet on a different circuit (upstairs) and see if you still have the problem.

Ha, that's a good, simple idea. Did that, and yes, it fixes it. So its not a physical proximity thing, its the same circuit thing.

And yep, FrizzleFried, already tried that - see earlier in the thread.

Any other thoughts, folks?
 
Since plugging into another circuit fixes it, if it irritates you enough, you could split your single basement circuit into 2. It's probably a simple job.

If you don't feel comfortable doing it, an electrician should be able to handle it easily.
 
Since plugging into another circuit fixes it, if it irritates you enough, you could split your single basement circuit into 2. It's probably a simple job.

If you don't feel comfortable doing it, an electrician should be able to handle it easily.

Thanks Tstone, I think I'll do the latter - by the way, its not too irritating, but do you think its bad for the monitor?
 
Thanks Tstone, I think I'll do the latter - by the way, its not too irritating, but do you think its bad for the monitor?

I don't know, I'd just be guessing.

If it was me, I'd be worried if I have enough "zork" in the circuit to actually see something on the monitor, if it might be unduly stressing other components as well (PCB?).

I'd add a circuit, or break the existing one into two, but that doesn't mean it's necessary...I'd just do it because it's simple and puts my mind at ease.
 
I have several pins and several arcade games. I found my old EMs did this to my vids when on the same circuit. Heck I even noticed Baby Pacman gets a touch of noise on the monitor when you use its flippers sometimes (most people don't look at the monitor while playing the pin part of the game so I bet this happens more than people notice.)

Even on recapped monitors I experienced this. My solution was to run multiple circuits when I finished the basement (which I did). My electrician told me it was overkill but I was happy to make sure nothing was overloaded and to ensure I kept pins and vids off the same circuit. No more glitching.
 
Brainmegaphone & Tstone - I agree, its the multiple circuit route for me! Time to look at Yelp for a good electrician that has good reviews, ideally not from his family and mates. :)
 
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