Strange Skee ball scoring behavior

[skeema]

I have a Skee Ball Model S that has been exhibiting strange scoring behavior for the 50 pot. Everything seems normal with 10 through 40. I replaced the 50 switch because it was sometimes only counting as 40. Now it is scoring either 50, 40, or 30. How is it scoring 30 if the 10 through 40 switches seem to be working? If the ball is traveling quickly and two switches are triggered too close to each would that result in the second switch not registering? Thanks in advance for your insights.

 

[gutz]

I've posted a similar response in the past, but I can't find it now.

The mechanical score switches are all about timing. There are five 10 pt switches that are daisy chained together, and seen by the cpu as the same switch. When you hit any pocket higher than 10, the ball has to hit a succession of 10 pt switches to give the correct points. Once the first switch is hit, it must be clicked on AND return to off before the next switch is hit. If the first switch isn't "off" before the second switch is "on", the cpu doesn't see the second switch; it is the equivalent of a 'busy signal'.

When a 50 is hit, the ball moves through the switches very quickly! You need to find out which switch is staying on too long and its probably the one that has the longest physical travel to wire arm. Try and adjust them so they have the shortest possible travel to reliably work. If you're short on points, it can be any of the switches and not necessarily the first/last. The frustrating part is that the switches can work perfectly for 20 but 30, or perfect for 40 but not 50. Keep tweaking until you find the happy spot

 

[skeema]

It sounds like my theory was on the right track, but knowing the previous switch has to be "off" before triggering another switch will help with my tweaking. Thanks!

 

[BoomstickSaint]

I had the same issue with my Model S scoring inaccurately. It's one of those things that occasionally requires adjustment. The more it gets played the more the wires on the switch bend, little by little.

 

[big420atx]

sounds to me like you have a worn out or dirty switch. just pulled the board and tap the switches manually. you should be able to feel the one that is slower or hanging up. try cleaning it with some canned air or alcohol on a tooth brush and see if that doesnt clear out the junk.

after that drop a ball you should be able to find out if that helped.

these machines are super simple to maintain and with the mechanical switches working properly. all you really need to worry about is the arm being too long and the score double clutching.

 

[MrGorf]

When I first got my skee ball I replaced all of the switches and it took a lot of trial and error to get it dialed in.

 

[bradyscribbles]

I just ran into this issue and wanted to share my solution. I had just replaced all the switches with new ones from twisted quarter. I was always getting at least 10 points short on 50 and 100 holes. I figured this is from speed at those heights. My solution was to cut down the new switches by about 3/4". This made the travel much less and the scoring was fixed!

 

[TheShanMan]

My solution was to write an arduino program to be an intermediary between the switches and the inputs on the main board. Solved all my issues with either double counting or missed counting.