TECH: Twilight Zone TZ - Slot machine gives ball too much spin/angle

[Tim Kuo]

Insight, please.

The slot machine eject/kick-out on my Twilight Zone TZ sends the ball out with so much spin/angle that it drains (between the flippers) half of the time.
The solenoid plunger looks reasonably flat on the rubber part.

Is there a fix to get more consistent ejects/kick-outs from the slot machine?
At least so it doesn't drain so much?

TIA,
Tim

[John Robertson]

Post by Tim Kuo
Insight, please.
The slot machine eject/kick-out on my Twilight Zone TZ sends the ball out with so much spin/angle that it drains (between the flippers) half of the time.
The solenoid plunger looks reasonably flat on the rubber part.
Is there a fix to get more consistent ejects/kick-outs from the slot machine?
At least so it doesn't drain so much?
TIA,
Tim

Is the VUK assembly solid and is the coil sleeve good?

You could try a weaker coil so the ball doesn't come out so forcefully.
Or possibly add a 15 to 25 OHM 25Watt potentiometer in series to adjust
the output strength of the original coil?

These are things I would try if mechanically the assembly seems just
fine. I have an assortment of potentiometers lying around the shop to
play with, not something everyone has...

John :-#)#

[Tim Kuo]

Post by John Robertson

Post by Tim Kuo
Insight, please.
The slot machine eject/kick-out on my Twilight Zone TZ sends the ball out with so much spin/angle that it drains (between the flippers) half of the time.
The solenoid plunger looks reasonably flat on the rubber part.
Is there a fix to get more consistent ejects/kick-outs from the slot machine?
At least so it doesn't drain so much?
TIA,
Tim

Is the VUK assembly solid and is the coil sleeve good?
You could try a weaker coil so the ball doesn't come out so forcefully.
Or possibly add a 15 to 25 OHM 25Watt potentiometer in series to adjust
the output strength of the original coil?
These are things I would try if mechanically the assembly seems just
fine. I have an assortment of potentiometers lying around the shop to
play with, not something everyone has...
John :-#)#
--
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"Old pinballers never die, they just flip out."

It was a broken weld in the scoop for the slot machine.

[John Robertson]

Post by Tim Kuo

Post by John Robertson

Post by Tim Kuo
Insight, please.
The slot machine eject/kick-out on my Twilight Zone TZ sends the ball out with so much spin/angle that it drains (between the flippers) half of the time.
The solenoid plunger looks reasonably flat on the rubber part.
Is there a fix to get more consistent ejects/kick-outs from the slot machine?
At least so it doesn't drain so much?
TIA,
Tim

Is the VUK assembly solid and is the coil sleeve good?
You could try a weaker coil so the ball doesn't come out so forcefully.
Or possibly add a 15 to 25 OHM 25Watt potentiometer in series to adjust
the output strength of the original coil?
These are things I would try if mechanically the assembly seems just
fine. I have an assortment of potentiometers lying around the shop to
play with, not something everyone has...
John :-#)#

It was a broken weld in the scoop for the slot machine.

Ah, the mechanical problem...the VUK was not solid. We have a spot
welder for fixing that sort of thing, bur brazing with MAPP gas works
just as well.

Silver solder and a propane torch gives the best look as if you are
careful the metal doesn't discolour..

John :-#)#