AC/DC Premium Cannon Motor Issue

[RickyBobby]

Purchased a NIB AC/DC Premium last week and out of the box the Cannon motor did not work. After looking for people having similar issues online, I noticed a post about cleaning the brushes on the motor and it would likely fix the issue.

When I initially did this the motor worked for about three or four times before it stopped working again. I looked at and lightly sanded the brushes again and once more the motor appreared to work until after it was used 3-4 times during gameplay.

The tried one last time to lightly sand the brushes, and tested the motor 20+ times in the diag menu both with the playfield up and with the playfield down (Just to see if there might be any heat issue or rubbing wire issues) everything worked, so I started playing some games...... Unfortunately, after a couple of cannon fires (maybe 5-6 this time) the motor stopped working. I test the motor and get the 20V to it and its not moving.

If anyone has some ideas let me know, I really am impressed by the game overall just bummed by the cannon not working. Also, if anyone has replaced the motor on the cannon let me know, it looks like it might be a pain.

[g***@hotmail.com]

Purchased a NIB AC/DC Premium last week and out of the box the Cannon motor did not work.  After looking for people having similar issues online, I noticed a post about cleaning the brushes on the motor and it would likely fix the issue.
When I initially did this the motor worked for about three or four times before it stopped working again.   I looked at and lightly sanded the brushes again and once more the motor appreared to work until after it was used 3-4 times during gameplay.
The tried one last time to lightly sand the brushes, and tested the motor 20+ times in the diag menu both with the playfield up and with the playfield down (Just to see if there might be any heat issue or rubbing wire issues) everything worked, so I started playing some games...... Unfortunately, after a couple of cannon fires (maybe 5-6  this time) the motor stopped working.   I test the motor and get the 20V to it and its not moving.
If anyone has some ideas let me know, I really am impressed by the game overall just bummed by the cannon not working.  Also, if anyone has replaced the motor on the cannon let me know, it looks like it might be a pain.

Game up in test can be ok, regular playfield not ok. I have found the
that the steel cam can hit the opto. some times the motor is crap!,
this is on ongoing saga which i'm eperiencincing also on a pro & Let
It Be Rock. Strange my 2 early Pro's & BIB are ok.

[addam]

Just call your distributor or Stern & they'll send you another one. I don't think I'd tell them that you've been tampering with it or the warranties may be void. My BIB cannon hasn't skipped a beat. Be I did receive it with one dot missing on the display. Stern sent me a new one:-)

[Steve]

Yes call stern and they will send you a new one no charge. It is very
easy to install as well. Do make sure that nothing is rubbing or
binding. I did find this to be a problem with mine. After I put the
new motor on and fixed the binding issues it has been great since.

[RickyBobby]

Post by Steve
Yes call stern and they will send you a new one no charge. It is very
easy to install as well. Do make sure that nothing is rubbing or
binding. I did find this to be a problem with mine. After I put the
new motor on and fixed the binding issues it has been great since.

Thanks Everyone for your feedback. I have a new motor on the way from stern.

[Greg Davis]

> Yes call stern and they will send you a new one no charge. It is very
> easy to install as well. Do make sure that nothing is rubbing or
> binding. I did find this to be a problem with mine. After I put the
> new motor on and fixed the binding issues it has been great since.
Thanks Everyone for your feedback. I have a new motor on the way from stern.

I just LOVE waiting forever for a pin (after Stern makes a good one--took it up the ass on Avatar LE and TFLE), then waiting forever to play it because of QC issues.

[James Lewis]

Quality stuff those Sterns are. Worth every bit of that 7K

--
James Lewi
This USENET post sent from http://rgparchive.co

[kbliznick]

Post by Greg Davis
I just LOVE waiting forever for a pin (after Stern makes a good one--took it up the ass on Avatar LE and TFLE), then waiting forever to play it because of QC issues.

New motor in, lasted a handful of games (if that) then the new one
stopped working as well. What a POS. What cheap chinese motor did
they put in this thing. What happened to using Multi-products motors?

The set screw on the connectors directly on the motor shaft was a
nightmare. It was glued in with lock-tite and even applying heat did
not loosen it up. I had to drill it out after it stripped. Luckily
the linkage was pre-drilled for set screws on both sides so I was able
to use a cap head screw in the other side. Would have been nice if
they had sent the entire assembly. The entire assembly comes out in
under 2 minutes by removing the 4 screws, 2 connectors and 1 set screw
(without loctite) at the cannon side of the linkage. However I then
had to spend another hour dicking with that glued in set screw to get
the motor off of the assembly only for the new motor to instantly fail.

[mr tobias]

I just LOVE waiting forever for a pin (after Stern makes a good one--took it up the ass on Avatar LE and TFLE), then waiting forever to play it because of QC issues. New motor in, lasted a handful of games (if that) then the new one stopped working as well. What a POS. What cheap chinese motor did they put in this thing. What happened to using Multi-products motors? The set screw on the connectors directly on the motor shaft was a nightmare. It was glued in with lock-tite and even applying heat did not loosen it up. I had to drill it out after it stripped. Luckily the linkage was pre-drilled for set screws on both sides so I was able to use a cap head screw in the other side. Would have been nice if they had sent the entire assembly. The entire assembly comes out in under 2 minutes by removing the 4 screws, 2 connectors and 1 set screw (without loctite) at the cannon side of the linkage. However I then had to spend another hour dicking with that glued in set screw to get the motor off of the assembly only for the new motor to instantly fail.

My experience with a BIB has been the same as yours - a friggin' nightmare - except that Stern did send me the complete motor assembly when it became obvious the loctite held screw on the motor side was too damaged to remove normally.

Sadly the motor in the replacement assembly worked for just three games before it failed. No binding, just a poor motor that stopped working almost immediately. The sticker on the motor implies it is a US product, but I find it hard to believe it wasn't made in China.

This seems an excellent game when it works properly, but the unreliable cannon motor is ruining my AC/DC purchase. Stern, we need a better motor please.

[Leachdude]

Seriously guys, quit the bitchin take the motor out remove the brushes
clean them real quick with some light sand paper put it back together, 5
minutes your back in business. Much easier then swapping a motor. I
had an issue right out of the box. Have not had a problem since. Maybe
these motor are some NOS parts from T2.

Chris

Post by mr tobias

I just LOVE waiting forever for a pin (after Stern makes a good one--took it up the ass on Avatar LE and TFLE), then waiting forever to play it because of QC issues. New motor in, lasted a handful of games (if that) then the new one stopped working as well. What a POS. What cheap chinese motor did they put in this thing. What happened to using Multi-products motors? The set screw on the connectors directly on the motor shaft was a nightmare. It was glued in with lock-tite and even applying heat did not loosen it up. I had to drill it out after it stripped. Luckily the linkage was pre-drilled for set screws on both sides so I was able to use a cap head screw in the other side. Would have been nice if they had sent the entire assembly. The entire assembly comes out in under 2 minutes by removing the 4 screws, 2 connectors and 1 set screw (without loctite) at the cannon side of the linkage. However I then had to spend another hour dicking with that glued in set screw to get the mot

or off of the assembly only for the new motor to instantly fail.

Post by mr tobias
My experience with a BIB has been the same as yours - a friggin' nightmare - except that Stern did send me the complete motor assembly when it became obvious the loctite held screw on the motor side was too damaged to remove normally.
Sadly the motor in the replacement assembly worked for just three games before it failed. No binding, just a poor motor that stopped working almost immediately. The sticker on the motor implies it is a US product, but I find it hard to believe it wasn't made in China.
This seems an excellent game when it works properly, but the unreliable cannon motor is ruining my AC/DC purchase. Stern, we need a better motor please.

[mr tobias]

My original motor failed with a broken gearbox straight out of the box. Cleaning the brushes would have made no difference, but thanks for the advice.

[kbliznick]

Post by Leachdude
Seriously guys, quit the bitchin take the motor out remove the brushes
clean them real quick with some light sand paper put it back together, 5
minutes your back in business.  Much easier then swapping a motor.  I
had an issue right out of the box.  Have not had a problem since.  Maybe
these motor are some NOS parts from T2.
Chris

Already sanded the brushes on the first motor and it still failed.

[mr tobias]

Sanding the brushes may work for some, but it could turn out to be a temporary fix, and I've not been advised by Stern that I should do this. The quality of the motor, or at least a batch of them, is the real issue here.

From the feedback we've seen so far in this and other threads, many of these cannon motor problems are affecting the higher cost models, which is ironic.

[RickyBobby]

Post by mr tobias
Sanding the brushes may work for some, but it could turn out to be a temporary fix, and I've not been advised by Stern that I should do this. The quality of the motor, or at least a batch of them, is the real issue here.
From the feedback we've seen so far in this and other threads, many of these cannon motor problems are affecting the higher cost models, which is ironic.

Stern sent me out the new motor.... Put it in (after having to drill out the set screw) and played around 30 games, then the new motor stopped working as well. The game is awesome! Just hoping that Stern does something to fix the problem. Anyone have any workarounds? Like buying a bigger motor?

[cody chunn]

I wonder if Planetary Pinball has a motor for T2 or Star Trek NG that would
work?

This is terrible QA on Stern's part. First the Tron disk destruction, now
this. Makes you wonder how long the spinning disk or nightcrawlers are gonna
last...

-cody

Post by mr tobias
Sanding the brushes may work for some, but it could turn out to be a
temporary fix, and I've not been advised by Stern that I should do this.
The quality of the motor, or at least a batch of them, is the real issue
here.
From the feedback we've seen so far in this and other threads, many of
these cannon motor problems are affecting the higher cost models, which is
ironic.

Stern sent me out the new motor.... Put it in (after having to drill out the
set screw) and played around 30 games, then the new motor stopped working as
well. The game is awesome! Just hoping that Stern does something to fix the
problem. Anyone have any workarounds? Like buying a bigger motor?

[mr tobias]

If I was considering buying X-Men, I would buy the Pro. With Stern's recent QA issues, the simpler the machine the better.

[cody chunn]

I wonder if Planetary Pinball has a motor for T2 or Star Trek NG that would
work?

This is terrible QA on Stern's part. First the Tron disk destruction, now
this. Makes you wonder how long the spinning disk or nightcrawlers are gonna
last...

-cody

Post by mr tobias
Sanding the brushes may work for some, but it could turn out to be a
temporary fix, and I've not been advised by Stern that I should do this.
The quality of the motor, or at least a batch of them, is the real issue
here.
From the feedback we've seen so far in this and other threads, many of
these cannon motor problems are affecting the higher cost models, which is
ironic.

Stern sent me out the new motor.... Put it in (after having to drill out the
set screw) and played around 30 games, then the new motor stopped working as
well. The game is awesome! Just hoping that Stern does something to fix the
problem. Anyone have any workarounds? Like buying a bigger motor?

[Greg Davis]

Talked to George Gomez today. He can't imagine why sanding the brushes would work, but offered a better explanation, IMO: the failing motors do not have clutches. They have new motors with clutches that were installed on some of the games, which is why some are not failing.

[cody chunn]

Great news! But I wonder why they are sending replacements without the
clutch (repeated failures)?

-cody


"Greg Davis" wrote in message news:a7ca3c9c-9133-4468-88d6-***@googlegroups.com...

Talked to George Gomez today. He can't imagine why sanding the brushes
would work, but offered a better explanation, IMO: the failing motors do
not have clutches. They have new motors with clutches that were installed
on some of the games, which is why some are not failing.

[kbliznick]

Talked to George Gomez today.  He can't imagine why sanding the brushes would work, but offered a better explanation, IMO:  the failing motors do not have clutches.  They have new motors with clutches that were installed on some of the games, which is why some are not failing.

yes no clutches or start-up capacitor. The home position where it
stops is right where the cam changes directions and probably has the
highest required torque. Slightly changing the position of the home
switch might move it off of the highest load position.

[mr tobias]

That's an interesting idea. I will try it to see if it makes a difference.

[RickyBobby]

Post by mr tobias
That's an interesting idea. I will try it to see if it makes a difference.

Let me know if that works, I am very interested.

[mr tobias]

Post by RickyBobby

Post by mr tobias
That's an interesting idea. I will try it to see if it makes a difference.

Let me know if that works, I am very interested.

I've received another new motor from Stern. When I install it I will
try to adjust the 'home' switch at the same time. Hopefully a new
motor plus the switch adjustment will do the trick.

[Jonathan Melleney]

Post by kbliznick

Post by Greg Davis
I just LOVE waiting forever for a pin (after Stern makes a good one--took it up the ass on Avatar LE and TFLE), then waiting forever to play it because of QC issues.

New motor in, lasted a handful of games (if that) then the new one
stopped working as well. What a POS. What cheap chinese motor did
they put in this thing. What happened to using Multi-products motors?
The set screw on the connectors directly on the motor shaft was a
nightmare. It was glued in with lock-tite and even applying heat did
not loosen it up. I had to drill it out after it stripped. Luckily
the linkage was pre-drilled for set screws on both sides so I was able
to use a cap head screw in the other side. Would have been nice if
they had sent the entire assembly. The entire assembly comes out in
under 2 minutes by removing the 4 screws, 2 connectors and 1 set screw
(without loctite) at the cannon side of the linkage. However I then
had to spend another hour dicking with that glued in set screw to get
the motor off of the assembly only for the new motor to instantly fail.

[Jonathan Melleney]

Post by kbliznick

Post by Greg Davis
I just LOVE waiting forever for a pin (after Stern makes a good one--took it up the ass on Avatar LE and TFLE), then waiting forever to play it because of QC issues.

New motor in, lasted a handful of games (if that) then the new one
stopped working as well. What a POS. What cheap chinese motor did
they put in this thing. What happened to using Multi-products motors?
The set screw on the connectors directly on the motor shaft was a
nightmare. It was glued in with lock-tite and even applying heat did
not loosen it up. I had to drill it out after it stripped. Luckily
the linkage was pre-drilled for set screws on both sides so I was able
to use a cap head screw in the other side. Would have been nice if
they had sent the entire assembly. The entire assembly comes out in
under 2 minutes by removing the 4 screws, 2 connectors and 1 set screw
(without loctite) at the cannon side of the linkage. However I then
had to spend another hour dicking with that glued in set screw to get
the motor off of the assembly only for the new motor to instantly fail.

@ Kbliznick How do you drill the grub screw out I have the same issue on a BIBLE i just bought the cannon won't work , motor is working but no real power , I got the cannon assembly off taking the circlips off the plastic joining bar and the motor out but can't get the grub screw out to put a new motor in if I get one.

ON the new motor point anyone bought one recently they are around $80-$90 but don't want to waste that if they are still not very good.

Mel

[John Robertson]

Post by Jonathan Melleney

Post by kbliznick

Post by Greg Davis
I just LOVE waiting forever for a pin (after Stern makes a good one--took it up the ass on Avatar LE and TFLE), then waiting forever to play it because of QC issues.

New motor in, lasted a handful of games (if that) then the new one
stopped working as well. What a POS. What cheap chinese motor did
they put in this thing. What happened to using Multi-products motors?
The set screw on the connectors directly on the motor shaft was a
nightmare. It was glued in with lock-tite and even applying heat did
not loosen it up. I had to drill it out after it stripped. Luckily
the linkage was pre-drilled for set screws on both sides so I was able
to use a cap head screw in the other side. Would have been nice if
they had sent the entire assembly. The entire assembly comes out in
under 2 minutes by removing the 4 screws, 2 connectors and 1 set screw
(without loctite) at the cannon side of the linkage. However I then
had to spend another hour dicking with that glued in set screw to get
the motor off of the assembly only for the new motor to instantly fail.

@ Kbliznick How do you drill the grub screw out I have the same issue on a BIBLE i just bought the cannon won't work , motor is working but no real power , I got the cannon assembly off taking the circlips off the plastic joining bar and the motor out but can't get the grub screw out to put a new motor in if I get one.
ON the new motor point anyone bought one recently they are around $80-$90 but don't want to waste that if they are still not very good.
Mel

Before cutting, etc, have you tried using a new Hazet or other good
quality hex driver? The ball end style works very well I find...

The only way to get a grub screw out that is damaged is likely you have
to use a Dremel like tool to grind away at it and then replace the linkage.

I have seen people use the Dremel cutting disc to make a slot in the
hole down to the grub screw and make a slot on it so it can be removed
with a small slot screwdriver. That rarely works.

John :-#)#

[Riles]

No knowledge of the set screw in question, but in general if loctite is involved I would try to heat the fastener first, maybe with soldering iron, then try to use hex wrench. If you must drill, they make reverse drill bits so that if they bite, they often unscrew the fastener. Last resort is the screw extractor, but if you break off one of these hardened tools you are really in deep. Good luck!

[Leachdude]

Post by RickyBobby
Purchased a NIB AC/DC Premium last week and out of the box the Cannon motor did not work. After looking for people having similar issues online, I noticed a post about cleaning the brushes on the motor and it would likely fix the issue.
When I initially did this the motor worked for about three or four times before it stopped working again. I looked at and lightly sanded the brushes again and once more the motor appreared to work until after it was used 3-4 times during gameplay.
The tried one last time to lightly sand the brushes, and tested the motor 20+ times in the diag menu both with the playfield up and with the playfield down (Just to see if there might be any heat issue or rubbing wire issues) everything worked, so I started playing some games...... Unfortunately, after a couple of cannon fires (maybe 5-6 this time) the motor stopped working. I test the motor and get the 20V to it and its not moving.
If anyone has some ideas let me know, I really am impressed by the game overall just bummed by the cannon not working. Also, if anyone has replaced the motor on the cannon let me know, it looks like it might be a pain.

Just got a NIB Pro this week-end and the canon started to act up as
well. I removed the brushes gave them a quick hit with some sand paper
and have not had the issue since.

Chris

[AAPIN]

Post by Leachdude
Just got a NIB Pro this week-end and the canon started to act up as
well. I removed the brushes gave them a quick hit with some sand paper
and have not had the issue since.
Chris

It's crazy that you guys are having to clean the brushes on the motor after a handful of plays. I would certainly be persistent with Stern on making this right.

[eagle68]

Purchased a NIB AC/DC Premium last week and out of the box the Cannon motor did not work.  After looking for people having similar issues online, I noticed a post about cleaning the brushes on the motor and it would likely fix the issue.
When I initially did this the motor worked for about three or four times before it stopped working again.   I looked at and lightly sanded the brushes again and once more the motor appreared to work until after it was used 3-4 times during gameplay.
The tried one last time to lightly sand the brushes, and tested the motor 20+ times in the diag menu both with the playfield up and with the playfield down (Just to see if there might be any heat issue or rubbing wire issues) everything worked, so I started playing some games...... Unfortunately, after a couple of cannon fires (maybe 5-6  this time) the motor stopped working.   I test the motor and get the 20V to it and its not moving.
If anyone has some ideas let me know, I really am impressed by the game overall just bummed by the cannon not working.  Also, if anyone has replaced the motor on the cannon let me know, it looks like it might be a pain.

I read somewhere that a guy had one and the wiring was getting caught
on the cannon. He couldn't tell when the playfield was up but looked
underneath and saw that the wire bundle was not properly located out
of harms way. Not sure if that helps, but it's worth looking at as
well.

[mr tobias]

When the cannon stops moving, does the motor sound as though it is still spinning? If it does you have almost certainly got a gearbox problem, which is exacerbated by the least bit of binding or excess resistance to movement of the cannon.

My original motor failed out of the box with this problem. Now the replacement motor has gone the same way. These motors are on the margins, and I predict there will be many failures in the coming months. It is not so much a case of IF your motor will fail as WHEN.

The solution is not to sand the brushes but to get these motors back to Stern for replacement with something that is fit for purpose.

[g***@hotmail.com]

Post by mr tobias
When the cannon stops moving, does the motor sound as though it is still spinning? If it does you have almost certainly got a gearbox problem, which is exacerbated by the least bit of binding or excess resistance to movement of the cannon.
My original motor failed out of the box with this problem. Now the replacement motor has gone the same way. These motors are on the margins, and I predict there will be many failures in the coming months. It is not so much a case of IF your motor will fail as WHEN.
The solution is not to sand the brushes but to get these motors back to Stern for replacement with something that is fit for purpose.

I destroyed a motor trying to get it out. Talked with Chas first since
I couldn't get the allen screw out (nice locktite), you can flex that
nylon piece pretty good to get the lock clip off. Yes check the canon
for rubbing against the ramp, & it looks like the wiring wasn't ideal
for placement on the line (free it up or reroute it). Also the fire
switch usually needs tweaking from the factory, 4 out of 5 AC/DC's
that I got.

[EZ SLEEZE E (MHMIP)]

Post by RickyBobby
Purchased a NIB AC/DC Premium last week and out of the box the Cannon motor did not work. After looking for people having similar issues online, I noticed a post about cleaning the brushes on the motor and it would likely fix the issue.
When I initially did this the motor worked for about three or four times before it stopped working again. I looked at and lightly sanded the brushes again and once more the motor appreared to work until after it was used 3-4 times during gameplay.
The tried one last time to lightly sand the brushes, and tested the motor 20+ times in the diag menu both with the playfield up and with the playfield down (Just to see if there might be any heat issue or rubbing wire issues) everything worked, so I started playing some games...... Unfortunately, after a couple of cannon fires (maybe 5-6 this time) the motor stopped working. I test the motor and get the 20V to it and its not moving.
If anyone has some ideas let me know, I really am impressed by the game overall just bummed by the cannon not working. Also, if anyone has replaced the motor on the cannon let me know, it looks like it might be a pain.

James what's even better is paying $6500 and not getting a game at all!

[Pinball Plus]

Purchased a NIB AC/DC Premium last week and out of the box the Cannon motor did not work.  After looking for people having similar issues online, I noticed a post about cleaning the brushes on the motor and it would likely fix the issue.
When I initially did this the motor worked for about three or four times before it stopped working again.   I looked at and lightly sanded the brushes again and once more the motor appreared to work until after it was used 3-4 times during gameplay.
The tried one last time to lightly sand the brushes, and tested the motor 20+ times in the diag menu both with the playfield up and with the playfield down (Just to see if there might be any heat issue or rubbing wire issues) everything worked, so I started playing some games...... Unfortunately, after a couple of cannon fires (maybe 5-6  this time) the motor stopped working.   I test the motor and get the 20V to it and its not moving.
If anyone has some ideas let me know, I really am impressed by the game overall just bummed by the cannon not working.  Also, if anyone has replaced the motor on the cannon let me know, it looks like it might be a pain.

Its amazing when you look at a wlms terminator 2 how big the motor is
for the same purpose. Williams definately had it right . Im sure the
motor on T2 is triple in price though.