Archived from groups: rec.games.pinball (
More info?)
"ze3e7b" wrote;
> I repaired a flipper and reversed the power wires to the lugs when I
> reinstalled it. Something blew, unfortunately it wasn't a fuse. No 43
> VDC on the power distribution board (TA-100). Did I fry BR3 or maybe
> the Varistor? Any way to test these?
Check both sides of the rectifier for power- the AC side, and the DC side.
If power is present on the AC side, but not DC, then the rectifier's open-
probably just weak and the reversal of current was enough to knock it out
permanently- these are fairly common replacement parts in these old games.
I replace all 3 at the same time- if one's gone, the others aren't far
behind.
The way the varistor blows is to short itself out- you usually get a big
"bang" and it leaves a smoke trail and looks it literally blew up- black and
charred. If it's still intact, then it's probably fine. You can remove one
leg from the board and do a continuity test- should read as open. If any
resistance or dead short, then remove/replace it. The MOV is just there as
a surge protector- you can run the game without it.
We have replacements for the VJ248 rectifiers available- see our website at:
www.actionpinball.com These are modern heavy-duty units that will far
outlast the originals- especially in home use. You may get some responses
recommending replacing with large 25a units that are mounted from the front,
but I think that is overkill- and a pretty ugly mod too- the original style
are more than enough for these games.
Ray J.
--
Action Pinball & Amusement, LLC
Salt Lake City, Utah USA
Web: www.actionpinball.com
We're serious about pinball. Anything else is just for fun!
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