Solid State Relay for sys11

[Guest]

Archived from groups: rec.games.pinball (More info?)

Anyone ever replace the noisy relays for flasher effects in system 11
games with solid state relays? (Thinking of Swords of Fury) clicks
faster and faster for the game over effect, the clicking is distracting
and can't really be good over the long haul for the relay. Would a
solid state relay (presumably they are silent) be a cool swap??

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: rec.games.pinball (More info?)

The only one that really bothers me is the swords of fury one. I like
the ES one too. They aren't really failing that much, just reading my
mouser catalog looking for odd pinball applications.

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: rec.games.pinball (More info?)

These clicking sounds are really annoying on my Cyclone. I wish there
was a silent replacement.

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: rec.games.pinball (More info?)

This is fine for home games but do not use solid state relays on route
machines. I have experimented many times with using solid state relays
in pinball machines for various add-on devices, such as auxilary audio,
topper lighting, and other visual fun. Holloween is one occasion where
this is so much fun.

The problem with using solid state relays was demonstrated by Bally a
long time ago in the service school classes. The failure mode of these
devices was to usually short the output "on". This is really bad for
flash lamps. The plastic domes, sometimes called "hats" were not
designed for the temperature of a continuously running #89 lamp. (Ask
Premier about this one! The burn't down a few Monte Carlo's and Gold
Wings. I had one of each back then).

Bally used this type of feature for the neon on Strange Science. Since
a Neon doesn't have a heat problem, this application was OK.

There is an issue with inrush current on SS devices, and also a leakage
current. The first devices I used on this type of pinball application
I noticed a strange issue in low lighting. When the device was "off"
the filaments of the flashlamps were glowing very slightly due to
leakage current. A snubber circuit, (RC circuit), was used to keep
this at a minimum.

Triac's were usued with a high current rating for GI, because the way
they were made did not have this issue of shorting on. Since they
operate with the zero crossing feature they were never really "on" full
time. (In human terms, that is).

I believe P & B has a pretty nice line of SS relays but just a
suggestion do not use the small cube type. They can't handle much
current and some were even discontinued. I used the large block type
with no failures. The neat thing is a +3vdc to +32vdc volt gate can
control about anything. Even using the AC gen illumination line you
can add a couple of diodes and you have a gate source.

In fusing, you can experiment with slo-blo fuses and make your own
current curve. It takes a while to develope the exact curve for your
experiment, but it will only allow the lamps to remain "on" for a safe
duration of time in the event of relay failure, then the fuse will
blow.

Good luck and please don't burn up that Swords Of Fury! I love mine.

Mario
Pinthetic

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: rec.games.pinball (More info?)

Thanks for the detailed response. I'm not planning on blowing up the
Sof (It's the 3rd I've owned and by far in the best shape - little
insert wear (just release, advance on left outlane, and whatever the
other insert is in the left outlane) I repainted the text and it looks
fine under mylar.

Plays SUPER!!!! Right now I play it more than any other machine that's
actually set up. It's also my piggy bank right now, next project cycle
I'll pull those quarters and buy a machine.

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: rec.games.pinball (More info?)

> Anyone ever replace the noisy relays for flasher effects in system 11
> games with solid state relays? (Thinking of Swords of Fury) clicks
> faster and faster for the game over effect, the clicking is distracting
> and can't really be good over the long haul for the relay. Would a
> solid state relay (presumably they are silent) be a cool swap??

I love the sound of that relay click for the flashers. ES has one for the
GI that goes on and off during attract mode.

Are these ice-cube relays really failing much??? I've not heard of many
failures from the relays themselves.

--
Mike S.
Kalamazoo, MI

Gameroom: http://tinyurl.com/4hfev
W C S Owner's List: http://tinyurl.com/39cjo
M B Scoop Repair: http://tinyurl.com/9lfu
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