WTB: IJ Microswitch wireforms...

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

I can tell you what I do, and I'm sure a lot of others too. Form your
own switch wires, by buying the straight wire switches as found here:

http://www.pinballlife.com/page264.html

Look at "Sub-microswitch with 3" Straight Wire Actuator" if you want to
form your own. To form my own, I just hold the new switch's straight
wire next to the switch I removed from the pin and make bends (and
corrections) using needlenose pliars until the new wireform looks
"close enough" to the old wireform, then cut off the extra length.

That page also shows "Rollover sub-microswitch", which work fine if you
don't want to form your own.

Another option: you should be able to move your old wireform onto the
new switch (the wireform itself can be pried off carefully - don't
break the plastic nubs holding it on).

Note, you'll need to solder your own diode onto the switch. I've
bought bulk 1n4004 diodes for this (they're pretty cheap), but you can
de-solder the old diode from the old switch and move it to the new
switch.

You can get a set of 20 1n4004 diodes for $1 from Great Plains
Electronics here:

http://www.greatplainselectronics. [...] asp?cat=18

Good luck,

Brannon

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

I know pinball collectors (and collectors in general) tend to get
"anal" about things, but the fact is you just need to put a switch in
there that performs the required function. In this case, as long as it
properly registers a hit when the ball rolls over it, you'll be fine!
You don't even need to know what the old one looked like - just bend it
until it works right.

YOU CAN DO IT!

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

The switch actuators are not normally sold separately.

The manual should show a 5647-12693-xx part number for each microswitch
that is listed on the "playfield switches" page of the manual; the xx
suffix is a code for the specific actuator shape used. Plug the entire
part number into Marco's Web site and you'll get accurate measurements
if you want to "bend your own" actuators.

You could simply buy the specific switch assembly (with actuator) from
Marco or Pinball Resource.

Joseph "Tony" Dziedzic

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

Well, it *does* list the assembly number (A-12688). That's a little
more work to turn into the switch number. The easiest way is to go to
the Internet Pinball Database (www.ipdb.org), type your game name in
the search box, and then click on the "parts list" link for your game.
The parts list (also known as the Bill of Materials) is a breakdown of
all the parts that were used by Williams to build your game.

If you search the parts list for A-12688 you'll find all the sub-items
that make up the particular assembly. Unfortunately, the IPDB is down
right now, but here's an excerpt of what you would see in the parts
list:

601: -2 A-12688 rollover micro switch assy 13
602: --3 01-8719 brkt switch mtg 13
603: --3 4002-01105-06 ms 2-56x3/8 p-ph-s 26
604: --3 5070-09054-00 diode-1N4004 1.0a 13
605: --3 5647-12693-19 switch sub mini micro 13

So, you need the -19 variant micro switch. Marco stocks those, as does
Pinball Resource. You'd simply unscrew the original microswitch and
actuator assembly from the mounting bracket and replace with the new
one.

The IPDB parts list is a very valuable tool; one of those things that
can help answer questions like this.

Tony

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

wow, never knew about the "secret" parts lists. These pinball people
are sneaky

Thanks for showing me (kinda because it's down right now) a new
resource...

Now, one final question about thsi and I promise to put the matter to
bed:

How can you tell from that new parts list which 5647 number goes with
which switch location?

K

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

Bay Area Amusements has a parts database online as wel, under "parts
lookup". Here' s the extract for IJ:

22 5647-12693-19 switch sub mini micro IJ
2 5647-12693-21 switch sub mini micro IJ
1 5647-12693-25 switch sub mini micro IJ
1 5647-12693-31 switch sub mini micro IJ
1 5647-12693-56 switch sub mini micro IJ

Yes, 27 of these things inh the whole game. I would guess the -19
variant to be the typical ball rollover, the rest probably belong on
the ramps.

Happ Controls has these switches as well.

One thing to avoid - don't but the DIY switches with the internal
hinge. They are the wrong rating for these games and yes, it matters.
These switches require a moderate current arc to keep the contacts
clean. The proper ones are gold and require no cleaning.