Tech: LOTR sword lock post question

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

I recently played a location LOTR and noticed something that differs
from my personal LOTR.

If no balls are locked on the sword the location LOTR sword lock post
remained in the down position. On my LOTR it is always in the up
position.

What I like about the down position is that a ball that travels up the
sword ramp rolls down unimpeded by the post. On my LOTR the post stays
up long enough to stop the ball for a second before it releases it down
the sword. This can create an lag/frustration issue during a timed
mode.

Anyone know of a setting that sets the post to remain down unless ball
lock is activated?

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

Hmmm...

can u tell me if your gate switch (at the mouth of the sword ramp)
lowers your ball lock post?

If I hit it manually I hear a sound (indicating that it sees the switch
open) but the ball lock post remains up. It doesnt lower until AFTER
the ball hits it.

Simply put: Which switch on your sword lowers the ball lock post?

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

coils have power when testing?

Not sure what u mean...

please elaborate...thanks!

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

OK...I found the culprit. Its switch 17.

This is the 1st of the three ball lock switches on the sword. The way
the ball exits the gimli VUK and travels down the goldwire ramp it
never hits switch 17.

I have tried bending the switch up and pitching the gold ramp a bit so
the ball enters the sword higher up, but no avail. Still doesnt hit
the switch for some reason. Cant move the switch bank down as the
holes are fixed.

Anyone else have this problem?

Not sure what to do next....


Mark_in_PA wrote:
> He's asking if the coin door is open.
>
>
> skbrothers@comcast.net wrote:
> > coils have power when testing?
> >
> > Not sure what u mean...
> >
> > please elaborate...thanks!

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

.....But I want you guys to fix all my problems for me!

That's one way to get 'er done though



GA Pinhead wrote:
> Call Stern in the morning?
>
> John!
>
>
> skbrothers@comcast.net wrote:
> > OK...I found the culprit. Its switch 17.
> >
> > This is the 1st of the three ball lock switches on the sword. The way
> > the ball exits the gimli VUK and travels down the goldwire ramp it
> > never hits switch 17.
> >
> > I have tried bending the switch up and pitching the gold ramp a bit so
> > the ball enters the sword higher up, but no avail. Still doesnt hit
> > the switch for some reason. Cant move the switch bank down as the
> > holes are fixed.
> >
> > Anyone else have this problem?
> >
> > Not sure what to do next....
> >
> >
> > Mark_in_PA wrote:
> >
> >>He's asking if the coin door is open.
> >>
> >>
> >>skbrothers@comcast.net wrote:
> >>
> >>>coils have power when testing?
> >>>
> >>>Not sure what u mean...
> >>>
> >>>please elaborate...thanks!
> >
> >

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

So you have made sure the switch will respond under test with your
finger? This test eliminates internal failure of the switch, and
indicates adjustment is needed.

Microswitches are not designed to have their actuator bent or adjusted!
If you bent the shiny metal lever arm flatten it back out as best you
can and try to make it look exactly like the other two.

Now use a ball. Place a ball on the sword ramp and let it very slowly
(with your finger against it) roll past the switch. Does it activate?
If not, note the two screws that go through the switch. Loosen these
just slightly until the switch can be moved in a rotational direction
just slightly. Rotate the switch counter-clockwise and retighten the
screws. CAUTION! Do not over-tighten microswitch screws! They can
deform the switch body and cause intermittent or permanent failure!!
Now roll a ball by the switch and see if it activates. If it does, now
roll the ball down the gimli exit and see if it still activates. If it
does, your finished. If it doesn't, then as a last resort, try
reforming the actuator so that it runs flat and parallel with the
switch body half way, then bends slightly up. This is a delicate
adjustment and caution should be used not to let the stress from the
bend be transferred to the inside of the switch. Best to use a
switchblade adjustment tool. If you don't have that, you will press the
actuator down flat against the switch body. Hold a flat screwdriver
across the metal at that point. Hold it firmly but don't press too
hard. Now pull up slightly on the end with the roller to bend it up
ward just slightly. You have bent it too far if the ball can hang on
the roller and not roll by. If the switch still fails to respond,
replace the switch.

Please report back and let us know what fixes it.

-cody
CARGPB#4


skbrothers@comcast.net wrote:
> OK...I found the culprit. Its switch 17.
>
> This is the 1st of the three ball lock switches on the sword. The way
> the ball exits the gimli VUK and travels down the goldwire ramp it
> never hits switch 17.
>
> I have tried bending the switch up and pitching the gold ramp a bit so
> the ball enters the sword higher up, but no avail. Still doesnt hit
> the switch for some reason. Cant move the switch bank down as the
> holes are fixed.
>
> Anyone else have this problem?
>
> Not sure what to do next....
>
>
> Mark_in_PA wrote:
> > He's asking if the coin door is open.
> >
> >
> > skbrothers@comcast.net wrote:
> > > coils have power when testing?
> > >
> > > Not sure what u mean...
> > >
> > > please elaborate...thanks!