Category Archives: Tangles’ Pin Parts

New design High Power Board – Addams Family Pinball – Replaces A15139 PN TPP-1030

The TPP-1030 board is redesigned replacement for the original A-15139 High power driver.  Whilst this board is generically known as a high power driver board, it was used only on The Addams Family machines to drive the three playfield magnets.

The original board has been known to fail locking one or more magnets on. This can lead to a burnt / scorched playfield… ouch!

Whilst there is a 5 AMP fuse in-line with the original board, this fuse is across all three magnets and typically does not blow when there is a single failed driver transistor and one of the magnets is permanently activated.

The recommended fix for this situation is to add individual (smaller valued) fuses to the 3 magnet circuits. This can now be done neatly and easily with this redesigned board featuring 3 on-board fuses.

Installation is a snap, fits original mounting holes and original Molex connectors. Replacement should take only a few minutes.

This board ships with 4 nylon mounts, 3 x 2A fuses installed and 2 spare fuses.

INSTALLATION

Warning:  High voltages are present inside the pinball machine. Ensure the power is off and the mains cable is disconnected before you commence work.

  1. Ensure power is off to the machine.
  2. Remove the playfield glass and raise the playfield.
  3. Locate the existing A-15139 board adjacent the left flipper mechanism
  4. Remove two connectors (7-way and 8way)
  5. Remove original board.
  6. Install TPP-1030 board using original screws.
  7. Reconnect two connectors

FUSE REPLACEMENT

The TPP-1030 uses three 5 x 20mm 2A slow blow fuses.  A suitable replacement part is the Littelfuse part no: 0213002.MXP

BOARD LOCATION

Photo – under playfield showing location of A-15139 board

Tangles’ Pin Parts – Smart Eddy (Part Number TPP-1023)

Replacement for A-18543-1, A-18543-2, A-18543.1-2 and A-16922

 

 

Smart Eddy (TPP-1023) is a re-designed “Eddy” proximity detector compatible with the games “Theatre of Magic”, “Star Trek – The Next Generation”, “Scared Stiff” and “Road Show”.  The Smart Eddy board has an auto calibration feature that automatically adjusts the detector circuit each time the machine is turned on. This amazing auto calibration feature will free operators and owners from the tyranny of sensor adjustments that plague these games.  Aging boards, playfield vibration and shaker motors all conspire to making the original boards a troublesome item.

The TPP-1023 board is a drop in replacement and amazing upgrade to the original boards. Matching the electrical and screw mounting* characteristics of the original parts, this re-designed unit can be installed easily with little fuss.

  • Board automatically calibrates detector sensitivity.
  • Fits original board mounting holes for A-18543-1, A-18543-2 and A-18543.1-2
  • Comes supplied with nylon stand-off mounts.
  • Single board compatible with all variants of the compatible game list.
  • Designed and manufactured in Australia by Tangles.

See manual for game specific options.

 

 

 

Tangles’ Pin Parts – Type-1 Flipper Board P/N TPP-1022

The Tangles’ flipper opto board (Type-1) is fully compatible with original part A-20209.

The TPP-1022 supports the following features:

  • Voltage test points
  • Transistor buffered signal
  • LED indicator lights
  • Direct replacement for original part.
  • Fully assembled and tested.
  • Modern construction methods to ensure years and years of hassle free service.

 

Compatible with : Black Rose, Bram Stokers Dracula, Creature from the Black Lagoon, Dr Who, Fish Tales, Judge Dredd, Twilight Zone, White Water

Installing Tangles NVRAM into a Williams System 6 machine

This blog details the installation of a 5101 NVRAM into a Williams System 6 machine.  The part used here is from Tangles’ Pin Parts – p/n TPP-1012.

 

If you want to purchase one of these NVRAMs then click here…

The procedure is ranked as difficulty high because the 5101 memory needs to be de-soldered from the board and a socket installed.

This procedure is very similar for System 3 to System 7 systems.

Having removed the CPU boards from the pinball machine, we start by removing the batteries.  On the board pictured below, the batteries are removed from the attached remote battery holder.

Identify the 5101 chip on the CPU board.

The Williams boards have fat traces so de-soldering is easier and safer than on some other systems.

 

Flip the board over and de-solder the 5101 chip.

 

I used isopropyl alcohol to clean the top and bottom of the board in readiness for the new socket.

The 22 pin IC socket is now ready for installation

The socket is installed. Give the new solder joint a clean with IPA.

Using a turned pin socket is recommended as it lets you inspect the solder joint from the top and the bottom.  Make sure the new socket has good solder flow on both the top and the bottom. It is very important on these old boards to not rely on the thru-plating to connect the top and bottom of the board.

 

Now it’s time to install the NVRAM module.  Take care to install in the right way round and ensure all 22 pins mate with the IC socket.

The CPU board has had a final inspection and is ready to re-install in the pinball machine.

All audits and saved data will be lost. When re-powering the System 6 it will enter the audit mode, showing ROM version number in the top left display.  To clear this mode you need to open the coin door and flick the power off and on quickly.

I recommend using the machine manual and go through all system settings and set them to your requirements… (eg free play and number of balls).

 

 

 

 

Tangles’ Pin Parts – 10 Opto Driver Board (Part Number TPP-1021)

Replaces original part A-15430 and A-18159

Tangles presents here a replacement for the Bally/Williams 10-opto board. Time has not been kind to these boards. The original boards typically fail from over temperature; the heat being generated by the 10 large resistors on the board.

Continue reading Tangles’ Pin Parts – 10 Opto Driver Board (Part Number TPP-1021)