Owners of the 1995 Bally – Theatre of Magic (ToM), may know of the problem relating to the Trunk getting “locked out”. This problem has been well documented over the years and indeed a couple of solutions exist as hardware and software modification to alleviate the problem.
The fundamentals of the problem are a bug in the game’s firmware. This bug will put the trunk into a locked out state if the trunk eddy sensor receives a “hit” whilst the trunk is in motion. Once locked out, the trunk will not be allowed to move until the game is powered off.
Having designed and manufactured the Tangles’ Smart Eddy board (TPP-1023), I saw an opportunity for this problem to be addressed in the Smart Eddy firmware. A new Molex plug was added to the Smart Eddy to receive a signal from the Motor Control board. Using this communication, the Smart Eddy board will refrain from sending eddy switch hits whilst the motor is running.
The signal connection into the Smart Eddy may come from the original A-16120 or from the Tangles TPP-1029i DC Controller board.
I propose this solution for ToM owners who are considering upgrading their eddy sensors to Smart Eddy boards, as the trunk fix can be piggy-backed onto this upgrade with little additional effort.
OPTION 1 – KIT OF PARTS FROM TANGLES
1 x TPP-1023 – Tangles’ Smart Eddy board – with
inhibit feature
1 x TPP-1029 Tangles’ DC Motor Control Board – with inhibit feature
1 x 3 wire cable ( 0.1” plugs –
560mm long)
- Install the Smart Eddy Board (replacing the trunk eddy board).
- Connect the 2 pin Eddy sensor.
- Connect the 4 pin power/signal connector.
- Install the DC Motor Driver board (replacing the original)
- Connect the trunk motor to the 4-way header.
- Connect the power/signal to the 5-way header.
- Install the 3-Wire “inhibit” cable from Smart Eddy to the DC Motor Board.
- Route the 3-wire cable under the wiring loom to stay clear of trunk opto.
OPTION2 – MODIFIED DC MOTOR BOARD A16120
This option for experienced repairers only.
Parts:
1 x TPP-1023i – Tangles’ Smart Eddy board – with inhibit feature.
2 x Molex 3 Position Rectangular Receptacle 22-01-3037
6 x Molex crimp pins 08-50-0032
3 x 560mm long 22AWG or 24AWG wire.
1 x Molex 3 Position Header 22-27-2031
INSTALLATION OPTION 2
• Install the Smart Eddy Board (replacing the trunk eddy board).
• Connect the 2 pin Eddy sensor.
• Connect the 4 pin power/signal connector.
• Remove the A16120 board.
• Drill holes for 22-27-2031 Molex header.
• Install Molex plug. Glue or secure as needed.
• Wire pin 1 to U2-Pin 5
• Wire pin 2 to U2-Pin 4 (ground)
• Wire pin 3 to U1-Pin 5
• Re-install modified A16120 board.
• Assemble / crimp 3-wire cable using 08-50-0032 pins and 22-01-3037 shell
• Install the 3-Wire “inhibit” cable from Smart Eddy to the DC Motor Board.
• Route the 3-wire cable under the wiring loom to stay clear of trunk opto.
