Intermittent Flippers
Intermittent Flippers
Hi, during a game my flippers would suddenly be inactive but after a time would return. I noticed the flipper relay would turn off during this period. I replaced the drive transistor and U1 on the driver board and the short ribbon cable linking the p-roc board, with no success. In my desperation I ordered and fitted a brand new Rottendog PDB. The problem still persists. All I can think of is my p-roc board is faulty or the code is telling my flippers to switch off. Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks.
Re: Intermittent Flippers
Hi,
Of course there are times where the code will tell the flippers to switch off, one notable one is:
- During multiball, if you hit the scoop, "Power Charge" is started. The goal of the "Power Charge" is to keep both flippers up for a few seconds. Doing this while you have balls cradled wouldn't pose a challenge, so that's why we pulse the flippers (only for 1/5th of a second are the flippers disabled) when the ball enters the scoop, so you have to regain control of the balls while doing the power charge.
Other times the flippers get disabled:
- Attract mode
- When the ball has been tilted
- After metamorphosis' 60 seconds unlimited balls round (to collect the balls and end the multiball).
If you have Scott Danesi's Flipper Switch Mod installed and/or have the setting enabled (Adjustment Menu > Peripherals > Flipper Switch Mod), the flippers will switch off at these times too:
- When any profile or highscore screen is open
- During bonus countdown
- In the game launcher (Williams / DP)
- During videomode
So, if in your case this really happens at random times then it may not be the code, but in that case the same should happen when selecting the Williams software.
If not; do you have the Flipper Switch Mod installed? Because in that case maybe the profile selection menu pops up mid game or so; I remember hearing this mentioned somewhere. Or else can you describe / video at what times the flippers disable?
Koen
Of course there are times where the code will tell the flippers to switch off, one notable one is:
- During multiball, if you hit the scoop, "Power Charge" is started. The goal of the "Power Charge" is to keep both flippers up for a few seconds. Doing this while you have balls cradled wouldn't pose a challenge, so that's why we pulse the flippers (only for 1/5th of a second are the flippers disabled) when the ball enters the scoop, so you have to regain control of the balls while doing the power charge.
Other times the flippers get disabled:
- Attract mode
- When the ball has been tilted
- After metamorphosis' 60 seconds unlimited balls round (to collect the balls and end the multiball).
If you have Scott Danesi's Flipper Switch Mod installed and/or have the setting enabled (Adjustment Menu > Peripherals > Flipper Switch Mod), the flippers will switch off at these times too:
- When any profile or highscore screen is open
- During bonus countdown
- In the game launcher (Williams / DP)
- During videomode
So, if in your case this really happens at random times then it may not be the code, but in that case the same should happen when selecting the Williams software.
If not; do you have the Flipper Switch Mod installed? Because in that case maybe the profile selection menu pops up mid game or so; I remember hearing this mentioned somewhere. Or else can you describe / video at what times the flippers disable?
Koen
Re: Intermittent Flippers
Hi Koen, thanks for the reply.
The fault is certainly random. There is nothing on the DMD that would say otherwise such as Tilt. I don't have the flipper mod. Yesterday the flippers only activated during the second ball - ball 1 didn't last long anyway! It then played fine to the end of the game - almost got the second multiball! So far I'm unable to reproduce the fault in the original Williams game but will keep trying.
Regards
Nev
The fault is certainly random. There is nothing on the DMD that would say otherwise such as Tilt. I don't have the flipper mod. Yesterday the flippers only activated during the second ball - ball 1 didn't last long anyway! It then played fine to the end of the game - almost got the second multiball! So far I'm unable to reproduce the fault in the original Williams game but will keep trying.
Regards
Nev
Re: Intermittent Flippers
Hi, the last time it happened, the controlled lamps also turned off momentarily. I changed the USB port for the P-ROC to a USB 2.0 from a 3.0 on the Zotac. Played ten games and all ok. I have now sold the machine and bought another with a new cab and nicer playfield. It has a Gigabyte pc rather than a Zotac. Which batch was this produced Koen?
Thanks
Thanks
Re: Intermittent Flippers
Only the first batch used the Zotac, after that it was all Gigabytes. Contact support@dutchpinball.com if you want to identify your kit and transfer your live account and so on.