Pinball Repair #7 - Converting EM Pinball Machines to Free Play

A quick video on how to convert your electromechanical (EM) pinball machine to free play. All machines are a little different, so hopefully explaining how the credit wheel mech works, it will help you identify how you need to jumper your particular pinball machine.
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[@viccamppinball]

Great informative EM pinball machine video. Thanks for sharing your knowledge.

[@GutsyGibbon]

Thanks, short but sweet. Just what I was looking for.

[@SmokeandLights]

This is awesome. someone converted my EM before I got it, and now I know what to look for if I ever want to deconvert! Actually, I'm moving soon, so I may take a peek when I go to take the head off.

[@Neffers_UK]

I've been subbed a little while now, and I'm still enjoying your vids. Thanks for taking the time to make them.

[@areizman]

Very good video. Over the years I've seen so many 'Rube Goldberg' approaches to free play and this is the simplest way to do it and it doesn't mess up the wiring in case you want to undo it.

[@IMRROcom]

On the ones I have done. I disable the credit count down coil. Tie it of lift the advancing paw etc. or open the lead/wire to the coil. Run a toggle switch to the front of the machine so you can open the switch and the coil will not fire. Close toggle switch and the coil can fire counting down your credits. Granted you must have at least one credit in the machine for it to work. Multiple ways to get the same thing done. In my case you must put quarters in all our machines. I think that it is part of the experience of playing a pinball game or any arcade game. As a kid having 8 Quarters and what will I play was a tough decision.

[@FA-xw8zz]

Hello their was reading through your comment the way you set up a toggle switch on your pin ball machine that was pretty cool like you I also want the bring it back by using a coin as well not very pinball savy yet diveing into it head on hahaha I’m sure you know what I’m saying, trying to learn it all little by little instead of paying thoughs High fees they charge for a visit , would it be possible you can help me a bit like to use your idea at the moment. Just bought a 1970 Williams dippsy doodle cool machine it worked fine on free play as it was set up my owner I moved the machine as a a ball got stuck so it stopped playing . I now understand one of the sensors went off thinking it would go back to normal after but not the case I then gave a few taps on reset it will play no problems While on after it says game over you can’t play no more 😫I shut it down lights on but no start up nothing I have to tap reset to play seems like it’s waiting a coin or credits the coin door doesn’t have it’s coin mechanisms so that’s not it Somthing happened after I started resetting the machine. Anthing you can share would be appreciated excuse the bother if your able to talk one day let me know I’ll shoot you my number and email for a possible drawing to of your toggle idea

[@LGNijmeh]

Thanks for the easy instruction

[@EpiphoneMIKE]

Excellent video. Can I use a Double clip ( document paperclip) ? Greetings from Ottawa.

[@Pinballorama]

Maybe, but those are probably a bit large and might short against something. A regular, plastic coated paperclip would probably work though.

[@andrewlee88]

Props man!!! I was looking at something like this a while back, check out my pin restore that I have been trying to doc on youtube!

[@DeBiologieLeraar]

Could you also release the spring from the wheel so it stays at one number and wont turn to 0? Or could you stop the weel from turning by blocking it somehow, for example by attaching a string to the wheel and attaching it to something in the cabinet.

[@Pinballorama]

Probably. Depends on the game and mechanical configuration. This method with the alligator clips or wire clamp is simple, straight forward, and super easy to reverse - which is one reason I like doing it.

[@areizman]

I would refain from mechanically messing with the wheel. Besides being a lot of work, one of the advantages of leaving the wheel functional is you still have the pleasure of winning free games. Winning a bunch of replays is part of the fun of pinball.

[@edptrs9040]

Thanks for the info, or just be really good so you always have credits on the pin! lol

[@drtripp46]

I have a 1978 Stern Making Memory Pin and it use to load 8 credits every time you power the machine up. Now it will not load the credits and I'm unable to play. And help would be appreciated. Thanks!

[@rizzlerazzleuno4733]

Sounds like you have a "Memory Lane" by Stern from 1978. It is a solid state game, does not have a mechanical credit unit. Maybe you have solved your problem by now.