Ray's Pinball Tech Tips #14 - Connectors!

Ray explains design and repair of pinball machine electronics connectors.
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[@chrisfi3d]

I just discovered this helpful video series. Thank you for shooting them. Subscribed

[@TheDave31london]

just replaced my j120 &121 on my demo man table to crimped terminals after following ray's advice to fix it properly the first time, they kept failing so i kept losing banks of gi's, your vids are so usefull thanks !! my two plugs were not heat damaged but after watching this vid i think the vinyl must have gone hard because i removed the used ends and re seated all the wires but after a couple of days failed again.

[@finstersrc30]

2 tools Ray might really like! First ITW Pancon mmt-156 IDC tool it does the hole trough connectors its easy to use and works great it also comes in the 100 size. You will have to google it as I cant post the webpage for it. The next is the Front loading wire striper its super fast and can be used in really tight spaces I cant live without it. It can be found on the Parts Express webpage part number 360-627

[@GRCPinballOfficial]

Happy birthday to Ray!

[@kt47150]

Wow....What a game room! Thanks to Frank for letting us see.

[@NaturalProgressGames]

Awesome video as always! Very informative and specific without running to long. I found a hack on one of my games PPB and they hacked it due to a fried pin that affected the board. (wire was soldered directly to the board) I bought a rotten dog board and couldn't figure out how the issue occurred... after this video I've found a rewired header connecting to the power supply and they obviously didn't do a great job. I'm pretty confident that is what caused the initial issue. Thanks!!!

[@rarecoolitems]

If you put a arcade or pinball near salt water (ocean) that will harm your machine as well. Some of those arcades on the jersey shore had machines that need constant repair because the insides basically rusted out. Good Video!!!

[@that_pinball_metal_dood169]

Haha I like the Megadeth in the beginning, great video as always.

[@GRCPinballOfficial]

Megadeth in the beginning of this video?? Hmmm.....

[@that_pinball_metal_dood169]

+GRC Pinball Official haha yes! I believe it's when Ray is talking about paying bills! Haha

[@GRCPinballOfficial]

Ooooh. Okay! This video was so long ago. The intro song def ain't Megadeth, but this is! kzbin.info/www/bejne/jn2aZmVjl7uagtU

[@that_pinball_metal_dood169]

+GRC Pinball Official hahah yes! I believe it was Peace Sells at 1:12! Take No Prisoners is a favorite song of mine by them though!

[@DiegoSanchez-pl9eh]

This was a great video! Very informative. Thanks

[@GRCPinballOfficial]

Through wires - yes, I was as confused as you were when he explained that. It's much easier than it sounded. Basically, you'll take the through wire & splice it to itself with a third wire (a couple inches long to make the job "neat") to go to the connector. Solder & shrink sleeve your work.

[@Trensare]

Great video. I've just scanned the hole town and every pinball part web store in Sweden without finding the tool for IDC connector. As you mentioned, connectors could burn. That's exactly what happens to my old Cyclone i've just got. The GI-connector got burned. Just changed some GI lamps to LED's so it so annoying not be able to connect the cables without the tool.

[@ebjimmyg]

how about a happy birthday to Ray.

[@SinCitySlings]

I'm finally watching September's videos -- Happy Thanksgiving! :D . Excellent connectors demonstration and expert camera work. That's a hell of a macro lens you have there. (BTW - Ray could use some lotion. Maybe an "ouch" drawer amenity - ha!) . I appreciate the advice regarding LEDs in the backbox. I've been pondering ordering LEDs for my game and it helps to have a starting point in mind, and it would be reassuring to take some pressure off the old original power supply/wiring. . Also - love the T.V. II clip - I'm a huge Ministry fan. And I haven't heard that Elastica song in ages. Well done.

[@GRCPinballOfficial]

Thanks Rarecool. Glad you enjoyed! Yes, salt water + electronics or mechanical devices = bad. Another bad place for pins? Anywhere near Southhampton. Pins get bad around that area! ;)

[@kt47150]

oops...yes sorry, I was watching your trip to Franks, and waited till the end to post, but then this connector vid started before I hit the post button. But I love this vid too!!. because I just replaced a fried connector in my T2 at plug j120 so it is great to see Ray address these connectors. I also have a question about another topic (Elvira Playfield restoration) may I email you about it? thanks Kevin

[@googpix540]

At 1:15 is Dave Mustaine from Megadeth playing a song from Killing is our business ?

[@PinBallReviewerRepairs]

I usually try to keep pins away from windows any how. But the nice thing about our home is we have UV blocking windows installed in our home so it doe's not fade photos or cabs. But it might still warp the plastics though as that is more of a heat thing.

[@GRCPinballOfficial]

Hi Linus. Assuming that acquiring pinball parts & support is more difficult overseas. The world has gotten smaller over the years but shipping distances is cost preventative. Feel your pain. So many parts are simply impossible to get no matter where you live! We know annoying. He works up the road a bit.

[@GRCPinballOfficial]

Absolutely. Email address is in the "show more" description section above.

[@googpix540]

The breeders is at 8:14 what is the name of the song id that cannonball ?

[@NaturalProgressGames]

Damn! I'll be able to get that eventually, but not right now. What was the home depot manual version you guys were talking about?

[@haggy38]

Nice video, but at the end what's the solution, replace all the bulbs to Led? I got a Bally Judge Dredd and the general illuminating conector is horrible! I need to replace it, what's your recommendation??

[@googpix540]

What's the style or model nber if the molec tool with the changeable heads ?

[@GRCPinballOfficial]

AVN back from an extended vacation! Sup bro?

[@AaronVanNoy]

Good tips!

[@GRCPinballOfficial]

Hey Eddie! I'm excited about your post here but can't find the thru-wire tool you refer to... Can you kindly email a link, please?! I think Ray does need that. He doesn't enjoy the current thru-wire process for sure... About wire strippers... Ray's old school. He seems to like that obsolete thing he's been using. Thanks for your comments! Keep 'em coming!

[@AwninGod]

Where ya get the connectors? a link to them woulda been sweet.

[@NaturalProgressGames]

I've been using these videos to help me with what tools to buy, I checked great plains electronics for those 2 stage crimpers and couldn't find any tools. Also, I'm having trouble finding the pistol grip IDC tool you use in this video. Any help would be greatly appreciated. I'm also unclear on how you explained the through wire fix @ 21:18 . If the wire is going 2 different directions, how does the 2 to 1 wire address that? These are all things I need to do on my machine.

[@googpix540]

What's the wire cutter at 4:28 ?

[@GRCPinballOfficial]

Glad you enjoyed it & thanks for commenting! :)

[@Trensare]

Actually, i thought it was going to be tougher than actually is. There´s 2-3 decent shops (online) in Sweden and then i've done a purchase from Germany but it was only 4-5 days delivery time and they had a lot. Lucky for me all the ramps are good, but i've found complete plastic kits and even a whole board (Marco). The Cyclone i mentioned btw is the Williams 88' one. Know there's a few with the same name. Tech tips episode tip: LED's :)

[@GRCPinballOfficial]

Kevin? Hmmm... What game room are you referring to this time? Think you might have posted on the wrong vid. This one is about connectors! ;)

[@GRCPinballOfficial]

Okay - the 2-stage crimper is on Great Plains' site. Part number 3126-CT. $85. Ray's pistol-grip IDC must be as old as he is. Discontinued. The only one we found available (quick search) was on Mouser's site. Mouser Part #: 538-62202-0500. A bargain at $492.48??? No wonder those other guys choose to hack stuff!

[@joeruggiero6187]

I don't see a #15 video in the repair series nor one on display's as mentioned towards the end of this video.

[@NaturalProgressGames]

Where would i order new connectors like you show at 1:56 when ray says "This". I'm working on some games that were mishandled in the exact same way for no apparent reason. (4x WPC games all with the GI connectors cut of and directly soldered to the boards. I have no clue why. The previous owner must have been half a tard.)

[@ebjimmyg]

think i will get a grimace costume for the halloween party

[@GRCPinballOfficial]

Uhhuh. It's okay. We like being unliked by certain folks. Serves as a compliment! At least they're watching every minute of every one of our videos. We like that too! We must admit that at least one of us watched their entire (initial) BK video. Their vids do serve a purpose as they show what NOT to do. "We upgraded the GI circuit with 4 fuses and LED's!" Huh??? In other childish 57-year-old news. Today is Ray's birthday! He claims to be 57 also but we've heard that before? Hmmm....

[@ebjimmyg]

watched it, was a good laugh.... fails to work, twice, then keep hitting that switch!!!!! wait lets show how the magna save works!!!!! oops, game titled and reset. LMFAO!!!!!!!!!!!!! too frigging funny, hope it works when it gets to canada

[@cschena123]

The expert looks like he's thinking "God would you shut the hell up"

[@NaturalProgressGames]

You notice the terrible condition of the playfield (near the center) and the botched color matching on the side cabinet? (You can really see it for a second, but they pan away really quick once they realize you can tell.) LOL

[@googpix540]

Am I losing my mind or is Dave mustaine playing really loud at the beginning of the video to the point you can't hear ray. Then there is a loud audio track of the bassist from pod.

[@GRCPinballOfficial]

Well.... After we sent them a few polite "nice video featuring broken machine" messages, they removed the video, edited out the section featuring the non-working mystery shot but... left in the magna-tilt & re-posted! You'd think they would have fixed the machine & re-shot the video?? They didn't. Brutal but not surprising... $10 says that machine shipped as shown - not working.

[@stevealaska73]

Do youuu seeee what I seeeeeeeeeee? lol (@36:55)

[@alexandersmith7583]

have you heard of bullet proofing them tnt amusements inc grounds them at the transformers theres wires that are all earths and grounds them to the metal body that stops them blowing them up

[@GRCPinballOfficial]

If you're referring the the Gottlieb tech service bulletin for poor ground design, yes we've discussed this. It's a good thing to do when executed properly. Judging by other workmanship coming from the shop you mention, we have serious doubts that they perform this operation with any positive outcome.

[@alexandersmith7583]

he does alot of pinball machines

[@GRCPinballOfficial]

Define "does." If you mean he "sells" a lot of pinball machines, we know. A large group of our service customers have (with grave regret) purchased machines there. Can you explain the plethora of service customers we literally have within walking distance of their operation? Think about it...

[@alexandersmith7583]

He should be shut down then and someone take over doing quality work because in the uk thats basically fraud and deception and will come back on you when reported to trading standards with customers wanting there money back

[@GRCPinballOfficial]

Yeah well... people get away with shit and pinball is a funny venue. Many buyers know absolutely nothing about what they are looking at. When they figure it out, we gain a service customer if they are local enough. Out of range folks are on their own or they can watch some Ray's Tech Tips and learn to do it themselves.

[@alexandersmith7583]

You should contact the 5000 customers tnt have and tell them that buy quality not pieces of junk from a junk operation that needs shut down because they are ripping people off of there hard earned cash

[@GRCPinballOfficial]

And you've just identified the purpose of our YT program ~ to reach those folks and tell them! It keeps our service line ringing off the hook...

[@alexandersmith7583]

they also change the battery on the board

[@GRCPinballOfficial]

???

[@alexandersmith7583]

they also missed an earth on the edge connector as well

[@GRCPinballOfficial]

???

[@alexandersmith7583]

the boards go cold and have to be reflowed the solder joints

[@GRCPinballOfficial]

False. "Reflowing" as defined adding new solder to an old solder contact does not fix or prevent cold solder joints. It causes them. The proper service is explained: kzbin.info/www/bejne/d4iVmKyKi7KVoqcm56s

[@alexandersmith7583]

I understand what you are saying obviously I wasnt looking or viewing the right people who do a proper job and quality at that

[@johnwpowell1955]

Seriously why cant someone sell 20 pin .156 precrimped female connectors, with 6" or so of wire attached. All crimped and ready to go, we need nine pins, we cut the connector down to nine pins. I would much rather solder and heatshriink a wire to a wire then to deal with crimping and special tools. With all the stuff avail for the DIY guy, why cant we get pre-wired pigtails ???

[@GRCPinballOfficial]

NP, shoot me an email. [e-mail]

[@DavidCarper-h1u]

Metallica "Replace Em' All"..

[@walkerboh39]

Cool stuff but cannot watch (to long) - camera constantly shakes erratically. Thank you for sharing. *dizzy*

[@GRCPinballOfficial]

+walkerboh39 You'll get a kick out of this week's intro then. kzbin.info/www/bejne/bpaogGaBnr-ejc0

[@ebjimmyg]

another bad place for pins? mike's house? ;)

[@rwoods911]

Video is very useful I have some hacks to fix in a machine I acquired :) . I wonder if I found your crimp tool at digikey.com. Can you tell me if this is it? A1999-ND and A2031-ND.

[@NaturalProgressGames]

BTW You get the same amount of dislikes all at once, as the TNT guys get likes before anyone has even had time to watch their videos. (10 minute video uploaded 1 minute ago and has 5-6 likes? Yeah right TNT...)Then you guys get 5-6 dislikes all at once? Yea right... Very childish 57 year old.

[@GRCPinballOfficial]

Speak of the devil? The check bouncer has obviously visited. We got our obligatory thumbs down already! Ooooh, while we're at it. Everybody please go enjoy a really great laugh on "their" new Black Knight video. 5:11 to 5:35 is a total trip as the host showcases a feature then ignores when it fails to work. Awful workmanship once again!