Mechanics Tip

[vinson]

Here's a tip for you,
before installing a start switch -micro switch . Wrap a it a couple of times with electrical tape before installing it. That way the switch will last longer,as in the brass pins won't work loose, and there is a less of a chance of oils seeping into the switch,also to keep the terminals tight, seal the screws by applying a bright fingernail polish on them, this is so when you inspect them it is easy to see that you have taken care of this switch already.Also only leave the 2 terminals on the switch that are needed,there is nothing worse than having someone put a terminal on the wrong terminal that doesn't know better.

[deadwood_dup1]

Re: Mechanics Tip

No offence but you do all that for a 5 dollar part? No offence....

[Ed Fox]

Re: Mechanics Tip

Quote:]Originally posted by vinson:
Here's a tip for you,
before installing a start switch -micro switch . Wrap a it a couple of times with electrical tape before installing it. That way the switch will last longer,as in the brass pins won't work loose, and there is a less of a chance of oils seeping into the switch,also to keep the terminals tight, seal the screws by applying a bright fingernail polish on them, this is so when you inspect them it is easy to see that you have taken care of this switch already.Also only leave the 2 terminals on the switch that are needed,there is nothing worse than having someone put a terminal on the wrong terminal that doesn't know better.[/QUOTE]

Vinson, excellent ideas. Back in the early 90's there was a run of bad switches and the pins were falling out of them left and right. I have been doing that ever since. [img]/content/btubb/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/wink.gif[/img]

Charlie [img]/content/btubb/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/smile.gif[/img]

[Dutch]

Re: Mechanics Tip

Deadwood,

I'd do it to a $0.50 part if it meant that it would last longer. If you can bullet proof your machines, by all means, do it! The extra time & money spent now will pay off down the road, both for you and your center.

A micro switch is a good example. If you spend 5 min. & $0.05 now to improve a $5 part & it lasts twice as long, you've saved $5 plus the time (and aggravation) it costs to replace the switch. If you're talking a TBL or SWP cam switch, the cost of labor to replace it can be more than the part itself.

[deadwood_dup1]

Re: Mechanics Tip

Dutch: Does that mean you have experience in the Nail polish area??? ROFLMAO Just kiddin.. I agree with a lil work for a year of worth, but sometimes like everyone you get lazy and dont wanna reach in there and pull out the switch.... but i do agree its a good idea. So thats where all the electrical tape went....

Deadwood

[Mr. 800-R]

Re: Mechanics Tip

Do you guys have triggering. I threw away all the brackets and switches.

Mr. 800

[Dutch]

Re: Mechanics Tip

Not currently but I've worked with it before & I'm glad we didn't remove the cushion switches. If the triggering malfunctions, it's nice to have a backup that you can plug in & not have to shut the lane down while you figure out what's wrong. You can come back later, or even in a few days, if you're busy with something else.

[deadwood_dup1]

Re: Mechanics Tip

I would remove the bin switches of we didnt have punk kinds trying to hit the 2 flashing lights behind the camera during cosmic! [img]/content/btubb/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/mad.gif[/img] [img]/content/btubb/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/mad.gif[/img]

Deadwood

[ February 12, 2002: Message edited by: Deadwood2 ]

[TheGMan143]

Re: Mechanics Tip

Quote:]Originally posted by Dutch:
If the triggering malfunctions, its nice to have a backup that you can plug in & not have to shut the lane down while you figure out whats wrong. You can come back later, or even in a few days, if youre busy with something else.[/QUOTE]

I picked up an "emergency" cycle switch kit a while back, and for the longest time it was worth it's weight in gold... I can't remember who we got it from, but it's a little metal box with a metal tab on it, and a set of wires. You just slip the tab between the plank and the rubber, and connect the wires to the existing cushion switch wires. There's a weighted microswitch in the box (it looks a LOT like a 'tilt' switch from a pinball machine) that trips when a ball hits the cushion. Very handy little gadget... takes about 30 seconds to put in, and lets you worry about changing a broken switch AFTER the bowlers are finished, and it's so simple that it's virtually unbreakable.

[vinson]

Re: Mechanics Tip

Cut it out guys you are infringing on a tip I plan to post in the future. (:
I am going to post common sense tip once in a while and just see what happens, I have enough to last a year or so. No mickey mousing. Just things that I have come up with or seen that was good in my travels. Smile

Thanks, Don

[Mreessr]

Re: Mechanics Tip

That emergency switch sounds a lot like the vantage mercury switch i have. A very handy item to have around. Just pull the wires off the bad micro and slide them on the terminals of the mercury switch and put the flat part of the switch in the cushion between the plank and the sponge. Mine is made of plastic and it has lasted for 11 years and still works fine. I never heard of the tape thing before, I use the fiber shield trimmed on both sides but no micro is bullet proof. They take a lot of beating and will fail at the worst time eventually. Not aware of a back up start switch for the 90 if the ball trigger fails other than replacing the failed trigger. If anyone has a backup for the converted 70 to 90 please let me know. On my machines there is no start switch wireing to the chassis other than the infared ball trigger.