Looking for a tabletop pinball suggestion or two.

[Andromeda Stardust]

I found some images of the internals online. From the look of things,the design actually uses a piece of sheet metal with a perforation cut out as the 'switch'. I need to verify though. I'm going to do some tinkering and see what I come up with.

Check it for oxidation. If there's rust or black oxide on the steel (for copper this would be green or brown), you may need to lap the surface with 600 grit sandpaper. Then apply dielectric contact grease to the surface to prevent further oxidation. You can get a small tube of the grease at any auto part store. People use it on battery terminals and light bulb fixtures. Only use a very thin coat to cover the contact area. Avoid contact with plastic parts if possible. If you get it on the plastic, wipe it off and clean up with alcohol. Otherwise it may degrade the plastic with time.

 

Grease lasts a long while but may harden over time and increase resistance, so you may have to clean and retreat the contacts every 5-10 years or so as a routine maintenance.

[Bill Loguidice]

Can someone help me locate a compatible power adapter for the Zizzle pinball machines? I isolated the issue my machine was having to the AC adapter. If I replace that, it should be good to go.

 

[Andromeda Stardust]

Can someone help me locate a compatible power adapter for the Zizzle pinball machines? I isolated the issue my machine was having to the AC adapter. If I replace that, it should be good to go.

 

Get a 24V bench power supply (make sure it is regulated / switching type) and splice the barrel connector from the old adapter into it. You will need a multimeter to determine the voltage is correct (+/- 10% or less) and proper polarity of the cable. The inside tip of the barrel is (+). I would recommend taking the adapter to RadioShack for replacement, but alas they no longer exist...

[Bill Loguidice]

Get a 24V bench power supply (make sure it is regulated / switching type) and splice the barrel connector from the old adapter into it. You will need a multimeter to determine the voltage is correct (+/- 10% or less) and proper polarity of the cable. The inside tip of the barrel is (+). I would recommend taking the adapter to RadioShack for replacement, but alas they no longer exist...

 

I don't think it needs to be that complicated. I was able to use an old cell phone AC adapter. The wattage was just too low. I just need another 120V 60W power supply with barrel connector.

[SiberianSpForces]

Oh man! I remember my brother having either an Atomic Pinball or something very similar. I have an Air Pinball I got for Christmas years back. I believe they came from Radio Shack. Dismantled it over the summer since it had battery corrosion. Got onto some wiring so I had to replace some wire and resolder a few joints. Only thing left is to get a replacement speaker. It fell apart when I removed it.

[Andromeda Stardust]

The nameplate suggests a 24V supply rating. Most small electronics use 12V tops. You may get some mileage out of an old Laptop adapter. These generally output 19-20V at least 3A, a bit low on the voltage side but your pinball should work. You may find the actuators have less kickback though if undervolted. If you had trouble hitting targets, a stronger supply may be needed. That's why I suggested a 24V bench supply. Some you can dial in the voltage. I would be weary of going much above 24V though as with too much voltage, the actuators might overheat if energized for more than a few seconds.

[Bill Loguidice]

The nameplate suggests a 24V supply rating. Most small electronics use 12V tops. You may get some mileage out of an old Laptop adapter. These generally output 19-20V at least 3A, a bit low on the voltage side but your pinball should work. You may find the actuators have less kickback though if undervolted. If you had trouble hitting targets, a stronger supply may be needed. That's why I suggested a 24V bench supply. Some you can dial in the voltage. I would be weary of going much above 24V though as with too much voltage, the actuators might overheat if energized for more than a few seconds.

 

A generic, old laptop power supply worked. Thanks!

[+Austin]

That Air Pinball looks kind of trippy. Not much going on with the playfield physically, but man that art! Haha.

[Azuritko]

Oh man! I remember my brother having either an Atomic Pinball or something very similar. I have an Air Pinball I got for Christmas years back. I believe they came from Radio Shack. Dismantled it over the summer since it had battery corrosion. Got onto some wiring so I had to replace some wire and resolder a few joints. Only thing left is to get a replacement speaker. It fell apart when I removed it.

Wow, it looks really good. And I watched a video of it and it has very nice action. I want one.

[ComputerSpaceFan]

Just thought I'd let folks know there's a Stunt Jumper tabletop pinball for sale out of Portugal with free worldwide shipping on eBay right now. I love mine and highly recommend anyone into these little things to check this one out. I have also posted my video below...

 

eBay link

 

 

 

 

 

[+jgkspsx]

That looks like a real pinball game! I never knew these existed. Is the asking price a good price for it?

[ComputerSpaceFan]

I got mine for about sixty many years ago and I think I paid shipping from Germany (I'm in Canada) so this price is a bit higher but not unreasonable.

[Tanooki]

Looks like a knockoff of the older Tomy atomic arcade pinball from the late 70s as it's just so similar in limitations and design right down to the 3 bumpers, 2 slings, 2 ramps, 5 digit score roller too.

 

I've yet to see something as nicely done as Tomy's mid80s sequel the Astro Shooter pinball which I've got.  It has just more features, places to score, etc.

[ComputerSpaceFan]

15 hours ago, Tanooki said:

Looks like a knockoff of the older Tomy atomic arcade pinball from the late 70s as it's just so similar in limitations and design right down to the 3 bumpers, 2 slings, 2 ramps, 5 digit score roller too.

 

I've yet to see something as nicely done as Tomy's mid80s sequel the Astro Shooter pinball which I've got.  It has just more features, places to score, etc.

Agreed .... Asto Shooter is way more fun (I have one too) but in the Atomic pinball design style, I much prefer Stunt Jumper over Atomic

[+jgkspsx]

How about this crazy thing??? 
 

I never thought I’d see the day that I asked my wife for an American Girl doll accessory.

[Tanooki]

Haha yeah... I saw that before, I was amazed at the detail they put into it.

 

I've been considering selling my Astro Shooter pinball, it just collects dust mostly.  Not wanting to deal with ebay though, too many cranks.

[ComputerSpaceFan]

22 hours ago, Tanooki said:

Haha yeah... I saw that before, I was amazed at the detail they put into it.

 

I've been considering selling my Astro Shooter pinball, it just collects dust mostly.  Not wanting to deal with ebay though, too many cranks.

Astro Shooter is amazing, I love mine. You'll easily find buyers for it.

[Tanooki]

5 hours ago, ComputerSpaceFan said:

Astro Shooter is amazing, I love mine. You'll easily find buyers for it.

Yeah I think it will go out.  I like it, but it's loud (as much the mechanical stuff on top of the audio even on low) and gets old fairly quick for me so it's just in the way as it eats up some good space.  It's still complete in its box too, not some beat up loose thing with the commonly missing legs issue.

[ComputerSpaceFan]

Holy crap! A company called Ambassador has remade / rebooted the Tomy Atomic pinball of yesteryear. Very tempted!

 

 

[bomberpunk]

19 hours ago, ComputerSpaceFan said:

Holy crap! A company called Ambassador has remade / rebooted the Tomy Atomic pinball of yesteryear. Very tempted!

 

 

i bought this yesterday and played it today. it's better than decent but not super awesome.

[ComputerSpaceFan]

3 hours ago, bomberpunk said:

i bought this yesterday and played it today. it's better than decent but not super awesome.

How loud is it? I know the guy posted gameplay at the end of his video where you can hear it and unlike Atomic it doesn't seem to grind and whirr as bad. Is it noisy?