Flipper Hum on Stern SpiderMan

TulsaPin

unread,

Sep 27, 2009, 9:31:22 PM9/27/09

to

Hi All,

Im new to this hobby and have been reading RGP for the past month or
so and decided a couple of weeks ago to get a SM for my first game <it
was on location for only a few months and looks 99% as new. I have
had the game for about a week and love it but today I noticed that
whenever you hit one of the flipper buttons there is a Hum coming from
the Flipper Coil underneath. Both the Left and Right does this and
Hum even stays if you hold a flipper button. I did just lower the
music volume today so maybe this sound is normal and has always been
there and could not hear it over the rocking soundtrack. Just seeing
if this is normal and if not any ideas? Thanks for the help and now
Im trying to think what to get to put next to Sm.

Lloyd Olson

unread,

Sep 27, 2009, 9:38:13 PM9/27/09

to

Normal. I've found that gently filing the plunger bottom smooth ( the part
that strikes the coil stop ) helps a lot. LTG :)

"TulsaPin" <sand...@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:aa518250-67f1-4a4c...@z34g2000vbl.googlegroups.com...

CEG

unread,

Sep 27, 2009, 9:40:19 PM9/27/09

to

It's normal. The newer Sterns use AC current (like the ole EM's)
instead of DC for some reason. You can try to install a new coil stop
to help quiet it down which did help a little bit on mine but it still
has a little hum. I hardly notice it now.

Brad

unread,

Sep 27, 2009, 10:41:59 PM9/27/09

to

You'd like to think that is a problem that Stern could have resolved
by now since its only been going on for 10 years. It is pretty
annoying.

RD Reynolds

unread,

Sep 27, 2009, 11:08:12 PM9/27/09

to

Is it that way on all Sterns? It drove me crazy on my TSPP, haven't
noticed any hum at all on my POTC? Wonder if someone put in the mod
you mentioned before I bought mine?

RD

Borygard

unread,

Sep 27, 2009, 11:17:24 PM9/27/09

to

I don't think so. Stern's SAM system uses DC for all coils just like
previous Stern games. It's pulsed DC, but it's controlled with MOSFETs just
like previous boards and uses DC.

The only things that use AC in a Stern game is the florescent backbox lamp
and GI.

--
Rob Anthony
Pinball Classics
www.LockWhenLit.com
Quality Board Work - In Home Service
314-766-4587

"CEG" <cor...@comcast.net> wrote in message
news:3f2471f0-a032-4145...@l34g2000vba.googlegroups.com...

Rockotaco

unread,

Sep 27, 2009, 11:19:02 PM9/27/09

to

I get this a bit on my right ToM flipper.

CEG

unread,

Sep 28, 2009, 6:32:37 AM9/28/09

to

On Sep 27, 11:17 pm, "Borygard" <Boryg...@gmail.com> wrote:
> I don't think so. Stern'sSAM system uses DC for all coils just like
> previousSterngames. It's pulsed DC, but it's controlled with MOSFETs just

> like previous boards and uses DC.
>

> The only things that useACin aSterngame is the florescent backbox lamp

> and GI.
>
> --
> Rob Anthony
> Pinball Classicswww.LockWhenLit.com
> Quality Board Work - In Home Service
> 314-766-4587
>

> "CEG" <corv...@comcast.net> wrote in message

>
> news:3f2471f0-a032-4145...@l34g2000vba.googlegroups.com...
> On Sep 27, 9:31 pm, TulsaPin <sandke...@yahoo.com> wrote:
>
> > Hi All,
>
> > Im new to this hobby and have been reading RGP for the past month or
> > so and decided a couple of weeks ago to get a SM for my first game <it
> > was on location for only a few months and looks 99% as new. I have
> > had the game for about a week and love it but today I noticed that
> > whenever you hit one of the flipper buttons there is a Hum coming from
> > the Flipper Coil underneath. Both the Left and Right does this and
> > Hum even stays if you hold a flipper button. I did just lower the
> > music volume today so maybe this sound is normal and has always been
> > there and could not hear it over the rocking soundtrack. Just seeing
> > if this is normal and if not any ideas? Thanks for the help and now
> > Im trying to think what to get to put next to Sm.
>

> It's normal. The newer Sterns useACcurrent (like the ole EM's)

> instead of DC for some reason. You can try to install a new coil stop
> to help quiet it down which did help a little bit on mine but it still
> has a little hum. I hardly notice it now.

ok I was misinformed. But they sure do hum like the old EM's do! :)

CornCob

unread,

Sep 28, 2009, 6:45:48 AM9/28/09

to

Not sure the real cause of the sound but because they are pulsed
around 20times per second, I'd guess that's probably partly
responsible.

If you play with the return spring, making it slightly weaker - might
affect game play but I've found it helps resolve some of the noise. A
strong spring and pressure from the leaf switch seems to move the
plunger away within the time the coil is off, when switched back on it
bats the end stop again, repeatedly making a hum.

Try Lloyds end stop file aswell.

Ping

Bingovit

unread,

Sep 28, 2009, 11:27:42 AM9/28/09

to

I noticed that adjusting the coilstop fixed this problem ;-)

TulsaPin

unread,

Sep 28, 2009, 11:45:42 AM9/28/09

to

> I noticed that adjusting the coilstop fixed this problem ;-)- Hide quoted text -
>
> - Show quoted text -

Im just glad that its normal and nothing wrong with the machine I
think I can live with it. Thanks to all the help.

Rare Hero

unread,

Sep 28, 2009, 12:00:30 PM9/28/09

to

On Sep 28, 8:45 am, TulsaPin <sandke...@yahoo.com> wrote:
> Im just glad that its normal and nothing wrong with the machine I
> think I can live with it. Thanks to all the help.

The buzz is caused by vibration on the coil stop....so, try adjusting
the coil stop...I've gotten rid of the buzz on all my Sterns this
way...just make sure it's REALLY straight when you tighten it, and it
will get rid of the buzz. Lloyd's method is good too if just
adjusting doesn't get rid of it.

Greg

CEG

unread,

Sep 28, 2009, 12:09:43 PM9/28/09

to

I purchased new coil stops for mine. It didn't elimate the hum
completely but it made it better.