Auto Plunger Problems POTC
Rob T
When the auto plunger tries to send a ball into play on my POTC, it
usually will not make it past the one-way gate. Not only that, but the
ball will also occasionally jump over the left side of the ramp either
directly onto the playfield, or into the outlane.
When it first started doing this I looked and saw that the plastic
piece was broken on the auto plunger rod, so I replaced it with this:
http://www.pinballlife.com/index.php?p=product&id=657&parent=0
Got it hooked up fine, and the first 5-7 balls hit into play by the
auto plunger worked fine, then it started doing what I described above
(it's as though I didn't replace the broken part).
The ball goes into play fine when I use the manual plunger. I have
looked for anything in the balls path and don't see anything. The two
metal prongs that the plunger uses to put the ball into play appear to
be contacting the ball evenly.
There appears to be no real way to adjust this, but even if there was,
I can't tell what is causing the ball to come out so erratically. I
would say less than 50% of the time the ball will be put into play
correctly.
Any ideas?
--
Rob T
This USENET post sent from http://rgparchive.com
Lloyd Olson
that moves and strikes the ball worn or binding ? coil sleeve broke ?
Anything loose ? LTG :)
"Rob T" <rob...@charter.net> wrote in message news:Rob.T....@gmail.com...
Juan_Fingers
spring on the shooter housing. Over time the spring becomes
compressed and the ball is farther up in the shooter lane making it
hard for the auto shooter to make good contact. Just my guess.
http://www.pinballlife.com/index.php?p=product&id=1834&parent=0
Good luck with your fix.
Lewis
pinballmike217
There are also two nyliner bushings like this:
that keep the plunger bracket aligned. If yours are worn or missing
that could cause a problem. Double check for the correct part number,
there are many different sizes.
Mike
Rob T
> On May 7, 4:36 pm, Rob T <rob...@charter.net> wrote:
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> > When the auto plunger tries to send a ball into play on my POTC, it
> > usually will not make it past the one-way gate. Not only that, but the
> > ball will also occasionally jump over the left side of the ramp either
> > directly onto the playfield, or into the outlane.
>
> > When it first started doing this I looked and saw that the plastic
> > piece was broken on the auto plunger rod, so I replaced it with this:http://www.pinballlife.com/index.php?p=product&id=657&parent=0
>
> > Got it hooked up fine, and the first 5-7 balls hit into play by the
> > auto plunger worked fine, then it started doing what I described above
> > (it's as though I didn't replace the broken part).
>
> > The ball goes into play fine when I use the manual plunger. I have
> > looked for anything in the balls path and don't see anything. The two
> > metal prongs that the plunger uses to put the ball into play appear to
> > be contacting the ball evenly.
>
> > There appears to be no real way to adjust this, but even if there was,
> > I can't tell what is causing the ball to come out so erratically. I
> > would say less than 50% of the time the ball will be put into play
> > correctly.
>
> > Any ideas?
>
> > --
> > Rob T
> > This USENET post sent from http://rgparchive.com
>
> There are also two nyliner bushings like this:
>
>
> that keep the plunger bracket aligned. If yours are worn or missing
> that could cause a problem. Double check for the correct part number,
> there are many different sizes.
>
> Mike
I'm not even sure where that part would go?
Rob T
I thought of this and checked the spring. It seems good, with lots of
tension. The ball seems to be in good contact with the two metal
prongs.
Juan_Fingers;1692849 Wrote:
> I had a similar thing happen to me on Indy 4. Replace the outer coil
> spring on the shooter housing. Over time the spring becomes
> compressed and the ball is farther up in the shooter lane making it
> hard for the auto shooter to make good contact. Just my guess.
> http://www.pinballlife.com/index.php?p=product&id=1834&parent=0
>
> Good luck with your fix.
> Lewis
>
>
>
>
> On May 7, 2:36*pm, Rob T <rob... (AT) charter (DOT) net> wrote:
> > When the auto plunger tries to send a ball into play on my POTC, it
> > usually will not make it past the one-way gate. *Not only that, but
> the
> > ball will also occasionally jump over the left side of the ramp
> either
> > directly onto the playfield, or into the outlane.
> >
> > When it first started doing this I looked and saw that the plastic
> > piece was broken on the auto plunger rod, so I replaced it with
> this:http://www.pinballlife.com/index.php?p=product&id=657&parent=0
> >
> > Got it hooked up fine, and the first 5-7 balls hit into play by the
> > auto plunger worked fine, then it started doing what I described
> above
> > (it's as though I didn't replace the broken part).
> >
> > The ball goes into play fine when I use the manual plunger. *I have
> > looked for anything in the balls path and don't see anything. *The
> two
> > metal prongs that the plunger uses to put the ball into play appear
> to
> > be contacting the ball evenly.
> >
> > There appears to be no real way to adjust this, but even if there
> was,
> > I can't tell what is causing the ball to come out so erratically. *I
> > would say less than 50% of the time the ball will be put into play
> > correctly.
> >
> > Any ideas?
> >
> > --
> > Rob T
> > This USENET post sent from *http://rgparchive.com
phishrace
They go on each side of the pivot point on the auto plunger. Blue
pages of the manual. If it's not in your manual, it's in the online
version.
-phish
Steve G
I'd try Juan's idea first by going into coil test pulling the plunger
back by hand to get the tip out of the way. Now press the start button
to fire the autolaunch coil. If after several tests it seems fine you
may need the outer spring. Also make sure the shooter tip isn't
touching either side of the forks which could cause any drag. Also
could take off the apron and make sure the coil bracket hasn't broken
or loosened from the playfield. With apron off and playfield lowered
back into position you should be able to use coil test and see what
the issue is.
Rob T
Thanks for all the suggestions. I still wasn't able to figure out what
was going on, but luckily my dealer was in the area and came by to take
a look. Even though everything appeared fine at first glance, David
(SoCalPinballs) noticed that one of the forks seemed like it was not
perfectly straight (vertically), so he bent it slightly with pliers.
Incredible, as the auto plunger has been working perfectly ever since
(and after only a single attempt at straightening).
What was surprising to me was how little it was off, and what a big
difference it made in the auto plunger not working.
Thanks David!
SoCalPinballs
I'm glad we were able to figure it out and that it is working well now
Rob.
David