How to Troubleshoot an Air Hockey Table

Air hockey tables use the power of wind to make the puck float over the table. If your puck no longer floats, here is what you can do to try and fix it. There are a variety of factors that can slow your air hockey table down, and nearly all of them are a very quick fix. Use this information to get years more use out of your air hockey table.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Voltage tester
• Needle
• Old rag
• Screwdriver
• Cotton swab
• Rubbing alcohol

1. Check the power in the outlet that drives the table. There is only one moving part to an air hockey table--the motor. Determine if there is power getting to that unit. Test the socket it is plugged into with a voltage tester. If there is no power, a circuit breaker needs to be reset. If there is power but no motor running, or if the motor is running but sounds weak, you'll need to turn off the power to the table before you move on.

2. Pull the motor out to check it. Either flip over the table or crawl underneath, but you'll need to remove the actual motor. It will be held on by 3 or 4 screws. Using your screwdriver, take out the screws. Notice that the motor is just a large fan that blows air upwards. Spin the blades. If the blades barely spin or don't spin at all, the bearings are bad and the motor needs to be replaced. If the blades spin, check the bottom of the motor for a red reset button. Push the button in and it will work again when you turn the power on.

3. Clean the fan blades. If the motor was still running but sounded weak, the chances are that the fan blades are filthy and not pushing very much air through them. Use a cotton swab and dip it in rubbing alcohol to clean off the fan blades. Use a rag to wipe off the rest of the dirt. You can then reinstall the fan motor by replacing the screws.

4. Clean out the air holes. If the motor is running but there is no airflow on the table, the air holes are blocked. On top of the table will be hundreds of tiny little air holes. Check out each one and insert a needle into every one of them to make sure that nothing is blocking the air from the fan.

Tips & Warnings

• Never work with the motor or the fan while the air hockey table is plugged in.

[grillman74]

on 8/4/2009 I have done all of the things that you said to do, but I still am not able to play, when I put a piece of paper or the puck it still will not move