How to Change Light Bulbs in Pinball Machines
All those flashing lights on a pinball game look really cool for a while, until one by one they inevitably burn out. To keep your treasured game in top condition, replace those old lamps as part of a regular maintenance regimen. This is a basic procedure, but first-time owners of pinball games may not know how to access the pinball lights. You'll find them in two places: on the play field and beneath the back glass. Before you begin any repair like this, turn off and unplug the machine for your safety.
Instructions
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Accessing the Play Field Lights
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1
Open the coin door by turning your key to release the lock and swinging the door open.
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2
Pull the lock-down bar lever to release the lock-down bar, which is the metal edge piece on the front of your machine above the play field. Lift the lock-down bar away from the game and set it aside.
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3
Slide out the glass. First use your palms, then grasp the edge of the glass and slide it out all the way. Use extreme care so you don't damage or break the glass, which could also cause injury. Lean the glass against a wall in a low-traffic area. Pinball-Fixers.com advises that you should never place the glass on concrete or tiles.
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4
Inspect the play field. You will have instant access now to many of the play field lights. Other lights are hidden under trim pieces.
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5
Use a small open-end wrench to remove the bolts on trim pieces. Alternately, you can use a screwdriver. Set the trim piece aside, and you'll have access to the lights.
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6
Lift up the play field with both hands and swing it up all the way. Prop it up with the prop rod. This provides access to any lights that are on the bottom of the play field. Use a screwdriver or nut driver as needed to remove parts to access these sometimes-stubborn lights on the very bottom of the play field.
Accessing the Back Glass Lights
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7
Locate the back box lock. The back box is the big unit at the rear of the game that displays the name of the game, scores, and other features. The lock location varies; you might find it on the outside or inside the back box area, usually near the top.
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8
Insert and turn your back box key.
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9
Grasp the bottom front lip of the back box glass (called simply the back glass) with your fingers. Pull the glass up about an inch, then carefully pull it toward you to remove it from the machine. Set the glass aside in a safe place on top of a towel. The back glass lamps will now be exposed.
How to Replace the Lamps
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10
Turn lamps on the pinball machine counterclockwise 1/4 turn by hand to remove them. Some lamps (wedge-base types) do not turn but rather pull straight out.
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Insert the base of the replacement lamp. Turn the assembly clockwise 1/4 turn by hand to secure it. (Or if it's a wedge-base, simply push it in.)
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12
Test the lights by plugging in the machine and turning it on.
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Turn off and unplug the machine again if you must make any lighting adjustments.
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Tips & Warnings
On some pre-1978 pinball machines ("electro-mechanical" types), you will not have front-side access to the back box. Unlock and open the access door on the back side of the unit to service those lamps.
Use No. 47 lamps, which give off less damaging heat than the original No. 44 lamps, according to PinRepair.com.
Do not touch the glass part of a new lamp with your hands. The oils from your skin can harm the bulb, causing premature burnout.
