Weak flippers on an EM: adjust the end-of-stroke switch before buying coils
On electromechanical games the flipper end-of-stroke switch cuts the coil back to its weaker hold power. When its contacts get pitted, or are set to open too early or too far, the flipper loses power before it finishes its swing. Clean the contacts and set the switch so it opens only at the very end of the stroke, with just a small gap, before replacing coils or fitting stronger ones. Checking the flipper return springs is another cheap first step.
Systems
Related tips
- How an EM flipper coil and its EOS switch work
- Weak, chattering or buzzing flipper: end-of-stroke switch
- An EM flipper coil is two windings
- Weak flipper from an over-tight return spring
- Rebuild EM flippers before fitting stronger coils
- Flipper EOS switch: gap, checking and cleaning
- Bally and 1948-62 Williams (50 V) EM flipper coils
- Stronger flipper coils for Gottlieb EMs
Source: Pinball Repair help group!! (Facebook group)