Reviving a faded Futaba display

Steps

• Turn the game off and remove one six-digit display.
• Clip two leads to the coin lockout coil lugs (about 24 V DC) and to the two outermost display pins, either way round.
• Switch on for only 3 to 5 seconds, then off again; the filament wires glow and burn off oxidation.
• For a four-digit credit display use 8-12 V DC instead, never coil voltage.

More than 5 seconds can burn a filament and ruin the display.

Systems

• Gottlieb System 1

Related tips

• How the Gottlieb fluorescent displays work
• Never plug displays with the power on
• Which CPU chips run the displays
• Power supply bring-up, step 3: displays
• +60 V or +42 V display voltage missing
• Spare chips for System 1 boards
• Score displays flicker or go dim
• Displays are scanned, not lit steadily

Source: Gottlieb System 1 Pinball Repair from 1977 to 1980, Clay Harrell (pinrepair.com)