• TECH: Stern Meteor drop target problems

    From Mark@fitzhattrick@gmail.com to rec.games.pinball on Sunday, July 12, 2020 20:56:46
    From Newsgroup: rec.games.pinball

    I installed a new set of drop targets on Meteor, they are the hooded (aka chicklet) style from Planetary Pinball.


    For the M-E-T-E-O-R targets at the top, each drop target switch is opened
    when the target is up and the switch closes when the target is is in the
    down position.

    When I press the credit button to start a game, the following sequence occurs:

    The METEOR targets reset up and slide down (such that none of the targets are visible)

    The sequence 2-2-2 targets reset once and slide down (such that none of the targets are visible.

    The next next two alternate indefinitely (until I power off the game):

    The bank of 1-1-1 drop targets are reset, they fall down
    The bank of 3-3-3 drop targets are reset, then they fall down


    My top questions are

    (1) How to keep the targets from falling back down after they are reset?

    (2) Should I not use hooded style targets (i.e. use tombstone style instead?)

    (3) Should I replace the coil sleeves for each of the four reset banks?

    (4) Do you typically need to replace the target return springs when
    using new drop targets? If only some of the targets were functioning bad, I would think this would be the case but since they all suck I think not.
    --- Synchronet 3.18a-Win32 NewsLink 1.113
  • From Gott Lieb?@rgp@papinball.com to rec.games.pinball on Monday, July 13, 2020 06:52:30
    From Newsgroup: rec.games.pinball

    On Sunday, July 12, 2020 at 11:56:51 PM UTC-4, Mark wrote:
    I installed a new set of drop targets on Meteor, they are the hooded (aka chicklet) style from Planetary Pinball.


    For the M-E-T-E-O-R targets at the top, each drop target switch is opened when the target is up and the switch closes when the target is is in the down position.

    When I press the credit button to start a game, the following sequence occurs:

    The METEOR targets reset up and slide down (such that none of the targets are visible)

    The sequence 2-2-2 targets reset once and slide down (such that none of the targets are visible.

    The next next two alternate indefinitely (until I power off the game):

    The bank of 1-1-1 drop targets are reset, they fall down
    The bank of 3-3-3 drop targets are reset, then they fall down


    My top questions are

    (1) How to keep the targets from falling back down after they are reset?

    (2) Should I not use hooded style targets (i.e. use tombstone style instead?)

    (3) Should I replace the coil sleeves for each of the four reset banks?

    (4) Do you typically need to replace the target return springs when
    using new drop targets? If only some of the targets were functioning bad, I would think this would be the case but since they all suck I think not.
    Sounds like you bought a pile of defective targets. The 1, 2, and 3 banks should all rest on the ledge upon reset, while the Meteor targets rest on a finger connected to a relay armature. Are the targets warped, or is the area where the target rests not cut deep enough?
    For the record, these are not Chiclet targets. Chiclets do not have the hood. Tombstone targets are Ballys.
    Jim
    --- Synchronet 3.18a-Win32 NewsLink 1.113
  • From Gott Lieb?@rgp@papinball.com to rec.games.pinball on Monday, July 13, 2020 06:55:20
    From Newsgroup: rec.games.pinball

    On Monday, July 13, 2020 at 9:52:42 AM UTC-4, Gott Lieb? wrote:
    On Sunday, July 12, 2020 at 11:56:51 PM UTC-4, Mark wrote:
    I installed a new set of drop targets on Meteor, they are the hooded (aka chicklet) style from Planetary Pinball.


    For the M-E-T-E-O-R targets at the top, each drop target switch is opened when the target is up and the switch closes when the target is is in the down position.

    When I press the credit button to start a game, the following sequence occurs:

    The METEOR targets reset up and slide down (such that none of the targets are visible)

    The sequence 2-2-2 targets reset once and slide down (such that none of the targets are visible.

    The next next two alternate indefinitely (until I power off the game):

    The bank of 1-1-1 drop targets are reset, they fall down
    The bank of 3-3-3 drop targets are reset, then they fall down


    My top questions are

    (1) How to keep the targets from falling back down after they are reset?

    (2) Should I not use hooded style targets (i.e. use tombstone style instead?)

    (3) Should I replace the coil sleeves for each of the four reset banks?

    (4) Do you typically need to replace the target return springs when
    using new drop targets? If only some of the targets were functioning bad, I would think this would be the case but since they all suck I think not.

    Sounds like you bought a pile of defective targets. The 1, 2, and 3 banks should all rest on the ledge upon reset, while the Meteor targets rest on a finger connected to a relay armature. Are the targets warped, or is the area where the target rests not cut deep enough?

    For the record, these are not Chiclet targets. Chiclets do not have the hood. Tombstone targets are Ballys.

    Jim
    I just looked at Planetary's site, and they're showing Chiclet targets, but calling them hooded. Not certain what they are selling, as no one had new Chiclets, unless Planetary had a mold made.
    Jim
    --- Synchronet 3.18a-Win32 NewsLink 1.113
  • From Gott Lieb?@rgp@papinball.com to rec.games.pinball on Monday, July 13, 2020 08:02:39
    From Newsgroup: rec.games.pinball

    On Monday, July 13, 2020 at 9:55:31 AM UTC-4, Gott Lieb? wrote:
    On Monday, July 13, 2020 at 9:52:42 AM UTC-4, Gott Lieb? wrote:
    On Sunday, July 12, 2020 at 11:56:51 PM UTC-4, Mark wrote:
    I installed a new set of drop targets on Meteor, they are the hooded (aka chicklet) style from Planetary Pinball.


    For the M-E-T-E-O-R targets at the top, each drop target switch is opened when the target is up and the switch closes when the target is is in the down position.

    When I press the credit button to start a game, the following sequence occurs:

    The METEOR targets reset up and slide down (such that none of the targets are visible)

    The sequence 2-2-2 targets reset once and slide down (such that none of the targets are visible.

    The next next two alternate indefinitely (until I power off the game):

    The bank of 1-1-1 drop targets are reset, they fall down
    The bank of 3-3-3 drop targets are reset, then they fall down


    My top questions are

    (1) How to keep the targets from falling back down after they are reset?

    (2) Should I not use hooded style targets (i.e. use tombstone style instead?)

    (3) Should I replace the coil sleeves for each of the four reset banks?

    (4) Do you typically need to replace the target return springs when
    using new drop targets? If only some of the targets were functioning bad, I would think this would be the case but since they all suck I think not.

    Sounds like you bought a pile of defective targets. The 1, 2, and 3 banks should all rest on the ledge upon reset, while the Meteor targets rest on a finger connected to a relay armature. Are the targets warped, or is the area where the target rests not cut deep enough?

    For the record, these are not Chiclet targets. Chiclets do not have the hood. Tombstone targets are Ballys.

    Jim

    I just looked at Planetary's site, and they're showing Chiclet targets, but calling them hooded. Not certain what they are selling, as no one had new Chiclets, unless Planetary had a mold made.

    Jim
    http://www.planetarypinball.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=TG-METEOR13A-11
    --- Synchronet 3.18a-Win32 NewsLink 1.113
  • From Wilko@Wilko@dodo.com.au to rec.games.pinball on Monday, July 13, 2020 15:59:39
    From Newsgroup: rec.games.pinball



    http://www.planetarypinball.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=TG-METEOR13A-11

    They are Bally targets and don't have the extra 'finger' that Stern targets have that hold them up, so no, they wont work if they are as shown in the photo.
    --- Synchronet 3.18a-Win32 NewsLink 1.113
  • From John Robertson@spam@flippers.com to rec.games.pinball on Monday, July 13, 2020 17:00:28
    From Newsgroup: rec.games.pinball

    On 2020/07/13 3:59 p.m., Wilko@dodo.com.au wrote:


    http://www.planetarypinball.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=TG-METEOR13A-11

    They are Bally targets and don't have the extra 'finger' that Stern targets have that hold them up, so no, they wont work if they are as shown in the photo.


    Indeed, those won't work in stock Stern Electronics pinball games. What
    are they thinking???

    One trick I've used for fixing Stern targets that fall too easily is to
    take a very sharp cutting tool (eg. Exacto knife) and with all the drop targets out, simply make a tiny bevel on the thin support bar where it
    is worn down so the target slips off the support. Hope that is clear
    enough, I can't draw ASCII pictures worth a Q$%.

    Suzo-Happ used to make very durable Stern drops, but I think they no
    longer sell them...

    John :-#)#

    --
    (Please post followups or tech inquiries to the USENET newsgroup)
    John's Jukes Ltd.
    MOVED to #7 - 3979 Marine Way, Burnaby, BC, Canada V5J 5E3
    (604)872-5757 (Pinballs, Jukes, Video Games)
    www.flippers.com
    "Old pinballers never die, they just flip out."
    --- Synchronet 3.18a-Win32 NewsLink 1.113
  • From Gott Lieb?@rgp@papinball.com to rec.games.pinball on Monday, July 13, 2020 17:08:52
    From Newsgroup: rec.games.pinball

    On Monday, July 13, 2020 at 6:59:46 PM UTC-4, Wi...@dodo.com.au wrote:

    http://www.planetarypinball.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=TG-METEOR13A-11

    They are Bally targets and don't have the extra 'finger' that Stern targets have that hold them up, so no, they wont work if they are as shown in the photo.

    I totally missed that! Yep, they are missing the vertical piece on the drop target.

    Jim
    --- Synchronet 3.18a-Win32 NewsLink 1.113
  • From Mark@fitzhattrick@gmail.com to rec.games.pinball on Monday, July 13, 2020 18:52:16
    From Newsgroup: rec.games.pinball

    On Sunday, July 12, 2020 at 8:56:51 PM UTC-7, Mark wrote:
    I installed a new set of drop targets on Meteor, they are the hooded (aka chicklet) style from Planetary Pinball.


    For the M-E-T-E-O-R targets at the top, each drop target switch is opened when the target is up and the switch closes when the target is is in the down position.

    When I press the credit button to start a game, the following sequence occurs:

    The METEOR targets reset up and slide down (such that none of the targets are visible)

    The sequence 2-2-2 targets reset once and slide down (such that none of the targets are visible.

    The next next two alternate indefinitely (until I power off the game):

    The bank of 1-1-1 drop targets are reset, they fall down
    The bank of 3-3-3 drop targets are reset, then they fall down


    My top questions are

    (1) How to keep the targets from falling back down after they are reset?

    (2) Should I not use hooded style targets (i.e. use tombstone style instead?)

    (3) Should I replace the coil sleeves for each of the four reset banks?

    (4) Do you typically need to replace the target return springs when
    using new drop targets? If only some of the targets were functioning bad, I would think this would be the case but since they all suck I think not.

    Thanks for all responses to date.


    I installed the targets from Planetary Pinball primarily because they are hot stamped. Since they are no good, I will have to install targets from another vender that uses stickers for the numbers and letters.


    Please let me know if I should order and install the drop targets shown
    on the left or the right in the following picture:

    https://drive.google.com/file/d/1B3M_vS9ElafYxHIFeoAvFb2cp2dc_T-q/view?usp=sharing


    Thank you!
    --- Synchronet 3.18a-Win32 NewsLink 1.113
  • From John Robertson@spam@flippers.com to rec.games.pinball on Monday, July 13, 2020 20:24:32
    From Newsgroup: rec.games.pinball

    On 2020/07/13 6:52 p.m., Mark wrote:
    On Sunday, July 12, 2020 at 8:56:51 PM UTC-7, Mark wrote:
    I installed a new set of drop targets on Meteor, they are the hooded (aka chicklet) style from Planetary Pinball.


    For the M-E-T-E-O-R targets at the top, each drop target switch is opened
    when the target is up and the switch closes when the target is is in the
    down position.

    When I press the credit button to start a game, the following sequence occurs:

    The METEOR targets reset up and slide down (such that none of the targets are visible)

    The sequence 2-2-2 targets reset once and slide down (such that none of the targets are visible.

    The next next two alternate indefinitely (until I power off the game):

    The bank of 1-1-1 drop targets are reset, they fall down
    The bank of 3-3-3 drop targets are reset, then they fall down


    My top questions are

    (1) How to keep the targets from falling back down after they are reset?

    (2) Should I not use hooded style targets (i.e. use tombstone style instead?)

    (3) Should I replace the coil sleeves for each of the four reset banks?

    (4) Do you typically need to replace the target return springs when
    using new drop targets? If only some of the targets were functioning bad, I would think this would be the case but since they all suck I think not.

    Thanks for all responses to date.


    I installed the targets from Planetary Pinball primarily because they are hot stamped. Since they are no good, I will have to install targets from another vender that uses stickers for the numbers and letters.


    Please let me know if I should order and install the drop targets shown
    on the left or the right in the following picture:

    https://drive.google.com/file/d/1B3M_vS9ElafYxHIFeoAvFb2cp2dc_T-q/view?usp=sharing


    Thank you!


    You want the one with the extended bar on the right. Where did you find
    them?

    John :-#)#

    --
    (Please post followups or tech inquiries to the USENET newsgroup)
    John's Jukes Ltd.
    MOVED to #7 - 3979 Marine Way, Burnaby, BC, Canada V5J 5E3
    (604)872-5757 (Pinballs, Jukes, Video Games)
    www.flippers.com
    "Old pinballers never die, they just flip out."
    --- Synchronet 3.18a-Win32 NewsLink 1.113
  • From seymour.shabow@seymour.shabow@gmail.com to rec.games.pinball on Tuesday, July 14, 2020 10:15:21
    From Newsgroup: rec.games.pinball

    Mark wrote:

    I installed the targets from Planetary Pinball primarily because they
    are hot stamped. Since they are no good, I will have to install
    targets from another vendor that uses stickers for the numbers and
    letters.



    The original drops were stickers.

    You can modify the banks to use the Bally style targets but you should
    use stern style if you can.

    The hooded work like crap as the 1-2-3 targets though. Meteor was the
    machine where Stern transitioned from the Chichlet to the
    Flattops/hooded, but the 1-2-3 rockets were always Chichlet. The top
    meteor bank is where they put in the flattops to avoid ball hangups.

    Really, all the repro target makers have to do is add the rib somehow to
    the mold and they'll be ok, although the drops of today have something
    strange about the plastic they're been using and they are more prone to bricking. I keep and reuse vintage drops for exactly this reason in
    Bally and Stern games.

    Some of the vendors like to spout some unbelievable Bullshit as well
    when you call them out on this stuff - claiming that "drops when the
    machines were new were just as bad".

    No; no, they weren't.
    --- Synchronet 3.18a-Win32 NewsLink 1.113
  • From Mark@fitzhattrick@gmail.com to rec.games.pinball on Tuesday, July 14, 2020 08:16:21
    From Newsgroup: rec.games.pinball

    On Monday, July 13, 2020 at 8:24:43 PM UTC-7, John Robertson wrote:
    On 2020/07/13 6:52 p.m., Mark wrote:
    On Sunday, July 12, 2020 at 8:56:51 PM UTC-7, Mark wrote:
    I installed a new set of drop targets on Meteor, they are the hooded (aka chicklet) style from Planetary Pinball.


    For the M-E-T-E-O-R targets at the top, each drop target switch is opened >> when the target is up and the switch closes when the target is is in the >> down position.

    When I press the credit button to start a game, the following sequence occurs:

    The METEOR targets reset up and slide down (such that none of the targets are visible)

    The sequence 2-2-2 targets reset once and slide down (such that none of the targets are visible.

    The next next two alternate indefinitely (until I power off the game):

    The bank of 1-1-1 drop targets are reset, they fall down
    The bank of 3-3-3 drop targets are reset, then they fall down


    My top questions are

    (1) How to keep the targets from falling back down after they are reset? >>
    (2) Should I not use hooded style targets (i.e. use tombstone style instead?)

    (3) Should I replace the coil sleeves for each of the four reset banks?

    (4) Do you typically need to replace the target return springs when
    using new drop targets? If only some of the targets were functioning bad, I would think this would be the case but since they all suck I think not.

    Thanks for all responses to date.


    I installed the targets from Planetary Pinball primarily because they are hot stamped. Since they are no good, I will have to install targets from another vender that uses stickers for the numbers and letters.


    Please let me know if I should order and install the drop targets shown
    on the left or the right in the following picture:

    https://drive.google.com/file/d/1B3M_vS9ElafYxHIFeoAvFb2cp2dc_T-q/view?usp=sharing


    Thank you!


    You want the one with the extended bar on the right. Where did you find them?

    John :-#)#

    --
    (Please post followups or tech inquiries to the USENET newsgroup)
    John's Jukes Ltd.
    MOVED to #7 - 3979 Marine Way, Burnaby, BC, Canada V5J 5E3
    (604)872-5757 (Pinballs, Jukes, Video Games)
    www.flippers.com
    "Old pinballers never die, they just flip out."

    The target on the right hand side of the picture is from Marco Specialties Pinball, https://www.marcospecialties.com/pinball-parts/13A-11
    --- Synchronet 3.18a-Win32 NewsLink 1.113
  • From John Robertson@spam@flippers.com to rec.games.pinball on Tuesday, July 14, 2020 10:11:06
    From Newsgroup: rec.games.pinball

    On 2020/07/14 7:15 a.m., seymour.shabow wrote:
    Mark wrote:

    I installed the targets from Planetary Pinball primarily because they
    are hot stamped.  Since they are no good, I will have to install
    targets from another vendor that uses stickers for the numbers and
    letters.



    The original drops were stickers.

    You can modify the banks to use the Bally style targets but you should > use stern style if you can.

    The hooded work like crap as the 1-2-3 targets though.  Meteor was the machine where Stern transitioned from the Chichlet to the
    Flattops/hooded, but the 1-2-3 rockets were always Chichlet.  The top meteor bank is where they put in the flattops to avoid ball hangups.

    Really, all the repro target makers have to do is add the rib somehow to
    the mold and they'll be ok, although the drops of today have something > strange about the plastic they're been using and they are more prone to
    bricking.  I keep and reuse vintage drops for exactly this reason in
    Bally and Stern games.

    Some of the vendors like to spout some unbelievable Bullshit as well
    when you call them out on this stuff - claiming that "drops when the machines were new were just as bad".

    No; no, they weren't.
    Hmm, not my recollection of Stern Meteor when new on the street. The
    targets were always falling when they shouldn't - usually when reset.
    Suzo-Happ made a drop target for Stern games that had a small half-moon
    rest for the target that was much more reliable then the thin wedgie.
    Don't know why that wasn't copied...also their targets were flexible and thus more durable.
    John :-#)#
    --
    (Please post followups or tech inquiries to the USENET newsgroup)
    John's Jukes Ltd.
    MOVED to #7 - 3979 Marine Way, Burnaby, BC, Canada V5J 5E3
    (604)872-5757 (Pinballs, Jukes, Video Games)
    www.flippers.com
    "Old pinballers never die, they just flip out."
    --- Synchronet 3.18a-Win32 NewsLink 1.113