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Pinball Plunger and Circuit
CrazyKongFan:
--- Quote from: thatitalian on October 08, 2008, 09:31:20 am ---How did you go about creating the circuit? I thought the same thing about it wearing, but as I am not good with circuits it seemed like the only option!
The only thing I know about circuits is using an etching pen and etching tanks to create the layout....... that is about it really! ::)
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Something that simple, you should be able to build it using perf-board.
RandyT:
My humble opinion on the optical circuit is that it's overkill and will additionally give the plunger a less realistic bounce as there is nothing for it to slam against.
Honestly, for this type of plunger control, you only need to mount a button so that the buttons plunger is facing the rubber end of the pinball plunger. Connect the wiring to the NC terminal of the microswitch instead of the NO terminal so that the switch is open when depressed. Then position the button so that the switch is actuated (open) when the plunger is at rest.
Should do the same thing and no circuits to build.
RandyT
Dazz:
Honestly, the optical is the best way to go if you are going to use a real plunger... I don't see how it is overkill, I see how it is more of a necessity if you want to have a real plunger. I have seen how people pull my plunger and let it go just to do so. Without anything mechanical to worry about I couldn't care less. Anything mechanical is going to wear out and hitting a button hard in the same spot over and over will eventually break it. The optical just makes more sense in this case...
The optimal setup, just shy of having a real machine, would be what I was originally going to do using a track with a real pinball inside it. You could pull back and the switch would activate, release the switch would close, and then the plunger would hit the ball that is in the track to give it that more real bounce. A piece of high density foam or some of that NASA created foam they use in beds would be at the end of the track to stop the ball and roll it back into place. I actually had this in my control panel design, but I figured the ball would cause unwanted bounceback on the plunger. I think I am going to re-visit this idea with my next control panel.
RandyT:
--- Quote from: Dazz on October 09, 2008, 08:08:26 am ---Honestly, the optical is the best way to go if you are going to use a real plunger... I don't see how it is overkill, I see how it is more of a necessity if you want to have a real plunger. I have seen how people pull my plunger and let it go just to do so. Without anything mechanical to worry about I couldn't care less. Anything mechanical is going to wear out and hitting a button hard in the same spot over and over will eventually break it. The optical just makes more sense in this case...
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Sorry, this assertion just isn't grounded in fact. A normal arcade pushbutton was designed for more abuse than the spring on a pinball plunger will dish out. It's not hard to find buttons over 20 years old that have not only survived, but show no signs of even weakening. The pin plunger also has a nice soft, compressible tip to help absorb some of the shock.
I'm not saying that the optical solution isn't a good one, just that it's not necessary to get to the same destination. But if going this route, I would suggest some sort of stop to avoid the "ain't no ball in the chute" spring oscillation. This can be as simple a block of wood at the end of the travel, with or without something additional to cushion the impact than the already cushioned tip on the plunger.
--- Quote ---The optimal setup, just shy of having a real machine, would be what I was originally going to do using a track with a real pinball inside it.
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In all actuality, none of this is optimal for a pinball plunger as the function is purely "cosmetic". For all of this extra effort, one should realize a gameplay benefit, but this type of setup offers no more control than the original simple switch. So that brings me to a question; what method is supported in pinball games for plunger position other than a simple digital switch? Anything? I mean, a very interesting circuit can still be devised even if this is the only method available, but there would be less "realism".
RandyT
Shieldwolf:
thatitalian,
I had the same problem. I've been looking for the best way to attach my plunger. I agree the microswitch will get damaged way too easily.