Build Your Own Arcade Controls Forum

Arcade Collecting => Miscellaneous Arcade Talk => Topic started by: FrizzleFried on April 04, 2008, 01:59:10 pm

Title: Stern Lightning Pinball
Post by: FrizzleFried on April 04, 2008, 01:59:10 pm
I picked up my first pinball machine last night.  It's a Stern Lightning from 1981...solid state.   It's in pretty decent condition too.  There are some issues that need to be resolved...the player 4 display is borked...the display under the playfield is borked... the top right flipper is unplugged because it sticks in the on position... a couple lamps need replacing...

(http://i197.photobucket.com/albums/aa111/PapaFriz/0101060115010103002008040218f6da217.jpg)

(http://i197.photobucket.com/albums/aa111/PapaFriz/01010201030701161220080402b2cae4a04.jpg)

Title: Re: Stern Lightning Pinball
Post by: shardian on April 04, 2008, 02:06:28 pm
I think you did well. The only thing that could have made that table cooler is if the stationary targets were replaced with drop targets.

And about the 4p display, how often do you think you'll be having 4 players? ;)
Title: Re: Stern Lightning Pinball
Post by: More Cowbell on April 04, 2008, 02:39:56 pm
I'm never concerned when I hear the player 4 scored is screwed up. None of my machines have ever had 4 players go at once. So Shardian and I fixed your score problem!
Title: Re: Stern Lightning Pinball
Post by: shardian on April 04, 2008, 02:47:11 pm
If/when you go to sell it on ebay, just say that the 4p display is haunted. That'll take care of it.  ;D
Title: Re: Stern Lightning Pinball
Post by: CheffoJeffo on April 04, 2008, 08:36:50 pm
Looks good -- I think that the early 80s Sterns are often overlooked for the quality/price.

Time to get the TOP series of DVDs (I'm watching Rob Craig's Life After Death as I type this ... not quite the same as TOP, but a decent viewing).

My F2K gets four players rung up all the time (I have kids) ... none of them ever play more than 2 balls ...

In all seriousness, you should be able to pick up a PinLED replacement for the P4 display given your recent penchant for accuracy and completeness (vis-a-vis multi-boards).

 :cheers:
Title: Re: Stern Lightning Pinball
Post by: shardian on April 05, 2008, 10:42:11 am

In all seriousness, you should be able to pick up a PinLED replacement for the P4 display given your recent penchant for accuracy and completeness (vis-a-vis multi-boards).

 :cheers:

You can't mix PinLED and regular displays.
Title: Re: Stern Lightning Pinball
Post by: CheffoJeffo on April 05, 2008, 11:05:07 am
My understanding is that you can replace the 6- or 7-digit B/S displays with replacement PinLED displays one at a time (in fact, I was watching Rob Craig do it when I posted).

EDIT:

Quote
You can change to the PinLED Display 30001 step by step. That means if one original display is broken you can change one single PinLED Display at one time. You can just leave the working original plasma glass tube displays in their places and change the defective one only.

http://www.pinled.com/pinledeng/html/produkte.php
Title: Re: Stern Lightning Pinball
Post by: Level42 on April 06, 2008, 04:48:39 am
Am I wrong, or are more and more of us going this route:

Mame cab => collect original cabs => add a pin (or two, or more?)

I think pins are great and always have thought so. I never understood the "battle" between pins and videogames, I like them both.

In all honesty I'm now looking for a compact (cheap!) jukebox.....for in my soon to be built gameroom :D

(P.S. I still think Pins deserve a separate section here.)

O and, Frizz, congrats on the pin, looks like a fun one !
Title: Re: Stern Lightning Pinball
Post by: FrizzleFried on April 06, 2008, 10:28:48 am
Strange you say that Level...because my next project is either to buy or build a wall juke...my cocktail juke is taking too much room...

...and thanks!