Difference between revisions of "Wico"
Ken Layton (talk | contribs) |
Ken Layton (talk | contribs) |
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*15-8023 Chime Coil and Sleeve | *15-8023 Chime Coil and Sleeve | ||
| − | + | Some brand new replacement Wico coils are available from Marco Specialties. | |
=Problems and Solutions= | =Problems and Solutions= | ||
Revision as of 12:36, 18 April 2012
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1 Introduction
Wico Corporation was the world's largest supplier of parts and accessories of all kinds of coin operated equipment. They covered all types of amusement equipment, jukeboxes, and vending machines much like Happ Controls does today. Wico even manufactured their own assemblies and circuit boards for different applications. In the late 1970's, pinball was hot and so was the home pinball market. Wico decided to jump on the bandwagon, and produce their own home model pinball machine, "Big Top".
2 Games
- Big Top, November 1977, catalog # 15-2001
3 Technical Info
Overall assembled dimensions: 63" high by 43.5" long by 20.5" wide. Weight 143 pounds. Big Top used a combination of classic Stern, Williams, and Wico's own parts to build this machine.
Coil listing:
- 15-8014 Pop Bumper Coil and Sleeve
- 15-8017 Slingshot Coil and Sleeve
- 15-8020 Flipper Coil and Sleeve
- 15-8023 Chime Coil and Sleeve
Some brand new replacement Wico coils are available from Marco Specialties.
4 Problems and Solutions
4.1 Power Problems
The power box assembly contains the power transformer, three circuit breakers, and a bridge rectifier. The bridge rectifier provides +28 volts dc for the coils. The circuit breakers are each rated at 2.5 amps.
4.2 Solenoid Problems
Wico did something different than other manufacturers: the solenoid driver transistors for playfield coils were mounted right next to the unit it drives! Each unit (sling, pop bumper, and even the flippers) has a terminal strip next to it with the individual resistors, capacitors, and transistors for driving that particular unit attached to it. Each terminal strip has a 1k resistor, a 2.2k resistor, a .22 uf capacitor and an SE9300 or TIP102 driver transistor on it.
4.3 Lamp Problems
4.4 Switch Problems
4.5 Display Problems
4.6 Sound Problems
Big Top used a 2 bar chimebox for sounds. It did not use electronic sounds nor did it have a speaker. The driver transistors for the chime coils are on the game board.
4.7 Flipper Problems
Big Top uses classic Stern Generation 1 flipper assemblies with a Wico coil and a 20 ohm 25 watt resistor attached to drop power to the coil.