American Pinball Repair Guides


Note: This page is a work in progress. Please help get it to a completed state by adding any useful information to it.

1 Introduction

Manufacturer's website: https://www.american-pinball.com/

American Pinball, Inc. 1448 Yorkshire Drive Streamwood, ILL. 60107 Telephone: (847) 893-6800 info@american-pinball.com

2 Games

Houdini
Oktoberfest

2.1 Machine Pictures

Houdini machine front view

Houdini backbox view

Houdini lighted topper installed

3 Technical Info

3.1 Game Code Updates

Game code updates can be downloaded here: https://www.american-pinball.com/support/updates/

There is a USB jack located near the service outlet in which a thumb drive loaded with the update can be plugged in.

3.2 Manuals

Oktoberfest Game Manual: http://s4.american-pinball.com/img/support/2019-7/Oktoberfest-Manual-new.pdf

Oktoberfest Assemblies Manual: http://s4.american-pinball.com/img/support/2019-7/Assembly.pdf

Houdini Game Manual: http://s4.american-pinball.com/img/support/2018-10/AP_Houdini-Service-Manual_091018.pdf

3.3 Boards

The "Add On Board" (PCB0021-01) on Houdini controls the Start Button LED (12 volts), Shaker Motor (12 volts), and Knocker Coil (48 volts). It can control a maximum of 7 devices.

American Pinball uses the MultiMorphic board sets.

P3-ROC CPU (PCB0002-00)
SW-16 board
PD-16 board (PCB0004-00)
PD-LED2 board (PCB0008-00)

3.4 Power Supplies

The power supply which operates the coils is a Mean Well model RSP-750-48 (48 volts @ 15 amps, 750 watts). Jameco Electronics has it as their stock number 2172148. Some machines may have a Velika (www.best-force.com) model S-800-48 (48v @ 16.7 amps) power supply installed.

3.5 Displays

Main monitor in backbox is 15.6" Monitor Assembly # MASM0026-00. It is an Astouch model A156-OPD01 which operates on 12 volts DC @ 4 amps. The Stage Monitor is 4.3" screen size.

Astouch monitor in a Houdini

3.6 Speakers

Houdini uses the following speakers:

(2) midbass 4" backbox speakers # ELE005-00
(2) midbass 3" backbox speakers # ELE004-00
(2) tweeters 2" backbox speakers # ELE0003-00

There is no woofer speaker in the bottom cabinet of Houdini.

Houdini does not have a woofer

3.7 Flippers

Houdini uses Williams WPC style flipper assemblies. The flipper coil is a lugless type with a connector already on it so no soldering is needed. Just plug/unplug the coil. American Pinball coil # COL0003-00. End of stroke switches are normally open when the flipper is at rest and closes when the flipper is energized.

3.8 Cabinet Parts

Ball shooter assembly is the common Williams shooter housing and sleeve combo, but the housing is powder coated to match the game it's installed on. Coin door is a Happ Controls door with the four pushbutton switches much like a Stern Spike system door. Power switch and service outlet are in the normal locations.

Coin door diagnostic/menu buttons

4 Problems and Solutions

4.1 Power Supplies

Houdini 48 volt power supply

Houdini service outlet and power switch

4.2 Solenoid Problems

Coil driver transistors are type IRL540N (N channel FET).

4.3 Switch Problems

4.4 Lamp Problems

4.4.1 General Illumination Problems

4.4.2 Controlled Lamp Problems

4.5 Display Problems

4.6 Sound Problems

Houdini uses a Lepy model LP-168S or Lepai LP-168HA (sold by Parts Express) super bass power amplifier. Specs are 2 X 40 watt amplifier and 1 X 68 watt subwoofer output. Owner's manual for the LP-168HA is located here: https://lepaiaudio.com/docs/manuals/310-308--lp-168ha-manual.pdf

The Lepy LP-168S is a knockoff (counterfeit) of the Lepai LP-168HA:

https://lepaiaudio.com/counterfeit/

Lepy LP-168S amplifier

4.7 Flipper Problems

Williams WPC style flipper assemblies. End of stroke switches are normally open when the flipper is at rest.

A common problem is the flipper gets stuck in the up position. This can be due to a broken flipper return spring.

https://store.american-pinball.com/products/houdini-flipper-spring-set

4.8 Pop Bumper Problems

Houdini uses the black color Data East/Sega pop bumper assemblies.

5 Optional Equipment

These are some of the optional accessory equipment available for American Pinball machines.

Shaker Motor Kit # KIT0001-00 (plugs into "Add On Board" )
Knocker Kit # KIT0002-00 (adds a real knocker, plugs into "Add On Board" )
Add On Driver Board # PCB0021-01 (allows connection of accessory items such as shaker motor and knocker)
End Of Stroke Switch Kit # KIT0004-00 (for Houdini flippers, corrects flipper problems)
Houdini Power Supply Upgrade # MASM0132-00 (Houdini only, operates coils better than original power supply)
Houdini Topper # MASM0071-00 (includes ac power adapter)

5.1 Bill Acceptors

Houdini comes factory pre-wired for 120 volt AC power Mars bill acceptors.

Oktoberfest comes factory pre-wired for 12 volt DC bill acceptors. Use ICT model A6-25SCP-USD4-II.

6 Game Specific Problems and Fixes

Houdini weak or erratic odd feeling flippers: Early production Houdini machines did not have End-of-Stroke switches on the flipper assemblies. Order Kit # KIT0004-00 End Of Stroke switch kit. https://store.american-pinball.com/collections/all/products/houdini-end-of-stroke-switch

Houdini coils are weak: Early production Houdini machines need an additional 48 volt power supply for the coils. Order kit # MASM0132-00 Power Supply Upgrade Kit: https://store.american-pinball.com/products/houdini-power-supply-upgrade