Οδηγός για τη Μέτρηση και Χρήση Πηνίων στα Φλίπερ

Guide to Measuring and Using Pinball Coils

Dimitris Papadakis

Williams Pinball Racket Coils (1990 and Later, DC Power)

Williams pinball machines use a variety of racket coils, each designed for different power and performance requirements. Each coil consists of two types of winding:

  1. Power Winding : Provides the initial force to hit the ball.
  2. Hold Winding : Activated after the first hit to keep the racket in a stable position, without overheating.

Below are the most popular racket coils, along with their features and applications:

1. FL-11753

  • Use : Designed for small rackets with lower power requirements.
  • Winding : Parallel.
  • Wrapping Color : Yellow.
  • Resistance :
    • Power Winding: 9.8 Ohms.
    • Holding Winding: 165 Ω.
  • Applications : Mainly used on small courts or auxiliary rackets.

2. FL-11722

  • Use : Rackets with low power, suitable for pinball without demanding hits.
  • Winding : Parallel.
  • Wrapping Color : Green.
  • Resistance :
    • Power Winding: 6.2 Ohms.
    • Holding Winding: 160 Ω.

3. FL-24/600-30/2600

  • Usage : Similar to FL-11722, but with series winding.
  • Wrapping Color : Green.
  • Resistance : Similar to FL-11722.

4. FL-11630

  • Usage : The "normal" coil for most Williams System 11 rackets. Offers balanced power for general use.
  • Winding : Parallel.
  • Wrapping Color : Red.
  • Resistance :
    • Power Winding: 4.7 Ohms.
    • Holding Winding: 160 Ω.
  • Applications : Ideal for games without difficult ramps or demanding hits.

5. FL-15411

  • Use : Strong coil for games with more demanding rackets.
  • Winding : Parallel.
  • Wrapping Color : Orange.
  • Resistance :
    • Power Winding: 4.2 Ohms.
    • Holding Winding: 145 Ω.
  • Applications : Used in pinball machines such as The Addams Family and Twilight Zone .

6. FL-11629

  • Use : Williams' strongest coil, designed for modern pinball machines with demanding and long hits.
  • Winding : Parallel.
  • Wrapping Color : Blue.
  • Resistance :
    • Power Winding: 4.0 Ω.
    • Holding Winding: 132 Ω.
  • Applications : Used in Williams WPC games.

Tips and Important Notes

  • Loss of power : If the racket lacks power, changing the coil may be necessary. Consider alternatives such as FL-11629 or FL-15411 for more powerful hits.
  • Risk of damage : Be careful when installing a more powerful coil than the one recommended by the manufacturer, as it may cause damage to the pinball machine's components.

With the right coil selection, your pinball machine will perform to its fullest potential, providing an excellent gaming experience.

Additional Notes

The correct coil selection has already been made by the machine manufacturer, based on technical specifications and the game design. However, pinball machines in Greece since the early 1990s have often not been properly maintained. Maintenance was often done with improvised solutions and "patents," resulting in the coils being replaced with the wrong types.

However, all coils operate on direct current, and replacing a coil with a more powerful one can lead to either very strong shots or reduced performance. However, there is no risk of damage to the machine's circuit boards due to this change.

Additionally, over time, coils lose some of their power due to wear and tear. An aged FL-11629 coil will not necessarily perform better than a brand new FL-11630, which should be considered before any replacement.

Possible Factors of Reduced Strength

The performance of a racket does not depend solely on the string. Other components that often affect its performance include:

  1. Coil Stop : The point where the coil movement stops.
  2. Plunger : The iron component that moves inside the coil.
  3. Coil Sleeve : The plastic or metal housing of the coil that facilitates the movement of the piston.
  4. Link : The component that transfers the movement from the coil to the racket mechanism.

These parts are more often subject to wear than the coil itself, and replacing them can significantly improve the performance of the racket.

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