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For about a year now I have been having problems with my DeWALT DC011 radio combo 18v battery pack charger. The problem has been getting worse over time to the point that now the radio fails to work almost 100% of the time. Strange issue is that if I don’t leave the radio plugged in it seem to work for a few hours once plugged in to use it, but if it is left plugged in and turn off the radio fails to play any audio or will play for a few minutes then brown out. I suspect a power issue with voltage regulation or an audio amplifier issue being caused by overheating. In this video I will tear-down and investigate the failure ultimately deciding to build a custom regulator circuit to replace the failing 6v regulator IC for the audio amplifier board.

<video Part 1 of 2>

Desolder iron I used in video
My older product review of the iPhone 5 Flir adapter.

CLICK PHOTO for gallery view and click a SECOND time for hi-resolution image. Click thumbnails on lower right and lower left of gallery to navigate gallery photos.

Video of some pinball parts unboxing for my Bally Star Trek. I also explanation what the parts are for and my plan on using them.

See my last post for a lot of relevant pinball links: Bally Star Trek Pinball Cleanup (Part 1 & 2)

IPDB Data on my Bally Star Trek
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Everything you could ever want to know about restoring pinball machines:
http://www.pinrepair.com/restore

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Major parts suppliers:
http://www.pbresource.com/
http://www.marcospecialties.com/
http://www.bayareaamusements.com/
http://www.pinballlife.com/
http://www.classicplayfields.com/
Board repair service:
https://ksarcade.net/board-repair.html

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Ratchet crimp tool and link on how to best use this tool:
http://astore.amazon.com/tod0f5-20/detail/B007JLN93S
http://www.pinrepair.com/connect/

Connector removal tool
http://astore.amazon.com/tod0f5-20/detail/B008PV8F30

Best cleaner for dirty cabinets
http://astore.amazon.com/tod0f5-20/detail/B0014CNFCI

Novus cleaner and polish
http://astore.amazon.com/tod0f5-20/detail/B002UCYRZU

Mr. Clean Magic Eraser
http://astore.amazon.com/tod0f5-20/detail/B0071SCSO0

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See below video and links to vendors, parts I ordered, parts I want to order and board repair services. Also below is a high resolution photo gallery of my pinball machine and the play field disassemble.

<Video part 1 of 2>

<Video part 2 of 2>

Data on my Bally Star Trek:
http://www.ipdb.org/machine.cgi?gid=2355

————————————————————————————-
Everything you could ever want to know about restoring pinball machines:
http://www.pinrepair.com/restore

————————————————————————————-
Major parts suppliers:
http://www.pbresource.com/
http://www.marcospecialties.com/
http://www.bayareaamusements.com/
http://www.pinballlife.com/
http://www.classicplayfields.com/
Board repair service:
https://ksarcade.net/board-repair.html

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Playfield restoration steps I think I will follow
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0. Strip playfield of stuff.
1. Blow off playfield with compressed air and Vacuum
2. Clean with Super Clean or Mean Green enough to remove surface dirt
3. Wipe down with Naptha (lighter fluid)
4. Clean deep cracks with Mr. Clean Magic Eraser and with Iso Alcohol
5. Wipe down again with Naptha
6. Touch up with water based acrylic paint
7. Wipe down with Naptha
8. If not using full coverage Mylar shield then your best option is to apply automotive urethane clear coat but if you can’t then use 5 coats of water-based Minwax polyurethane
(Jeri says to use water based spray on Varathane in a can but once used you can’t apply alcohol, naptha or it will cloud the Varathane).
(Jeri says you can always clean off the Varathane with lots of naptha (lighter fluid) or goo gone.)
(I think I can also clear coat it with Krylon Triple-Thick 12 oz. spray can, I’m not sure of my best option yet.)
Clean off PF with compressed air
Spray a misting coating
Lightly sand with 600 grit
Wipe down with Naptha
Repeat four more times
9. Orbital sand with 800, 1000, 1200, 1500 grit sandpaper
10. Finish last polish with Novus 2
11. Wax twice with Wild Cat #125 or Johnson Paste Wax or (Best option for my pin Blitz Carnauba Paste Wax) – from:
http://www.pinballlife.com/index.php?p=product&id=2589
12. Buff with buffing pad to a high gloss finish
13. If you used automotive clear code instead of water-based Minwax polyurethane or Varathane then you don’t need Mylar protectors.
otherwise put down your Mylar for bumpers and sling shots.
14. replace all playfield stuff.
(done)
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Parts
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Bally Star Trek parts:
http://bayareaamusements.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Category_Code=GS-2355
https://ksarcade.net/catalogsearch/advanced/result/?used_by_game=1739

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