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Back Box Speaker ReplacementThere are different procedures to follow based on the type of speaker or display panel used in your game (metal, wooden, or plastic). For games with a metal speaker panel no modifications to the speaker panel are required; the panel is sized to accommodate 6-1/2 inch speakers on each side. For games with a wooden display panel and an alphanumeric display we'll modify the right speaker cutout to accommodate a 6-1/2 inch speaker. For games with a wooden display panel and a dot matrix display we'll modify the right speaker cutout to accommodate a 5-1/4 inch speaker. For games with a plastic display panel you can choose two different approaches for the right speaker: replace the existing mounting plate with one designed for a 5-1/4 inch speaker, or use an adapter plate and a 3-1/2 inch speaker. Types of Speaker or Display PanelsMetal Speaker PanelThe first Bally-branded WPC games produced by Williams used the Bally-style back box, with the back box speakers mounted on a metal panel above the back glass. The dot matrix display on these games is mounted to the front of the back box insert panel and is visible through a clear "window" in the screened back glass. Games with a metal speaker panel (listed alphabetically): (Note that most Dr. Dude games use the System 11 sound board and are not covered by this guide.) Wooden Display Panel - Alphanumeric DisplayGames that used an alphanumeric display (Funhouse and The Machine: Bride of Pinbot) have the back box speakers and the alphanumeric display board mounted to a wooden panel; the translite assembly rests in a plastic U-channel on the top of the panel. A screened plastic panel with graphics from the game theme is adhered to the front of the wooden panel via double-sided foam adhesive. Alphanumeric display games with a wooden display panel (listed
alphabetically): Wooden Display Panel - Dot Matrix DisplayThe majority of WPC-89 and WPC-S games were produced with a wooden display panel. These games have the back box speakers and the dot matrix display mounted to a wooden panel; the translite assembly rests in a plastic U-channel on the top of the panel. A screened plastic panel with graphics from the game theme is adhered to the front of the wooden panel via double-sided foam adhesive. Dot matrix display games with a wooden display panel (arranged alphabetically): Plastic Display PanelIn general, all WPC-95 games have a plastic display panel; the only exceptions are Safe Cracker (which has a wooden display panel) and Cirqus Voltaire (which integrates the speakers into the translite assembly). A plastic display panel has a somewhat rough surface and has a "Bally" or "Williams" logo in chrome script below the dot matrix display. The holes for the display panel speakers are square with a slight outward curvature of the edges. Games with a plastic display panel (listed alphabetically): Back Glass / Light TubCirqus Voltaire has an unusual configuration with the speakers mounted directly to the "light tub" behind the back glass. The most reasonable method for this game is to use the 3-1/2 inch adapter plate method from the section on games with a plastic display panel; trying to modify the light tub to accommodate a larger speaker is very risky, and is not recommended. Back Box Speaker Replacement DirectionsThe directions for each type of speaker or display panel are fairly long; they have been separated into individual sections to improve usability of this guide. Proceed to the appropriate section for games with a metal speaker panel, games with a wooden display panel (alphanumeric or dot matrix display), or games with a plastic display panel. NEXT: speaker replacement on metal speaker panel games NEXT: speaker replacement on wooden display panel games (alphanumeric variety) NEXT: speaker replacement on wooden display panel games (dot matrix variety) NEXT: speaker replacement on plastic display panel games HOME: WPC speaker replacement Copyright © 2005 by Joseph A. Dziedzic. All rights reserved. |