# Episode 84 - Score Reel PCBs **Source:** For Amusement Only EM and Bingo Pinball Podcast **Type:** podcast_episode **Published:** 2015-06-03 **Duration:** 4m 51s **Beat:** Pinball **URL:** https://foramusementonly.libsyn.com/episode-84-score-reel-pcbs --- ## Analysis Nick Baldridge explains the function and maintenance of score reel PCBs in electromechanical pinball machines, detailing how these circuit boards determine reel position and govern game awards like match, extra balls, and replays. The episode focuses on PCB location, wiring configuration, and the importance of cleanliness, with a teaser that the next episode will cover cleaning procedures. ### Key Claims - [HIGH] PCBs attached to score reels determine which number is currently displayed on any given reel — _Nick Baldridge, host, speaking authoritatively about PCB primary function_ - [HIGH] One and ten reels typically have PCBs attached for match functionality — _Nick Baldridge describing standard reel PCB placement in EM games_ - [MEDIUM] Hundreds and thousands reels can have PCBs to establish pinball position in some cases — _Nick Baldridge, conditional language ('sometimes') suggests variation across manufacturers_ - [HIGH] PCBs are attached via screws on a metal plate holding the score reel mechanism together — _Nick Baldridge describing physical assembly and attachment method_ - [HIGH] Score reel PCBs typically have ten or eleven wires, one for each number plus possibly a ground wire — _Nick Baldridge detailing wiring configuration with era-dependent variation_ - [HIGH] The same game can be configured to award either extra ball or replay depending on manufacturer settings — _Nick Baldridge explaining award type variability in game configuration_ - [MEDIUM] Match numbers are not randomly generated by the machine — _Nick Baldridge stating match generation is non-random; defers full explanation to future episode_ - [HIGH] Cleanliness of score reel PCBs is critical for proper functioning — _Nick Baldridge emphasizing importance before cleaning methods episode_ ### Notable Quotes > "The PCBs are used by the game to determine which number you're actually on on any given reel." > — **Nick Baldridge**, ~0:45 > _Core definition of PCB function in score reels_ > "Typically on the one or ten reel there will be a PCB attached and this is used to aid match." > — **Nick Baldridge**, ~1:30 > _Establishes standard PCB placement and primary use case_ > "This number is not generated randomly but we'll get into that another time with match units" > — **Nick Baldridge**, ~2:15 > _Teases deeper technical content for future episode on match logic_ > "It's important to make sure that they're clean." > — **Nick Baldridge**, ~4:30 > _Underscores maintenance priority before transitioning to cleaning-focused next episode_ ### Entities | Name | Type | Context | |------|------|---------| | Nick Baldridge | person | Host of For Amusement Only EM and Bingo Pinball Podcast; electronics technician specializing in electromechanical pinball restoration and repair | | For Amusement Only | organization | EM and Bingo pinball podcast focused on technical aspects of electromechanical machines | | Gottlieb | company | Historical pinball manufacturer; referenced for distinctive score reel construction methods | ### Topics - **Primary:** Score reel PCB function and design, EM pinball electronics and circuit boards, Match feature mechanics in EM games, Score reel maintenance and cleaning - **Secondary:** Extra ball and replay award systems, Manufacturer-specific design variations ### Sentiment **Neutral** (0) — Educational and technical in tone; no evaluative judgments or emotional content. Host is informative and matter-of-fact. ### Signals - **[restoration_signal]** Episode focuses on score reel PCB identification, disassembly, and the critical importance of cleanliness for proper function (confidence: high) — Host emphasizes PCB cleaning importance and dedicates follow-up episode to cleaning methodology - **[technology_signal]** Technical deep-dive into how score reel PCBs function as position sensors and control logic for award thresholds in EM machines (confidence: high) — Host explains wiring configuration, attachment methods, and functional roles across different reel types - **[design_philosophy]** Highlights that Gottlieb and other manufacturers employed different score reel construction and PCB configurations (confidence: medium) — Host references 'various manufacturers and especially Gottlieb' differing in construction approaches - **[content_signal]** Episode is part of ongoing technical education series on EM pinball systems, with planned follow-up on cleaning procedures (confidence: high) — Host indicates next episode will cover cleaning methods for reels and attached components --- ## Transcript The The The What's that sound? It's 4 Amusement Only, the EM and Bingo Pinball Podcast. Welcome back to 4 Amusement Only, this is Nicholas Baldridge. In my last episode I talked about how various manufacturers and especially Gottlieb constructed their score Reels differently. Today I want to talk about the PCBs which are attached to the score Reels and what their function is and what to do with them. The PCBs are used by the game to determine which number you're actually on on any given reel. They have different functions depending on which reel they're attached to. Some reels in games that have these PCBs Mir Rule whirring is combine ways that I hadaja PCB is teaspoons yok Uh order to help troubleshoot when you have a problem Typically on the one or ten reel there will be a PCB attached and this is used to aid match. Now, match is a feature which will give you free game if the last digit or last two digits depending on the score Reel have show the same as whatever number that the machine comes up with now this number is not generated randomly but we'll get into that another time with match units so ones and tens if there is a um... pcb attached it's used for match on hundreds thousands Sometimes you can establish the position of the pinball. If you saw this just before months and months of lives and teenage poor the pinball concerts are the only places that can be awarded for replay games Now depending on the manufacturer uh sometimes the same game can be set to either ediball or replay Now there are also novelty settings which, in some cases, will give point awards and in some cases will grant extra balls similar to an ediball but regardless The point threshold which is required to cross before it awards one of these awards, be it replay, extra points or an extra ball is all governed by these PCBs. The PCBs themselves are attached to the score Reel mechanism Usually via a couple screws on the metal plate which holds the rest of the score Reel operation together. Once you disassemble the score reel you'll see the PCB attached and what is needed in order to remove it You also notice But they also many different wires which come off in this should be ten or eleven And this, we'll tell you that there's one for each number and possibly also a ground wire depending on the era. Beyond that there's nothing really more to say about those PCBs other than it's important to make sure that they're clean. I'll get into cleaning in my next episode. So for tonight, it's a pretty short one. But next episode we'll be talking about cleaning of both the reels and the PCBs and every piece that's attached to them. So thank you again for joining me. My name again is Nicholas Baldridge. You can reach me at 4amusementonlypodcast at gmail.com. You can listen to us on iTunes, Stitcher, Pocketcast, via RSS, on Facebook, on Twitter, and on our website which is foramusementonly.libsyn.com. Thanks again for joining me and I'll talk to you next time. _(Acquisition: groq_whisper, Enrichment: v3)_ --- *Exported from Journalist Tool on 2026-04-13 | Item ID: 4ffd230f-8c32-4177-aaa6-7087ebe17445*