# Stern Pinball: Spike Electronics System

**Source:** Stern Pinball  
**Type:** video  
**Published:** 2015-06-24  
**Duration:** 6m 56s  
**Beat:** Pinball

**URL:** https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MvefdrNaAPg

---

## Analysis

Jamie from Stern Pinball introduces the Spike electronic system, a new platform designed to replace the SAM (System) with improved reliability, reduced wiring, modular node-board architecture, and modern features. The presentation details the power distribution, CPU board components, node board types, and operational benefits including increased reliability, reduced power consumption, and serviceability improvements.

### Key Claims

- [HIGH] Spike reduces wiring by approximately 50% compared to SAM system — _Direct statement: 'Half the amount of wires—gone' in comparison of removed SAM components_
- [HIGH] Spike allows 6 pinball games to operate on a single 20 Amp circuit versus 3 games on SAM — _Explicit claim: 'Can operate more Spike games on a 20 Amp circuit—6 versus 3 on SAM'_
- [HIGH] Service box was relocated from main cabinet to backbox, eliminating high AC voltage from main cabinet — _Direct statement: 'Service box has been removed from the cabinet and is now located in the backbox. Moving the service box eliminates high AC voltage in the main cabinet'_
- [HIGH] Power interlock switch controlled by coin door activation enables/disables 48V power distribution — _Detailed explanation: power interlock located on coin door hinge; closes to activate 48V, opens to disable_
- [HIGH] Spike uses modular node boards (Eight Driver, Four Driver, 32 Switch LED variants) communicating via RJ45 Category 5 cables — _Specific technical specification with board types and capabilities detailed_
- [HIGH] Game software can be updated via USB stick or by swapping SD card; SD card method provides instant readiness on power-on — _Two update methods explicitly described with operational differences noted_
- [HIGH] Spike eliminates transformer from main cabinet, reducing weight and heat — _Direct statement: 'Main cabinet: no transformer. Eliminating the transformer reduces weight and heat'_

### Notable Quotes

> "The Spike pinball system is a rugged, distributed, and embedded platform custom designed for the rigors of the pinball machine environment."
> — **Jamie**, Opening statement
> _Definition of Spike platform's core design philosophy_

> "Spike takes advantage of current technology to deliver an immersive pinball experience that supports modern features, reduces cabling, and increases serviceability and reliability."
> — **Jamie**, Early presentation
> _Summary of key benefits and design goals_

> "Half the amount of wires—gone."
> — **Jamie**, SAM system comparison
> _Quantified wiring reduction benefit versus predecessor system_

> "Can operate more Spike games on a 20 Amp circuit—6 versus 3 on SAM."
> — **Jamie**, Benefits section
> _Efficiency improvement enabling more machines on same electrical infrastructure_

> "Moving the service box eliminates high AC voltage in the main cabinet."
> — **Jamie**, Power architecture section
> _Safety improvement through power distribution redesign_

### Entities

| Name | Type | Context |
|------|------|---------|
| Spike | product | Stern Pinball's new electronic control system platform designed to replace SAM with modular, distributed architecture |
| SAM | product | Previous Stern Pinball electronic system that Spike is designed to replace; had centralized CPU board, fluorescent tubes, higher wiring complexity |
| Jamie | person | Stern Pinball representative presenting the Spike system introduction video |
| Stern Pinball | company | Manufacturer developing and deploying Spike electronic platform for pinball machines |
| Eight Driver Node Board | product | Modular Spike component supporting 8 coils, 8 switches, 16 controlled LEDs, 1 GI string of 18 LEDs |
| Four Driver Node Board | product | Modular Spike component supporting 4 coils, 16 switches, 15 controlled LEDs, 1 GI string of 18 LEDs |
| 32 Switch LED Node Board | product | Modular Spike component supporting 32 switches and 32 controlled LEDs; powered through 9-volt Spike data cable |
| Power Distribution Board | product | Spike component enabling power management through power interlock switch on coin door |
| CPU Board | product | Spike central processor featuring high-speed microprocessor, expanded memory, automotive-grade circuit protection for LEDs, switches, and solenoids |

### Topics

- **Primary:** Platform Architecture and Hardware, Power Distribution and Electrical Safety, Modular Node Board System, Serviceability and Reliability Improvements, Cable and Wiring Reduction
- **Secondary:** Software Update Methods, Operator Facility Infrastructure Benefits, LED Lighting Integration

### Sentiment

**Positive** (0.85) — Presentation is technical and educational in tone. Jamie maintains a positive, informative stance throughout, emphasizing improvements and benefits of Spike over SAM system. No criticism or negative sentiment detected. Focused on technical specifications and advantages.

### Signals

- **[community_signal]** Stern Pinball producing detailed technical educational content about Spike platform architecture, indicating commitment to operator and technician education and support (confidence: high) — Comprehensive video presentation with detailed technical specifications, component identification, LED indicator meanings, connector locations, and operational procedures
- **[product_strategy]** Spike incorporates automotive-grade circuit protection, LED-based backbox lighting (eliminating fluorescent tubes), improved thermal management through reduced heat generation, and streamlined power distribution architecture (confidence: high) — Multiple technical specifications: 'automotive-grade circuit protection', 'LEDs light the backbox—no fluorescent tube', 'Less power consumption equals less heat', elimination of transformer reducing heat
- **[technology_signal]** Stern Pinball introducing Spike as successor to SAM platform, representing significant architectural shift toward modular, distributed node-board based system with reduced wiring, improved power efficiency, and enhanced serviceability (confidence: high) — Comprehensive platform replacement with specific technical improvements documented: 50% wiring reduction, 6 vs 3 machines per 20A circuit, eliminated transformer, relocated service box, modular node boards via RJ45 communication

---

## Transcript

hi I'm Jamie and I'm here today to introduce you to our new electronic system called Spike and also show you some of the changes we made along the way the spike pinball system is a rugged distributed and embedded platform custom designed for the rigors of the pinball machine environment Spike takes advantage of current technology to deliver an immersive pinball experience that supports modern features reduces cabling and increases serviceability and reliability what we remove from the Sam system large CPU board IO power driver board fluorescent tube sockets and hardware for mounting the tube the starter the ballast half the amount of wires gone here is the 48volt switching power supply service box has been removed from the cabinet and is now located in the backbox moving the service box eliminates High ac voltage in the main cabinet main power fuse is located on the service box 8 Amp Slow blow fuse for domestic games and a 5 amp slow blow fuse for international games also located on the service box is the 110 volt AC service outlet for domestic games only power distribution board this board is enabled by the power interlock switch which is located on the hinge of the coin door when the coin door is closed this activates the power interlock switch and 48 volts is supplied to both the Playfield and cabinet node boards when coin door is open this deactivates the power interlock switch and disables the 48 volts to both the Playfield and cabinet node boards new location of power switch our new CPU board features a high-speed microprocessor with expanded memory and Automotive grade circuit protection for LEDs switches and solenoids LED indicators 48 VTS in from power supply 24 VTS for audio 9 Vols for node bus power 5vt Powers all of the logic on the CPU and dot matrix display status LED constant double blink indicates operating system is running net stat Network status constant blinking indicates activity on the spike bus RX CPU receiving data from the Playfield and cabinet node boards TX CPU transmitting data to the Playfield and cabinet node boards identifying connectors and parts of CPU board CN 7 48 volts in from power supply cn23 display ribbon cable connection cn24 5 volts and ground to the LED display bt1 battery for realtime clock SD card game software cn25 dedicated switches in these are your diagnostic volume switches located on your coin door cn22 RJ45 Jack node bus to Playfield node CN 3 r r j45 Jack node bus to Cabinet node CN 2021 USB port for software updates audit dumps and expansion modules the game software may be updated in the traditional method by inserting a USB stick and following the on-screen prompts the game software can also be updated by simply swapping out the SD card with the card that already has the update when the SD card method is used the game is ready instantly upon power on S2 8 Bank dip switch for setting country codes cn18 stereo headphone jack cn1 backbox two channel amplified speaker out cn4 cabinet 1 channel amplified speaker out benefits of Spike increased reliability all inputs and outputs are protected against shorts with a built-in Automotive grade protection circuit led to light the backbox no fluorescent tube can operate more spike games on a 20 amp circuit 6 versus three on Sam less power consumption equals less Heat play field uses less wiring half the amount of wire that was used in Sam due to the modular node boards types of modular node boards eight driver node board this node board can operate eight coils eight switches 16 controlled LEDs and one GI string of 18 LEDs four driver node board this node board can operate four coils 16 switches 15 controlled LEDs and one GI string of 18 LEDs 32 switch LED node board is not fused but powered through the 9vt spike data cable this node board can operate 32 switches and 32 controlled LEDs communication between the CPU and the Playfield node boards is established through the RJ45 Category 5 data cables LED indicators on the Node boards red LED indicates that the 48 volts is present yellow LED constant blinking indicates board is functioning and communicating green LED indicates that the 6 volts is present main cabinet no Transformer eliminating the Transformer reduces weight and heat communication between the CPU and the cabinet node boards is established through the RJ45 Category 5 data cables LED indicators on the cabinet node boards red LED indicates that the 48 volts is present yellow LED constant blinking indicates board is functioning and communicating green LED indicates that the 6 volts is present this node board controls all cabinet switches except flippers and Diagnostics Diagnostics run directly to CPU via cn25 the lower flippers run off of the lower Playfield node board cn11 is your ticket dispenser connection cn6 left cabinet switch inputs cn13 RJ45 connector for no datab bus cn12 diagnostic volume switches to the CPU cn14 48 volts power in cn2 Shaker motor connection cn7 right cabinet inputs cn4 meter 2 CN 3 meter 1 cn1 input for Diagnostic volume buttons these inputs only pass through the cabinet node board cn5 coin door connection includes coin switches and coin door LEDs cn9 dollar bill acceptor connection cn8 coin mechanism connection

_(Acquisition: youtube_auto_sub, Enrichment: v3)_

---

*Exported from Journalist Tool on 2026-04-13 | Item ID: bed25f23-84da-4bcc-b7ce-513dd18955b2*