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Part 1: 1978 Gottlieb Close Encounters of the Third Kind Project. Delivery!

Pinball Shenanigans·video·21m 4s·analyzed·Oct 6, 2025
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Analysis

claude-haiku-4-5-20251001 · $0.021

TL;DR

Mike acquires 1978 Gottlieb Close Encounters; power supply tests good despite 30-year storage.

Summary

Mike Dus acquires a 1978 Gottlieb Close Encounters of the Third Kind System One pinball machine from his friend Steve. After initial inspection, cleaning, and power-on testing, the machine shows encouraging signs: original plastics and drop targets are intact, the back glass is in excellent condition (9.5/10), and the power supply voltages test successfully across all rails (5V, 12V, -12V, 60V, 42V, 8V, 4V). Primary issues identified include battery corrosion damage to board connectors, a few failed resistors, a melted solenoid, and moisture/humidity damage from 30 years of non-climate-controlled storage, but the overall condition suggests a restoration is feasible.

Key Claims

  • This is the 10th pinball machine Mike has purchased from Steve

    high confidence · Direct conversation between Mike and Steve; Mike states 'I'm actually getting there' in reference to a joke about buying machines in volume

  • The machine was in working condition when put into warehouse storage 30 years ago

    high confidence · Steve explicitly states 'it was working when it was put away'

  • The battery has been on the machine since 1979

    high confidence · Mike states this while removing the corroded original battery from the machine

  • The power supply is fully functional with all voltage rails correct

    high confidence · Mike tests and confirms: 5V, 12V, -12V, 60V, 42V, 8V, and 4V all measure correctly on multimeter

  • Primary damage is from leaky battery corrosion affecting board connectors and pins

    high confidence · Mike identifies disintegrated pins on CPU connector A2J1 and other connectors under the battery location; has spare replacement connectors at home

Notable Quotes

  • “Been played. It's been in storage for like 30 years... And it was working when it was put away.”

    Steve @ ~3:45 — Establishes the machine's operational history and storage timeline, critical for understanding its condition

  • “I think this is the 10th one. And it's buy 10 get one free, isn't it? Um it's actually buy 100 get one free.”

    Mike & Steve @ ~5:30 — Lighthearted exchange revealing an ongoing business relationship; Steve is a significant source of machines for Mike

  • “This battery has been on here since 1979. I think it's about time you go.”

    Mike @ ~24:15 — Moment of removing the source of most damage; reveals the age and deterioration of original components

  • “Wow. Looks like a close of a third kind.”

    Steve @ ~2:30 — Confirms the machine identity upon initial inspection

  • “Okay, the only volts left are uh the four and the 8 volts for displays. I'll check those and be right back... Got a fully working power supply. So that is good news.”

    Mike @ ~45:00 — Key diagnostic moment; successful power supply validation is critical for restoration feasibility

Entities

Mike DuspersonStevepersonClose Encounters of the Third KindgameGottliebcompanyGrazley GarageorganizationKevinpersonCorypersonBigfoot BrucepersonLizzy boardproduct

Signals

  • ?

    community_signal: Active Pinball Shenanigans viewer community engagement with monetary donations and positive feedback on restoration progress

    medium · Buggertime 8085 donates $5 and comments positively on previous Gammatron restoration; Mike acknowledges viewer support and requests engagement (likes/hearts for beer donations)

  • ?

    community_signal: Methodical diagnostic and restoration approach: visual inspection, cleaning, component testing (multimeter voltage verification), documented assessment before major repairs

    high · Mike systematically tests all power supply voltage rails (5V, 12V, -12V, 60V, 42V, 8V, 4V), inspects for hidden damage, cleans with appropriate materials, documents findings

  • ?

    product_strategy: Post-acquisition cleaning and maintenance work addressing humidity damage and corrosion from storage; playfield and cosmetics largely intact requiring primarily cosmetic restoration

    high · Mike spends ~25 minutes cleaning cabinet interior, applies magic eraser to remove grime, cleans back glass (assessed 9.5/10), notes 'all the plastics are real nice' and 'no broken plastics'

  • ?

    product_concern: Extensive battery corrosion damage affecting CPU connectors and pins after 30 years of non-climate-controlled storage; primary restoration challenge identified

    high · Mike identifies disintegrated pins on connector A2J1 (CPU power), stating 'Those pins are practically disintegrated. So definitely gonna be some repinning involved.' Has spare connectors but notes damage severity.

  • ?

    technology_signal: Use of Lizzy board (aftermarket reproduction System One control board) as replacement for original Gottlieb circuitry in restoration workflow

Transcript

youtube_auto_sub · $0.000

0:01
Okay, before we get started, I just want to give a super shout out for a super thanks from Buggertime 8085. He says, "Nice work, Mike. You're in the home stretch now regarding Garbatron. How does it feel to have one of the most beautiful Gamatrons in the world?" Well, feels pretty good. I know there's a couple other ones out there that are pretty spectacular, but you know, this one's up there, too. So, uh, thanks again, brother. Much appreciated. I will put that $5 to good use. I'm Mike Dus, and this is Pinball I'm Mike Dus, and this is Pinball Shenanigans.
0:48
All right, it is a beautiful Saturday afternoon in October, so got to like that. Usually our winters are like 9 months long. So getting spoiled a little bit here. I'm going over to meet my buddy Steve at my secret storage location and I am picking up from him a new pinball machine and it is a close encounters of the third kind which is like a 1979 got system one machine. I've actually had one before. I might have even got it off of Steve, but it was pretty rugged. The whole cabinet was painted black and I sold that to basically Cory and Kevin. Kevin did the cabinet. Cory did the playfield and then they sold it. And um yeah, so I didn't really uh shop that one up and play it. I might have played it once they uh had it all set up and at the Grazley garage, but I don't even really recall. So, this one from the photos looks to be in nice condition. The uh owner apparently has had it for a long time. Oh, the clanging in the back is uh some nice 27in pinball legs that I just cleaned up because apparently there's no legs. So, also got a bin full of tools. I'm going to set it up and test some voltages. Probably I'm going to assume that uh I'm going to hit a dead end right at the power supply. It's been sitting probably for a long time and uh it's going to need some board work. So anyway, it is new pinball day. I'll see you over there. All right, Steve, what did you bring me this time? Wow. Looks like a close of a third kind. Wow. Looks like a close of a third kind. Ah, okay. Got a coin box. But Ah, okay. Got a coin box. But we do have a coin box. we do have a coin box. Where's all the coins, man? No money in Where's all the coins, man? No money in it. You ripped me off yet again. You ripped me off yet again. There is two keys. There is two keys. All right, cool. All right, cool. There might be a key for the coin door, There might be a key for the coin door, actually. Oh, okay. Well, that's a bonus. Oh, okay. Well, that's a bonus. So, one is for the head So, one is for the head and the other one could be for the coin and the other one could be for the coin door. All right, cool. Well, you sent me a All right, cool. Well, you sent me a couple photos and uh it was looking pretty good. So, let's bust this guy out and have a closer look. All righty. All righty. Yeah, first look at this playfield. Yeah, first look at this playfield. Looks to be in real nice shape. Looks to be in real nice shape. Yeah, that bonus area, that's the first Yeah, that bonus area, that's the first area that's going to get beat up. Been played. It's been in storage for Been played. It's been in storage for like 30 years. Oh my god. Oh my god. And it was working when it was put away. And it was working when it was put away. Wow. Wow. That's crazy. All the plastics are real nice. All the plastics are real nice. Yeah. I don't see any broken plastics. Yeah. I don't see any broken plastics. No. Drop targets are all original. A couple broken rubbers. That's about A couple broken rubbers. That's about it. Maybe a flipper bat that's a little cracked. One bad flipper. One bad flipper. You see the ball? The apron's nice. You see the ball? The apron's nice. Yeah, it's a good looking Yeah, it's a good looking good looking machine. A little bit of uh signs of humidity, but that'll clean up for sure. But the art itself is But the art itself is looks pretty darn good. Yeah, it's a good looking machine. Good find. We're just talking about how many machines that I bought off you. And I think this is the 10th one. And it's buy 10 get one free, isn't it? Um it's actually buy 100 get one free. Um it's actually buy 100 get one free. Buy 100 get one free. Okay. Buy 100 get one free. Okay. You're getting there. You're getting there. I actually am getting there. And it's I actually am getting there. And it's been a good number of machines. But yeah, look at this back glass. Wow, it's got the nice mirroring. Mhm. Mhm. The display windows are not chipped. The display windows are not chipped. Yeah, it's a beauty. That's some really nice art. I like that. Well looked after. Well looked after. All right, the transaction is complete. All right, the transaction is complete. And now it is time to set this thing up and plug it in cuz this was in a warehouse and I'm guessing there was no power. Otherwise, they would have tested it. But when it was put away 30 years ago, apparently it was working. But isn't that always the case? It was working when I folded it up. How many times have I heard that? But there is some damage due to the battery. Surprise, surprise. That chip is uh been victimized. Maybe that chip too. uh these resistors up here even. But I'll start with the power supply. Measure some voltages. Like I said, I brought some legs. And also, courtesy of fellow shenanigander Bigfoot Bruce sent me a few boards a while ago, and it's about freaking time I actually use one. Can't remember if he said he put this together himself or not. This is a Lizzy board. It's kind of um maybe a relatively newer company reproducing boards. So this is the system one I believe. I hope it is. It says Lizzy one. So let's see. Does it say? [Music] I think it is. Oh, where does it say for sure? Anyway, the Lizzy 35 is for Bali. And then I think yeah, Lizzy 80 is for the Got Leap System 80. So anyway, let's um throw this thing on legs and get a better look. Okay, I got the body on some legs and next thing I'm going to do is remove the glass, lift up the playfield, see if we can find any treasures inside, and remove this uh isolation transformer, which we do not need. And it's just adding extra unnecessary weight. All right. Well, I think there's some pretty serious beer spill going on here. The uh what do you call this? The uh beer foam completely disintegrated from the lock bar. And this was uh incredibly stiff. Oh yeah, we got some rust. Someone is having a party. Got a little frisky. I need to WD40 this thing. It is It is tight. All right, let's have a look. Got the soundboard. I imagine this thing's going to be 100% complete. Whoa. Whoa. Wow. That ain't looking too good. just
Buggertime 8085person
Pinball Shenanigansorganization
System Oneproduct

high · Mike installs Lizzy One board, noting it's 'relatively newer company reproducing boards' for System One machines; describes it as a common aftermarket upgrade solution

7:33
that is also not very good. Okay, this ain't going to be a spit and polish job. I got a couple solenoids flopping around in here. Tilt knob speaker.
7:54
I think I actually have a spare bank of resistors. So, that's not a big deal. The big deal, the biggest deal is whether or not these transformers work.
8:08
Why are they so spotty? Almost looks like mud. But I think that's just the heat resistant paint they put they paint on there. But it almost looks like just mud. Anyway, moving on. We've got some chalk, piece of white chalk, some plasticky tray looking thing, one screw, a little bit of evidence of the original paperwork.
8:38
Got this. This was a bit of a switch here. This is definitely um not in a temperature controlled storage for probably 30 years. So, shall be a interesting challenge. Anyway, I think I will um remove the transformer and vacuum out this cabinet a bit. Okay, have one look at this side before I give it a wipe down. I've got some Zep. Got a cloth and a bucket. And uh I need to uh put all that to work. All right, have a look at the before here. See if I can make this look a little bit better. Okay, let's see how this all turned out. I just spent like I don't know 25 minutes or so going around pretty much everywhere. Use my uh brush to get in the grooves and all these grooves in the uh coin door frame. I got to like come in with like a nice actual clean rag and get rid of all just a the final wipe down. So, definitely looks better.
10:00
I used uh some magic eraser as well to get rid of some of the the griiest of grimes. Did the neck.
10:12
Gave the back a quick wipe. much easier to just pull out the playfield. It's just you literally have to disconnect two connectors. And then this side, it was nasty. It was real nasty, but it's looking a lot better. And the inside of the coin door didn't really come much cleaner. The top did though. And in there, I gave it a bit of a wipe down. And this foam pad just disintegrated into nothingness. But the inside turned out pretty good all things considered. My speaker wire popped off there. It's just probably needs to be soldered on directly in this area. A lot better. Some of this mud is just that heat resistant paint. Someone went in there and got a little frisky and got paint all over the place on the wire harness on the plug. But starting to even smell a little better. Look at that vacuum and a wipe down. Oh yeah, and here's all the treasures I found. someone I don't know what was going on with the matches, but maybe some kid was like hiding the cigarettes from his parents and but where did he put the butts? Why couldn't he put the matches where the butts went? I have no other explanation as to mystery matches, but we got some chalk. This is an old fuse holder. Uh remnants of switches, rubber screws for the isolation transformer. Advise location that the push button switch on the bottom of the cabinet will turn game off completely. Game is inoperative in this condition. Oh, so when you turn the machine off, it's off. Hm. Who would have thought? Okay, so I think the only thing I really need to address here until I find out otherwise are these resistors, which may even be good. I can actually test them. But that and the speaker and everything else looks pretty good. So, I'll stick on the head. Oh, yeah. I forgot to show you. Check out this solenoid. That one melted right through. Oh, yeah. And no more isolation transformer. It is also very nasty. Hey, fellow shenaniganders. If you are enjoying what you are seeing, why don't you click on these three dots at the bottom of any video and then find this heart. Click on that and hey, look at this. You can buy me a beer. You can use the slider to buy me 500 beers if you really like, but this is a way you can uh send thanks and I very much appreciate your support. If you do so, your comment will be highlighted and also I will give you a shout out. So, thank you for all your support. Okay, I got the head on. Before I uh look too closely at cosmetic condition, going to clean up the ledge there. All these displays have black in the corners, which is good. If you see white in the corners, that means your gas has escaped and uh it ain't going to work. So, that's a good sign. Let's look this back glass. Little bit of wear there, but
13:59
other than that, maybe a tiniest little scuff there. I'd say this is a 9.5 out of 10. Look at these windows. They're not all cracked. They're usually cracked just from the heat of the displays. That's rare. Okay. And then that's pretty nasty. I'm going to clean up some of this fuzz and wipe down the uh head. I did the top already. Wait, no, I did the top of this. It's better. So, I'll give all that a wipe and be right back. So, we've got one bad fuse for the light box lamps. And I did test these resistors, and couple seem okay, and a couple don't. I cleaned this. It's a little better. Little rusty. I'm pretty sure this and this is from leaky battery. I don't really want to touch it, but I do want to remove it. Uh, so we'll do that in a moment. So, that ledge is yellow now instead of black. And I'm going to grab some pliers. This battery has been on here since 1979. I think it's about time you go. Yeah, pretty pretty bad. It's a GE.
15:35
Wonder when it finally wonder how long it actually lasted before it exploded. But yeah, time to remove that. Okay, just connected body to the head. The pins were a little bit crusty, so I took my Dremel and cleaned them up a bit. But, uh, this connector that goes right under the battery. Guess what?
16:06
Those pins are practically disintegrated. So definitely gonna be some repinning involved and maybe even this guy here. Whoa. Oh my god. It ain't looking good. Whoa. Wow. Okay. Good news though is that I believe that I actually have a spare one of these. This side should be okay.
16:45
Yeah, I have one or two of these at home. Hopefully in better shape. So, I'll add this to my bin to remind me to bring one of those.
16:59
Um, just got to figure out which is the uh power connector here. That's A1. So that is the CPU. I think it's this guy. A2J1. Pretty sure that is our guy. So I'm just going to double check and then we can turn on the machine and see if we get any voltages out of this thing. Okay, time to turn this on. See what happens, if anything. Didn't put the playfield in yet. Don't really feel the need. So, here we go. In three, two, one.
17:49
All right. I don't think I'm going to be able to do this. onehanded.
18:02
Let's go. Let's just try for fun. Just bear with me for a minute. DC volts.
18:10
See if I can pull off at least one voltage. No, I don't think I'm going to be able to. This is where I'm going to grab negative. Oh, wait a minute. Wait a minute. Then this is going to be hopefully 5 volts.
18:31
Whoa, look at that. Wow. This other pin uh should also be 5 volts. Now we need this is ground here and we need 12 volts. Do we got 12 volts? We do net or wait, hold on. This one might be 12 volts. Negative 12. Whoa. Wow, that's surprising. Okay, now I'm going to need my other hand. I'm going to check the 60 volts and 42 volts. I'll be right back. Okay, I might actually be able to do this. Got to grab ground from this cap for these voltages. Okay, let's see if we have 60 volts here. Holy Okay, now 42 volts. Wow. Okay, the only volts left are uh the four and the 8 volts for displays. And I think need to put the ground. Where do I got to put the ground for that one? I forget. But I'll check those and be right back. Okay. So, for the display voltages, I need that ground, the one that goes throughout like this bracket, this panel, etc. All right. Am I on DC? Yep. Let's see if we've got That's what I was trying to move ever so gently.
20:13
That's okay. Got to be very careful here. We've got eight bolts. And what's this four? Oh, did you even see that?
20:39
Okay, we got a fully working power supply. So that is good news. Okay, I think on that note was a pretty good dent, pretty good start. I think I am going to wrap it up. Plus I am getting very hungry. So uh the food is motivating me to uh take a break. So, I'll be back later or