Talk:Post-Purchase Checklist
About 3.10 Game Specific Safety & Fire Hazards
Someone posted on Pinside that they are now concerned about their WMS sound board catching fire. I have had a few tantalum caps explode which leaves a char mark, but no true fire. A char mark on a board is pretty common but I have never seen a fire (meaning fire extinguisher or fire department call needed) as a result.
Yes on the WD40.
Certainly the 'missing fuses' on Williams 3 - 7, 9, 11 and DE 1 - 3 are crucial. I suspect a shorted bridge could cause a lot of damage before the line fuse blows. Has anyone seen flames when this happens.
I don't want to overstate nor understate this issue and I know that others have more field experience than I do. I appreciate ForceFlow for bringing this up for attention.
I revised the description of the sound board cap issue. No, it doesn't catch fire to the degree where an extinguisher is needed or where a game is in danger of turning into a bonfire, but there can be a small flame wicking from the component. I've seen it happen more than once.
ForceFlow (talk) 12:57, 11 January 2026 (CST)
It's quite spectacular when a tantalum cap goes, but it won't create a fire that feeds itself. They just explode, burn for a second and then out.