MPU Battery Replacement Options - Revision history

The Hammer: /* Remote Battery Pack */ minor

2026-02-01T16:11:39Z

Remote Battery Pack: minor

← Older revision		Revision as of 11:11, 1 February 2026
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	On older game systems that originally had a rechargeable battery installed, a diode must also be installed to prevent the MPU from attempting to charge the non-rechargeable batteries (referred to as a "blocking diode"), otherwise the batteries may expand, leak, and/or explode.		On older game systems that originally had a rechargeable battery installed, a diode must also be installed to prevent the MPU from attempting to charge the non-rechargeable batteries (referred to as a "blocking diode"), otherwise the batteries may expand, leak, and/or explode.

	Place the blocking diode on the plus (+) lead with the banded end of the diode towards the plus (+) connection on the MPU board.		Place the blocking diode on the plus (+) lead of the battery pack, with the banded end of the diode towards the plus (+) connection on the MPU board.
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The Hammer: /* Remote Battery Pack */

2026-01-31T23:16:34Z

Remote Battery Pack

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:16, 31 January 2026
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	[[File:Leaked batteries.jpg\|left\|thumb\|200px\|Battery pack installed on a Gottlieb Genesis. User failed to install a blocking diode. Pic courtesy of Ray Brackins at Wide Area Repair]]<br>		[[File:Leaked batteries.jpg\|left\|thumb\|200px\|Battery pack installed on a Gottlieb Genesis. User failed to install a blocking diode. Pic courtesy of Ray Brackins at Wide Area Repair]]<br>
	On older game systems that originally had a rechargeable battery installed, a diode must also be installed to prevent the MPU from attempting to charge the non-rechargeable batteries (referred to as a "blocking diode"), otherwise the batteries may expand, leak, and/or explode.		On older game systems that originally had a rechargeable battery installed, a diode must also be installed to prevent the MPU from attempting to charge the non-rechargeable batteries (referred to as a "blocking diode"), otherwise the batteries may expand, leak, and/or explode.

			Place the blocking diode on the plus (+) lead with the banded end of the diode towards the plus (+) connection on the MPU board.
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ForceFlow: /* MPU-100/MPU-200 */ added note about NVRAM sound bug with meteor

2022-06-08T06:17:28Z

MPU-100/MPU-200: added note about NVRAM sound bug with meteor

← Older revision		Revision as of 01:17, 8 June 2022
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	Note: The MPU-200 uses two RAM chips and has two RAM sockets. Two separate 5101 adapters can be used, or an adapter that specifically accommodates this board can be used.		Note: The MPU-200 uses two RAM chips and has two RAM sockets. Two separate 5101 adapters can be used, or an adapter that specifically accommodates this board can be used.

			Note: When using NVRAM with [[Meteor]]'s production game ROMs, [https://pinside.com/pinball/forum/topic/price-check-1980-sterns-quicksilver-stargazer-seawitch/page/114#post-6486584 there is a sound bug] in that version. An [[Media:Meteora2(1).zip\|unofficial updated bug fix ROM]] (by slochar) is available, which clears the sound registers on boot-up before game initialization.

	===Whitestar===		===Whitestar===

Jimpal: /* Memory Capacitor */

2022-02-05T13:41:14Z

Memory Capacitor

← Older revision		Revision as of 08:41, 5 February 2022
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	==Memory Capacitor==		==Memory Capacitor==
	Memory capacitors are special capacitors that hold a charge for an extended period of time and take the place of a battery. The downside is that the game has to be turned on at least once for several hours every 14-30 days in order to build up to a full charge.		Memory capacitors are special capacitors that hold a charge for an extended period of time and take the place of a battery. The downside is that the game has to be turned on at least once for several hours every 14-30 days in order to build up to a full charge. However, there are reported instances where a memory capacitor has held for over a year on a Gottlieb System 80B MPU.

	Note that on some game systems, a resistor with a higher resistance and/or wattage must be installed in order to handle the inrush of current, especially since a depleted memory capacitor can briefly act as a dead short.		Note that on some game systems, a resistor with a higher resistance and/or wattage must be installed in order to handle the inrush of current, especially since a depleted memory capacitor can briefly act as a dead short.
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	Additionally, lower quality capacitors are prone to leaking, though not as spectacularly as alkaline or NiCad batteries, so it is important to stick with a reputable brand.		Additionally, lower quality capacitors are prone to leaking, though not as spectacularly as alkaline or NiCad batteries, so it is important to stick with a reputable brand.

	~~At this point, memory~~ capacitors have fallen from favor because of only holding a short-term charge, as well as the introduction and economical prices of lithium batteries, lithium coin cell batteries, and NVRAM.		Memory capacitors have fallen from favor for some people, because of only holding a short-term charge, as well as the introduction and economical prices of lithium batteries, lithium coin cell batteries, and NVRAM.

			Systems which are best fit to use a memory capacitor are Gottlieb System 80/ 80A /80B, Bally -17 / -35 / 6803, and Stern M-100 and M-200. Data East MPUs fare pretty well too, however, Williams System 11 and its variants for some reason do not.

	==Coin Cell / Button Battery==		==Coin Cell / Button Battery==

Jimpal: /* Remote Battery Pack */

2022-02-05T13:35:05Z

Remote Battery Pack

← Older revision		Revision as of 08:35, 5 February 2022
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	The remote battery solution is when a battery pack is installed in a game, but lead wires are attached to the positive and negative solder points on the MPU.		The remote battery solution is when a battery pack is installed in a game, but lead wires are attached to the positive and negative solder points on the MPU.

			[[File:Leaked batteries.jpg\|left\|thumb\|200px\|Battery pack installed on a Gottlieb Genesis. User failed to install a blocking diode. Pic courtesy of Ray Brackins at Wide Area Repair]]<br>
	On older game systems that originally had a rechargeable battery installed, a diode must also be installed to prevent the MPU from attempting to charge the non-rechargeable batteries (referred to as a "blocking diode"), otherwise the batteries may expand, leak, and/or explode.		On older game systems that originally had a rechargeable battery installed, a diode must also be installed to prevent the MPU from attempting to charge the non-rechargeable batteries (referred to as a "blocking diode"), otherwise the batteries may expand, leak, and/or explode.
			<br clear=all>

	The safest place to mount a remote battery pack is below any circuit boards and as far away from them as possible, so as to avoid escaping gas and drippings from leaks. It has been reported that circuit boards have been affected by the gas from leaking batteries as far as 6 inches away.		The safest place to mount a remote battery pack is below any circuit boards and as far away from them as possible, so as to avoid escaping gas and drippings from leaks. It has been reported that circuit boards have been affected by the gas from leaking batteries as far as 6 inches away.

ForceFlow: /* Products */ added pinball electronics

2019-05-25T23:47:18Z

Products: added pinball electronics

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:47, 25 May 2019
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	* [http://www.pinitech.com/products/cat_memory.php Pinitech Adapters]		* [http://www.pinitech.com/products/cat_memory.php Pinitech Adapters]
	* [http://nvram.weebly.com/ Pinball Electronics Adapters (barakandl)]		* [http://nvram.weebly.com/ Pinball Electronics Adapters (barakandl)]
			* [https://pinballelectronics.com/ Pinball Electronics]

	=Game Systems=		=Game Systems=

ForceFlow: /* Products */ Updated anypin pinballlife link

2019-05-25T23:41:47Z

Products: Updated anypin pinballlife link

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:41, 25 May 2019
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	Most NVRAM developers sell directly on their websites, but some are also available from various pinball suppliers.		Most NVRAM developers sell directly on their websites, but some are also available from various pinball suppliers.

	* [http://lockwhenlit.com/anyPin.htm AnyPin Adapter] ([~~http~~://www.pinballlife.com/~~index~~.~~php~~?p=~~catalog&parent=158&pg=1~~ Pinball Life])		* [http://lockwhenlit.com/anyPin.htm AnyPin Adapter] ([https://www.pinballlife.com/search.html?Search=nvram Pinball Life])
	* [http://www.pinitech.com/products/cat_memory.php Pinitech Adapters]		* [http://www.pinitech.com/products/cat_memory.php Pinitech Adapters]
	* [http://nvram.weebly.com/ Pinball Electronics Adapters (barakandl)]		* [http://nvram.weebly.com/ Pinball Electronics Adapters (barakandl)]

ForceFlow: /* Products */ Removed pinforge - closed

2019-05-25T23:40:09Z

Products: Removed pinforge - closed

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:40, 25 May 2019
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	* [http://www.pinitech.com/products/cat_memory.php Pinitech Adapters]		* [http://www.pinitech.com/products/cat_memory.php Pinitech Adapters]
	* [http://nvram.weebly.com/ Pinball Electronics Adapters (barakandl)]		* [http://nvram.weebly.com/ Pinball Electronics Adapters (barakandl)]
	* [http://pinforge.com/ PinForge Adapters] ([http://www.bigdaddy-enterprises.com/ProductPages/pinforge.html Big Daddy Enterprises])

	=Game Systems=		=Game Systems=

ForceFlow: /* Products */ Removed Denikar - closed

2019-05-25T23:38:47Z

Products: Removed Denikar - closed

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:38, 25 May 2019
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	* [http://nvram.weebly.com/ Pinball Electronics Adapters (barakandl)]		* [http://nvram.weebly.com/ Pinball Electronics Adapters (barakandl)]
	* [http://pinforge.com/ PinForge Adapters] ([http://www.bigdaddy-enterprises.com/ProductPages/pinforge.html Big Daddy Enterprises])		* [http://pinforge.com/ PinForge Adapters] ([http://www.bigdaddy-enterprises.com/ProductPages/pinforge.html Big Daddy Enterprises])
	* [http://www.denikar.com/ Denikar Adapters]

	=Game Systems=		=Game Systems=

ForceFlow: /* System 3 */ added link to nvram section on gtb system 3 page

2019-05-25T23:38:05Z

System 3: added link to nvram section on gtb system 3 page

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:38, 25 May 2019
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	* [[Gottlieb_System_3#Relocating_the_battery_from_the_MPU_board\|Remote Battery]]		* [[Gottlieb_System_3#Relocating_the_battery_from_the_MPU_board\|Remote Battery]]
	* [http://www.pinrepair.com/sys3/#battery Coin Cell Battery]		* [http://www.pinrepair.com/sys3/#battery Coin Cell Battery]
	* ~~NVRAM~~		* [[Gottlieb_System_3#NVRAM_Installation\|NVRAM]]

	[[~~File:GottliebSystem3NVRAM.jpg\|right\|thumb\|200px~~\|NVRAM ~~installed with jumpers pictured on a Gottlieb System 3 MPU~~]]~~<br>~~


			[[File:GottliebSystem3NVRAM.jpg\|left\|thumb\|200px\|NVRAM installed with jumpers pictured on a Gottlieb System 3 MPU]]<br clear=all>

	Some experimentation leading to the development of an NVRAM solution can be found [https://pinside.com/pinball/forum/topic/nvram-gottlieb-system-3-success here].		Some experimentation leading to the development of an NVRAM solution can be found [https://pinside.com/pinball/forum/topic/nvram-gottlieb-system-3-success here].