In the world of pinball, The Addams Family isn’t just a game; it’s a masterpiece. Recently, I was called out to Stroud to visit a client whose machine is her absolute treasure—bought in Poland 20 years ago and meticulously cared for.
However, even the best-kept machines have a hidden enemy: original battery holders.
The Tragedy of Lost Memory The client noticed the machine had suddenly lost its memory, wiping away an incredible high score of 4 billion points. Upon inspection, she found that one of the AA batteries had leaked. Luckily, she caught it early, but the “ticking time bomb” of battery acid had already started its work.
The Fix: Neutralizing Corrosion and Upgrading to CR2032 My first priority for this Addams Family pinball repair was to stop the rot. I removed the old battery holder and carefully neutralized the early-stage corrosion on the board to prevent it from spreading to the delicate CPU traces.
Instead of putting AA batteries back in, I installed a CR2032 coin cell holder. This is a fantastic upgrade for any 90s Bally/Williams machine. These batteries don’t leak like standard AAs, meaning the board is now safe for years to come.
Going the Extra Mile: Bumper Repairs While I was there, we noticed a dead light in one of the bumpers. On a machine like The Addams Family, replacing a bumper lamp holder is no quick task—it requires dismantling the entire mechanical assembly from under the playfield to install the new socket. It took some time, but seeing the whole game lit up again was worth the effort.
Pro Tip: The LED Advantage Before leaving, I recommended a future LED upgrade, especially for the backbox (head). Switching to LEDs reduces the heat and current draw on the original connectors, which are prone to burning out over time. It’s the best way to keep these vintage machines running efficiently.
Is your pinball machine still running on old AA batteries? Don’t wait for a leak to wipe out your high scores (or your CPU board!).
Contact me today to book a battery upgrade and service https://lyonpinball.co.uk/contact-6/