Stern Pinball SPIKE User manual

Part Number 775-7640-00
Release 2
Part Number 775-7640-00
October, 2018
Release 1
Manual
Copyright © 2018 by Stern Pinball, Inc.
®
, Elk Grove Village, IL 60007.All rights reserved.
TM

2
INDEX
1. SPIKE System Overview ........................ 3
2. SPIKE System and Node Guide ............ 4
2.1 SPIKE System Overview .................. 4
2.2 Node Bus Cabling............................ 4
2.3 System Power.................................. 4
2.4 SPIKE Node Addresses ................... 4
2.5 SPIKE Node Programming............... 5
2.6 SPIKE System Components ............ 5
2.7 Common SPIKE Node Boards......... 5
3. BackboxIdentication........................... 6
4. Identifying Connectors and Parts of
the CPU Board........................................ 7
5. LED Indicators ........................................ 8
5.1 CPU LED Indicators ......................... 8
5.2 PlayeldNodeBoardLED
Indicators ......................................... 9
5.3 Cabinet Node Board LED
Indicators ....................................... 10
6. Example Node Board Backbox,
 Cabinet,&PlayeldMap ..................... 11
7. Interconnect Diagrams ........................ 12
7.1 SPIKE 1 & SPIKE 2......................... 12
7.2 InterconnectDiagram-Playeld&
Cabinet........................................... 13
7.3 Interconnect Diagram - Backbox,
 Cabinet,&Playeld........................ 14
8. NavigatingtheDiagnosticsMenu....... 15
8.1 Adjusting Volume ........................... 15
8.2 Using Diagnostic Menus ................ 15
8.3 Entering Diagnostics ...................... 16
8.4 Switch Tests ................................... 17
8.5 Coil Tests........................................ 19
8.6 Lamp Tests..................................... 20
8.7 Flash Lamp Tests ........................... 22
9. Updating Game Software .................... 24
10. Creating a Complete SD Card............. 25
11. Troubleshooting Flowcharts................ 28
11.1 Game Power Troubleshooting........ 28
11.2 Troubleshooting Coils .................... 31
11.3 Troubleshooting Switches.............. 34
11.4 Troubleshooting Flash Lamps........ 38
11.5 Troubleshooting Feature Lamps .... 39
11.6 Troubleshooting General
Illumination..................................... 45
12. Node Board Status LED Table / Node
Board and Bus Test.............................. 48
12.1 Node Board Status LEDs............... 48
12.2 Cabinet Node Board Status LEDs . 48
12.3 Node Board Test ............................ 49
12.4 Node Bus Test................................ 49

3
1. SPIKE SYSTEM OVERVIEW
SPIKE™ System Overview
The SPIKE™ system brings distributed processing to pinball. This modular system gives designers
theabilitytoproducerst-rategamesthatthrillplayers.Modulesallowtheincorporationofthelatest
featureswhilemaintainingexibility.
SPIKE™ Feature Benet
• Standard parts. The same node
boards work in many SPIKE™ machines.
Interchangeable parts and greater
availability.
• Reliability. Parts that prove themselves
in one machine are carried across into
new machines.
Greater uptime. Less maintenance
expenses.
• Built-in safeguards. Overcurrent,
output, and static protection.
Increasedreliability.SavesPCBsfrom
potential damage.
• LED lighting.Brightandmorecolorful
than incandescent lamps. Produces little
heat.Longlife.Lowmaintenance.
Attracts more plays. Reduces upkeep
costs.Increaseslocationlifetime.
• Serviceability. Less heat in the
backbox. Easy module replacement.
Fewer cables to get in the way when
servicingundertheplayeld.Enhanced
diagnosticsoftware.48Vswitching
power supply.
Faster game service and less potential
downtime.
• Gameplay intelligence. Lightning
fastresponsetime.Quicklyreactionsto
gameconditions.Morelightingeffects.
State-of-the-artvideoandstereosound.
Newfeaturesattractplays.
The Ins and Outs of Nodes
A SPIKE™ pinball machine interacts with the player through intelligent nodes. SPIKE™ nodes per-
forminputandoutput(I/O)operations.Typicalinputsareswitches.Typicaloutputsarecoilsand
lamps.TheCPU,Node0,controlsthegamelogicaswellastheoperationofthedisplayandsound.

4
2. SPIKE SYSTEM AND NODE GUIDE
2.1 SPIKE SYSTEM OVERVIEW
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modern
technologies to deliver an immersive pinball experience that
supportsmodernfeatures,reducescabling,andincreases
serviceability and reliability.
A Stern Pinball machine based on the SPIKE system will have at
least one node networked together with the SPIKE node bus. The
primaryCPUisnetworkedtooneormoreinput/outputnodes
overstandardCategory5UTP(unshieldedtwistedpair)ethernet
cabling.
Therearevetypesofnodes.
• CPUnode(Node0)-Theprimarynodethatcontrolsother
nodesinthesystem.Containsthegamesoftwareforthe
systemandprovidesSPIKEnodebuspowerforothernodes.
• Cabinetnode(Node1)-Specializednodewithspecic
inputsandoutputsforcoindoors,tiltmechanisms,andother
cabinet devices.
• 48Vplayeldnode-Controlshighpowerdevicessuchas
coilsandashers,andalsosupportsafewswitchandlow-
power outputs.
• Lightandswitchnode(32Switch+LEDNode)-Switchand
low-power LED outputs. Contains as many 32 switch inputs
and light outputs.
• Node extensions - These LED boards add additional low-
powerinputandoutputstoaspecicPowerorI/Onodeand
are connected with simple serial bus.
2.2 NODE BUS CABLING
TheSPIKEnodebusutilizesstandardEthernet-styleRJ45
8-pin modular jacks and ethernet cabling. SPIKE nodes are not
compatible with standard computer networking equipment.
CAUTION: Plugging a SPIKE Node or CPU board into a standard
Ethernet port may damage one or both devices and void your
warranty.
2.3 SYSTEM POWER
TheSPIKESystemispoweredfroman48VDCswitchingpower
supply. Each SPIKE node converts this voltage to lower voltages
requiredbythenodeanditsspeciccomponents.ASPIKEnode
controls high-power outputs such as game coils and some LEDs.
These nodes are supplied directly with 48V system power. Other
nodes are low-power boards that read switch inputs and output
to standard-brightness LEDs.
2.4 SPIKE NODE ADDRESSES
EachSPIKEnodehasauniqueaddressrangingfrom0to15.Not
alladdressesareusedinallgames.Nodescanbeofthesame
partnumber,sotheaddressisspeciedontheDIPswitcheson
each node. When replacing a node, be certain that the correct
address is set. Nodes can have 3-position or 4-position DIP
switches.Refertotheappropriatetabletosettheaddressfor
eachtypeofNode.Thecorrectaddressforanodecanbefound
intheSPIKEnodereferencesectionofthemanualorinthegame
diagnosticsoftware.Address0isreservedfortheCPUnode,
wherethegamesoftwareresides.Address1isreservedforthe
cabinet node. These two nodes do not have DIP switches as
theiraddressisnotcongurable.
SPIKEnodeaddressesfornodeswith3-positionDIPswitches.
Addresses 0-7 are not used by SPIKE nodes with 3-position DIP
switches.
Address 1 2 3
8 OFF OFF OFF
9 OFF OFF ON
10 OFF ON OFF
11 OFF ON ON
12 ON OFF OFF
13 ON OFF ON
14 ON ON OFF
15 ON ON ON
SPIKEnodeaddressesfornodeswith4-positionDIPswitches.
Addresses0-7arereservedforxed-functionnodesanddonot
requireconguration.
Address 1 2 3 4
8 OFF OFF OFF OFF
9 OFF OFF ON OFF
10 OFF ON OFF OFF
11 OFF ON ON OFF
12 ON OFF OFF OFF
13 ON OFF ON OFF
14 ON ON OFF OFF
15 ON ON ON OFF

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2.5 SPIKE NODE PROGRAMMING
The SPIKE nodes are smart nodes that have on-board
processors and run embedded code. The nodes are programmed
automaticallybytheCPUnodewheneversoftwareupdatesare
installed to the CPU. When replacing a node, the CPU node will
detectandupdatethenodetothelatestsoftwarewithnouser
intervention. Always replace nodes with the power to the game
turned OFF.
2.6 SPIKE SYSTEM COMPONENTS
MULTI GENERAL ILLUMINATION LIGHTING
General Illumination Lighting is two or more lights powered by
onecontrolsource.TheseareoftenanumberofLEDsconnected
in parallel and the system controls these as one large LED. A
missingLEDwillnotaffectthesecircuits.However,ashortedLED
cancausetheentirestringofLEDstoturnoff.
SINGLE LIGHTS
SinglelightsandLEDsaredirect-controlledfromSPIKEnode
boards. A common power source is grounded by individual
transistorstoturnindividualLEDsonandoff.GroupsofLEDs,
usuallyshareacommonpowersourcebynodeconnector.Ifa
groupofLEDsisout,checkthewiringforthepowersource.
FLASHERS
SPIKEgamestreatashersassingleLEDsthatdrawmorepower.
Flashersarecontrolledfromthesamecircuitsthatpowerregular
lights.
DRIVERS
A driver is a circuit that controls a high power-device such as a
coil, magnet, or motor. Each device has a common 48V power
source that is then connected to ground by a dedicated control
transistor. Each driver is protected against shorting, static
electricity, and over-current conditions. Take caution as 48V is
alwayspresentonadeviceevenwhenitisnotenergized.
OPTOS
Certaintypesofopticalswitches(“optos”)requireexternalsignal
conditioning.SomeoptoswillinterfacetoaSPIKEnodeviaan
opto signal conditioning board. Other optical switches connect
directly to the SPIKE node board.
CAUTION: Unless explicitly directed by an Authorized Stern
Repair technician, perform ALL work on your pinball machine with
the power disabled!
INPUT/OUTPUT PROTECTIONS
SPIKEfeaturesbuilt-inshort-circuit,staticelectricity,and
otherprotectionsforgreaterreliability.IfanLED,coil,orother
device shorts, it will be disabled rather than shutting down the
entiresystem.GroupsofLEDs,coils,andswitchesoftenshare
common power supplies or other circuits. It is possible that a bad
devicewillaffectthegroupofrelateddevicesandrequireremoval
orrepairtoxthegroup.Thesystemdiagnosticswillinformthe
technicianofshortedorotherwisemalfunctioningdevices.While
the system is protected against permanent damage, it is strongly
recommended to repair or replace these bad components as
soon as possible.
2.7 COMMON SPIKE NODE BOARDS
Description Type Part Number
SPIKE CPU Node Node 509-1003-01
Cabinet Node Node 520-6967-72
Playeld48VCore-DriverNode Node 520-7017-72
Trough Serial Opto Receiver Extension Extension 520-7001-00

6
3. BACKBOX IDENTIFICATION
1. Power Supply – 48V switching P/S (48V at 10.5A, 500W)
2. Service Box – Main power fuse location – 8A S/B fuse. Location of the AC
service outlet – domestic games only.
3. Power Distribution Board – Distributes 48V and ground to the CPU, cabinet and
playeld. Coin door switch (if present) activates distribution of power to cabinet
and playeld.
4. Power Switch
5. 15.6 Inch LCD Display
6. CPU Board Node 0
2
1
3
4
5
LCD
6

7
4. IDENTIFYING CONNECTORS AND PARTS OF THE
CPU BOARD
CN7 – 48V in from the power supply.
CN14 – LCD power connector.
CN6 – LCD video connector.
CN13 – Game memory card.
CN25 – Cabinet direct input switches (diagnostics).
CN9, CN15 – USB ports – for software updates, audit dumps and expansion modules.
BT1 – Battery for the real time clock.
SW1 – 8 bank dip switch for setting the country codes.
CN11, CN12, CN22 – Node RJ45 cables, Playeld, Cabinet, & Accessories.
CN8 – (Not used)
CN1 – Speaker panel left and right.
CN4 – Speaker cabinet woofer.
CN3 – Headphone kit connection.
CN5 – Audio line in/out.

8
5. LED INDICATORS
48V ----- System Power
3.3V ----- CPU Logic Power
5V ----- CPU Logic Power – two locations
12V ----- LCD Logic Power
VA ----- Audio Power
VNB ----- Node Bus Power
2 Status LEDs - One on the carrier board D23 and the other on the CPU. These
LEDs will icker when the system is running.
5.1 CPU LED INDICATORS
48v
3.3v
5v
12v
VA
VNB
5v
Status

9
Red LED – 48V present
Yellow Boot LED – System is running – constant icker
Green LED – 6V is present
5.2 PLAYFIELD NODE BOARD LED INDICATORS
Boot 6v
48v

10
5.3 CABINET NODE BOARD LED INDICATORS
Red LED – 48V present
Yellow Boot LED – System is running – constant icker
Red LED – 12V is present
CABINET
CABINET NODE 1
BACKBOX
CPU NODE 0
CN11
CN13
CN22
CN4
CN5
CN4
Created and distributed under license from Williams Electronics Games, Inc. Black Knight™,
Black Knight 2000™ and Sword of Rage™ are trademarks of Williams Electronics Games, Inc.
© 1980, 1989, 2019 Williams Electronics Games, Inc. All rights reserved.
CN3
CN1
CN2
CN1
CN3
™
CN1
755-7512-N3
When replacing node boards,
ensure DIP address switches
are set correctly!
PLAYFIELD REAR
PLAYFIELD FRONT
Node Bus Cable (RJ45)
604-5004-08-XX
Serial Data Cable
036-8054-XX
NODE BOARD ID INSTRUCTION SHEET
NODE 0
NODE 8a
NODE 8
NODE 9a
NODE 8b
NODE 9
ID DIP Address Description Location Part Number
Node 0 n/a SPIKE 2 CPU Node Backbox 509-1003-01
Node 1 n/a Cabinet Node Cabinet 520-6967-72
Node 8 OFF-OFF-OFF-OFF 520-7017-72
8a n/a Trough Serial Opto Receiver Extension 520-7001-00
8b n/a LED Board Lower Center 520-8083-00
Node 9 OFF-OFF-ON-OFF 520-7017-72
9a n/a LED Board Upper Center 520-8084-00
PREMIUM &
LE MODEL
Boot
48v
12v

11
CABINET
CABINET NODE 1
BACKBOX
CPU NODE 0
CN11
CN13
CN22
CN4
CN5
CN4
Created and distributed under license from Williams Electronics Games, Inc. Black Knight™,
Black Knight 2000™ and Sword of Rage™ are trademarks of Williams Electronics Games, Inc.
© 1980, 1989, 2019 Williams Electronics Games, Inc. All rights reserved.
CN3
CN1
CN2
CN1
CN3
™
CN1
755-7512-N3
When replacing node boards,
ensure DIP address switches
are set correctly!
PLAYFIELD REAR
PLAYFIELD FRONT
Node Bus Cable (RJ45)
604-5004-08-XX
Serial Data Cable
036-8054-XX
NODE BOARD ID INSTRUCTION SHEET
NODE 0
NODE 8a
NODE 8
NODE 9a
NODE 8b
NODE 9
ID DIP Address Description Location Part Number
Node 0 n/a SPIKE 2 CPU Node Backbox 509-1003-01
Node 1 n/a Cabinet Node Cabinet 520-6967-72
Node 8 OFF-OFF-OFF-OFF 520-7017-72
8a n/a Trough Serial Opto Receiver Extension 520-7001-00
8b n/a LED Board Lower Center 520-8083-00
Node 9 OFF-OFF-ON-OFF 520-7017-72
9a n/a LED Board Upper Center 520-8084-00
PREMIUM &
LE MODEL
6. EXAMPLE NODE BOARD BACKBOX, CABINET, &
PLAYFIELD MAP
Exactlocationofcomponentsonplayeldvariesfromgametogame.

12
7. INTERCONNECT DIAGRAMS
7.1 SPIKE 1 & SPIKE 2

13
7.2 INTERCONNECT DIAGRAM - PLAYFIELD & CABINET

14
7.3 INTERCONNECT DIAGRAM - BACKBOX, CABINET, & PLAYFIELD
AC IN
10
NODE 1
NODE 0
GRAY - 48V
BLACK - Ground

15
8. NAVIGATING THE DIAGNOSTICS MENU
AccesstheDiagnosticMenuSystem
Fromthefourswitchesonthebackofthecoin
door,youcanopenmenusoftests.Presstheblack
buttononthefarrighttoentertheservicemenu.Test
prompts appear on the machine’s backbox display.
Selecting Tests
AfterenteringtheServiceMenuwiththeblackbutton,usetheleftandrightredbuttonstohighlight
thedifferentmenuitems.Presstheblackbuttontoselectthecurrentlyhighlightedmenuitem.As
youtest,themachine’sdisplaywillindicateresultsandpromptfurtheractions.Pressthegreen
buttonatanytimetobackoutoforexitanyofthemenus.
8.1 ADJUSTING VOLUME
8.2 USING DIAGNOSTIC MENUS
Change the Game Volume
Usethetworedmiddlebuttonsonthebacksideof
thecoindoortochangethemainvolumeofthegame.
Theleftredbuttonwilldecreasevolume,therightred
button will increase volume.

16
• NOTICE: Diagnostic Switch on Coin Door
Press... To...
• Black Button Selecttestorsetting.AlsoopensServiceMenu(“Diagnostics”).
• Either Red Button Moveacrossdisplaytodesiredfunctionorvalue.
• Green Button Exit to previous menu.
8.3 ENTERING DIAGNOSTICS
Screen Instructions
1. Turn on pinball machine.
2. Open coin door.
3. Onbackofcoindoor,
press black button.
Service Menu appears on backbox display.
4. OnServiceMenu,pick“DIAG”(“Goto
DiagnosticsMenu”)bypushingblack
button.
5. Diagnostic Menu appears on display. There
are several options: •SW, •COIL, •LAMP,
•GAME, •NODE, & •MORE. Using right red
button, move across display to desired test.
6. Toopenselected(highlighted)testmenu,
pressblackbutton.Forspecicinformation
onswitch,coil,lamp,andashlamptests,
seeproceduresthatfollow.

17
• WARNING: Servicing devices
Prevent shocks and injuries! Except when using diagnostics, do not service the
gameunderpower.Beforeservicingswitches,coils,lampsordevicewiring,turnoff
pinballmachinepower.Alsodisconnectthelinecordfromthepowerreceptacle.
• WARNING: Avoid shocks!
Potentially lethal voltages are present in the backbox. When power is on, avoid
contact with the power supply and power distribution board. These components are
inthelower-rightcornerofthebackbox.Exercisecautiontoavoidshocks.
8.4 SWITCH TESTS
Tondstuckoropenswitches, use the
pinballmachine’sdiagnosticsoftware.
Follow prompts on the main display. An
outlineoftheprocessisbelow.
1. Turn on the pinball machine.
2. Openthecoindoor.(Pullcoindoorinterlockswitchtoallowplayeldtofunction)
• NOTICE: 48V Power Interlock Switch
ThisnoticeaffectssomeSPIKE™1&2pinballmachines.Thesemachinesmay
include a 48V power interlock switch. The switch is inside the coin door, on the
leftside.Thisswitchshutsoff48Vpowertotheplayeld.Foralltests48vpower
voltagemustbepresentontheplayeld.Pulltheinterlockswitchout,restoring
playeldpower.

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3. Onthebackofthecoindoor,presstheblackbutton.TheServiceMenuappearson
the backbox display.
4. OntheServiceMenu,pick“DIAG”(“GotoDiagnosticsMenu”)bypressingthe
black button. The Diagnostic Menu appears on the display. There are six options…
5. ToopentheSwitchTestMenu(“SW”),presstheblackbutton.
6. OntheSwitchTestMenu,select“SW”(RegularSwitchTest).“SW”isthersttest
ontheleftsideofthemenu.(Fornow,avoidtheothertwoswitchtests,“Active
Switch”and“SWAlert.”)
7. Useaballtotestaswitch.(Forinstance,lettheballpassbeneatharollunder
switch.)
• NOTICE: Test with a ball
Onlythepressureofarealballcantesttheswitchcorrectly.(Angermightapply
toomuchpressure,invalidatingthetestresult.)
• WARNING: Fingers
Whentestingswitches,keepyourngersawayfromswitch-triggeredcoils.
(Example:Kickers,bumpersandoutholes.)

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8. As you activate a switch, watch the
displayandlistenforatone.Onthe
display,oneoftheboxesshouldlight
up. Whenever you activate a switch, you
should hear the tone.
9. Ifthedisplaydoesn’tchangeandthe
tonedoesn’tsound,you’vefounda
malfunctioningswitch.Unplugthepinball
machinefromthepoweroutlet.
10. Repair the switch wiring or replace the switch as necessary.
11. Plug the pinball machine back in.
12. Re-entertheRegularSwitch(“SW”)Test.
13. RepeatSteps8through11,checkingeveryswitchontheplayeld:Rollovers,
slingshots, rollunders, pop bumpers, and optic switches, etc.
14. Leave the switch test by pressing the green button on the coin door.
Switch Test screen (Small squares indicate
closed switches.) When you open the test,
closed ball trough switches are normal.
8.5 COIL TESTS
1. Turn on the pinball machine.
2. Openthecoindoor.(Pullinterlockswitchout)
3. Onthebackofthecoindoor,presstheblackbutton.TheServiceMenuappearson
the backbox display.
4. OntheServiceMenu,pick“DIAG”(“GotoDiagnosticsMenu”)bypressingthe
black button. The Diagnostic Menu appears on the display. There are six options…
5. Bypressingtherightredbutton,moveacrossthedisplaytoCoilTest.(CoilTestis
thesecondtest.)

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6. ToopentheCoilTestMenu(“COIL”),presstheblackbutton.
7. Therearetwocoiltests.Picktherst
test, Single Coil, by pressing the black
button.Thenameofthecoilappearson
thescreen.(Inourexampleabove,the
coilnameisAutoPlunger.)
8. Thenameofacoilappearsonthedisplay.Activatethecoilbypressingtheblack
button.
9. Thecoilwillreifworkingproperly.Ifthecoilisnotresponding,unplugthepinball
machine.
10. Repair the coil wiring. Or replace the MOSFET or coil as necessary.
11. Plug in the pinball machine.
12. Re-enter the Single Coil Test.
13. Continue testing any additional coils as necessary.
14. To exit the test, press the green button.
8.6 LAMP TESTS
1. Turn on the pinball machine.
2. Openthecoindoor.(Pullinterlockswitch
out)
3. Onthebackofthecoindoor,pressthe
black button. The Service Menu appears
on the backbox display.
4. OntheServiceMenu,pick“DIAG”(“GotoDiagnosticsMenu”)bypressingthe
black button. The Diagnostic Menu appears on the display. There are six options…