What are these??? Commonly found on IGT Light Ballasts.

[Ash100]

Wasn't sure where to post this, but since I'm working on an I-Game, I figured here would be the place.

I've got a pile of these things that I've collected over the years, and I've really got no idea what they're used for. Well, I have ideas, just don't know which one is right...

Are they Overcurrent Limiters? Voltage Regulators? Some other type of protection circuit? And why are they installed in-line with the power input on the typical IGT Lamp Ballasts?

The Round Top game I'm working on now actually has an F14T8 Bulb installed instead of the typically used Round Bulbs,  and one of these adapters was on the Ballast. And, the lamp would not illuminate with it attached. So, I did what I normally do and removed it, plugged the Harness in directly and the bulb illuminated. Simple, right?

But, after about 5 minutes of game play, the lamp went out and the Ballast smoked. So, did I just have a weak Ballast, or did that piece actually prevent that from happening in the past?

Put in a new Ballast, wouldn't work with 3 different adapters I had laying around, but works with the Cabinet wiring plug connected directly to the Ballast input.

Now I'm wondering if I'll fry another Ballast by not using one.

But I've never had to install one in any other game I've built, including S2000s.

So, I'm just wondering what they're actually used for and why are they so randomly placed in machines I receive?

Thanks.

Curtis ash100

[RB]

Good question. The curiosity prompted me to cut the shrink tubing off of one and investigate. It's a pcb with a 1.5 amp fuse so I suppose it will blow the fuse and protect the ballast.

[Ash100]

Thanks RB,

You saved me from having to do that myself. Ha ha.

So, it's basically a protection circuit, which is good to know. But now I'm curious as to why they're not found in every machine, and who installed the ones we do find? Casinos? IGT?

Which now makes me want to do some further investigating on my I-Game and find out why that Ballast fried so quickly. I may have a problem somewhere in that 24vdc system that feeds the upper Ballast.

So, before I smoke another one, I'll get out my Meter and Current Transformers and take some readings.

Thanks!

Curtis ash100