We set out to make The Ultimate MPU Board fit several needs. Our first goal was to produce a MPU board that could handle all of the different
versions of MPU series boards that both Bally and Stern manufactured between
1975 and 1984. Another important goal was for all of the games, including
free play versions to be installed on one board eliminating EPROM changing. We
wanted the new MPU board to have a dipswitch for easy switching between the
different games and to eliminate any complicated jumpering system.
An additional goal was to make a board that would satisfy the replacement needs
of both operators and homeowners/collectors. The consideration for the operator is that they need a MPU
board that is rugged enough to run 24/7. The
need for the homeowner/collector is a board that can be easily installed and
set up and then can be used for years to come with out concern. How else could
we offer a lifetime warranty no matter if your using our board for business or
pleasure.
Last but not least, one of our goals was pricing. Make a board that can sell for
under $200. Also we wanted to be able to
offer distributors/operators attractive quantity discounts making the need to
repair old damaged MPU boards a thing of the
past. Check out our article on
Repair or
Replacing?
We believe that we have accomplished all of the above goals.
By using a PLD, we were able to make the switching of different games as easy as using a dipswitch. This will allow anyone that is not comfortable with electronics to be able to change to any one of over 90 preprogrammed different games. The PLD contains complex logic that eliminates the need for jumpers and reduces the overall component count. Better yet, no more changing of jumpers or unsoldering wires to change a MPU board from one game to an other.
By allowing the board to have a jumper for the clock speeds and using our Programmable Logic Device is such a way to make up for the (2) 5101 chips that were used on the original Stern MPU 200 series boards.
We feel very strongly about making this an open product. That is why we have posted on this web site the schematics, board layouts, manuals and pictures of our products, free of charge. We will continue to update our documentation and support as needed. As for support, you can contact us by either phone or email. We understand that you might have other questions about your game even after purchasing.
Resistor and capacitor networks are more cost effective. They reduce the overall component count, and reduce the overall size of the board. This allows us to manufacture a board for less. The networks also provide a filter that protects the sensitive components from static and the inherent electrical noise found in a pinball machine.
This is accomplished using the game option dip switches. Setting the game select switch to the free play mode for whatever game you have enables the free play mode. For simplicity, the free play mode is the same as the regular mode except SW1 (leftmost) on the Game Select dip switch is on. Once the free play mode is enabled, turning off the credit display dipswitch activates this feature. See our manual for more detailed info.
On-board diagnostics are enabled when the SW1 and SW2 of the Game Select dip switch are on.
YES, these games used a -133 MPU board. In these games the zero-crossing signal is derived from the GI buss rather than the solenoid bus. The Ultimate MPU works with both versions automatically making it universal.
Both are very similar, the only difference is that the GI powered zero-crossing circuit needs a rectifier in series because the GI bus is an AC voltage. The solenoid voltage is already rectified by the bridge rectifier located in the power supply, therefore a series diode rectifies the GI voltage and passes the solenoid voltage creating the automatic zero-crossing detector circuit. What does all this mean to you, just plug in our board to a listed game and you will not need to worry about modifying a game board ever again.