Finding and Replacing the Batteries

The location of the batteries in a Bally pinball machine from the late 70's to the mid- 80's. These batteries are located in the back box, behind the translite or backglass. Normally there are 3 AA batteries located here. In this machine, the batteries have been replaced with a high capacity capacitor and it will never need to be replaced.

A close up of the capacitor used to replace the batteries. A capacitor like this may be used in any of the machines. Capacitors work by storing a charge when the machine is on. If the machine is left off for a long period of time (months?), the memory can be lost. Capacitors do not leak like batteries and cannot damage the circuit board.

This is the location of the batteries in Bally / Williams games manufactured in the 90's. If these batteries leak, they will damage the circuit board, usually below the batteries. Once this circuit board is damaged, it may become unusable. Change these batteries at least annually.

To access these batteries, it is necessary to unlock the backbox and remove the translite. On some models, it may be easier to remove the display / speakers below the translite and carefully place it, display down, on the railings of the playfield.

If the batteries are removed while the game is off, all the settings and high scores will be lost. It is possible to replace these batteries with the power turned on, but this should be attempted only by qualified personnel. If the display is also removed and placed display down on the railings of the playfield, be certain that no wires or circuit boards short or make contact. Several hundred volts are present on the display. See the caution at the beginning of this article.

Some hobbyists remove these batteries and place them in a separate battery pack located elsewhere, usually below the circuit boards in the backbox. This protects the circuitry in case the batteries should leak.

After you have replaced the batteries, it is a good idea to mark the date on them with a sharpie. That way, you can tell at a glance how old they are. If you are removing batteries that are only a year old, don't throw them out! They are most likely still good. Keep them and use them in your remote controls or other applications. You just don't want them sitting in your pinball machines for years and years.