ST:TNG Cannon
Cover Modification
The original configuration for the cannon
covers had a 3-Dimensional dome as the light. If you look carefully
at the prototype in the flyer, you can see it quite clearly. If
you are lucky enough to own one of these original prototypes, God Bless
you. As for the rest of us, I have found a near-perfect replacement
that will take you all of 5 minutes to perform. All you need is the
following:
Part # 03-8662-9, a Red Plastic Mini-Dome available from Marco Specialties for $2.00
each
Simply input the part # into the search, or navigate using the left-hand
menu to "Playfield Parts" then "Lamp Covers." Scroll down - it's
near the bottom.
If you want to see what it looks like, here it is:
To install, simply remove the cannon cover. With a pair of
needle-nose pliers, gently remove the two metal pressure caps holding
the red plastic lens in place. SAVE THEM.
You will notice that the Red Mini-Dome screw holes line up EXACTLY
with the plastic tabs. However, the hole is just slightly too small
for the dome to fit through it completely.
Using a rounded file (I used a 1" wide half-round file) to slightly
enlargen the hole. DO THIS CAREFULLY - going around slowly and checking
often to see if the dome fits.
It took only once or twice around the hole to make it fit (the hole
is actually 15/16" while the dome is exactly 1").
Place the dome in the hole over the tabs, and replace the metal pressure
caps you removed earlier. I adjusted the lamp slightly upward to
fill in the dome.
Replace the cover and you are done.
Here is a shot of the dome installed on my machine (the glass was
removed to prevent glare).
.
It's a great modification that will only cost you $4.00 (plus S/H)
and take you only a few minutes to perform.
If you have any questions, give me a shout at rfrysztak_NOSPAM_@notwires.com
(remove the _NOSPAM_ to email)