Strikes and Spares (Bally, 1978): common faults and replacement boards (Bally MPU)
Does your Bally Strikes and Spares fail to boot, have dead displays, a silent spinner or dead star rollovers? These symptoms are typical of microprocessor Bally pinball machines, whose original MPU board is now over 40 years old and almost always suffers from a leaked battery. The good news: the BallyFA replacement MPU board, Plug & Play and battery-free, brings your machine back to life.
Strikes and Spares (Bally, 1978): overview
Released in 1978 on a bowling theme, Strikes and Spares is one of Bally's first solid-state pinball machines. Designed by Gary Gayton (art by Kevin O'Connor), it has a rollunder spinner and a row of stars arranged like a bowling-pin rack. It uses the Bally AS-2518-series MPU.
- Manufacturer: Bally
- Year: 1978
- Electronic system: Bally MPU (AS-2518)
- Type: solid-state pinball
- Theme: bowling
Common faults (Bally / Stern)
On microprocessor Bally and Stern games (1977-1985), the recurring faults come from ageing: leaking battery on the MPU (corrosion of traces and sockets around U10/U11, the No. 1 cause of dead boards), tired 6821 PIAs (U10/U11) (oxidised legs, no boot), 5101 RAM and sockets to replace, MPU/power connectors oxidised or burnt (look for heat marks), displays with missing segments, and the power/driver board (rectifier, fuses, coil transistors) to rework.
Issues specific to Strikes and Spares (forum feedback)
- Spinner that no longer scores: spinner switch to clean or adjust.
- Dead star rollovers (bowling-pin row): rollover switches to check.
- Leaked battery on the MPU: corrosion around U10/U11.
- Dead or partial displays: display power and MPU to check.
- Runaway or dead coils: driver board (transistors, fuses) to rework.
- Oxidised connectors: to replace for a reliable machine.
Replacement boards compatible with Strikes and Spares
- BallyFA — replacement MPU board (battery-free).
- BallyDri — power supply + driver.
- BallyLa_60 — lamp driver.
📚 Further reading: Guide: which MPU board for a Bally / Stern (1977-1985)?
The BallyFA replaces the original MPU board (boot-up, logic, battery-free memory) and removes the battery, the No. 1 cause of corrosion. For the coils and power, the BallyDri takes over; the lamps via the BallyLa_60. Plug & Play installation, battery-free, free support. Contact us.
FAQ — Strikes and Spares Bally
My Strikes and Spares won't boot.
Check the battery and corrosion around U10/U11. The BallyFA replaces the MPU and works without a battery.
My spinner or stars no longer score.
Often switches to clean; on the logic side, the BallyFA makes switch reading reliable.
Is the BallyFA compatible with my Bally?
Yes, for microprocessor Bally/Stern games (1977-1985). If in doubt, contact us.
Should I keep the original battery?
No. The BallyFA works without a battery and removes the No. 1 cause of corrosion.
How long does it take to install a replacement board?
Installation is Plug & Play: a few minutes, no soldering, with tutorials and free support.
Does a battery-free board keep the settings and high scores?
Yes. Modern replacement boards use non-volatile memory: no more battery, no more corrosion, and the settings are kept when powered off.
Step-by-step diagnosis
- Power off, visual inspection: look for any battery or corrosion damage on your Strikes and Spares MPU, especially around U10/U11; remove the battery if still present.
- Power: measure the 5 V and check that it reaches the MPU (rework the power/rectifier board and the fuses if the voltage drops).
- Grounds and connectors: rework the oxidised or burnt MPU/power connectors (heat marks) between the boards.
- MPU components: check the 6821 PIAs (U10/U11) and the 5101 RAM, often tired or corroded by the battery.
- Displays: never plug or unplug a display while powered on; test with a known-good display.
- Final test: check start-up, credits, coils and displays; reminder: the BallyFA replaces the MPU and boots without a battery. If needed, contact our free support.
