Buzzing ballast?

[ronnie63]

One of the 3 ballasts in my Sega Mad Money is buzzing like mad! Not had this issue before. Guessing it’s vibration rather than a bad ballast?

Thanks Ronnie

[brigham]

It's just one of those things.
It can be caused by a loose-fitting steel casing, or air bubbles in the tar which protects the windings.
I've never fixed one. If it's intolerable, I would find a quieter one.

[slotalot]

They can fail and become noisy with time. Best thing to get a like for like replacement, or maybe change it for a modern electronic unit.

[ronnie63]

OK thanks guys. Will need to find out which one it is and see what I can find to replace it. It’s fairly noisy.

Ronnie

[coppinpr]

Unless you're mad keen to keep everything original, go for the modern solid state version. They are safe, reliable and cheaper than the old style.
Try this one. It will handle all the tubes for less than £7
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/324368491449

[ronnie63]

Thanks. That looks a good solution. Might be a faff figuring the wires to from? This has 3 tubes. Does that need starters?

[ronnie63]

I managed to jam a pinball post rubber in one side of it and it shut it right up.

[slotalot]

That's a right old-time operators way to fix the problem. As they used to say, it's only broken if the punter can't get his coin in the slot.