Where to plug in your soldering iron

People who frequently repair Williams and Bally WPC games, especially on location, will recognize this common issue: sometimes it's hard to find a convenient place to plug in a soldering iron. Sure, you could use a gas-powered soldering iron, but there are times when you simply need electricity, whether it's for the iron itself or for additional lighting.

Bringing an extension cord along for repairs isn’t always ideal. It’s one more item to carry (and potentially forget), and crawling under a pinball machine in a crowded pub to find a wall socket is far from enjoyable. If there’s only one outlet and you have to unplug the pinball machine to power your soldering iron, troubleshooting becomes a slow and frustrating process.

Fortunately, WPC games include a built-in service plug inside the cabinet. On top of the metal box, there’s an IEC connector wired directly to the main voltage from the wall outlet. However, most soldering irons use a standard plug, and since you’ll likely want to use the same iron on your workbench, replacing the plug with an IEC connector isn’t a practical solution.

What you need is an adapter that connects to the IEC socket inside the pinball machine, allowing you to plug in your soldering iron, or any other device. IEC connectors and plugs are available online and at various electronics stores, but there’s also a way to get them for free.

This type of cable was commonly used in older computers to provide power to the monitor from system unit. These cables are now obsolete, and if you ask around at computer shops or recycling centers, you can often find them discarded. They're still in use in datacenters to provide power to the servers in their racks.

Just cut off one end, attach a standard plug from a DIY shop, and you’ve got a handy adapter!

I built a small converter like this for myself. It’s compact and lightweight, so it fits easily in my toolbox. I carry it with me whenever I go out for a repair job.

Now I can conveniently power my soldering iron using the pinball machine’s internal service plug.

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