magnets:

Config file section

Valid in machine config files YES
Valid in mode config files NO

The magnets: section of your machine config is used to define magnet mechanisms from coils and (optionally) switches. There are settings that control the timing of grabbing, releasing, and “flinging” the ball.

Example:

/config/config.yaml
#config_version=5

coils:
  magnet_coil1:
    number:
    default_pulse_ms: 100
    default_hold_power: 0.375
  magnet_coil2:
    number:
    default_pulse_ms: 100
    default_hold_power: 0.375
  magnet_coil3:
    number:
    default_pulse_ms: 100
    default_hold_power: 0.375

switches:
  grab_switch1:
    number:
  grab_switch2:
    number:
  grab_switch3:
    number:

magnets:
  magnet1:
    magnet_coil: magnet_coil1
    grab_switch: grab_switch1
    enable_events: magnet1_enable
    disable_events: magnet1_disable
    release_ball_events: magnet1_release
    fling_ball_events: magnet1_fling

  magnet_ball_save:
    magnet_coil: magnet_coil2
    grab_switch: grab_switch2
    enable_events: magnet_ball_save_enable
    disable_events: magnet_magnet_ball_save_grabbed_ball
    fling_ball_events: magnet_magnet_ball_save_grabbed_ball

  magnet_auto_enable:
    magnet_coil: magnet_coil3
    grab_switch: grab_switch3

ball_saves:
  magnet_save:
    balls_to_save: 1
    active_time: 5s
    enable_events: magnet_magnet_ball_save_grabbing_ball

Required settings

The following sections are required in the magnets: section of your config:

magnet_coil:

Single value, type: string name of a coils device. Defaults to empty.

Note that is any of the magnet activation times are longer than 255ms and the magnet pulse power is 100%, then you will need to add allow_enable: true to the coil’s entry in the coils: section of the machine config.

Optional settings

The following sections are optional in the magnets: section of your config. (If you don’t include them, the default will be used).

disable_events:

List of one (or more) device control events (Instructions for entering device control events). Default: ball_will_end, service_mode_entered

These events mean the magnet will no longer try to grab a ball if the grab_switch: is activated.

enable_events:

List of one (or more) device control events (Instructions for entering device control events). Default: ball_started

These events enable the magnet to grab a ball based on the grab_switch: being activated.

fling_ball_events:

List of one (or more) device control events (Instructions for entering device control events). Defaults to empty.

Events to trigger flinging a ball.

fling_drop_time:

Single value, type: time string (ms) (Instructions for entering time strings). Default: 250ms

How long the magnet is deactivated for before the “fling_regrab_time” when it’s flinging a ball.

fling_regrab_time:

Single value, type: time string (ms) (Instructions for entering time strings). Default: 50ms

How long the “second” (fling) pulse is for when a magnet is flinging a ball after its dropped it.

grab_ball_events:

List of one (or more) device control events (Instructions for entering device control events). Defaults to empty.

These events cause the magnet to immediately attempt to grab a ball. The magnet will be activated for the grab_time:.

grab_switch:

Single value, type: string name of a switches device. Defaults to empty.

The switch which activates grabbing a ball.

grab_time:

Single value, type: time string (ms) (Instructions for entering time strings). Default: 1.5s

How long the magnet will be energized when attempting to grab a ball.

playfield:

Single value, type: string name of a playfields device. Default: playfield

The playfield on which this magnet is.

release_ball_events:

List of one (or more) device control events (Instructions for entering device control events). Defaults to empty.

These events cause the magnet to deactivate for the release_time: setting.

release_time:

Single value, type: time string (ms) (Instructions for entering time strings). Default: 500ms

How long the magnet disables to release a ball.

reset_events:

List of one (or more) device control events (Instructions for entering device control events). Default: machine_reset_phase_3, ball_starting

These events release a grabbed ball and disable the magnet.

console_log:

Single value, type: one of the following options: none, basic, full. Default: basic

Log level for the console log for this device.

debug:

Single value, type: boolean (true/false). Default: false

Set this to true to see additional debug output. This might impact the performance of MPF.

file_log:

Single value, type: one of the following options: none, basic, full. Default: basic

Log level for the file log for this device.

label:

Single value, type: string. Default: %

Name of this device in service mode.

tags:

List of one (or more) values, each is a type: string. Defaults to empty.

A list of tags. Not used for any logic.