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**Video Poker, Keno, Slots, 21** Gaming machines => CEI and Cal Omega Video Poker Games => Topic started by: CHOP CHOP on February 18, 2015, 09:36:31 PM

Title: CEI/ Bally hopper issue
Post by: CHOP CHOP on February 18, 2015, 09:36:31 PM
when it rains it pours....one fixed.....maybe......keeps telling me "hopper empty" even when full, have no clue where to begin testing or what the results should be, cannot find any documentation on it in the downloads section, there is no model # stamped on it.....could use any directions here.....


i have tried to post this numerous times and it keep getting kicked out so there will be pictures to follow.....
Title: Re: CEI/ Bally hopper issue
Post by: CHOP CHOP on February 18, 2015, 09:48:53 PM
the screen keeps saying "hopper empty" even when full..i have no documentation on the hopper and have no clue where to begin......i have looked in the download section to no avail....HELP
Title: Re: CEI/ Bally hopper issue
Post by: CVslots on February 18, 2015, 10:58:28 PM
Ok, so with no docs on this, lets look at it like any other hopper...my first thought is, does the hopper turn or attempt to turn/pay on a win?
Title: Re: CEI/ Bally hopper issue
Post by: SolidSilver on February 19, 2015, 10:17:41 PM
The early CEI machines had an insane method of keeping track of hopper quantity: it actually counted coins in & coins out, and would give you HOPPER EMPTY even with a full load, if it's count said 0; and it could easily miscount, especially with a hobby user manually adding and removing coins from the hopper to play it.

Here's the 23.9 manual (probably what you have, or darn close.) Look at Page 4, the very bottom section.
It will show you how to administratively "add" coins to the count.

Glad you finally got on. Any idea what the problem was? :Scratch-Head:
Title: Re: CEI/ Bally hopper issue
Post by: CHOP CHOP on February 20, 2015, 11:48:01 AM
it had a blown fuse once or twice and was replaced, think motor may be bad and want to bench test it but not sure what the voltage in is.....i will look at that manual silver...and i have no clue why things were not posting....
Title: Re: CEI/ Bally hopper issue
Post by: SolidSilver on February 20, 2015, 12:59:55 PM
The motor itself is 110vac; switching from logic level is usually done on the backplane.
Most unlikely the motor is the problem.

By the way, that fat black microswitch on the hopper is the second way some CEI's checked for an empty quantity.
The hopper is hinged against springs, and a full hopper would actuate the switch. This switch was usually used only to operate the coin diverter, preventing an overflowing hopper. Only seen it used once for "empty hopper," and I'm quite sure that one was an "unauthorized field modification." As a check, you could actuate the switch (as with a full hopper) and see what happens: probably
the Diverter will switch, not affecting the Hopper Empty situation.

I would follow the Add Coins instructions first.
Title: Re: CEI/ Bally hopper issue
Post by: CHOP CHOP on February 22, 2015, 05:16:36 PM
silver....tried the Add coins as you instructed, got rid of the error.....sort of short lived. when the collect button is pushed it seems to trya nd actuate the hopper, thing is on the back of the motor is a plastic lever lock ( for lack of proper desctiption) see pictures. i believ this is some sort of magnetically operated switch. it does not actuate and keeps the motor from turning and then it blows the fuse.....
Title: Re: CEI/ Bally hopper issue
Post by: SolidSilver on February 22, 2015, 06:58:42 PM
OK, looks like you have two problems, one of which is fixed.

1.   You have fixed the Empty Hopper error by administratively filling up the hopper.

2.   That mechanism you describe is the Motor Brake. It’s purpose is to stop the heavy rotating disc quickly, to avoid kicking out extra coins on overrun. You are right, it is electrically operated, but there is no separate solenoid. The motor stator itself (that stack of black iron plates carrying the coil) becomes a magnet when the motor runs. This magnetized stator block pulls to itself a small hinged strip of steel, which movement disengages the plastic brake tooth from the rotor. When the motor shuts off, a coil spring acts to return the metal strip, and consequently the brake tooth, to the blocking position. Note that the magnetic power of the stator on the little steel strip is very weak: almost anything can prevent free movement.

From your pics, there seems to be a lot of sawdust or similar dusty crap all over everything. I would disassemble the motor assembly, or at least blow it out with contact cleaner; then lightly oil the motor bearings and the bearings on the metal strip & plastic brake tooth. Make sure everything moves freely, then run it. I think you’ll be back in shape.

(Incidentally, you seem to have a Bally hopper in a CEI machine. Little difference, just goes to show you how similar the various hoppers are.)
Title: Re: CEI/ Bally hopper issue
Post by: CHOP CHOP on February 23, 2015, 09:25:05 PM
WOW!!!!! amazing what a little cleaning/oiling can do.....it seems to be working now that it has been disassembled and cleaned and oiled. only issue now, is that it is paying too many coins........think i have to make a few adjustments to the miro switch counter on top...no biggie.


thanks my friend !!!!


now if i could just figure out the issues with my other Hopper.....have to trouble shoot a few things first then i will post in the other area where it belongs.......
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