New owner questions

[rickyg]

 
Hi, I recently  purchased an IGT S+ wild cherry machine and have a few questions. 

1) Is there anyway to clear the credits without having to cash out and keep refilling the quarters? I purchased it with a few hundred credits and can't seem to get it down to zero.

2) Is there anyway to adjust the payout percentage or is it completely random?

3) The buttons are very yellowed and I want to replace them. Do I need a complete new button or can I just purchase the white plastic inside them? And where can I find them?

4) Some of the inserts behind the glass are in bad shape and I want to replace those like the denomination and payout amounts. I have searched but can't find somewhere to buy new inserts.

Thanks

[Shaggy]

Hi, I recently  purchased an IGT S+ wild cherry machine and have a few questions. 

1) Is there anyway to clear the credits without having to cash out and keep refilling the quarters? I purchased it with a few hundred credits and can't seem to get it down to zero.

2) Is there anyway to adjust the payout percentage or is it completely random?

3) The buttons are very yellowed and I want to replace them. Do I need a complete new button or can I just purchase the white plastic inside them? And where can I find them?

4) Some of the inserts behind the glass are in bad shape and I want to replace those like the denomination and payout amounts. I have searched but can't find somewhere to buy new inserts.

Thanks

Welcome to NLG Rickyg. As long as there are credits on the machine the best way is to keep filling it up until they are paid out. After the credits are off you can change some settings. But changes need to be made with no credits on the machine. After you have the credits off ask this question in a new post and we'll get you setup.
The payout percentage is controlled by a reel chip on the MPU. That chip can be changed and will change the percentage payout to virtually anything you want.
You can buy the button inserts. Check with some of the vendors on the homepage. They may also have the glass inserts that you are looking for.
Also ask about a set chip for your machine from them. This is something you will likely need if you have a bill validator.
Can you post a picture of your machine so we can get you setup with the correct reel chip?

Dave

[rickyg]

Thanks for you help.

I found a place that has the buttons, still looking for glass inserts.

Here is a pic to help with the reel chip.

Thanks again.

[Shaggy]

Excellent. You have a 2 coin multiplier. I will add a link to the S+ bible (reel chip list) page. Click on 2cm at the top look for the game name and you will see the different reel chips and their percentages. When you have the credits cleared, open the door and push the white test button (probably located on either the front or back of the power button switch) until a 4 shows in the coins played window. 2 sets of numbers with flash. One is the SP (game) chip. The other is the SS (reel) chip. Compare the numbers to the bible numbers and you can see what your current percentage is. Also you will need a reset key, if you didn't get one with the machine.

http://www.newlifegames.net/igtbible/

Dave

[rokgpsman]

Welcome to NLG, glad to see you here, you have one my favorite machines to play, I consider it a classic!

You may have already found the website below, it has lots of good pictures of parts, including buttons and button legends/labels, helps to know what is out there for these machines no matter who you buy from. Also, sometimes in the Classifieds area here on NLG you will see someone parting out an S Plus machine and you can get parts including buttons from them.
http://www.spininc.com/

As an example, NLG member Jim at Midwest Slots often has S-Plus parts like glass insert/labels and pushbuttons, contact him to see if he has what you need, here is a recent post from him about S2000 inserts and buttons:
http://newlifegames.com/nlg/index.php?topic=14083.msg75972#msg75972

If the button lens (covers) are yellowed from the heat of the button bulb there's not much that can be done except replace them. But some of the yellowing could be from smoke and nicotine over the decades. In that case a good cleaning and buffing might make them look a lot better. It is surprising how much the ever-present casino cigarette smoke can penetrate even the smallest openings in the machine and deposit a yellow film. If you start cleaning the machine cabinet you'll probably see just how much yellow grime comes off.

As Shaggy said changing the game payback percentage involves changing a socketed chip on the main circuit board, called the mpu board.

Whenever you get a machine that is new to you it is a very good idea to remove the mpu board and make sure the old battery on it is not leaking, that can destroy a circuit board if not taken care of. And while you have the mpu board out of the machine you can take a photo of it showing the two main chips that are socketed, the labels on the top of the chips will let you identify what software you have. That is another way to id the software if you have trouble getting thru the TEST menu choices. It could be that you already have the highest (or one of the highest) payback percentages that is available.

You know that even with a higher percentage chip the players will still lose more than they win, right? The higher percentage chip just reduces the losing.

The 25 cent inserts can be found but don't be surprised by how many dollars they sell for. Some of the NLG foks make their own, there are some photoshop files available for free, you take them to a local printshop and have them print on their vinyl or mylar stock. But if it's just one insert you need that may not be worth it. You can have one of the moderators to move a Want To Buy posting to the Classifieds area for you if you want. The Classifieds are limited to NLG Contributing members for posting but an exception is made for someone wanting to buy something. EDIT - you can post a WTB ad free of charge in the NLG Classifieds area with a list of items you are looking for.

I've turned your photo right-side up for us sideview-challenged viewers:

[Shaggy]

Actually he is allowed to post in the wanted to buy section of the classifieds. That allows our vendors to help out. The wanted to sell still has to be a contributing member.

[rokgpsman]

Actually he is allowed to post in the wanted to buy section of the classifieds. That allows our vendors to help out. The wanted to sell still has to be a contributing member.

ok, that's great, I thought a moderator had to move a WTB post to the Classifieds.

[Shaggy]

Actually he is allowed to post in the wanted to buy section of the classifieds. That allows our vendors to help out. The wanted to sell still has to be a contributing member.

ok, that's great, I thought a moderator had to move a WTB post to the Classifieds.

We can but Joey Ok'd it to help our vendors out. And it's good experience for new members to find out how everything works here. And sometimes with all those questions, trying to separate all that out and delete the rest is almost easier for them to make a new post. And he can add anything extra he's looking for at that time.

[rokgpsman]

yes, it is definitely a good idea for people to be able to post their own WTB, I didn't know that kind of posting access was allowed but glad to see it is.

What's the explanation for the seemingly high cost of inserts, is it that there is a shortage, no longer being made by IGT?

[Shaggy]

yes, it is definitely a good idea for people to be able to post their own WTB, I didn't know that kind of posting access was allowed but glad to see it is.

What's the explanation for the seemingly high cost of inserts, is it that there is a shortage, no longer being made by IGT?

Yes and yes. Also as I have learned, when they use ammonia based window cleaner (some types of Windex®) it yellows the inserts. Also the tape used to hold them on is likely to yellow and cause damage. Then there is smoke etc.. Supply and demand. Some, which are hard to come by (coins vs. credits) on an S+ opposed to an S2000 can cause a large disparity in pricing. Back to the S&D. Not S&M.     Sorry to use your cat, but thought you'd enjoy that.

Dave

[rokgpsman]

..... Back to the S&D. Not S&M.     Sorry to use your cat, but thought you'd enjoy that.
Dave

Me-oww!

You've got one of these Wild Cherry machines, right? Is it the same as this one or a 3 coin maybe? Too bad they didn't make a Deluxe version of the Wild Cherry that had the nudge feature, that's the software I'd suggest the OP get for this machine.

[Shaggy]

No I don't have a wild cherry, looks fun though. I like the nudge feature. I have a Double Diamond Deluxe.

[rickyg]

Thank you both for your help. Still learning my way around this site but it has helped a lot already.

The yellowing buttons were inside from the light not from the smoke. But after cleaning most the machine I see what rokgpsman is talking about. I ordered the buttons from spin inc. and I'm waiting to hear back from sunkistgrfx.com about ordering the glass inserts. They have lots of options but not sure if they sell to the public or have a minimum order.

I cleared all the credits and checked on the payout percentage. When I get to 4 in coins, winner paid displays 3408 and credits displays 0731. Neither of these numbers are on the 2cm wild cherry chart that Shaggy linked me to. I probably will never change the chip to adjust the payouts, I'm just curious to what it is that I have.

Are there any machines to stay away from or to look for as I'm starting to build my small collection of maybe 4 machines? I'm thinking of staying with the S+ since they seem to be the least expensive but should I move to the 2000 or a different brand? I'm guessing most if it it user preference but just wanted to keep them all the same and somewhat user friendly.

Thanks again

[rokgpsman]

Thank you both for your help. Still learning my way around this site but it has helped a lot already.

The yellowing buttons were inside from the light not from the smoke. But after cleaning most the machine I see what rokgpsman is talking about. I ordered the buttons from spin inc. and I'm waiting to hear back from sunkistgrfx.com about ordering the glass inserts. They have lots of options but not sure if they sell to the public or have a minimum order.

I cleared all the credits and checked on the payout percentage. When I get to 4 in coins, winner paid displays 3408 and credits displays 0731. Neither of these numbers are on the 2cm wild cherry chart that Shaggy linked me to. I probably will never change the chip to adjust the payouts, I'm just curious to what it is that I have.

Are there any machines to stay away from or to look for as I'm starting to build my small collection of maybe 4 machines? I'm thinking of staying with the S+ since they seem to be the least expensive but should I move to the 2000 or a different brand? I'm guessing most if it it user preference but just wanted to keep them all the same and somewhat user friendly.

Thanks again

     Not sure about the numbers you got on the display, I didn't see the 3408 listed either. The 0731 is probably your SP chip number, the SP numbers are not listed in the Game Bible charts since the charts pertain to game themes and the SP chip is for something else. Maybe our IGT Bible chart here is not complete, I did find the SS3408 listed on the old NLG archive site:

SS3408 3R 2CM TYPE 0 120A523 90.200

From this information it looks like you have a 90.2% payback percentage. The range of software available is 75% to 98% so what you have is a little above the middle value for payback percentage, as you know it can be increased if you want to by a simple chip change. Not sure how much it will increase the fun factor but it is something you can try if you are interested.

old website link to master eprom list:
http://newlifegames.net/nlg/index.php?topic=156.0
 
Shaggy- does the IGT Bible here on NLG need to get updated with this SS3408 info?


The new buttons will make it look great. Some owners also replace the incandescent lamp inside the button with one of the new led bulbs. They give off much less heat, use less electricity and last a long time. You can even get them in different colors if you want to go that way.

Did you get a chance to look over your  mpu board and make sure the battery isn't leaking? That is highly recommended to prevent future problems from the damage. And with the mpu out of the machine you can easily look at the eprom labels to know exactly what software you have.

If it was me I'd start by looking at other S+ machines to add, that way you can more easily troubleshoot any problems in the future since you will have parts you can sub in. And the S+ machines are fairly common enough that they are often available for low price. But the S2000 models have definite improvements like better sound and additional games not found on S+. Here is a recent discussion thread about a similar topic of how to pick an S2000 game, might have helpful tips in it for you:

http://newlifegames.com/nlg/index.php?topic=14367.msg77082#msg77082

[rickyg]

The buttons I ordered are led and I did take out the board and the battery seemed ok.


 

[knagl]

Attached is the PSR PAR for SS3408.  I'm in a bit of a rush right now and can't do the research at this moment to determine if this is a correct SS chip for Wild Cherry, or if it belongs to another game.

[rokgpsman]

Attached is the PSR for SS3408.  I'm in a bit of a rush right now and can't do the research at this moment to determine if this is a correct SS chip for Wild Cherry, or if it belongs to another game.

Thanks Kevin - you can figure it out when you get the chance, I don't know how to do that kind of research, I believe his machine is working ok so it is just a matter of nailing down the details.

[rokgpsman]

The buttons I ordered are led and I did take out the board and the battery seemed ok.

 

Ha! So much for my idea of reading the eprom labels, your GAME eprom label is hard to read and your REEL eprom has a hand-written label, was probably replaced at some point in the past. But the numbers you got on the display when doing as Shaggy suggested tells us the software version.

I didn't know you had pulled the mpu, glad to see the battery is ok. You know about the little blue adjustment wheel on the side of the mpu is for sound volume control?

[rickyg]

I did not know. Thanks

 

[rokgpsman]

Yes, even with the mpu installed you should be able to carefully reach in there and adjust the sound level since the blue wheel will be on the top edge of the mpu assembly. Be careful to not turn the wheel past its stopping point in either direction, it is a light-duty potentiometer that can be damaged if turned too hard against its stop.

The white TEST button Shaggy told you how to press, it can be used to run certain diagnostic tests if you ever need to, plus it allows you to set certain preferences settings. The choices available depends on the SP chip, which for you is SP731. I think there are some discussion how-to threads on NLG about what you can do, what changes you can make. Be careful about making any changes until you know more about it, especially if your machine is working just fine.

Here is a how-to write-up on typical settings for machines with the SP1271 chip, yours will be different but this will get you sorta familiar with how it is done and what choices might be available:

http://newlifegames.com/nlg/index.php?topic=514.0

From looking over the PSR document that knagl posted it looks like all 3 of your reel strips are identical. That means if you ever need to pull out the reels (like to clean the shelf behind them or fix a strip that has come loose, etc) you won't have to worry about getting them back in the same slot. Although it is probably a good habit to reinstall them in the same place because on many machines the reel strips are different and they must be put back in the same position.