DBV-200 Won't accept bills

[ianmcneil68]

I am new to slot repair and new to the forum. I just bought an IGT Double Diamond. I got everything to work but the BV doesn't even attempt to take bills. It cycles on, the lights are on in the bill tunnel, the LED on the board is solid red, the yellow light on the front of the machine is off. I've tried to do some research. I don't know what the heck a clear chip or a set chip is or if I need them. I have a Sigma Double Cherry that won't take bills either. I'll try to post some pics but in the past I have found that I suck at forums. Any ideas???

[rokgpsman]

Welcome to NLG!

Don't worry about the newness, we get this all the time, so ask any questions you have. If you can post photos of your machine or the parts in question that helps a lot, there are tons of different machines out there. If all other aspects of the machine work fine, just the bill validator is not working, then you've got it 95% working, that's great.

For the sake of clarity it is best if you start a different thread for the Sigma Double Cherry machine. Here is the forum area for the Sigma reel style machines:
http://newlifegames.com/nlg/index.php?board=84.0

Sigma video screen machines:
http://newlifegames.com/nlg/index.php?board=71.0


On your Double Diamond machine, does the bill validator pull the bill in, then reject it back out? Or does it not even pull it in? When you power up the machine does the bill validator cycle (you can hear its motor running for a minute or two)? Is this the bill validator that was in the machine when you got it, or did you/someone install it?

In a situation like this you always want to use a $1 bill for testing. Most of the US bills have changed designs over time and many older bill validators no longer recognize them. The $1 bill is the exception and should always work if the bill validator is working. Otherwise you could have a working bill validator but it still won't accept a bill like a new $20 or $5 simply because the bill validator internal software is outdated.

If you remove the DBV head (front portion, black squarish box) from the machine you can turn it over and show us a photo of the eprom, we can tell more about its software. Sometimes there is a sticker on the top of the DBV but the eprom software may have been changed and the sticker is no longer valid. Usually there is a screw or two under the DBV head and a lever on the top that you lift, then pull forward on the DBV head to remove it.

The CLEAR chip is used to clear memory and reset the machine to factory default settings, often used if there is a stubborn error that you can't get rid of another way, or if the machine is getting converted to a different game. After doing a CLEAR you will need to install a SET chip to enable the bill validator. So if someone has done a CLEAR to the machine then it may need a SET procedure done. You don't want to do a CLEAR unless it is really needed, since it will cause more work to reset several other settings.

You can buy a SET and CLEAR chip from different places, here is one example:
http://www.jjslots.com/S-Plus_c19.htm

But before doing that let's see what the experts here have to say.

[jay]

If the bezel light is off it usually means that the bill validator is not enabled - albeit there has been one instance where both lights were burnt out.

If the machine is new to you and you potentially asked for a certain theme, it is more than likely that after the game change whomever sold it to you did not activate the bill validator.

To enable the bill validator you need a SET CHIP

If your buying a SET CHIP then I would buy a CLEAR chip at the same time.
It is rare that you need to clear your machine - but the cost of postage is usually higher than the cost of the chip so just buy both at once.

A S+ machine works on credits, and pays in coins.
So as far as game play is concerned there is no association between what a credit is worth or what a coin is worth.
So when you insert a bill - how many credits do you get for a dollar ?
This is where the SET chip comes in.
You SET a CREDIT to be worth 0.25 and subsequently the bill validator knows to give 4 credits for a dollar inserted....

To use the set chip I will defer to RICKS FAQ's
Go to the NLG home page - scroll down about half way to find RICKS FAQ's
He has a whole tutorial there with pictures etc.

[ianmcneil68]

Ugh, I've tried twice to post pis...
The BV does not pull the bill in. It does cycle properly. It is the BV that was in the machine when I bought it. I am using a $1 bill. I will attemt post pics again...

[ianmcneil68]

Pics

[ianmcneil68]

Stand by. It seems my phone takes pics that are way to large to post. I will see if I can reduce them.

[ianmcneil68]

Pics

[ianmcneil68]

I have ordered the chips. Is it possible to use the SET chip without having to CLEAR? I'd like to make this as simple as possible.

[jay]

As noted, The clear is rarely used.

After a battery change sometimes the machine gets hung in a 61 loop. You need the clear to get you out of this....but not much else
Gaming regulators might require a clear to occur after a major win or perhaps when a major chip series is changed.
- - Not really a concern for home owners or foreign operators.

[ianmcneil68]

Thanks. I will repost once the chips arrive and if I have any trouble. I have a Sigma Double Cherry machine that is doing the same thing. Different model BV but may be the same issue. Thanks again!!!

[rokgpsman]

The software label on your DBV-200 says it is ver 2.51, I think it is for bill designs dated 2004 and earlier. There were a couple of later software releases from the manufacturer (JCM) to update what bills it will take. The last s/w release for it was ver 2.61-04-03, dated August 2006. I think but am not certain that last s/w release had capability for the new $50, $20 and $10 bills. As mentioned earlier, it should also work with the normal $1 bill, if it doesn't then I'd figure that out before doing an update because you may up replacing it anyway.

Your DBV-200 uses what is called a flash rom instead of an eprom. That means to update it to newer software you'd have to send it to someone that is setup to do flash programming. If it had an eprom in a socket you could get the eprom from someone and replace it yourself to do a software update. Here is an example of a place that does the flash programming if you decide to go that way:
http://www.ohiogaming.com/jcmdbvhead.htm
(read the note toward the bottom of their webpage)

The dipswitches on your DBV-200 are all off, I think that is correct, someone will say if it is not.

The bill validators in slot machines use specific comm methods for that brand of machine. So an IGT style of bill validator wouldn't work in a Sigma, or vice versa, without reprogramming them with correct software. Wanted to let you know in case you try swapping the bill validators around from different machines for troubleshooting reasons. That's what that "ID 022 023" means on your DBV-200 sticker. The IGT S+ machines us an id protocol named 022/023.

As Jay said you don't have to use the CLEAR chip first, can use the SET chip first if you just want to enable the bill validator. Since you have the SET chip ordered you'll be able to use it to make sure the bill validator is enabled. If it wasn't that could be the reason it isn't working. While waiting for the chips to arrive I'd pull out the mpu board (main logic board) and make sure the battery on it hasn't leaked and caused damage. Plus check the battery to make sure it is good, if below 3.0 volts will need to be replaced. While you have the mpu out post a photo of it, especially the eprom chip area, we can tell you more about your game software.

The mpu board is located in the lower area of the machine, either behind the hopper on the rear wall or over on the left side wall. It is mounted inside a metal tray, there is usually a black knob on the tray so you can left the mpu board up to disconnect it from the motherboard below. While you down there in that area look for a little white pushbutton, that is the TEST button that can be used to enter the setup menus to change machine configurations and preferences.

Of course you always want the machine powered off when installing or removing electrical parts.

Thanks for the photos, that will help to get things moving along. The NLG site has a file attachment limit that's fairly large at 10mb, but really large photo files are slower to load for anyone viewing the post later. Newer cameras and other portable devices often use very high resolution with resulting huge files. Here is your photo resized:

[ianmcneil68]

Thanks for all the info. I have had the board out but did not check the battery. Removing it would clear all the settings, would it not? The white button is actually in the upper right corner of the cabinet next to the power button. I have figured out how to make the hopper spit out my quarters 10 at a time but I am interested in what the other selections do. I suppose I need a book for that (or search the forum). I notice that when in some selections, if I turn the key on the side, the numbers on the front change. I have no clue what that means but figure I'll find out at some point. I'll check the battery and post pics of the EPROMS. BTW, what are you using to resize the pics? I used a website but it takes awhile if you have more than a couple. Thanks again.

[jay]

At this point - your machine is running. Don't touch the battery.
If your battery needs changing the machine will lock up and you will have a '12' in the winner paid area.
It means battery low. The batteries are soldered in and need replacing about every 12-14 years.
Considering that one of my machines was manufactured in 1994 and I replaced the battering in 2008 I got 24years out of mine.

The battery is there to keep the memory of the CMOS alive. This is the chip that has all the gaming history, settings for the machine etc.
The CMOS has a small capacitor built into the chip and it typically keeps its memory for 45min to an hour once the battery is removed.
So if you are efficient with a soldering iron you can replace the battery and you won't have issues.

If you have been ignoring your error 12 for a couple of months - its hit or miss if your chip has already lost its mind. Even with an error 12 your battery is not dead its just below the threashold voltage and has probably kept the CMOS healthy but the longer you leave it the more chance its dead. Other people remove the battery and then go shopping for a new one, find out the local homedepot doesn't stock these and then order one online.... and its been 3 weeks with out a battery etc....

If your battery has been dead and the CMOS has been wiped its possible that your machine won't recover after the new battery is put in (again hit or miss). This just means the format of the cmos is corrupted or missing. The Clear chip reformats this space and brings it back to factory defaults. After that you will need to reprogram reel sounds, hopper limits, credit limits and other settings. Again unless you are in some kind of funky state - running a clear should be avoided.

Other than the CMOS - You have two chips that matter in your machine.

The reel chip and the Game chip.

The reel chip is associated with your theme and there is a document called a PAR sheet. Paytable and Reel. You can find most of that in the IGT game bible.
The second chip is the one that controls how your machine behaves, what options there are etc. This is called a PSR - Program Summary Report. Different chips have different options.

If know the value of the chips you can get copies of both of these files.

I will again refer you to Ricks FAQ's (home page) middle right side. You will find instructions on how to identify which chips are in your machine (without taking out the chips or doing anything with hardware). You can then access the online game bible (same place Ricks FAQs) and find your chip number and see the PAR information.

If you are a contributing member you can go into our file area and download the PSR and PAR sheets along with other manuals that might interest you.

By changing the glass, reel strips, and the Reel Chip you can change the theme of your game. I have collected over 60 different themes for my machines.
By changing the theme you can have 2 coin, 3 coin, 5 coin ... then there is a rare 9 coin title. Some have the nudge feature (ie on Double diamond deluxe) if your diamond lands above the payline it has a arrow down or up the reel nudges at the last second, there are several spin to you win titles, haywire - reels spin in all sorts of directions when you hit the haywire symbol.

Lots of themes and options to play with.

You will soon find that with this hobby one machine quickly becomes two especially when the lights are left off.....

[rokgpsman]

Thanks for all the info. I have had the board out but did not check the battery. Removing it would clear all the settings, would it not? The white button is actually in the upper right corner of the cabinet next to the power button. I have figured out how to make the hopper spit out my quarters 10 at a time but I am interested in what the other selections do. I suppose I need a book for that (or search the forum). I notice that when in some selections, if I turn the key on the side, the numbers on the front change. I have no clue what that means but figure I'll find out at some point. I'll check the battery and post pics of the EPROMS. BTW, what are you using to resize the pics? I used a website but it takes awhile if you have more than a couple. Thanks again.

To resize a photo I use an older program that came with my digital camera called Photo Express. It is made by a company called Ulead Systems, which is now owned by Corel. It doesn't do everything I want but it easily and quickly resizes a photo up or down. You might be able to download it here, not sure:
http://ccm.net/download/download-16521-ulead-photo-express

The white TEST button will let you step thru the numbered menus on the S+ for testing things and for setting preferences/options. You are right, it helps to have a cheatsheet or guide but there is not one universal guide for that. The menu choices you will have depends on the SP chip (also known as the Game Prom) on your mpu board. When you get to the menu number for the setting you want to change you then press one of the other buttons on the front of the machine or turn the reset key to make a change.

I would at least inspect the mpu to make sure the battery is not leaking, if it does a replacement board is sometimes needed. I didn't mean you needed to remove the battery to check it, if you have a meter you can measure the battery easily while it is still attached to the board and get one on order if needed for the upcoming replacement.

[jay]

Ron, R273 created a cheat sheet - Rons simplified guide that has all the settings for the majority of the game chips. It's available in the downloads.

[ianmcneil68]

Ugh. It seems that I need to be a contributing member to access downloads. I'll have to look into that tomorrow. I've got fights to watch tonight. Thanks guys. I'll post picks of the board tomorrow.

[Ron (r273)]

I started a new post topic for your different problem.  http://newlifegames.com/nlg/index.php?topic=12004.0


This is my post for Rookies. http://newlifegames.com/nlg/index.php?topic=586.msg2029#msg2029

Hope this helps.

Ron (r273)