Call attendant light

[Garyw209]

For unknown reason the call attendant light comes on and my IGT Vision slot machine stope accepting money and play is shut down.  I have tried numerous ways to clear the light and resume play but give up and turn the machine off.  Then, for unknown reason, it just starts working again when I power the machine on.  Can anyone help?  I have a blue area on the front where error codes are supposed to be displayed, but I never get an error code.

[rokgpsman]

Does this happen only when you get a winning spin, or all the time when you try to play?

[Amechanic]

I had a S+ slot machine the other day lock up. I found that someone had added a battery holder to the MPU and had the game running out 2 AAA Battery's instead of the normal battery. The board still have voltage but only 3.08V.. For a quick fix I tried 2 new AAA battery's. Surprisingly it came up and worked. It was a quick fix to get it running for a Thanksgiving Dinner for a family. I'll be fixing it correctly this week with a new correct battery.
I would check your MPU boards battery to see if it's low on voltage and causing your freeze up. I know the light will flash when the doors open, so it's possible your door optics have a problem, or your door closed switch isn't working correctly.

[therockinelvis]

Maybe power supply loose or going bad. It is located right behind the reels. You are talking about the blue display, is it blank? Just for my interest, what Vision Title do you have? Love these visions.

[Garyw209]

It locks up after a period of down time.  I have been turning the machine off when not in use.  Sometimes, I return to the game, turn it on and it is locked up and the call attendant light comes on.  I have no idea why it locks up after having been turned off.  It never has locked up while playing.  I will check the battery.

[Garyw209]

The machine is a "10 Times Pay Deluxe".   Each credit can be played as 25 cents or 50 cents.  Jackpot is 25,000 credits.  I will pull the mother board later today and look for the battery.  Not sure if it is easily replaced or if it is soldered in.

[Garyw209]

OK, I replaced the 3 volt watch type battery.  The result was that I now have an alarm when I opened the door.  Unfortunately, now I have both the yellow and white lights blinking and the machine is still locked up.  I am out of ideas.  I am hoping someone can help.

[Shaggy]

I'm not sure on the vision machine but on an S2000 if the alarm sounds turn the reset key to silence it. Messages show on the VFD. Turn the key until it tells you to shut and latch the door. I believe this is the correct sequence.

Dave

[Garyw209]

The blue area where codes and instruction are to be shown, does nothing.  I have since learned that I need to replace the 3.6V Varta battery as well.  This requires soldering so I am at a standstill until I can get the battery and find someone who can solder well.

[therockinelvis]

Gary, with the machine OFF, open the door and look at the back of the blue vfd, it has a plug on it. Try unplugging and reseating. As far as the green varta battery, unless you have an enhanced board you don't need it. I doubt you have enhanced since it would do no good for a vision. Cut that green varta battery off your board. It can only cause trouble for you. As far as your alarm, open door, turn j/p key 3 times, push white test button on front of mpu board for 5 seconds, close the door and it should finish booting and be ready for play.

[Ken]

The blue area where codes and instruction are to be shown, does nothing.  I have since learned that I need to replace the 3.6V Varta battery as well.  This requires soldering so I am at a standstill until I can get the battery and find someone who can solder well.

Like Elvis mentions ...

Varta batteries cause corrosion damage and it isn't needed for home use so don't replace it. Just replace the ram battery.
If it is a 50x series board then snip the leads of the Varta battery as close to the board as possible.
If it is a 1270 board then snip the leads on the Varta battery then remove the voltage regulator at U16.

[Garyw209]

Well, I did as instructed with the key three times and the white button for 5 seconds then closed the door.  Machine is in same state.  Both white and yellow lights are blinking and machine is locked up, unable to play.  Additionally, I called and spoke with a slot machine service person who told me that the IGT slot machine's Varta Battery must be replaced when the flat battery is replaced so now I am getting two different opinions on the matter.  I am in Yuma, Arizona and service technicians are a long ways away.  I am not having much luck at this point but have ordered the Varta Battery assuming it must be changed.  Other than that, I have no clue what to do next.

[therockinelvis]

Did you check the plug on the back of the blue display? If you want to spend money on the varta battery go ahead.  The candle flashing is saying the door has been opened and will continue to flash until a paid game is played.  The display is where we need to focus.

[Garyw209]

The only plug that appeared to be connected to the blue display was a multi colored ribbon looking thing.  I unplugged it and plugged it back in at both ends of the ribbon.

[Amechanic]

I don't run a Varta battery on any of my MPU Boards. One thought, the door optic it connected to the door latch, and that moves up and down every time the door opens and closes. Check the wires to make sure they are not rubbing or for damage wires. It sounds like your game things the door open. Are your optics in  alignment? I use painters tape on the door and cabinet to mark the location of each optic, then close the door to see if the two marks I put on the tape pieces line up. If not then  align them.

[Garyw209]

Holy Cow!  Checked the alignment of the door optics.  Appeared fine.  Next, I wiped off the optics with a soft cloth, then I turned the reset key three times and held the white button in for five seconds.  Then I closed the door and both lights went out!  I wait d about. Minute and the wheels spun and the machine starting working. I inserted three 1 dollar bills and played the credits.  All is well!  Thanks for all the help and support!

[Ken]

That's awesome.

Back to the Varta battery. It is not needed for home use. What happens if the Varta battery is not removed ... it will corrode and will destroy the trace within the board that lets the machine know that the door is open/closed .. with the corrosion the machine will see an open door. The only fix is a replacement board.

I have attached a picture of a board that I have tried cleaning the corrosion off of. That board along with several of its brothers are now in the recycle pile.

Ken

[Amechanic]

I agree with Ken. Get rid of your Varta battery if you have not already. If you don't your asking for trouble. As for the optics, you might want to consider picking up a spare set. Sounds like yours could be failing or have a weak signal. Glad it's working again.

[Garyw209]

Okay, I am convinced I do not need a Varta Battery.  I have a couple questions.


1.  Does removing it change the game in any way?


2.  To remove the battery, is a soldering iron required?  Mine appears to be in tight quarters and the three pins are very short.

[Amechanic]

Nothing will change on the game.. Most people tend to cut the pins or at least one side. Then rock it back and forth till the other pin breaks off.. Just be very careful not to damage the board with the cutting tool..