Bally 1000 / 1209 various questions (tilt, PSU, SDS mode, rarity)

[RetroMan]

I'm a newbie here. Nice to meet you, from the Netherlands. Proud owner of a 1975 Bally pinball "Old Chicago", a home built arcade cab running MAME and several retro video consoles and cartridges, like Vectrex, Atari 2600 and Philips Videopac (US name Magnavox O2). I've just purchased a Bally 1000 model 1209 slot machine, with original Bally glasses. I have some questions and thought this was the place to ask them!
 
1) I was told this is a rare machine, mainly because a lot of the Bally glasses were exchanged for operator branded glasses and destroyed. Could someone confirm that, or give an opinion about the rarity of this model?
 
2) In the manual I found something about 2 tilt modes: SDS and Bally tilt modus, selectable by connecting a jumper between J1/20 and J3/28. In my machine, this jumper is not connected hence the machine is in SDS tilt modus. The difference between these modes is not documented (or I can't find it) in the manual. I've tried to connect the jumper but can't see any difference. Could someone elaborate on this?
 
3) I've read a few things about the readers in this machine. They are subject to aging and need cleaning / repairing. I know there are 2 types, 5vdc and 50 vdc. The readers in my machine are M 645 - 453. Are these 5 or 50v? Does someone know the parts that need replacement in case of a failure?
 
4) On the PSU board there is a diode (CR3) which is burnt black. However, I've tested the PSU and all 3 reference voltages are fine. Can this black diode cause any harm?


5) The chrome is not too bad, but could use some work. What is the best method and stuff to polish?
 
Many thanks!
 
RetroMan

[RetroMan]

Hmmmm....


I was hoping to boost my posting count with this discussion, but up until now there haven't been too much opportunities to reply to;-)


Was it something I said?;-)


RetroMan

[Badbaud]

Does the machine play and pay?

[RetroMan]

Hi! Sure, working 100%! Can you advise?

[Badbaud]

The 50VAC reel readers have light bulbs that light up and a large resistor on each one.
The 5VDC reel readers use IR readers and emitters and have a transistor on each one.

Don't worry about SDS, the game still plays and a 71 code means the same as a 50 code, door open.
If there is a SDS redundant door switch on the machine side, upper right, it can be removed, just cut the two wires off and leave them to dangle.

[RetroMan]

Hi there, and thanks for replying!


Following the manual, code 71 means "inconsistent reel reading" and "reel moving while next reel has stopped" and this is exactly what happens on my machine. Any clue?


What is SDS mode, what is the difference with Bally mode and which mode is preferred?


I have visible light bulbs, so I guess 50 VAC. Do you know the exact replacement part properties for both the bulbs and the "light receivers" (which I read ought to be NPN photo transistors, but I do not know the exact type/number)?


Do you have any idea of the rarity of my machine? If it would be "ultra rare", I'd be happy to go an extra mile in the restoration process....


Thanks in advance!

[Badbaud]

Not rare.
SDS = Slot Data System.
Do you own a casino? Do you track your customers playing habits via players cards? If not don't worry about those SDS codes.
Have you tried test 5 to see if your reel readers are reading correctly?

[RetroMan]

Hi there,


Currently, I don't own a casino;-) So am I right that I should restore the jumper so the machine will be put in Bally mode?


R

[Badbaud]

Do the jumpers or not, it doesn't affect play.

[RetroMan]

Have you tried test 5 to see if your reel readers are reading correctly?

Yes.  I tried test mode 5 and the numbers change when I move the reel, but I can only move them 1 position because the reels are locked. Is there a trick to unlock them?


With test mode 8 and door open, everything runs fine!! Do you have an idea why test mode 8 would be fine, and 'real' game mode with door closed immediately gives error 42?


R

[Badbaud]

Pull the rounded lever in the back of each reel back all of the way and it will lock in place and the reel can spin freely.

42 is reel #2 error. try moving your reel reader left or right a little bit.

[RetroMan]

Hi there,


I tried this but it doesn't work. And even when I swap the cables of reels 1 & 2, or 2 & 3, I get a 42 (not a 41 or 43). So the problem does not move with the wheel.


Also, I am CLUELESS on the fact that the system works perfectly in test mode #8. Spinning fine and correct readings of winning combinations on all 3 reels. What am I overseeing?


R

[Amechanic]

Make sure the #2 reel is not contacting anything when the door is closed. I’ve seen the reel tins be eve shaped or wobble. This can cause it to contact the light fixture or the cover over the coin insert/accepted light. Another thing to do too is to oil the reel hub bearings. There is a small oil hole located on the aluminum center hub. I have a plastic bottle with a 12” long oiling tube. Bought it at my local hardware store. It’s a very light weight oil, and it only takes a few drops to do the trick. A reel reader will throw a code if the tell doesn’t spin at a certain RPM. If it’s too slow it will code. I would lean towards something rubbing on reel two causing your problem.

[RetroMan]

Not rare.

Hi there, I know type 1000 by itself is not rare at all. There are plenty of them out there. But I can't find a single picture of mine. Could you elaborate a bit on your statement "not rare"[/size][size=78%]?[/size]

[Badbaud]

Not rare at all.

I could send you a dropbox link to a bunch of files on the E series, manuals etc.
PM me with your email address.

[Amechanic]

Were you able to clear or fix the error code 42?

[RetroMan]

Pull the rounded lever in the back of each reel back all of the way and it will lock in place and the reel can spin freely.

42 is reel #2 error. try moving your reel reader left or right a little bit.

Hi there, that is not working for me (or I am doing it wrong). I can move those rounded levers back, but they don't lock in place. Can you guide me to doing it right?


R

[RetroMan]

Were you able to clear or fix the error code 42?

I was about to proudly announce that I indeed managed to fix the error code. I even was planning on posting additional pictures because I also took a shot at the deep chrome scratches, and was very pleased about the result. I played and enjoyed the machine 2 evenings for several hours, without any error code.....


But at the end of evening 2 (yesterday), I suddenly got a #41 directly at spin start. I reset the machine and tried again. Same result, tilt + 41.


I didn't get the chance to look deeper in to it yet, but again I am a bit clueless so any help is appreciated (again!)!


R

[RetroMan]

Not rare at all.

I could send you a dropbox link to a bunch of files on the E series, manuals etc.
PM me with your email address.

Again, BIG thanks for the docs. I will download them all tonight and PM you when finished.


Still, I can't find ANY picture of my 1000 with the Bally glasses. None. Zero. Been "everywhere" (this forum, eBay, Catawiki, Google images, several antique auction sites that list slot machines, local advertising websites that have 20 - 40 machines listed all the time, Facebook group "Antique slot machines", etc., etc.). Result zero. Could you explain what you mean by "not rare"? Do you own one (or more), or do you know people who own them? Any URL's I didn't find?


R

[Amechanic]

The over all machine style is not rare. The belly glass belonged to one or a group of casinos. It’s not uncommon for a casino to swap in there glass on the machines used in there building.