What parts do I need to ignite this Progressive display ?

[Sunrise Side]

This is a Bally S5500 . Can I get a stand alone display system for this? Which system will work the best with this LED display that is mounted to the back of the award glass? I have read on the new site here and the old site. I'm wondering which CHAM or other setup would be the best? Do I have to run a cable to the MPU for a coin pulse? Or just go with a display with just a custom message and call it good? I know this is an oldie. This is my first machine with progressive.

[jay]

What you have is a ChamII Meter. That its the fancy name for the display.
You would use a ribbon cable to connect it to the display driver and/or controller.

The ChamII+ is a standalone controller. It connects to your backplane and to the meter.
You use a custom serial cable and PC (dos) based software called PSP to program the controller.

The ChamII (Not plus) is just a display driver and requires a CON2 controller to drive it.

The advantage of using a CON2  is that you can have a linked progressive - many machines contributing to a common progressive.
You can also drive multiple types of displays.

I don't own a bally but you are correct - its a coin in pulse that feeds the progressive.

On a IGT there is a small motherboard (fixed in the machine) and a MPU that is removable and plugs into the backplane.
On the IGT the progressive connector is on the motherboard not on the removeable MPU.

Here would be your typical setups.

Bally === ChamII+ ==== Meter

Bally====Con2===ChamII===Meter
Bally====Con2
Bally====Con2===Supreme===Large overhead display

[Sunrise Side]

Thanks Jay! Sounds like a lot of work and possibly  costly.

[qbert]

You should be able to get a chamii+ for a standalone set up with power supply and meter for under $100.
Then you would just make the connection wire from your bally to the chami.
You will spend some time learning the psp software and setting up an older laptop to use the software.
Nice thing about the mikohn is you can also add a message along with the jackpot being displayed.
As far as cables go you will probably have to make two yourself. One for the laptop to chami for programing and the other to connect the machine to the chami.
I'm not familiar with Bally but I do know the standalone set up I have described will work with you machine.


Rich

[Sunrise Side]

Will the meter/display i have , have the correct connection for a  ChamII+ ? I will not need a Con 1 or Con 2 with a ChamII+? I will shop around for a system. I have an XP desktop and I am capable of making a cable. The programming will be a challenge for me though.

[rickhunter]

I think he has a chamI meter, not a chamII or II+ meter because he only has the single connector.  The chamII meters I have seen always have the daughter card that interfaces with it.  So I think he is going to need a new meter as well.

[qbert]

Yes he will need a new meter but you should be able to get the whole cham ii plus set up including power supply,  meter, and ribbon cable for under $100 probably less.
Note: leave the wood frame attached to the glass just remove the meter from the glass. No con 1 or 2 needed.
When your ready we are here to help.

Rich

[tjlee]

Hello--As the others have said you will need a the meter with the daughter board, the ribbon cable to connect it the CHam II+ to display, the CHamII+ box with power supply, An interface cable from the CHAMII+ to slot, and a programing cable to interface the CHAMII+ to your computer.  YOu will also need the PSP program for the computer and a set of instructions for programing it.  It ha been a while since I have done this but it is not all that hard to program it.  I have found that the CHAMII+ is sometimes tempermental and won't take instructions  right away but eventually it will.  It's a small challenge but one you can do.   I have all of the hardware along with PSP programing instructions.  YOu have to build your old CHAMII+ cable to interface to your slot but there are instructions for doing this also.  COntact me via email from this page if you are interested in the hardware and equipment.  I have spares here.  We can work something out here to get you going.  These are plenty of experts on here who can guide you along too.  I don't call myself one but I have done enough of this in the past to dangerous!!  TJ 

[Sunrise Side]

Thanks for the info so far! Sounds like the CHAMII+ is maybe the best to go with. Tim