Handle release

[Chuckplumber]

hi all,


New guy here. I’m trying to help a friend fix his Bally electro-mechanical machine. I’ve tried to send a pic of the tag, but the pic is too big.  The tag number is 1130-22. I have it accepting coins, counting coins in and paying out if I manual trip the solenoid on the handle release. Neither button inside the door seems to do anything. I have tested the solenoid using a jumper wire and it does work. I’ve cleaned all the contacts, including the two relays in the door. Any tips would be appreciated. Thanks much.

[DavidLee]

Double check the coin relay, the A, C switches along with all the other switches involved.
See photo for schematic concerning the handle release and the location of the A,B and C switches.

[Chuckplumber]

Thanks so much. I’ve checked the relays several times. Disassembled them and cleaned the contacts. I’ve ohmed out the coils and the lower relay moves whe the handle is pulled but the upper relay seems to always stay energized. I will have a look at those switches that you called out.

[DavidLee]

From here I would check the actual coin drop switch. On some machine the coin in switch down stroke releases the coin relay. Closing the circuit to the handle release, it’s the up stroke or return to normal position of the coin in switch that energizes the handle release coil. Determine which wire on the switch causes the handle release and briefly jump a yellow to it. Or use your meter and check for voltage and or continuity on all wires with trace color on the switch.


Also examine the beau-plugs and any black tape / wire nut connections.
Handle release is a problem and there are quite a few previous post on this form.


Most likely be something simple, but not real obvious as usual.

[Chuckplumber]

Thanks. That tip about the n/c part of the coin switch will help, regardless of if the switch itself works on not. It does, btw, I have already measured voltage at both the n/o and n/c contacts when operating the switch.

[Amechanic]

The beau plugs that connect the reels assembly to the cabinet are tin plated, and tarnish causing bad connections. You can clean them with a scotch bright pad or a very fine wet/dry sand paper like a 500/600 grit. I alway check the switch contacts with my meter set on Ohms to make sure that the closed contacts are actually working. I learned the hard way that just because they look to be making contact, didn’t mean that  electricity was passing through them.

[Chuckplumber]

Thanks! I cleaned and measured all the contacts today. All have 2 ohms or less of resistance. I sprayed those plugs with contact cleaner, but didn’t see a difference. Guess I’ll have to clean them with scotchbright or something. Still no joy as of now. The coin accepted light and the lights that indicate how many coins have been deposited seem more reliable after the contacts were cleaned with 2k grit paper.

[DavidLee]

Might want to take a second look at the payout relay located on the back of the hopper.
The White/Orange wire contacts in particular. Bally pretty much used the same color wires from one machine model to the next, but there is a slight chance your machine has a different color wire.

[Chuckplumber]

Thanks! This one I missed! I’ll give it a look after a while and hope that helps. As it is not
my machine and I am leaving tomorrow, today is kind of the last shot for a while. My friend is mechanically inclined but to him, electricity is a dark art.

[mark the spark]

old reno tip give that coin in switch on the door a sharp tap with a screwdriver

[OldReno]

As a last resort, pull forward on handle ball as you insert coins. Could be maladjusted dashop switch?

[Chuckplumber]

Thanks, I will ask him to try this. Have to operate by remote control until I am back home again.