So I bought another s2000! General fun stuff here... + BACKLIT reel information.

[cowboygames]

If you want white and cool you'll either have to go LED or coax Gibbs off NCIS, lol
You'll likely have more success getting LED

[shortrackskater]

If you want white and cool you'll either have to go LED or coax Gibbs off NCIS, lol
You'll likely have more success getting LED

I'm new to bulbs and types and temperatures...
What's better... LED or Xenon? 
Rickhunter gave me a link for the xenon bulbs.
http://na.suzohapp.com/all_catalogs/lighting/91-0212-00

Mine works fine with the incandescent but if the others are "prettier" I'll replace what I have again.
 

[cowboygames]

LED is the best and actually turn off when not needed, but you can't just put LED bulbs in, you have to get actual LED reels, Barnes and controller

[buybestslots]

we use 161 blubs

[foster]

You can use wide angle LED's or you will get spots of light.

There are P and N channel FET's controlling the signals to the Lamp sockets.

[shortrackskater]

I thought the LED's required a different reel setup but wasn't sure... thanks cowboygames and the rest.
So... back to THIS question...
I put in #193 bulbs which work.
I've had two different bulbs recommended so far...
#359 xenon
#161 ?
Is the 161 also xenon?
  Which is better -  cooler in temp, and brighter/whiter, and has a longer life? 

[Retro tech repair]

We use the 161s in all our machines at work. We have never had a problem with them.

[cowboygames]

Only the 359's are zenon. Anything in an descent stays on at a minimal voltage when not activated and creates heat detrimental to your strips. All this is of course relevant in relation to how long the machine is turned on, left on, etc. Nothing is white like an LED

[shortrackskater]

Thanks vtyler!
I still submit the following though:

I thought the LED's required a different reel setup but wasn't sure... thanks cowboygames and the rest.
So... back to THIS question...

I put in #193 bulbs which work.
I've had two different bulbs recommended so far...
#359 xenon
#161 ?
Is the 161 also xenon?
  Which is better -  cooler in temp, and brighter/whiter, and have a longer life?

[foster]

The LED 5 reels have a different controller designed for them.

I have not been able to acquire the LED controller schematic.

[cowboygames]

The 161's are not zenon, only the 359's are and for whatever reason only the 359's are authorized by IGT for their reels. Has todo with heat and power usage and whatever. They are looking at commercial use situations though where the machines areon 24/7 so home use might be completely different

[shortrackskater]

So do the xenon lamps actually run cooler? We have a yes so far. I just would like some more input.

[rickhunter]

359's are brighter and a bit whiter, though not led white.  They also last a lot longer than the 161's.  I don't know about the heat, but IGT picked them probably because they last longer and require less maitenance.  I only use 359's on my machines, they are more expensive, but I think they are worth it.

[cowboygames]

I would think heat output would be relative to wattage. What's the wattage of each bulb?

[CVslots]

Since when (or rather, in what other instance) did IGT pick a part (or supplier) based on the longevity or efficiency of the actual part?


Just sayin...

[rickhunter]

While we may not think so, there's a good reason for most of the decisions made for these machines.  The last thing you want is to sell the slot version of a Hugo, casinos would not tolerate a machine that breaks down often and requires a lot of maintenance as it is dead weight in a very competitive slot floor. I agree that some of he parts used are suspect (i.e. the crappy reel strips they used for the S2000's), but when you think about it, we are for the most part using machines that are 10 to 15 years old that are quite reliable.  The S+ for example, just works.  While we complain about the varta batteries, they do last more than 5 to 7 years in use.  These are basically computers, how many computerslast 10 to 15 years in general (although most of the time, we just trash them as they become obsolete).  The microswitch based player buttons are a good example, they could save some pennies by using the membrane types used in most remote controls, which would not last and probably wouldn't take the abuse very well.

[CVslots]

Yes, all VERY good points! But, we must keep in mind that 95-99% of these machines are FINANCED, or on a Rent-To-Own kind of basis. Just visit Slottechforum and you will see the frustration the casino slot techs have with the manufacturers.


That being the case, the floor techs are left to troubleshoot the machines (as a tech visit from a manufacturer is an act of God, that typically results in throwing parts at a machine). IGT, and other slot manufacturers, do not really CARE if a game is up or down on a casino floor, as they still get their payment either way. I could easily see Purchasing making the decision based on price, and not quality.


And like the switches Rickhunter mentioned, same thing, an engineer said "This is the one we need.", and someone in Purchasing said "No, this ones good enough.", and that's where we are now. They do not see it, or even care really, to put it bluntly.


I truly believe the engineers at IGT (and other slot manuf) strive to do the best they can, but are limited by budgets, purchasing, etc...

[cowboygames]

As far as parts that common my go bad like the reel strips and varta battery etc, I don't think IGT put them in there knowing they would be crap 10 years down the road and through the S2000 series anyway most of the machines were sold, not leased unless it was a WOF or something along that line. These lease deals are a relatively new phenomenon in the casino businesses. That's why so many of them show up on the secondary market. Reel lights are a special kind of pain in the ass to change so I think they went with what their engineers told them was needed. For the numbers they use they probably dictated the price to some extent and the cost difference was negligible.

[CVslots]

I used the term lease in error. I corrected my post to read "95-99% of these machines are FINANCED". IGT offers some creative finance terms for casinos. Loan terms as long as 7 years! When the casino finally pays off the machines, and actually owns them outright, they are outdated and ready to be replaced with fresh games! Its very similar to the vehicle market!

[rickhunter]

I would think any reasonable slot floor manager would not buy machines that just keep breaking down.  I would think reliability would play a part on the continuing relationship between a casino and a slot manufacturer.  Why in the world would you buy anything from a manufacturer whose products are not reliable enough to produce money because they are consistently broken down.  I can only think of luxury items or name brands that people buy regardless of how reliable they are like Jaguar automobiles.  I don't think slot manufacturers have that kind of prestigious branding where reliability is not an issue.

I do agree that it's like the car business as far as the financing is concerned, when they are paid off, they are probably too old in the current marketplace, unlike the old days when machines had 10 years or more in a casino.  Heck most video titles are out of there within 5 years even less sometimes if it gets no play.