Author Topic: Bought 3 dotmations, starting from scratch... (Read 38874 times)

rokgpsman · « **Reply #40 on:** November 12, 2014, 07:46:09 PM »

Too Cool !!

I love these old dotmation machines too. Haven't played the Jackpot Party in years, that music is super-retro fun sounding. From what I could see the cabinet and glass looked bright and clean.

What's next with the other two machines, I suppose they are going to need additional parts before you can get them running? If so maybe you'll be able to get them as needed. You are down in south Texas, right? If I need any parts and you are wanting to sell any I'll keep that in mind.

Put that Jackpot Party in the bedroom so you can play it anytime you wake up in the middle of the nite!

Mk1Mod0 · « **Reply #41 on:** November 12, 2014, 08:39:30 PM »

Oh yeah, I love these machines. We are regular Vegas visitors and these were some of the last slots we really enjoyed. They were funny and entertaining, used real money and had real reels. There was nothing I liked more than hitting on a good slot and putting my winnings in the two on either side. Can't do that with TITO.
I have a short list worked up of parts I need to get the other 2 working. Stampede and I think I'll make the other one a Big Piggy Banking. I loved that game! Can't stand video slots. Can't stand TITO. The last time I heard coins dropping from a machine was years ago in Laughlin at Avi's casino. I miss that.

rokgpsman · « **Reply #42 on:** November 12, 2014, 10:01:27 PM »

That sounds so much like our story, been to Vegas and Laughlin several times since the 1980s, saw the gradual changeover of machines to the newer video styles. A few of the new ones are entertaining but we got hooked on playing the old 3 reel mechanical ones that had a bonus feature and still like them best.

The Big Bang Piggy Bankin' dotmation was one of the most popular dotmation models from what I can tell and its cousin Piggy Bankin' was very fun too. We used to play Stampede a lot at the Las Vegas Club on Fremont St, that place and the small Mermaids/Bayou slot place on Fremont St were the last locations I know of that had Williams dotmation machines in Vegas. The "D' (formerly Fitzgerald's) on Fremont St has a retro machine area upstairs with a lot of the old coin-dropper machines but I don't think they had any dotmations last time I was there. Next time you are there stop by the "D" and check out their old time Sigma Derby mechanical horse racing machine, it's a blast to watch & play. Vegas rumor is they paid something like $10,000 for it including cost to get it running and the canopy.

Can't remember if I sent you this link, it is a good history of the dotmation machines and lists all the models that were created.

http://www.pinrepair.com/arcade/wmsslot.htm

Mk1Mod0 · « **Reply #43 on:** November 14, 2014, 06:01:55 PM »

Sooooooo, what's the deal with locks? Get the old ones picked and keyed or just buy new? Is the reset one spring loaded? And how do I perform a jackpot reset anyways? Being as I am much more lucky in my house than a casino, I hit the top jackpot already and had to reset it by turning it off and back on. Couldn't find any info in the manual but was just skimming. Thanks!

rokgpsman · « **Reply #44 on:** November 14, 2014, 07:04:08 PM »

Quote from: Mk1Mod0 on November 14, 2014, 06:01:55 PM

Sooooooo, what's the deal with locks? Get the old ones picked and keyed or just buy new? Is the reset one spring loaded? And how do I perform a jackpot reset anyways? Being as I am much more lucky in my house than a casino, I hit the top jackpot already and had to reset it by turning it off and back on. Couldn't find any info in the manual but was just skimming. Thanks!

The main door lock, cash compartment door lock and reset switch are cheap enough that many people just replace them rather than trying to locate a replacement key. You may be able to get a replacement key for the reset switch, they seem to be more readily available. There may be a number written on the reset switch somewhere that helps to identify which key to get, or others here may know from experience. The last time I bought a reset switch it was less than $5 and I was getting some other items so I was already paying a shipping cost. The reset locks I have are spring loaded, I like them better but I guess you could use either type, just would need to return it manually to the off position when done resetting the machine.

The cash compartment lock and main door lock can be keyed the same, that makes it handy. You will need to get the right length for the lock barrel so the cam it operates makes proper contact with the switch in the cash compartment and with the locking tab on the main door. A lot of people disconnect or defeat the switch wiring in the cash compartment, there are 2 of them. It avoids getting nuisance errors. But you can make it work like designed if you get the right length lock barrel plus the right length cam attached to the end of the lock barrel. The cash compartment door switch is just above the cash compartment area, centered vertically above the cash compartment door lock. It is a large pushbutton switch. The cash compartment door lock cam turns upward to actuate the switch. You can defeat this switch and not worry about getting the exact length cam, just so it is long enough to hold the door closed. The 2nd switch in there checks for presence of the cash can, which is a metal box that holds the bills. This cash can switch is located on the bottom floor of the cash compartment, many people just tape the switch down and leave the cash can out.

Page 1-5 of the WMS 40X manual (the one I sent you earlier) gives some info on the locks. People all over sell them, such as the slot dealers here & on the internet and eBay. And some hardware stores have them too. My machine came without locks so I had to run down the cam lengths. The trick is getting the right length cam, if it is too short or too long it won't do what it is supposed to. I can't remember the right lengths for main door cam and cash compartment cam, maybe others here have it written down. If need be I can take mine apart and measure them. Or you may already have the cams and just need to remove them off your old locks and reinstall onto new locks. If so that will be easy, you'd just need to measure your locks and get the same size.

Here's an example of reset switches and even a replacement reset key:
http://rudysdeals.com/index.php?route=product/search&search=reset

mustangjeep · « **Reply #45 on:** November 21, 2014, 08:24:29 AM »

Hey you said you may want a Piggy banking game.

http://www.rudysdeals.com/

He's got the upper and lower glass for one right now.

You could snap these up then all you need is the reels and eproms.

Have fun man!

rokgpsman · « **Reply #46 on:** November 21, 2014, 09:12:17 AM »

Looks interesting - thanks!

Mk1Mod0 · « **Reply #47 on:** November 21, 2014, 08:35:26 PM »

mustangjeep, Yeah, I saw those at Rudy's. Only one of mine is a square top and the size is all wrong. Otherwise I would have snatched them up already. Have you had a chance to sort through your new machines yet?

Mk1Mod0 · « **Reply #48 on:** November 21, 2014, 08:49:44 PM »

Well, that didn't last long! LOL. The center three LEDs on the I/O board are out. Looks like I'm doing the power supply conversion this weekend!

mustangjeep · « **Reply #49 on:** November 21, 2014, 09:07:10 PM »

Sorry I haven't had time yet.

Along with all the WMS machines I bought 4 Sigma SG150's and I need to get all of those working first, there going to a buddy of mine.
If anyone here knows anything about the Sigma's please check my post in the sigma section titled "Sigma SG150 reels won't stop spinning"

I'll keep you posted on the WMS parts.

Trust me I want to tear into those dotmation's right now, help me figure out the sigma's and I'll get to the WMS's sooner

rokgpsman · « **Reply #50 on:** November 21, 2014, 09:47:25 PM »

Quote from: mustangjeep on November 21, 2014, 08:24:29 AM

Hey you said you may want a Piggy banking game.

http://www.rudysdeals.com/

He's got the upper and lower glass for one right now.

You could snap these up then all you need is the reels and eproms.

Have fun man!

well, I looked but I didn't see a lower glass at Rudy's for the Piggy Bankin machine, but there was one for the Big Bang Piggy Bankin model (a different, but related game)

They do have a couple of different upper glass pieces for Piggy Bankin. The WMS dotmation machines came in 3 different styles and sizes of upper cabinets - a rounded top, a full size 16" square top and a smaller 9" square top. This meant there were 3 different sizes of the upper glass for many of the games. (some games came out before the roundtop model was introduced, so you won't see roundtop glass for those early games).

And to further complicate things the machines could have a max play of 2, 3 or 5 coins per spin. So there was different glass to show these max coin variations as well. On the roundtop and the full size 16inch square top the upper glass had the pay table. On the 9inch squaretop (a.k.a. choptop) the pay table was on the lower glass since there wasn't room for it on the upper glass.

The Piggy Bankin was the earlier game, then Big Bang Piggy Bankin came along later and it had different software. Below are a few pictures of the various Piggy games, including a not often seen 3 reel slant top machine. (slant top machines don't get much love from home users)

Mk1Mod0 · « **Reply #51 on:** November 21, 2014, 10:09:28 PM »

rokgpsman - Yep! Looking for the original Piggy Banking but would take either if I could find a package deal. (Reels, software, reel window and glass that fits.) My flat top upper glass is like 15x 20 or so.

mustangjeep - Help you if I could but not a clue here. I assume you have the manuals and what not?

rokgpsman · « **Reply #52 on:** November 21, 2014, 10:32:44 PM »

Quote from: Mk1Mod0 on November 21, 2014, 10:09:28 PM

rokgpsman - Yep! Looking for the original Piggy Banking but would take either if I could find a package deal. (Reels, software, reel window and glass that fits.) My flat top upper glass is like 15x 20 or so.

mustangjeep - Help you if I could but not a clue here. I assume you have the manuals and what not?

Pretty sure that kits are out there for the Big Bang PB game, I guess it is more common than the earlier Piggy Bankin. You can try putting a WTB (wanted to buy) ad over in the classifieds and see if you get any leads on where to get a kit, or the pieces needed. You might end of getting the parts from different sources.

Some folks even make their own artwork with two pieces of thin clear glass containing a printed sheet of the artwork on paper or mylar in between. The reel strips can be made also. This can make sense for difficult to find glass & strips and there are several discussions here with tips on how to do it.

Keep in mind that whatever version of the game software you end up with will determine if it is a 2, 3 or 5 coin game. So the purchase of the glass that shows the pay table probably needs to be done after or in conjunction with getting the software so it matches up. With that said, since these games have been out there for so long I wouldn't be surprised if various people couldn't help with whatever software version you needed to match the glass you find.

mustangjeep · « **Reply #53 on:** November 21, 2014, 10:37:41 PM »

Yeah I've got the manuals but the issue I'm having I can't find addressed anywhere in the manual

Again I haven't gone through these WMS machine's yet but I might end up having a full game kit for a winning streak or x-factor tall square glass 3 quarter games if either of those will interest you?

Might be interested in a partial trade for your perfect match game parts?
Is your Perfect match game a tall glass? and how many coins?

Mk1Mod0 · « **Reply #54 on:** November 22, 2014, 08:48:20 AM »

All I have in the P/M machine is the bottom glass and reels 1 and 2. It's a 3 coin game and I will try to post pictures. Seems like every time I try to put in pictures I get a "fatal error" message.

Mk1Mod0 · « **Reply #55 on:** November 22, 2014, 08:50:06 AM »

One more.

tollguy316 · « **Reply #56 on:** November 22, 2014, 02:40:48 PM »

Hey Guys... I've been loosely following this post and thought I'd chime in. I've been on NLG for over 8 years ( old site included).... There are a few of us who are really into the dotmations and have helped quite a few on this site ( along with Kevin(Knagl), Kirk (Kirklasvegas),Dale, etc).... 1st off; this site will help all tremendously http://www.pinrepair.com/arcade/wmsslot.htm ....... It was created by Clay ( the guru of Dotmation IMO).... That site shows the various Dotmation and non-dotmation games ( the Monopoly games and a few other were never available to the public).... Also when you click on the machines, you can watch a video of that machines bonus..... To those attempting to put together kits; be cafeful as the top glass and belly glass are different for alot of the titles. (ie; 9" top glass kits have the payouts on the belly glass.... 16" and rt have the payout on the top glass and game title on the belly glass).... that's to say If you get a belly glass for Perfect Match that has "Perfect Match" on it and you have a 9" machine.... your top glass has really nothing on it so you won't have the pay scales at all on your machine ( I hope I explained that right)... There are also 2,3,5, coin variations of a few games.... I have or have had all dotmation kits ( kept the best ; got rid of the others) and I can assist with software for most titles. I'd recommend and I'm sure most anyone else who has had dotmations would agree...... never got a game called "SHOPPING SPREE"..... don't bother with Piggy Bankin' (really lame game); get "BIG BANG PIGGY BANKIN".... X-factor, Magic Lamp , Pharaoh's Fortune are all pretty bad titles....... Recommended titles are : JACKPOT PARTY, JACKPOT STAMPEDE DELUXE, BIG BANG PIGGY BANKIN, PALACE OF RICHES (I only know of 2 people to have this kit.... myself and Kirk), JACKPOT LIMBO....... Again ths is only my opinion and If anyone has titles I didn't recommend byt they are fond of , please don't take offense..... Good luck, Bill

Mk1Mod0 · « **Reply #57 on:** November 22, 2014, 03:33:38 PM »

All useful info and you explained it just fine. I spend a lot of time on pinside for my "other" hobby and found a link to that page in Clay's guide. Interesting info there. This is all new to me, but not so much greek. Many similarities between these and solid state pins.

Just finishing up my power supply-ectomy. I connected all the +5, -12, and +12 from plug J-12 to an ATX power supply. I get an error message of "+5ac open." In an effort to cure that, I connected the upper ground wire(black w/white stripe) To one of the ATX PSU grounds but still no joy. Taking any and all suggestions...

tollguy316 · « **Reply #58 on:** November 22, 2014, 04:46:13 PM »

Personally I'm not a fan or the modified power supply. There's actually alot of power going through the dot machines and I'm a novice of sorts with electricity. I realize it's explained thoroughly but members seem to have troubles getting to the finish and I'd be parapoid leaving the machine on as I don't want to burn the house down. Again; that's just me. Others say it's pretty simple and no problems at all... To each their own. I'd rather just take out the bad ps and pop in a good one. Good luck, Bill

rokgpsman · « **Reply #59 on:** November 22, 2014, 06:31:07 PM »

Quote from: mustangjeep on November 21, 2014, 10:37:41 PM

Yeah I've got the manuals but the issue I'm having I can't find addressed anywhere in the manual

Again I haven't gone through these WMS machine's yet but I might end up having a full game kit for a winning streak or x-factor tall square glass 3 quarter games if either of those will interest you?

Might be interested in a partial trade for your perfect match game parts?
Is your Perfect match game a tall glass? and how many coins?

Sorry I can't be of any use on the Sigma machines, I know zilch about them, don't even think I've ever played one. But most likely there are people around that can give the help it will take. Since you got more than one of them hopefully you can get one running from all the duplicate parts you have to choose from.

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Author Topic: Bought 3 dotmations, starting from scratch... (Read 38874 times)