Bally slot ID

[TerrySt14]

I found this unit at an auction being stored in a barn with the door partly open. Which means there were mice living in it. I have disassembled the unit and reassembled and most everything works. I believe I just need to clean up a few more contacts. The question would be could any body help me identify this. The data plate is missing and found no marking inside on anything. From the research I have done it is possibly a model 873. Any help would be appreciated.


Thanks

[rdaniel]

Yes, it is an 873.

[wolftalk]

if the payout counter disc has M-645-164 on it and the slotted metal reel index wheels have P-684-7 for reels 1& 2 and P-684-8 for reel 3, then it could be a 873A or 873-ZC.


if the wire color on the 18 trace on the upper right of the payout counter disc is white/red, it's more likely to be a 873A


the 873A had 10 bar symbols and 3 bells on the middle reel, the 873-ZC had 3 bars and 10 bells.


most of the variants of the 873 I have info on were casino specific with either different glass or different payback percentages.  Sometimes there's significant wiring differences so if you get a random 873 schematic, you can't assume it matches your machine.  The wiring of the reels and payout counter disc is frequently different, but the other stuff is often the same or close...until you get the exception that has a lot of changes.

[OldReno]

Those reel boards are a real bugger I remember. My only machine is an 873C, bars only. Someone put in a JP flasher relay & induced a short I am following out. Getting ready to build it into my lithium ion battery packs to power it. Those momentary 50v coils can EASILY be pulsed by under-voltage, and lights can be changed to low draw ones. The newer(?) 24v hopper motors run fine at 12 to 24v so I, will  have to modify somewhat. Going for the first solar powered slot machine lol.
Sadly the 873s are not friendly to modifications.
My allatime fave is the old 809... hugely modifiable, and incorporates some of the VERY best of Bally engineering...  it is truly elegant.
I’d give my 873, a spare hopper, and my left whatever for an 809.
Craig

[rdaniel]

The unmodified 809's, five coin, are real teasers. They do not pay out very often. I would prefer a frequent low payout to an infrequent higher payout.

[RiseLikeRa]

Thats a great and true "barn find."


The fact that the mice did not do more damage to the wiring is amazing.   In my area they wreck the wiring in stored cars and riding lawn movers during the off season.   


Fire her up and show her off to the group.  This may be the first instance of giving new life to old games of 2020


Ra

[TerrySt14]

Want to say thanks to all who contributed. After closer inspection I did find that on the reel arms it is marked as a 873ZC. Which matches the wire 18 being brown and not red as well as the middle wheel having 3 bars and 10 bells. It works well intermittently. One time the payout is good and then next time it is off even on the same reel match. I'll keep cleaning contacts.
Anyone know where I might find a schematic for this? Also how to reset after a 777 win?

[off-track]

Anyone know where I might find a schematic for this?

As a contributing member you will find a lot of info on the Bally EM's in the download section.

Also how to reset after a 777 win?

After a hand pay trigger, you should see a red light in the bottom left rear of the cabinet?  There should also be a flat metal bar just in front of the left side of the hopper.  If you push that in, it will press a switch just to the right of the red light that will reset the machine so it will play again.FWIW.. the Auction crew where I got my 873 hit 777's the night before so it was sold as "non working" so no one wanted to bid!   

[wolftalk]

Anyone know where I might find a schematic for this? Also how to reset after a 777 win?

look on http://bingo.cdyn.com/slots/


if the game isn't paying correctly, make sure the payout counter and reel contact plates are clean and the wipers are making good contact.  If it's not detecting any win on any line, then it's more likely a relay switch.  If it's flaky on certain lines only, the line unit disk/wipers.


per the schem, the game should pay up to $50.  Only a win on line 5 pays no coins and sits there ringing the bell and turns on the top light.


the 873-ZC doesn't have a jackpot lockup relay, it looks like you just insert a coin or manually release the handle and spin to clear the 777 win on line 5 ...


the geddes "owners pictorial guide for the care and understanding of the bally slot machine - 2nd edition" book has a chapter on the 873 that discusses how it works.  The gamblers general store in las vegas often has books at the $45 cover price if you can't find them reasonably on a used book site or elsewhere.  I probably have it in like new condition if you want to pm me an offer ... I gotta reduce my book library :-)