Bally's E1240 machine help

[Ejohns10]

Good Afternoon all,
I have a person near me selling a Bally's E1240 slot machine. He states that it worked prior to moving and now the machine powers up, cycles, and then show a 41  1 tilt code. He is asking 200. for the machine. I recently purchased a IGT Red White and Blue, which was not working and with the help of this forum got it up and running. I researched the code, and see it is a reel error. I am wondering if anyone knows what the value of this machine would be in working condition? I am attaching a picture, but I cannot tell exactly what the game is. Any help is greatly appreciated. The overall point of the post is to figure out what price range would be fair to pay for this machine assuming I can get the reel tilt fixed. I found a few key things that could be causing the problem in the forum and it seem it could be a pretty simple fix. Thanks

[CVslots]

Although that does have a Bally model number (E1240), that is actually a Bally/Summit conversion. Bally contracted with Summit to convert a bunch of machines for them. Summit installed MPUs, I/O boards, etc. So the machine is a Summit machine inside a Bally cabinet. the 2 things that gave it away for me was the funky (to me) gold diamond/brick pattern on the front panel (where service button is), and also the Font of the glass (tons of the Summit conversions have this font).

The machine in question has a bad I/O board (99% sure). Summit parts are tough to find, and WORKING Summit parts are even harder to find. Check out HSM Electronics in Rohnenrt Park, CA. I believe the I/O will run approx $150. HSM is one of the very few reputable places for Summit parts.

Fully working and excellent condition, the machine may be worth $400 or so, but ONLY to someone who doesn't know it's NOT really 100% Bally.

Sorry to rain on your parade.  Honestly, I would suggest passing on this one, and wait for an S+ or S2000 that is not working that you can get at a good price. Much cheaper to repair, as parts are much more plentiful. 

[Ejohns10]

Although that does have a Bally model number (E1240), that is actually a Bally/Summit conversion. Bally contracted with Summit to convert a bunch of machines for them. Summit installed MPUs, I/O boards, etc. So the machine is a Summit machine inside a Bally cabinet. the 2 things that gave it away for me was the funky (to me) gold diamond/brick pattern on the front panel (where service button is), and also the Font of the glass (tons of the Summit conversions have this font).

The machine in question has a bad I/O board (99% sure). Summit parts are tough to find, and WORKING Summit parts are even harder to find. Check out HSM Electronics in Rohnenrt Park, CA. I believe the I/O will run approx $150. HSM is one of the very few reputable places for Summit parts.

Fully working and excellent condition, the machine may be worth $400 or so, but ONLY to someone who doesn't know it's NOT really 100% Bally.

Sorry to rain on your parade.  Honestly, I would suggest passing on this one, and wait for an S+ or S2000 that is not working that you can get at a good price. Much cheaper to repair, as parts are much more plentiful. 

Thank you for the knowledge. I will definitely take your advice and pass on it. I was thinking it could just be a bad bulb on the reel which was causing the tilt 41. I saw somewhere else on the forum that a guy was having that issue. I figured maybe the bulb got knocked around on the move and burned out. But if the machine is not a Bally, then I guess that code could mean anything. Thanks for the info. Maybe another older one will come along in better shape with cheaper parts. This is becoming too much like a hobby now. I foresee a basement full of machines, and a not so happy wife........

[CVslots]

Always could be just a bad bulb. Codes are the same as Bally, I believe. Summit electronics are just not stable, not like Bally or IGT machines. A Summit was our first machine...talk about an education, lol! Once we moved to Bally and IGT machines, it was like a weight was lifted off our shoulders (like a 200lb weight, haha).

The fastest way to make the wife unhappy is a collection of machines that are not working. Maybe impress her with a few IGTs first, just so you get off to a good start (IGTs are the easiest to repair, IMHO). She'll be so happy with new machines to play, maybe she won't mind a new machine every so often! 

[Amechanic]

I have a question... How can you tell it's a Bally Summit conversion by the outside picture? Did you actually look inside to check? I have seen that machine Bally.. If it is a Bally, then your code 41 could be a reel reader or just that something is interfering with the first reels spin.. I have seen the win meter ribbon cable and light shields contact the reel when the door closes.. Open up the front door, and if your see 2 or 3 small boards located right under reels, then you know it's a Summet conversion..

Gary

[rokgpsman]

I guess the outside styling and artwork is distinctive for those that have been around them a lot.

I'm not that familiar so would have to open the main door and look inside for the Summit card cage. Below is an example of the Summit card cage they installed in the Bally conversions they did, like was mentioned by Amechanic.

[Amechanic]

I guess the outside styling and artwork is distinctive for those that have been around them a lot.

I'm not that familiar so would have to open the main door and look inside for the Summit card cage. Below is an example of the Summit card cage they installed in the Bally conversions they did, like was mentioned by Amechanic.

That a good look into the Summit's Belly of the beast.. 

[CVslots]

Yes, that styling on the front gives it away. Any machine with that front plate is a Summit, although not ALL Summits had it (if that makes any sense?  ). As for the font used on the glass, I can spot the font from across a room, that's how haunted I am from Darrell's first machine...

Here's a pic (of a framed pic) of the beast...it's actually how I found NLG!

[Amechanic]

I don't see the difference in the font? As for the reels chrome bezel, I have one just like on my 742 money honey. It's not original but I like it. Sorry about the crappy pic.

Gary

[GOS]

the reel glass frame is a SUMMIT but that doesn't make the machine a SUMMIT - I for one have used Summit parts on Bally machines - proof is on the INSIDE - unless it has a summit tag on the side. 

[Amechanic]

the reel glass frame is a SUMMIT but that doesn't make the machine a SUMMIT - I for one have used Summit parts on Bally machines - proof is on the INSIDE - unless it has a summit tag on the side.

   I learned the hard way early on about the Summit machine. They looked the same o/s, but then I opened the door on the Green Monster. All I had to say was WTF..??

[ramegoom]

I believe that machine is a standard Bally, not a Summit. The code 41 looks like a standard Bally code. The Summit codes use hyphens on the win meter when a code is set.

My first electronic machine was a Summit, never knew the difference between the Bally and Summit. Machine didn't work either. It was a long, drawn out process to troubleshoot it, but finally got it going 100%. Huge learning curve on it too. The good news was, it was loaded with IKE dollars - just like the seller told me. I broke even when I bought it.



The IO board has some IC's that repeatedly fail, but fortunately, they're inexpensive and once you identify those problem areas, you're good as gold. Knowing what I learned about it, I'd have no real issue with tackling another one of them. Nice looking machines, but the payback odds are terrible.

[Amechanic]

It would be a helpful thing if you could list those common problems. They is very little information out there, and here in the Summit machines.

Gary

[ramegoom]

Don't want to hijack this thread too much, so I'll start another thread on it. Good idea to share the Summit findings!

[Ejohns10]

Don't want to hijack this thread too much, so I'll start another thread on it. Good idea to share the Summit findings!

No worries. I am learning a lot from all the info. Here is another one I found that I can get for pretty cheap. I know the panel is not off and the pics are kind crappy, but does this look like a Bslly or a summit? The problem with this one is the reels are not stopping. I am not sure if he means during the start up or after a coin is played. I believe it is after a coin in played. 

[ramegoom]

That's a standard E series Bally.

The Summit would have a rectangular opening in the front of the reel mechanism with PC boards inserted.

[Ejohns10]

That's a standard E series Bally.

The Summit would have a rectangular opening in the front of the reel mechanism with PC boards inserted.

Do you think the fact is has been in storage for some time, means the solenoids might need some lube to get them running?

[Amechanic]

That one sounds like it needs to be cleaned and oiled. The best way to spot a Summit is by the opening right under the center reel. There is where the Summit boards go.. They are a Red, yellow, and Blue board.

[ramegoom]

A few years ago, I bought 20 E2000 series machines from a guy who had them in storage for years, originally from a casino. I had to go thru every one of them; clean and lube every moving part. The grease on the reel stops and clevis plates was hard as a rock, and the pivot shafts wouldn't turn freely. So I used paint thinner on everything, and had to take apart the spring loaded reel stops, clean them out completely, and replace the grease. The handle mechanisms needed to be cleaned and re-greased as well.

Then, I had to replace the six point rubber star snubbers in the hoppers - the original ones turned to gooey sludge. Also went thru the hopper moving parts, oiled the bearings that the coin wheel rides on.

For the most part, the electronics were fine. I replaced all of the batteries and installed rechargeable lithium ion 3.7v batteries on all of the CPU boards. The machines I have are a mix of LED and incandescent reel reader boards, but not a whole lot of problems with either although I replaced several "grain of wheat" bulbs on one machine.

I did a write-up on general maintenance that you might find helpful:

http://www.ramegoom.com/john/E2000/Maintaining%20your%20Bally%20Slot%20Machine.pdf

The all work perfectly now.

[Ejohns10]

A few years ago, I bought 20 E2000 series machines from a guy who had them in storage for years, originally from a casino. I had to go thru every one of them; clean and lube every moving part. The grease on the reel stops and clevis plates was hard as a rock, and the pivot shafts wouldn't turn freely. So I used paint thinner on everything, and had to take apart the spring loaded reel stops, clean them out completely, and replace the grease. The handle mechanisms needed to be cleaned and re-greased as well.

Then, I had to replace the six point rubber star snubbers in the hoppers - the original ones turned to gooey sludge. Also went thru the hopper moving parts, oiled the bearings that the coin wheel rides on.

For the most part, the electronics were fine. I replaced all of the batteries and installed rechargeable lithium ion 3.7v batteries on all of the CPU boards. The machines I have are a mix of LED and incandescent reel reader boards, but not a whole lot of problems with either although I replaced several "grain of wheat" bulbs on one machine.

I did a write-up on general maintenance that you might find helpful:

http://www.ramegoom.com/john/E2000/Maintaining%20your%20Bally%20Slot%20Machine.pdf

The all work perfectly now.

Thanks for all the great info. i picked the machine up tonight for 50 bucks. So far the only problem is a 41-1 code which i know from the forum has to do with the reel. I swapped the connector from the second reel to the first and when I play the machine the first reel will stop, but the 42-1 code comes up. i am going to start a thread after doing some reading if i cannot find someone else with the same issue.