Bally S9000 has a problem with MEI Bill acceptor

[Amechanic]

I just picked up my first 2 Bally Alphas S9000 machines. After doing a clear and then the setup, the MEI Bill acceptor is not working? It has all 3 light lite on the head. The doors bezel lights are lite, and I don't see any error messages on the screen. Did I miss something in the setup, it is set for the Mars acceptor.

Can anyone tell me what version of software I need for these Alphas?  Does anyone know who can program the MEI if its needed? I know they use a hand held programmer, are any of those available to purchased?

[rickhunter]

It has a jcm smart bezel and a mars validator?  Pull the head out and look under the bill entry area to see if you really have a 6607 and not a 6602 (netplex).  Also take a look at the back of the validator, how is it hooked up to the cabinet?  Is it a square molex out of the validator connected to an adapter then connected with the 5 pin connector and the 2 pin connector?

[Amechanic]

This machine has the square white molex plug and is wired as you have asked to the black 5 pin and to a 2 pin plug. I do have the model 6607 head.

Yea I saw the smart bezel when I bought the machine, but soon learned it had the Mar MEI Acceptor.

[rickhunter]

Silly question, but is there a cash can installed?  You may have incompatbile firmware installed on your head.  All 3 lights blinking is typically the head is not intializing.  You could also have a bad head.  Do you have access to another known good head you can try?  I have a friend who can flash these locally, but by the time you pay shipping back and forth, it may be easier for you to just buy another head that is known to be working to test.  If the new head fixes the issue, then it is just a question of whether or not you want your spare head fixed.  If it doesn't, then I would look into the the pcb that is on the cage.  It is a little board that slides out and connects the head with the harnesses on the back.

[Amechanic]

Ok.. I did forget to mention that there is a cash can. When removed and reinserted the bill acceptor cycles. The 3 lights on the head are not flashing, they remain on a steady light. No blinking codes..

I did buy two of these S9000 Alphas. The second one does also have the MEI acceptor too. I will try the head off that unit to see if this acceptor will work.. If it doesn't, I'll have to check the other board you mentioned. Do you know what software version is used in my machine? The sticker on the head reads Mars Cashflow flash V2.00 USA 66B250138200

[rickhunter]

That is listed as a bally firmware.  However, stickers can lie.  You say you don't get a dbv error in the machine, can you look at the information screen that details all the software running and see if a dbv software is reported? The 3 solid lights are typicallly not a good sign, however, it could also be something as simple as a bad harness or a bad interface board (the board in the cage that I previously mentioned).

[Amechanic]

When I first got these two in I did try turning them on and letting them cycle. At that time in the menu it said it (HAD) a DBV in the setup menu, but thats when it came out of service. Somewhere along the line someone removed the DBV with this MEI unit.
I did a clear and now the machine is setup for the Mars MEI..  What has to be done to get at the interface board inside the cage? Is there a few screws to remove or is it something easier?
There are 2 other sets of wire that come off the back of this MEI, right next to the harness that's plugged in. Ones a white bundle with 3 wires with crimp on male terminals, and a black one with 2 of the same.. They don't seem to go any where?
Should this MEI bill acceptor cycle when the machine is ready to play as the S2000 does? It cycles when you first power it on now but that's it..

[tjlee]

According to the MEI manual all three colored lights on and not flashing means unit is not programmed. Probably the wrong firmware in them.  I had 8 units here that did the same thing until they were reprogrammed but as Rick stated it can be other faults too. 

[Amechanic]

As I asked in my last post, how hard is it to remove the board inside or to check that its seated/hooked up? I plan on trying a second head on this machine later today once I warm up the shop.. Would you be willing to look at this bill head?

[rickhunter]

The board just slides out.  It is held in place by just friction.  You could do it with the cage in the machine, but it is easier to remove with the cage out.  Just remove the head, and you will see the little board where the head makes contact.  You just grab it with your fingers and pull the board forward.  Then inspect for burnt traces and whatnot.  FIrst I would try replacing the head if you have another one that is known to be working.  Then I move on to the interface board.  I would also try the "bad" head into the machine that is working, to rule out any harnessing issues. 

[Amechanic]

Thanks for the information on removing the board.. At this time I do not have a working machine with a working MEI bill acceptor. The other machine I have is also untested. My next step is to try the bill head from the second machine. Once that's done I will report back..

Thanks, Gary

[rickhunter]

If you want me to test the heads,  I will do so gladly and can take them to get them flash for you if you wish (my local guy  charges $20 to flash the head).  You would have to pay shipping back and forth though.

[Amechanic]

That sounds great and I'll let you know..

Gary

[Amechanic]

Up date..  I tried the other MEI Head off the other Bally S9000 I had, but I still have the same problem with all 3 light remaining on.. I pulled the board out from inside and inspected it. I found a couple contacts bent down.
I went to pull the board from my second machine, but its gone/missing! 
So I straightened the contacts on the only cage board I have and reinstalled it and the second MEI head I have. After the system booted up, I still have the 3 lights lite in the bill head with both MEI Heads.     I do have the second cage board coming in, but not for a coupe day. Now I sit and wait unless there is something else to try?

[rickhunter]

Check to see if both harnesses out the back look the same.  Bally only requires the 5 pin and the 2 pin connection.  All others can just hang.  Something else to look at, now that I remember, some of these interface board have the easytrak?? (I think that is what it's called) daughter card installed.  If your interface board has a piggyback board installed on it, remove it.  If the validator is not setup for easytrak software, you will get the error as well.  Note pictures below, one with the easytrak the other one without it.  Your interface board may have only 1 switch with the actuator arm, that is ok too.


Photos shamelessly ripped from Laslots website. 

[Amechanic]

My interface board does not have the piggy back board. It looks like the first one you have pictured.. As for the adapter harness that's in between the MEI yellow wrapped wires with the white molex plug, to the machines two black plugs, one has 2 yellow wires the other is a 5 wire plug. I did see the exact adapter for sale at Spin, as I have here..

[rickhunter]

Ok, then that part of the validator is probably correct.  Did you inspect the interface board for any burned traces or obvious damage?  I have thrown away a lot of interface boards with all sorts of damage, probably from hot-plugging the validators.  I do know that the 6602 is wired differently than the 6607, but usually the 6602's come with a different harness.  If you can't get it to work with the new interface board, I can go and trace wiring so you can compare your wiring setup with a good known working pin out information.

[Amechanic]

I did not see any board damage. I cleaned the edge connector with a pink eraser.. Looked factory new..