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**Reel Slots** Gaming Machines => Bally Alpha Reel Games => Topic started by: mr-monoxide on May 13, 2023, 09:54:59 AM

Title: 5 reel to 3 reel conversion requirements
Post by: mr-monoxide on May 13, 2023, 09:54:59 AM
To convert a Alpha1 five reel to a three reel I know that the proper reels and the corresponding reel shelf would be required, my question is would I need to change the backplane board and is anything else required that I'm not thinking of? Wiring harnesses, PCB boards, etc..
Title: Re: 5 reel to 3 reel conversion requirements
Post by: sixcardmark on May 13, 2023, 10:26:16 AM
Reel shelf does not need changed (has slots for 3, 4 or 5 reels) but the reel bar/harness at top where they plug in will need changed to 3 reel.  I believe the RCU board is the same, I don't have a 5 reel here to check. Also will need 3 reel glass.
Title: Re: 5 reel to 3 reel conversion requirements
Post by: mr-monoxide on May 13, 2023, 11:02:32 AM
Cool deal, that seems straight forward. Now I just need to acquire the referenced parts. Thanks for the reply.
Title: Re: 5 reel to 3 reel conversion requirements
Post by: sixcardmark on May 13, 2023, 11:25:01 AM
Cool deal, that seems straight forward. Now I just need to acquire the referenced parts. Thanks for the reply.
I was thinking about doing the same, but changing my 3 reel to 5 reel. Not sure if anything is different with the reel door?  That may be different for wider window area?  Can you post a pic of inside of your reel door?
Title: Re: 5 reel to 3 reel conversion requirements
Post by: mr-monoxide on May 13, 2023, 12:43:04 PM
Here you go..
Title: Re: 5 reel to 3 reel conversion requirements
Post by: sixcardmark on May 13, 2023, 01:24:35 PM
Looks like the end led mounting brackets are longer on 3 reel:
Title: Re: 5 reel to 3 reel conversion requirements
Post by: mr-monoxide on May 13, 2023, 02:04:37 PM
Looks like the end led mounting brackets are longer on 3 reel:

Yes I see what you're talking about, to orient the light boards correctly. Seems to be the only difference I can notice as far as the reel door is concerned.
Title: Re: 5 reel to 3 reel conversion requirements
Post by: sixcardmark on May 13, 2023, 03:09:29 PM
There is a 5 reel RCU board on ebay and the number is the same as the one in my 3 reel.
Title: Re: 5 reel to 3 reel conversion requirements
Post by: mr-monoxide on May 13, 2023, 04:15:01 PM
That's great info. Thank you! If you do your conversion and you need a 5 reel game then let me know, I've got probably 5 or 6 complete kits, possibly more that I've forgotten about as it's been a minute since I've gone through all my extra parts.
Title: Re: 5 reel to 3 reel conversion requirements
Post by: sixcardmark on May 13, 2023, 10:51:59 PM
That's great info. Thank you! If you do your conversion and you need a 5 reel game then let me know, I've got probably 5 or 6 complete kits, possibly more that I've forgotten about as it's been a minute since I've gone through all my extra parts.
Thanks, I still have a cherry red kit (bullseye bonus) and another one too.
Title: Re: 5 reel to 3 reel conversion requirements
Post by: rickhunter on May 14, 2023, 12:03:11 PM
I've done that a few times, but it's been a while since I did my last one.  I'm pretty sure these are the parts that are different, other than the control bar where the Reels plug in, all are parts from the reel window.

1.  3 reel control bar where the reels plug in.
2.  The LED bar that lights up the reels from top and is located behind the reel glass is 3 reel specific.
3.  The payline brackets are different. (longer)
4.  The actual reels are wider, you need 3 (this is obvious).
5.  Reel glass (also obvious).


Everything else is the same.
Title: Re: 5 reel to 3 reel conversion requirements
Post by: sixcardmark on May 14, 2023, 12:45:40 PM
I've done that a few times, but it's been a while since I did my last one.  I'm pretty sure these are the parts that are different, other than the control bar where the Reels plug in, all are parts from the reel window.

1.  3 reel control bar where the reels plug in.
2.  The LED bar that lights up the reels from top and is located behind the reel glass is 3 reel specific.
3.  The payline brackets are different. (longer)
4.  The actual reels are wider, you need 3 (this is obvious).
5.  Reel glass (also obvious).


Everything else is the same.
Thanks for that info.  Looks like I missed #2.
Title: Re: 5 reel to 3 reel conversion requirements
Post by: mr-monoxide on May 14, 2023, 02:50:49 PM
Again, excellent information. Thank you. I want to do this but I need to find a game that has the three reels backlit all the time and the required parts of course.
Title: Re: 5 reel to 3 reel conversion requirements
Post by: a69mopar on May 14, 2023, 03:24:40 PM
I've done a number of the 5 to 3 and 3 to 5 reel swaps this year, mainly so the 5 reel has the bigger monitor.  On all of these the top light on the reel glass was the same.  Perhaps some are different,  but none of these. 
Pics below
Thanks,
Wayne
Title: Re: 5 reel to 3 reel conversion requirements
Post by: mr-monoxide on May 14, 2023, 03:37:14 PM
I've done a number of the 5 to 3 and 3 to 5 reel swaps this year, mainly so the 5 reel has the bigger monitor.  On all of these the top light on the reel glass was the same.  Perhaps some are different,  but none of these. 
Pics below
Thanks,
Wayne

That's interesting because like you I also thought they were all the same but I've never had a three real Alpha. I wonder if there's a difference regarding the specific year the machine was built?
Title: Re: 5 reel to 3 reel conversion requirements
Post by: sixcardmark on May 16, 2023, 08:14:44 PM
Again, excellent information. Thank you. I want to do this but I need to find a game that has the three reels backlit all the time and the required parts of course.
One of the 3 reel QHs I have keeps them lit all the time.  I will have to check my other games but I think they all do to keep the background gray.
Title: Re: 5 reel to 3 reel conversion requirements
Post by: mr-monoxide on May 16, 2023, 09:11:29 PM
Again, excellent information. Thank you. I want to do this but I need to find a game that has the three reels backlit all the time and the required parts of course.
One of the 3 reel QHs I have keeps them lit all the time.  I will have to check my other games but I think they all do to keep the background gray.
A QH game that's backlit is exactly what I'm looking for. If you get a chance please let me know which game that is. Also if you can point me in the direction where I may be able to aquire that game or another QH like it I would be most grateful.
Title: Re: 5 reel to 3 reel conversion requirements
Post by: sixcardmark on May 16, 2023, 10:18:53 PM
This is the same game.  I may have a kit to sell.  This is not my machine:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/195728081172?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=bMXm3XKtRB6&sssrc=2047675&ssuid=bu-pVdC8TCe&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY (https://www.ebay.com/itm/195728081172?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=bMXm3XKtRB6&sssrc=2047675&ssuid=bu-pVdC8TCe&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY)
Title: Re: 5 reel to 3 reel conversion requirements
Post by: mr-monoxide on May 17, 2023, 03:43:58 AM
This is the same game.  I may have a kit to sell.  This is not my machine:


That would be awesome, please let me know..
Title: Re: 5 reel to 3 reel conversion requirements
Post by: rickhunter on May 17, 2023, 10:09:47 AM
It's not the length that's the issue.  The actual pcb for the leds is different.  There are 5 clusters in a 5 reel bar, and only 3 clusters on the 3 reel bar.  The actual mounting hardware is identical, the difference is the pcb with the leds on it.  Attached photos that show the difference.  Pay attention to the clusters of components on top of the pcb.
Title: Re: 5 reel to 3 reel conversion requirements
Post by: rickhunter on May 17, 2023, 10:15:13 AM
This is the same game.  I may have a kit to sell.  This is not my machine:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/195728081172?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=bMXm3XKtRB6&sssrc=2047675&ssuid=bu-pVdC8TCe&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY (https://www.ebay.com/itm/195728081172?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=bMXm3XKtRB6&sssrc=2047675&ssuid=bu-pVdC8TCe&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY)

That game is not a quick hit progressive, it has a quick hit "feature."  Much different gameplay dynamics. (no free spins also).
Title: Re: 5 reel to 3 reel conversion requirements
Post by: mr-monoxide on May 17, 2023, 10:30:55 AM
It's not the length that's the issue.  The actual pcb for the leds is different.  There are 5 clusters in a 5 reel bar, and only 3 clusters on the 3 reel bar.  The actual mounting hardware is identical, the difference is the pcb with the leds on it.  Attached photos that show the difference.  Pay attention to the clusters of components on top of the pcb.


Oh, I see what you mean. Thanks for pointing that out. A detail easily missed.
Title: Re: 5 reel to 3 reel conversion requirements
Post by: a69mopar on May 19, 2023, 06:34:29 AM
It's not the length that's the issue.  The actual pcb for the leds is different.  There are 5 clusters in a 5 reel bar, and only 3 clusters on the 3 reel bar.  The actual mounting hardware is identical, the difference is the pcb with the leds on it.  Attached photos that show the difference.  Pay attention to the clusters of components on top of the pcb.

Thanks Rick for clearing this up.
Title: Re: 5 reel to 3 reel conversion requirements
Post by: sixcardmark on May 21, 2023, 04:16:00 PM
I installed my 3 reel QH that has the 5 progressives and bonus round and the reels do not stay lit all the time.  Will try bonus blazing 7s next.
Title: Re: 5 reel to 3 reel conversion requirements
Post by: mr-monoxide on May 21, 2023, 06:22:54 PM
I installed my 3 reel QH that has the 5 progressives and bonus round and the reels do not stay lit all the time.  Will try bonus blazing 7s next.
Ok, I'll keep an eye out for your post.
Title: Re: 5 reel to 3 reel conversion requirements
Post by: Jim on May 25, 2023, 08:35:46 AM
Was going through some Bally boxes and came across this. 

Jim
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