Bally 831-4Z Full Restoration

[David Walz]

Ok, A quick update. I have had my coffee, and some sleep.
I determined that I have the #1 reel wiring is cut. It looks like #3, #2 are not missing anything. 

The wires are extra, again, Wolftalk educated me on the way the slot machines are manufactured. Seems that the factory has these wiring harness ready to install and they have extra wires they don't use so they tape them up.

I want to try and pass on this information, so others can understand that these machines have wiring quarks, and you need to keep working the problem. 

[David Walz]

I am still working on the problem with the slot machine payout on the upper and lower line, the middle is working.
So I have now checked out the wiring from the reels to the line unit disc, everything checks out.
I have now started to check out the unit disc and the contact plate has a lot of wear, the wipers are not in middle of the contacts, the rotation is off. The actual parts are worn badly.
This is most likely the issue.

[David Walz]

After sifting through the unit disc, cleaning each contact, wipers, by hand, then I adjusted the wipers to be on center with the payout disc.
So it seems that I straighten out the upper, center, bottom, payout.
Its working 100%. All three lines work.

[David Walz]

Hitting 7's produces a light on the top, and lights flashing on the top glass.

[David Walz]

So now I have to see about the reels working correctly.

Update: I went and tested every BAR, BAR5, 7, and I found out that some of them had issues, dirty contacts, the wipers not making contact, adjustments were needed. After I eliminated all of the good contacts, I focused in on those problems. As of now, everything is working.

Diagnostic is when I put all of the BARS in one win line and nothing happens. Then I move the reel back and forth, the hopper starts working, then I know that a contact is being a turd and then eliminate the issue.

[David Walz]

I am replacing the 25¢ Coin Mech slug rejector, seems all of my slot machines the slug rejector needed replacement. They must get the most wear of all. Go figure

[David Walz]

 
A lot of work has been done with the slot machine to ferret out the problems. When I picked it up it was basically a dead machine. I have been able to clean everything, down to each nut and bolt. Restore every part, repair the wiring, install new bulbs, a new power cord, missing parts, several solenoid, it's been a chore. To top off the repairs, I didn't have a proper wiring diagram for this machine, however the diagram I did use was helpful in restoration. The machine number 2131 is original to the Frontier Hotel and Casino, now the keys are stamped, matching the machine.

[David Walz]

 

More photos.

[David Walz]

I am actively looking for a cabinet for the slot machine. Just like the other one. I have been running the slot machine without any issues.

[David Walz]

Working on the cabinet for the slot machine. I would have preferred not to have refinished it, however it was a basket case.

[David Walz]

Getting more work done on the cabinet, drilled the lock hole, put a backing to prevent spinning. Hinges are coming in USPS, they are something that is black, vintage, really nice. I'm now working on the door, I will have to run electrical 110V power to the cabinet, as usual. I've got the lock ready, rekeyed, it's the same as the machine.

 

[David Walz]

Well! We're zooming. Great paint, it levels out, semi gloss, just a real toned down black finish. I bought one a of the best paints, less issues, better spread, low luster.
The door just had it's third coat, the cam lock is inset, and it looks good, I actually like it this way, when you put a plate on the back of the cam lock, the cam lock will not turn,. Bolted down the machine  to the cabinet, using pre existing holes. The old ones look really good, I cut a 2" hole for the power cord and a 4" hole for coin drop.  Made sure that the coins will not get caught dropping into the coin tray.

FYI: The coin tray I am using is from the salad bars, they are standard size, but the depth is different, and this one is is shallow. I purchased several of them and they are great for different projects.

[David Walz]

Well, I got the door installed, and touched up the  with the black paint. The striker for the cam lock isn't correct, I will have to manufacture another one just for this application. After 40 years locksmithing, you'd think that I could get it right on the first time, that's what you get when you scrounge around for a strike. 

[David Walz]

When you live in Alaska, finding Bally EM is very difficult. So when one pops up you grab it. 

[David Walz]

Finally I have sourced the missing parts. 

After my email problem, I switched to a temporary email for KLAR and got the parts ordered.

 

[David Walz]

Just got my parts in the mail.

[David Walz]

I installed the: in, out, meters, hopper cover and the coin chute. Fact is that I always get people telling me that the hopper cover is difficult to source since the casino's usually throw them out, so finding them is really great.

So, I'm getting it completed, just waiting on one more meter. The cash box meter. 

[Badbaud]

With your OCD you should have it completely restored in a month or less.

I worked for the Elardies for 10 years, first downtown in the Pioneer Club
then in Laughlin at the Pioneer hotel and gambling hall.
Margaret was a person you did not lock eyes with or talk to.
She hated blacks so much when the lightly - dark skinned maintenance worker, who she thought was from Puerto Rico, had his whole family come to the club to see him
for a reunion.
It became obvious that his black as coal skinned family members were not from Puerto Rico so she fired him the next day.

The same kind of racist attitude popped up when they moved into the Frontier in Las Vegas.
She refused to sign the culinary unions labor agreement because it would include some black workers in her establishment.
Daily picketing by the union was a normal at the Frontier.
This last story came to me second hand by an employee that worked there at the time and had contact with her.

[David Walz]

With your OCD you should have it completely restored in a month or less.

I worked for the Elardies for 10 years, first downtown in the Pioneer Club
then in Laughlin at the Pioneer hotel and gambling hall.
Margaret was a person you did not lock eyes with or talk to.
She hated blacks so much when the lightly - dark skinned maintenance worker, who she thought was from Puerto Rico, had his whole family come to the club to see him
for a reunion.
It became obvious that his black as coal skinned family members were not from Puerto Rico so she fired him the next day.

The same kind of racist attitude popped up when they moved into the Frontier in Las Vegas.
She refused to sign the culinary unions labor agreement because it would include some black workers in her establishment.
Daily picketing by the union was a normal at the Frontier.
This last story came to me second hand by an employee that worked there at the time and had contact with her.

That was a different world back then, positive and negative.

[David Walz]

Got the machine in the house, it's a behemoth thing to move by yourself. 

Now, it's time to get any lasting bugs out of the machine. Basically I need to make sure everything is functioning at 100%. 

Update: July 4th I have been running the machine for awhile, the reels are spinning true, no rubbing, nothing. The payouts are perfect, center, top and bottom line, it's really awesome. I have noted that it gives more payouts on the top line, and I know it's random, especially when I restored the reels, springs, linkage, exactly like before it was disassembled, it's just spick and span now. The hopper is functioning properly, I replaced 25¢ slug reject or and now all of the quarters are accepted. All of the lights work, the handle is smooth.

Jan my wife was playing the slot machine, flawless absolutely flawless. The reels are spin like they are brand new.   

You know that if it wasn't for Wolftalk and the forum these machines would NEVER have been restored.