Bally Alpha S9 issues/questions

[QuickHit]

Just got my first Bally Alpha S9-1 and started researching which brought me to this amazing forum. I have a few questions hoping I can find the answers here:

1. The handle does not work, it doesn't spin the reels. I notice it locks and unlocks when it’s supposed to but pulling it all the way down does nothing. I checked in the setup it is set for a 5 button machine which is correct but nothing referring to the handle. What can I check here to make it start working properly?

2. I have a ticket printer and bill validator all working fine but noticed the tickets aren't accepted in the validator. After digging in this forum I found I need to have a TITO which I do not see. Found TITO@HOME which looks like what I need to accept the tickets and enter free credits. Is this still the best option for my machine?

3. I have a 3 reel setup and the middle reel intermittently makes a winding sound when spinning, the first and third reels seem quiet. Any way to oil it up or resolve without replacing the reel?

Thanks to all you pros for any help!

EDIT: Game is ‘In The Money’

[Tilt]

 

1. There should be a microswitch on the handle assembly inside the machine.  Make sure it's operating correctly and that a wire hasn't come off of it.

2.  Yes a TITO@Home board is a good choice to use in your machine.

3.  The Alpha's reels do sometimes make a whining sound.  Sometimes the reel strip flutters a little in the basket in causes it to make noise.  If you search the alpha forum you may find some tips that may help quiet it down some, but you don't want use oil on them!

[QuickHit]

Thanks Tilt!! Your response about a possible loose wire prompted me to stick my head inside and look at the back of the handle and indeed I found 2 wires pulled out of the plug,  possibly intentionally. I pushed these back in and now it works!

I ended up ordering the bettor tito after seeing the web interface. Thanks for your helpful response!!

One more question, not sure if it should be a new thread: where can I find the square buttons brand new? I see used ones sold on ebay but i’d like to buy new ones any leads here?

[Tilt]

Glad to hear you got the handle working and all it needed was to put the wires back on.  Yeah, it's possible that someone removed them, but not sure why they would.  Sometimes you see it with the cashout button so you can't cash out the credits on the machine.

Better TITO is good too, and does offer some networking ability as well as using their app to add credits to the machine etc.  Support is good too.  TITO@home is just a basic TITO without any wireless capability, but works well too and also has good support. 

Spin Inc has new buttons for your machine.  Here's a link to a rectangular one.  They have others too and you can search for other parts for it too if you need anything else.

https://www.spininc.com/button-led-12-vdc-rectangular-32mm-x-26mm-lens-cap-microswitch-bally-alpha