Big Bang Piggy Bankin' - thoughts, questions, observations, maintenance, etc.

[Winslow]

So, I got my BBPB up and running with a replacement lower PS.  It was originally a 2 coin machine and I obtained a version of the game software (thanks Dale Beck) that upgrades it to 3 coin.  Got it installed and all is well.  Now, I need to replace the plexi over the dollar bill validator that says PLAY 2 COINS for a PLAY 3 COINS plexi.  Anyone have one of those laying around they want to sell or know of a vendor that might have that?


This version of the game is also supposed to have the elusive Elvis pig animation.  I've been playing it almost non-stop since installing the software days ago and have yet to see Elvis.  When does he normally appear?  Anything in particular have to happen to get him? 


Also, my buddy has a 3 coin BBPB.  He says he's seen Elvis and he has also seen an animation of the pig "farting a bubble."  I have not seen this and I'm wondering if he must have another version of the 3 coin software.  Has anyone else ever seen the farting bubble animation?

In both the 2 coin version I had and the new 3 coin version I just installed, I've noticed that Break The Bank always happens before the bank gets a lot of coins in it.  I've never seen the bank get any more than 68 coins before it's broken.  My buddy says his BBPB has had over 200 coins in it before it was broken!  What's the most coins you've ever seen in the bank? 


I'm thinking I want to get a copy of my buddy's game ROM because I'd like the bank to be able to get into the 100's and I'd like to get the "bubble fart" animation.  Anyone know of the versions available and the differences between them?

I've also noticed that both the 2 coin and 3 coin software have the very noticeable pause just before the reels spin when you're going to get the bonus round.  Is there any version of software that fixed this bug or is it present on all BBPB games? 


My game will also on occasion, spit out a single coin from the hopper for no apparent reason.  Nothing specific on the reels so I really haven't figured out why it does it or when.  Anyone else encounter this odd symptom?


[big]Now onto some maintenance questions:  [/big]


My dollar bill validator doesn't work.  Actually, I believe the problem is in the bill transporter section after the reader because I can feed the bill through the reader when it's been removed from the cabinet but as soon as the bill enters the area behind the validator I either get a fault 'boop' sound and it spits it back out or the game would actually reboot and then spit out.  The belts in that back portion seem to be quite loose and I was wondering if anyone has a good guide, video or could provide some advice on the correct procedures for rebuilding that section.  Any insight into the common problems, etc.?  I'd really like to be able to feed $20 bills into the game to build up some credits.  Even being able to feed $100 bills would be great but I'm sure that would require updating the ROM in the validator.  Any thoughts on what might be wrong with this portion of the game?


Sorry for being so wordy with these random thoughts but I thought I try to get some of my questions out there for the experts to comment on. Thanks for any input you can provide.


Steve

[rokgpsman]

One possible source for the "Play 3 Coins" plexi sign is Rudy's, they sometimes break an old machine down and sells the parts from it, you can check their website to see if they have it. Even if it isn't listed on their website it's best to contact them and check, they often have stuff in their inventory that isn't listed on the website. At the top-right side of their homepage is a search box, you can enter WMS or WILLIAMS to bring up all the WMS stuff. Here's an example of what they sometimes have:

http://rudysdeals.com/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=1301&search=williams&page=1

And there are several WMS 40X machine owners here on NLG, someone here may have the parts you need.

On those times that you have a single coin drop out of the hopper to the coin tray could that be due to the machine awarding you a win when the reels land on 3 empty spaces? I seem to remember that the BBPB machines would give you something when the reels all stopped on a white empty space but my memory is vague on that.

There are different versions of the game software, besides the max coin variations (2 coin to 5 coin) there are also different win percentages. Williams sold these machines in several different jurisdictions and to various casinos so they created software with varying payoff percentages, according to what the casino wanted. I don't know if there is a list of all the variations, although there was a guy (Clay) years ago that was very familiar with these machines and he accumulated lots of data on them:

http://www.pinrepair.com/arcade/wmsslot.htm

[dale]

Steve
The Elvis Pig is very elusive, you usually have to hit a higher value payout, he comes and goes quickly. I guarantee that is an Elvis Pig eprom. He comes out driving a sports car. Yes, there is a noticeable pause before the bonus round is hit , this is an anomaly of this game. What makes the difference in this game and all these games is purely random, when the button is pushed your combination is selected. Your bank could go up into the hundreds or be won at 10. I have the 3 coin plexie you are after. These BV on the 40X are no longer supported, use older bills as your software may be dated. Try this for starters.
Dale

[dale]

Also, if you did a game change you may have to reset your values in the menu.

Dale

[Winslow]

Dale,


You are correct.  I had to cycle through the menu options several times to clear out corrupt data after the upgrade.  All of that is now updated and looking right.   Do you know what version number is the software you provided?  I'm assuming I can determine the version number in the menus? I'll take your Play 3 Coins plexi.  Just email with the information.


Rok,


Yes, on BBPB when all 3 reels land on "blank" spaces a single coin is added to the piggy bank.  When Break The Bank is achieved the entire contents of the piggy bank is paid out in credits.   But, my machine still seems to randomly and on rare occasions kick out a single coin from the hopper - for no reason.  Usually the reels are not on any particular graphic.  Seems weird.


So, I'm still wondering about this animation with the pig farting a bubble.  I'm going to be going over to my buddy's house to check out his BBPB. I'm assuming he must have a different version of the game software since I've never seen this farting bubble animation.  I also have never had the bank accumulate more than 50-60 coins before being broken.  His game will allow accumulation of coins into the 100's before it pays out.  I'll be copying his software and will attempt to document the differences between his and my two versions.


Does anyone have any recommendations for rebuilding the bill transporter section of the game?  I'd really like to get my game to accept bills.  Any sources for the proper replacement belts?


Does anyone know of a source for reproduction chrome player tracking replacements?  I'd really like to clean up mine and replace them with nice, shiny new plates.


Steve








 

[dale]

Compare the checksums XU2 Elvis Pig with your buddys. If there is a difference send me a file. ( Standard Jurisdiction) 883F

Dale

[rokgpsman]

There are quite a few of the dotmation animations in the BBPB game. On the old NLG site there was a thread that listed all of them that people could think of they'd seen. The thread discussed the elusive Elvis animation also. I think I remember one where the pig blows a bubblegum bubble from its mouth and then floats into the air. The Elvis animation has the pig with sunglasses and sideburns driving a convertible off in a hurry.

The bill validator transport has some belts and roller wheels made of rubber or similar material and it can get hardened or glazed over the years. Plus the belts can get stretched and loose. You might be able to contact JCM about replacement belts and roller parts, or find a place that sells them. If you're lucky a good cleaning of the rubber parts might make it start working better. These transports are still around, I'd think about looking for another one and replacing it and be done with that problem. Places like Rudy's and individual owners here on NLG have the transport from time to time. Be sure to get the right one, there is a Canadian currency version that is a different width than the US version.

These WMS 40X machines used the DBV-145 and DBV-200 bill validators. There are software updates for the DBV-200 that will let you use some of the newer US bills but not all. I think you can get a newer DBV-200 eprom that will let the machine accept the new $20 and $10 bills, but not sure about the new $100 and $5. You can test the DBV head with it disconnected from the transport to see if the bill will be accepted by the head. When working on bill validator problems where it is rejecting the bill it is usually best to use a normal $1 bill, that way you don't have to worry if the bv software is new enough to recognize the bill since the $1 design has not changed.

[dale]

The software for this BV is no longer supported in the 40X, the best you can get is the new 5 update, you cannot get the new 100.

Dale

[rokgpsman]

The software for this BV is no longer supported in the 40X, the best you can get is the new 5 update, you cannot get the new 100.

Dale

yes, but that new $5 update will also give you the new $10 and new $20 capability. Plenty of playing choices.