Detailed Restoration of a Bally 1090

[David Walz]

What missing/damaged parts I need:

[David Walz]

More parts:

[David Walz]

One thing I've learned a long time ago, take it slow and check out everything, even with that I still miss something sometimes, however you really need to examine the whole picture twice, take photographs, recheck the photos, and take as many breaks as you can.


As I was examining the reel assembly, I noticed  black tape on the wiring, I thought I had removed the ugly black tape in every nook and cranny, so now I have to work on the wiring today.    I can't believe I missed that, however the rest of the slot machine is definitely clear of the ugly black tape syndrome.

 
If you are rebuilding a slot machine, I cant tell you how important it is to get rid of the black tape, that may hide something that will short the machine.

[Amechanic]

Every Bally that I’ve worked on was wrapped with black tape in those areas of the reels assembly. I think they added it there as an extra layer of protection agains chaffing. It’s just like the area where the wire bends from the cabinet to the door when it opens and closes. Because under that tape the wiring was still wrapped with the string. I could open everyone of my machines and the would look the same.

[David Walz]

  Thanks, I had so many black tape repairs that I couldn't tell the difference.   


A lot of the black tape was loose, falling off, so I will re-tape some of the pinch point areas as you described. 


  Also, the wiring was butchered in some places and I needed to get all of the wires exposed to do the repairs.

[David Walz]

Every Bally that I’ve worked on was wrapped with black tape in those areas of the reels assembly. I think they added it there as an extra layer of protection agains chaffing. It’s just like the area where the wire bends from the cabinet to the door when it opens and closes. Because under that tape the wiring was still wrapped with the string. I could open everyone of my machines and the would look the same.

How many do you have?


 




This photo is a example, is the black tape correct on the hinge, and inside the door?

[David Walz]

  The belly light was totally butchered, everything was hacked, black tape, exposed wires. I basically gutted everything out, re-wired everything. The starter holder wires were cut short, creating a short, and I soldered new ones in place, using all of the old parts as much as possible. I over built everything, I wanted to be able to repair anything without having to do major work.

The starters were burned out, I replaced them while still using the old vintage covers.


 

[David Walz]

I'm still working on the upper florescent.

So, regarding the belly light assembly this is the end result:


 

[David Walz]

Coin is now dropping from the slot machine, into the lower cabinet below.


  I need to find a 25¢ slide into the cabinet below, mine was jacked up before I got it causing the coins to jamb.

[David Walz]

Better photo of the belly glass lit up.

[David Walz]

On the electrical outlet, I put it together somewhat like the factory, I have a switch/plug for it. I think this would be as close to accurate as much as possible. The original one has some god awful electrical plug, most likely an afterthought. This way everything looks good, clean, attractive not FUGLY.

[David Walz]

I'm hoping everyone will learn something from this thread, its been interesting dismantling a slot machine down to the bare cabinet, then progress through the machine step by step until the electrical, FUBAR, "gremlins" are finally exercised out of the machine. Having some other people's help with it was great, finding the original electrical wiring diagram was a big kick to repairing the wiring, removing fire hazard wires, adding a ground on the steel shell for protection, finding new electrical connectors was great, and purchasing some good reference books that aren't useless, having a book with a author that has "hands on experience" of the slot machine is invaluable.


This slot machine is now worth more than $200.00 since its fully functional, and when I'm able to find the missing pieces, it will be an awesome slot machine!


I'm still not finished, I have a lot to work on sourcing parts, and I will post my progress as I go. I'm also collecting extra parts for the future if some part goes bad.

[David Walz]

Since the slot machine is working like a Rolex, and from the help of this forum I want to contribute to the forum. 


  This slot machine must have a lot of history, just like any other vintage slot machine, you can only imagine who may have played on it.

[David Walz]

The wife is so happy with the slot machine. 

[David Walz]

The slot  machine is working; payout, reset, no hot fuses, no blowing fuses, all of the lights are working, all of the reels snap, the hopper runs like snot, electrical connections are excellent, coils are excellent, cabinets upper and lower are looking good the repairs are complete, the three ace locks are keyed the same single key, its a cool slot machine.

[shortrackskater]

 

Looking great! Thanks for posting this. I have two old EM's that will eventually be needy and it's great to see all your pictures.

[David Walz]

Looking great! Thanks for posting this. I have two old EM's that will eventually be needy and it's great to see all your pictures.

More of a labor of love than anything else, I hate to see old stuff like this get trashed, gutted or worse.
I thought this must be real was bad with all of the repairs done by someone who doesn't have a clue how to use a phillips screwdriver.


To work on this type of machine you need patient's, and I cant say it enough. This is not all that to understand figure out the issues and remove them. An example is the hopper, a bearing was upside down, the hopper wound not operate, this is simple to resolve unless you don't have the patience to analyze the problem, and never change manufacturers design it has worked for 40 years so something isn't broken don't fix it.


Another important thing is get the repair manuals, and the wiring diagram. I have six Bally manuals and all of them get used. One major tool is using the correct tool for the job, there are several phillips screwdriver sizes, use them all and don't mar up the heads. Every buggered up screw got replaced in this machine, nothing is left that is a hack job. The wiring harness doesn't need to be hacked on, there are Molex connectors, shrink tubing, plenty of options to repair without hacking up the  wiring. The wooden case can be repaired using the same color plugs for holes in the cabinet. Take it slow and methodical, don't go fast, don't power the machine until you have the machine ready, I personally unplugged all the Molex connectors and then with the machine powered up, I check each system looking at everything for issues.


This is how I approached the repairs on this machine, everyone has a different approach, this is what makes unique and knowledge is important on repairing this machine.


I hope that someone can  learn something from this topic on a 1090-22. 

[David Walz]

I've got three parts.

The quarter chute is awesome, handle hub is great and the hopper baffle assembly are installed. Slicker than snot!


The one coin chute that came with the slot machine was different where the coin dropped, it was wider inside and the coins would stack up inside the chute. The replacement slide is perfect for the coins they dont jamb up, its GREAT.

Gordy and Jim sent me the parts.


 

[David Walz]

Well, great news I've stumbled upon a clock, this is a real find. I see no wear on it so thats great. I've cleaned and serviced the clock now I can install it on the reels. This was in a parts lot I purchased, and I didn't know this was in the box.


 

[David Walz]

I found two meters, both have never been used, I wired them up, when I find the bracket I will be set.