What is the Mills Jackpot mechanism for?

[kb8yrw]

I bought this Mills Diamond front machine and I thought I knew how it was supposed to work. The issue I am having isn't really a problem with the machine just of me understanding what is supposed to happen when a jackpot hits. The jackpot mechanism appears to have two separate compartments one that is behind the glass and one that is above the glass. I thought when it hit the jackpot that one of the compartments would open and empty the contents. That confused me a bit because there really wasn't a way other than volume to measure the amount of the contents. I set the machine to pay the jackpot which is listed to be 20 nickels to see what happens. The machine paid the 20 nickels as posted but they came from the coin tube out the small coin tray.  So my question is what does or is the jackpot mechanism for? It is a fun machine to play with and like my other machines I am enjoying learning about it. It does need some parts to freshen it up a bit but still plays fine as is. Can anyone give me the low-down on what that mechanism is supposed to do if not payout the jackpot? Thanks in advance for setting me straight....again!

[kb8yrw]

okay feeling like a dumb@$$  I went cruzin through the old site and came across a post that referenced the payout +JP    So armed with this new knowledge I tried it again and guess what the jackpot opened and nickels filled the tray. The next spin the jackpot door closed like I assume it should. Sometimes it is right in front of you but despite my obvious noobness I am happy that it does work. I did not see it open when I tried it the first time because the front cover was loose and the mech must not have been able to make the lever.

[qbert]

The jackpot actually has two compartments. The way the machine works is it fills the coin tube first, then as the coin tube overflows it starts to fill a hidden jackpot hopper. When that hidden jackpot overflows you will then start to see the jackpot with the glass window start to fill. Finally when that jackpot fills the overflow goes to the proprietors box as profit.
What should happen when you hit the jackpot the coins in the glass window should drop to the payout tray along with 20 coins from the tube.
On the very next pull the glass jackpot door will close, then on the pull after that the hidden jackpot should dump into the glass window jackpot filling it about half way.
The the whole process starts again.
They did this because no one wants to play a machine with zero coins in the jackpot. In this way it has a head start.
The glass window jackpot will not start to finish filling until the hidden one starts to overflow.
I love the old mechanical machines they were pretty well thought out even back then on how to take your money.

Rich

[kb8yrw]

That makes perfect sense. I'm not sure it is working but it sounds like it should be that way. The jackpot paid and dumped the coins in the window along with the 20 from the tube. The next pull it closed the gate but the next pull didn't release any more coins to the window. I appreciate the explanation because I would have never figured than part of it out. Now just have to figure out why it didn't drop those coins.

[qbert]

The mechanism is very touchy. Only use a dry lube like silicone spray in that area. Check for pins and levers out of alignment in the hopper areas. Getting the jackpot to drop is a good thing good work.