Author Topic: Lighted Hold/Draw/Deal Buttons Any Fix? (Read 8363 times)

RiseLikeRa · « **on:** March 25, 2014, 09:04:28 AM »

While I wait patiently for some help with the "21" game chip to keep the thing from paying out on every hand dealt I wanted to work on a common problem for both of my Fortune machines...

Both the Poker and the 21 game have the control buttons that light up MOST OF THE TIME. With a slight tap they light up as they should. I have gone in from the underside to inspect the plugs in the panel and I have simply pried the square button out from the top. I cant see anything that prevents the button from making contact all of the time. Is there an ancient Chinese Secret to consistant performace with these buttons? Please advise...

Thank you group
Ra

Jim · « **Reply #1 on:** March 25, 2014, 09:43:34 AM »

Not sure what problem you are having?? buttons do not light up or buttons do not function. if it is the lamps, you may have to take out the twist and turn socket and clean the internal contact. there is a stop on the bottom of the housing that when it is made flush with the contact will allow the contact to come out of the housing. if it is the button not responding, then replace the cherry switch, as these switches age they develop a high resistance contact inside the switch. these are old machines and alot of the contacts have to be cleaned.

Hope this helps

Jim

RiseLikeRa · « **Reply #2 on:** March 25, 2014, 11:10:39 AM »

Jim:

Thank you for the response. I am sorry that I was not clear in my original post. The buttons DO function properly however they DO NOT light up when they are supposed to a great deal of the time. Perhaps contact cleaner might help.

Ra

Sunrise Side · « **Reply #3 on:** March 25, 2014, 12:12:14 PM »

Be careful with contact cleaner as it could destroy the plastic switch. The contacts on the bulb and inside the light socket are most likely corroded/oxidized from age. Careful clean the contacts in the lite socket with emery board and scrap the contacts on the light bulb. You may have to bend the contacts slightly on the lite socket but be careful as the brass contacts become brittle from age. Bulbs probably need cleaning of the cigarette smoke.

RiseLikeRa · « **Reply #4 on:** March 25, 2014, 01:42:57 PM »

Sunrise:

Thanks for the reply. Ok no contact cleaner. I will give the careful hand cleaning method a try. The problem is most annoying when you first coin up and when the light does not illuminate it does not instruct the player how to proceed. I hope it works. Wish me luck.

Ra

Sunrise Side · « **Reply #5 on:** March 25, 2014, 04:25:58 PM »

Might want to consider new bulbs. It May make a bettor repair overall.

GOOD LUCK TO YA !!!!

RiseLikeRa · « **Reply #6 on:** March 25, 2014, 05:22:29 PM »

Sunrise it looks like the bulb and the button are one and the same. No?

Sunrise Side · « **Reply #7 on:** March 25, 2014, 05:42:30 PM »

Can you post a pic? It should be an assembly, lite socket and a switch mounted to it? But I'm not completely sure.

RiseLikeRa · « **Reply #8 on:** March 25, 2014, 06:16:59 PM »

Here it is I hope. Top side just says deal.

Ra

RiseLikeRa · « **Reply #9 on:** March 25, 2014, 06:21:11 PM »

Front or should I say b top of buton. ..

Sunrise Side · « **Reply #10 on:** March 25, 2014, 06:50:49 PM »

Well this is new to me. But the bottom contact on the bulb is lead and does oxidize. Just like the old lead battery terminals on a car.

Clean up that lead contact by scrapping it lightly and see how that works.

RiseLikeRa · « **Reply #11 on:** March 25, 2014, 07:20:22 PM »

I will try a cleaning of the bottom contact. If not my devious mind had a picture of me adding a dab of solder to the bottom contact. If you look it seems hollowed out. I figure that the worse that could happen is that I have to file it off. Your thoughts?

Ra

Sunrise Side · « **Reply #12 on:** March 26, 2014, 04:32:52 AM »

Yes that does help. Clean it before you solder. Makes soldering quick and easy.

RiseLikeRa · « **Reply #13 on:** March 26, 2014, 04:50:38 AM »

Great Advice. I will keep you posted. If it works I will do the same with the buttons on my poker game also.

Ra

RiseLikeRa · « **Reply #14 on:** March 27, 2014, 02:53:31 AM »

Sunrise:

I took your advice and cleaned the bottom contact with a small wire brush. Then I CAREFULLY heated and placed a small dab of solder on the contact. This had the effect of making the button extend farther into its square socket. Care must be used not to melt the plastic housing that surrounds the bottom contact. Slid the button back into the games panel and after over 100 hands played I am problem free. A picture is worth a thousand words so see previous posts for the before shot and below for the successful after...

Ra

Sunrise Side · « **Reply #15 on:** March 27, 2014, 12:02:52 PM »

Great! I learned something new as well. Never seen a switch like that.

keystone9 · « **Reply #16 on:** March 28, 2014, 02:29:07 PM »

Those bulbs do come out of the button. Bill.

RiseLikeRa · « **Reply #17 on:** March 28, 2014, 10:09:54 PM »

Bill:

Thank you. I can see myself breaking That brittle 30 year old plastic in a million pieces. I looked at the bottom of the button with a jewelers loop. It looked like it came apart but I thought of trying to find a replacement top and backed off. Experts like you are the best part of this forum. Thank you again. No more snow. Stay well.

Ra

Badbaud · « **Reply #18 on:** May 03, 2014, 01:21:06 PM »

I just changed all of the lamps in a Fortune 1.

To get the cap out straighten out a paper clip and bend a small "J" on one end.

Slip the paper clip between the button and housing.

Turn it so the "J" hook is facing the cap and pull up.

The cap will come out with the lamp still in it.

Use a finger nail to pull the bulb out of the cap.

I believe the bulbs are #386 and are still available.

Adding solder to the back of the bulb is not a good idea as the heat may let air into the bulb.

You have the older, original, style panel switches which were a pain to replace because you had to solder 6 wires onto it.

RiseLikeRa · « **Reply #19 on:** May 03, 2014, 03:41:10 PM »

Bad:

You are correct on all counts. I was lucky and careful with the soldering but based upon your advice I won't try it again. I do have 2 extra bulbs but need a source to get a few more.

Thank so much for the information.

Ra

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Author Topic: Lighted Hold/Draw/Deal Buttons Any Fix? (Read 8363 times)