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**Video Poker, Keno, Slots, 21** Gaming machines => Aristocrat Video Gaming Machines => Topic started by: Arkansaw on January 03, 2020, 06:33:41 PM

Title: Aristocrat Microstar 2.5 Caribbean Gold II First Look Questions
Post by: Arkansaw on January 03, 2020, 06:33:41 PM
I guy knew I work on pinballs and video games so he gave me this Aristocrat.  So I am new to this.


Machine does not power up to life.  No monitor output.  Does not play blind.  There are two visible "amber/orange" colored LEDs visible in the Power Supply.  Does that mean the power supply output is correct or should they be another color? 


So far I have only taken out the hopper and I have the following questions:



Question 1  I have searched the archives and Randy Fromm stuff but do not see a specific Microstar 2.5 manual?  The Jubilee MK4 seems close.  Can someone guide me to a 2.5 manual?
Question 2  I am sorry for this elementary question, but in the picture to release the boards on the red guides, do I need a special tool.  I know the MK4 manual says, "Lever the PCBA out of the runners using the board extractors"  Board extractors?
Question 3  I have a picture of the top of the Power Supply, I assume that is from the battery leaking and I will discover the severity of the damage once I get the main boards out of the way and get to the vertical interconnect board.


Thanks all.
Title: Re: Aristocrat Microstar 2.5 Caribbean Gold II First Look Questions
Post by: Paul on January 03, 2020, 07:12:21 PM
Does sound like the power supply or fuse.
Give us a picture of the machine with the door open to help ID the machine.
Title: Re: Aristocrat Microstar 2.5 Caribbean Gold II First Look Questions
Post by: Arkansaw on January 04, 2020, 07:34:57 AM
Thanks for the reply.  I save those pics, but I still can't seem to get them to be correct orientation.   Sorry
Title: Re: Aristocrat Microstar 2.5 Caribbean Gold II First Look Questions
Post by: Arkansaw on January 08, 2020, 09:08:02 AM
Is the battery for this unit on the vertical interconnect board?  Still looking for a reply on the board guides.  Thanks all.
Title: Re: Aristocrat Microstar 2.5 Caribbean Gold II First Look Questions
Post by: Paul on January 08, 2020, 12:50:37 PM
Yes the red leavers are for removing the boards.
Show us the battery in question and we’ll try to answer you questions.
That machine is not well know here.
Title: Re: Aristocrat Microstar 2.5 Caribbean Gold II First Look Questions
Post by: Arkansaw on January 13, 2020, 12:13:47 PM
Here are the board pics.  The battery has not leaked.  Does someone have manual for this (MK 2.5).  Especially the power supply as I will be taking that apart next and will have questions.  Will a MK 5 board work in this machine?  Thanks
Title: Re: Aristocrat Microstar 2.5 Caribbean Gold II First Look Questions
Post by: Paul on January 13, 2020, 04:40:58 PM
That is a Varta battery and they are know to leak and ruin boards, so its probably best to replace it.
Start checking the voltages from the wall into the machine, take nothing for granite.
The MK5 boards wont work in a 2.5 machine.
Title: Re: Aristocrat Microstar 2.5 Caribbean Gold II First Look Questions
Post by: bogan on January 17, 2020, 06:31:30 AM
I was working on a dead one of these today. Turned out to be something wrong with the fluro's pulling down the power supply. I disconnected the 2 fluro tube plugs (I think 9 pin square plugs) on the left had side and the power supply fired up.


When the PSU is working, the 2 orange lights are on inside.




The machine I was working on now has a coin optic error, any chance I could get a photo of the optics and cabling in the door, ie the cables running to the board just under the coin mech?




I too would love a service manual or schematic as well if anyone has one handy. I'll get the machine running without it, but its going to take a whole lot longer!

Title: Re: Aristocrat Microstar 2.5 Caribbean Gold II First Look Questions
Post by: Arkansaw on January 17, 2020, 06:51:18 AM
I am going to shovel snow off a roof and take care of a few cows and later today I will post the pics.  Thanks
Title: Re: Aristocrat Microstar 2.5 Caribbean Gold II First Look Questions
Post by: bogan on January 17, 2020, 06:54:39 AM
I am going to shovel snow off a roof and take care of a few cows and later today I will post the pics.  Thanks


Thanks for that. Glad I dont have to deal with that cold stuff!
Title: Re: Aristocrat Microstar 2.5 Caribbean Gold II First Look Questions
Post by: Arkansaw on January 17, 2020, 03:30:14 PM
Here are the pics. 

I only get beeping noises from my speakers on start up.  That beeping goes on for about 2-3 seconds.  Blank screen.  The screen will give me a line when I kill the power.
In pulling the power supply I assume the ribbon cable on the right can be pulled with the PS in place?  Hopefully somewhat will point us toward a manual soon?

I assume a cap kit for the power supply, a cap kit for the monitor board, and a new battery would be a good start?
Title: Re: Aristocrat Microstar 2.5 Caribbean Gold II First Look Questions
Post by: bogan on January 17, 2020, 05:24:52 PM
Thanks for that. The machine I am working on does not have those black boxes for the optics. I have a few of those style optics lying around so I will see if they can be installed on the machine.


When I pulled to power supply, I disconnected everything to remove it, then tested it unloaded and it worked, so yes the ribbon cable can be removed. Most of the rails are 24V and 5V. There is 3 other lines which I suspect maybe sense or control lines, not sure. When I pulled the PSU it worked fine, so I just tracked down what was stopping it from running hence the fluro's.


Battery is almost a given though, I would change it regardless.
Title: Re: Aristocrat Microstar 2.5 Caribbean Gold II First Look Questions
Post by: Arkansaw on January 17, 2020, 06:13:56 PM
Pulled the monitor...............  Looked at some things posted by http://www.slotnotes.net/2018slot.htm (http://www.slotnotes.net/2018slot.htm) and  by the legend Ken Layton.  Blacked out and fast chirping seems to be #286 (100 uF 25 Volts).
For the Ceronix 1492 monitor, can someone give me a suggestion on supplier for the cap kit.  Ken mentions Zanen Electronics and I probably bought my first cap kit there many years ago.  I see there is one kit on e-bay but folks on this site will have the best advice.
How about a supplier for the battery?
Anyone have the Power Supply Pin Output numbers for the Power Supply in the picture?
Title: Re: Aristocrat Microstar 2.5 Caribbean Gold II First Look Questions
Post by: Arkansaw on January 21, 2020, 08:04:25 PM
If you have this monitor board, from https://arcademonitor.com/arcade-monitor-cap-kits/ceronix-1492-13-inch (https://arcademonitor.com/arcade-monitor-cap-kits/ceronix-1492-13-inch) here is the list of caps needed.  If you order them directly from Mouser, you can order yourself 105 degree C and 5000 hour caps at a reasonable price.


Ceronix 1492 13"
Location Cap size
125 = 10uf 50v
 126 = 10uf 50v
 127 = 10uf 50v
 131 = 1000uf 35v
 169 = 100uf 25v
 191 = 220uf 35v
 195 = 1000uf 35v
 201 = 10uf 50v
 215 = 1000uf 35v
 218 = 100uf 25v
 225 = 100uf 25v
 230 = 1uf 50v
 233 = 1uf 50v
 256 = 150uf 250v
 257 = 150uf 250v
 286 = 100uf 25v
 317 = 150uf 250v
 66 = 10uf 50v
 68 = 10uf 50v
 h10 = 10uf 50v

 
Summary of Caps Needed
1000uf 35v = 3
 100uf 25v = 4

 10uf 50v = 7
 150uf 250v = 3
 1uf 50v = 2
 220uf 35v = 1


AS NOTED BELOW WHEN I DID A RE-CAP, 191 looked original and it was a 470 uF 50 V when I pulled it.
Title: Re: Aristocrat Microstar 2.5 Caribbean Gold II First Look Questions
Post by: Arkansaw on January 22, 2020, 03:26:49 PM
Is this a good supplier for the Green Varta Battery?
https://www.futureelectronics.com/p/3439544 (https://www.futureelectronics.com/p/3439544)

Title: Re: Aristocrat Microstar 2.5 Caribbean Gold II First Look Questions
Post by: bogan on January 22, 2020, 04:26:36 PM
Future is a good company, I have used them in the past. Just make sure they have stock in your region, if not try digikey our mouser etc.
Title: Re: Aristocrat Microstar 2.5 Caribbean Gold II First Look Questions
Post by: Arkansaw on January 22, 2020, 06:02:21 PM
Thanks, did not find it at digikey or mouser.



Title: Re: Aristocrat Microstar 2.5 Caribbean Gold II First Look Questions
Post by: Arkansaw on January 28, 2020, 07:50:52 AM
If you have this Setec Power Supply, here are the caps (all 105 C):
Title: Re: Aristocrat Microstar 2.5 Caribbean Gold II First Look Questions
Post by: Simon Barsinister on January 28, 2020, 01:52:39 PM
I've got these power supplies, NOS new/old stock, I'll send you a PM.
Title: Re: Aristocrat Microstar 2.5 Caribbean Gold II First Look Questions
Post by: Arkansaw on April 04, 2020, 03:40:34 PM
I finally had time today to work on this machine.


Re-cap on the monitor board and replaced 63 - PN222A and 65 MPSA64 both available from Mouser.


Note about re-cap.  191 call for a 220 uF 35V, I pulled a 470 uF 50V from the board.  It looked to be original. I put the 220 uF 35 V in.


Came to life for the first time.


The Logic Door Switch is off ....... I had to wedge a piece of wood there to keep the switch closed.  I assume I can take a needle nose and bend that out more.


I get the pictures below, can some help me with that?  Anyone have a manual that would work for this game?




Title: Re: Aristocrat Microstar 2.5 Caribbean Gold II First Look Questions
Post by: bogan on April 04, 2020, 07:02:18 PM
I finally had time today to work on this machine.


Re-cap on the monitor board and replaced 63 - PN222A and 65 MPSA64 both available from Mouser.


Note about re-cap.  191 call for a 220 uF 35V, I pulled a 470 uF 50V from the board.  It looked to be original. I put the 220 uF 35 V in.


Came to life for the first time.


The Logic Door Switch is off ....... I had to wedge a piece of wood there to keep the switch closed.  I assume I can take a needle nose and bend that out more.


I get the pictures below, can some help me with that?  Anyone have a manual that would work for this game?


Needs a ram clear by the looks of it. You might be able to find the procedure in the NLG file system, if not, I'll have a look as I think I might have it somewhere.
Title: Re: Aristocrat Microstar 2.5 Caribbean Gold II First Look Questions
Post by: Heihachi_73 on April 05, 2020, 12:39:41 PM
Here are the board pics.  The battery has not leaked.  Does someone have manual for this (MK 2.5).  Especially the power supply as I will be taking that apart next and will have questions.  Will a MK 5 board work in this machine?  Thanks
Is there any chance you could reupload the PCB photos at a higher resolution? They seem to have been saved at only 640x480 which makes them difficult to see in detail.
Title: Re: Aristocrat Microstar 2.5 Caribbean Gold II First Look Questions
Post by: Arkansaw on April 05, 2020, 06:49:44 PM
Here is 1
Title: Re: Aristocrat Microstar 2.5 Caribbean Gold II First Look Questions
Post by: Arkansaw on April 05, 2020, 06:56:31 PM
And the next

Title: Re: Aristocrat Microstar 2.5 Caribbean Gold II First Look Questions
Post by: Arkansaw on April 05, 2020, 07:45:16 PM
From your earlier Post last May 1, 2019:

"Looks like it just needs a RAM clear (assuming the coin fault isn't pointing to anything bad). Go into the audit menu and turn on the jackpot key and (assuming your board has these) press the first 3 red buttons on the board (Robot Test, AUX1 and Memory Reset) at the same time and it should reset to factory default. I honestly don't know what to do if the board doesn't have the reset/test buttons though."

Does that seem logical?  Once again, doesn't someone have a manual for these machines?  I have looked everywhere.


It appears my characters are off a bit as well.
Title: Re: Aristocrat Microstar 2.5 Caribbean Gold II First Look Questions
Post by: Heihachi_73 on April 06, 2020, 12:46:33 PM
Thanks a million for the PCB photos!
Title: Re: Aristocrat Microstar 2.5 Caribbean Gold II First Look Questions
Post by: Arkansaw on April 06, 2020, 03:00:14 PM
No problem.  How do you get into the audit menu?  I tried the three red button reset but was not in the audit menu.......... Therefore, nothing changed.


I sent this message on the Aristocrat web site today:

"I have nothing to lose with this request.  So I am COVID-19 hold up in my basement in the states.  I have a 1994 MK 2.5 gambling machine called Caribbean Gold II.  No one in the states seems to have a manual for the operation of this machine.  I almost have it working but no manual.  Can you please, please ask an old staffer there for a pdf file of a manual for this machine?  Again, I have nothing to lose with this request.  Please send this to a veteran staff member that may have it in his/her heart to help me out.  Thanks."

It doesn't hurt to ask.

Title: Re: Aristocrat Microstar 2.5 Caribbean Gold II First Look Questions
Post by: Heihachi_73 on April 06, 2020, 03:52:09 PM
Is the door open? AFAIK you can't enter the audit menu if the main door is open (or cash box/bill acceptor/logic door etc.), or if there is any other error on the screen, not including metering error ("TILT" doesn't actually count as an error). I am currently having a look at the game from inside the MAME emulator. According to MAME you also can't enter the menu either if the 5201-5 switch is off, whatever that translates to on a real PCB (5201 is the program memory location (hexadecimal) so it probably isn't that helpful).
Title: Re: Aristocrat Microstar 2.5 Caribbean Gold II First Look Questions
Post by: Arkansaw on April 06, 2020, 04:01:01 PM
Yup, door open............ 
Title: Re: Aristocrat Microstar 2.5 Caribbean Gold II First Look Questions
Post by: Arkansaw on April 13, 2020, 03:42:51 PM
This is from the MK 2.5 Stepper Manual.

Seems close.  I did not have a key for the "Audit Meter Key Switch" so I took the top class off and shorted across.  Worked for a while and now that does not work.  I hope I did not screw that up?  Of course found the following after it quit working.
Title: Re: Aristocrat Microstar 2.5 Caribbean Gold II First Look Questions
Post by: Arkansaw on April 13, 2020, 04:00:18 PM
Anyone know if these screens should look like this?

Title: Re: Aristocrat Microstar 2.5 Caribbean Gold II First Look Questions
Post by: bogan on April 13, 2020, 09:06:35 PM
All meters should be 0 if the ram reset has been successful.



Title: Re: Aristocrat Microstar 2.5 Caribbean Gold II First Look Questions
Post by: Heihachi_73 on April 13, 2020, 10:43:40 PM
Those screenshots are typical of corrupted backup data, once cleared it should all reset to 0 as bogan has mentioned. Glad you could finally get into the menu!

Note that if you want to change the denomination (e.g. 5c or 25c or $1 or even $100!) you will have to set the dip switches before you clear the memory otherwise the denomination will remain locked to the previous amount.
Title: Re: Aristocrat Microstar 2.5 Caribbean Gold II First Look Questions
Post by: Arkansaw on April 14, 2020, 06:28:42 PM
Thanks all..........  I will give it a try coming up.
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