Sigma SG-50 power supplies replacement help

[Badbaud]

Swap reel 1 and reel 3.
If you still get a reel 3 message then it is a driver on the main computer board.
If you get a reel 1 error then it is due to a defective reel unit.
Try blowing out the reel optics with some canned air and see if that helps.

[newkid3]

I tried blowing the reels out with canned air and it did not help. I noticed when I reset the machine number 1 and number 2 reel LED's will blink when the reel passes by the reel optics. But on number 3 the LED does not blink. So then I swapped 1 and 3 reels and I still get (NO SPIN 3) error. The LED still did not blink on reel 3. So does that mean it is on the main computer board? If it is a driver can that be fixed? I have some soldering experience. Is there anything else I need to check or do? Thanks

[Chris-socal]

I am not an expert but I can say I have experienced reel issues on a Sigma game. There are two common trends that causes reel-spin issues (that I know about):

1. The factory clips that hold the ribbon cable along the door comes off. When the door closes the ribbon drags on the reel. If there is ANY resistance on the reel, the machine detects that as an attempt to cheat and stops the game. Look very carefully for any obstruction or drag when the door is closed.
2. The motors can go out. But I highly doubt the motor gave you one spin and then burned out.

Tell me this, if you open the door with the game turned on, are the reels locked tight? Are the motors all holding the reels?  Don't force them but they won't spin freely like when the game is turned off. if the motors are working properly you won't be able to spin them when the game is energized. Plus, if the motors are holding the reels, that means they are most likely working.  They are stepper motors so they usually work or don't work.

Also, There are 3 keys on the side, one is for Reset, one is for pay out, one Displays the previous spins. If I recall you need to do the reset key before the game will play properly. But since it took a coin and spun that is a good sign. It's telling you that there is a reel issue so focus on that for now.

[newkid3]

Want to clear this up incase my post was confusing. All three reels spin. When I put the coin in and it registered and then hit the start button all 3 reels spun the same but only for maybe 3 or 4 seconds and then stopped. Then the machine started making the error sound and top light started blinking. Then the (NO SPIN 3) error came up on door along with (TILT) light. I have not been able to clear this error. Well I can clear it but it comes right back. If I open the door and turn the reset key it clears the error and all 3 reels start spinning and stop again with sound, error and tilt. It is like the reel optics is not reading it in a certain amount of time and the error comes back. The number 3 reel optic is not reading it I am pretty sure because the LED light never does blink like the number 1 and 2 reels do. I know it's not the LED bulb on the reel because it does the same thing on two different reels in the 3rd position. It also would not be the optics because both reels work in number 1 position. What all could make the optic not read the reel? Is there something on the main computer board that would keep the optic from reading? Would it be a driver in this situation?  Thanks

[Chris-socal]

Yup, sounds like what Badbaud said, likely a problem on the main board. Driver or optics controller. Badbaud would know more about the board. I would start by doing a close inspection of every component on the board and look for damage, corrosion or bad cap.

[Badbaud]

It could be time to send the board to me so I can put it on m Sigma board tester and find and replace the bad driver IC.

[Sunrise Side]

The NLG File System has a manual

[newkid3]

I have a manual on my tablet. Well I was trying to decide if I was going to send the board off for repair or buy a good used board someone on here offered me. So I was thinking with all the testing I had done it had to be the board or ribbon cable. So I decided I was going to check continuity on that ribbon cable for reel 3 before I did anything. Well I found two wires of the ten had been completely chewed through and part of the wires missing. The other 8 wires tested good. The weird thing is there is still a good wire between the two that got chewed on. I guess a friendly mouse was in there at some time. Hopefully I can repair the wires and it take care of the issue. No wonder the reel was not reading. Thanks for everyone's help so far.

[newkid3]

Got the ribbon cable repaired and the machine is up and running. I was only able to mess with it a few minutes after I got it all back together. The hopper works. Everything seems to pretty much work. I did notice one thing. If I put 3 nickels in it they register as they should on each one. But if I insert a forth nickel it goes to the hopper but does not give me a credit. Anyone know what could cause this?  Also it seems like one of the reel strips is a little off. Can they move and be adjusted on these machine reels? Like maybe it has moved some. Thanks

[Chris-socal]

Congratulations, it feels good when you identify the cause of malfunction.
Mine did the same thing when you inserted an extra coin but it issued the credit after you played the first 3 coins. Kinda weird. If I recall ( it has been a few years since I sold mine) if you press the button to retain credit instead of paying out it will acknowledge the coin when you first put it in.

[newkid3]

Chris-socal, you know after you said that it made me remember. When I stuck the 4th coin in and then I hit start. When that spin was over the start button lite back up and I was able to hit start again without inserting another coin. So it did give me the credit but just showed up later. Do you know can the reel strips on these machines move some and you need to do something to get the strip lined back up to Pay line correctly? One of mine seems to be off by maybe a 1/2 or less. Thanks

[Chris-socal]

That I do not know , I can honestly say I have never messed with reel strips. I considered myself fortunate. Badbaud might know. I don’t know if you need to physically shift the strips or if there is an electronic nudge function.

Chris

[newkid3]

I got to mess with the slot machine some today. It is working good. The reel strip was not off adjustment. I think I might have a bulb out in the candle. I am pretty sure one of the lights should come on when I press the change button but it does not. I guess the other one should come on when I open the door. Is this correct? I need to check all of the button lights. I guess I will just have to find out what bulbs I need when I get in there. I also need to clean it up good now. Thanks