Third reel spins freely

[off-track]

Sorry if this is a newbie question but, I am.  This is the first problem I've had on this machine besides dirty contacts. 

I have a 5 coin Bally 873.  Last night I was running a few coins through it just to exercise the contacts.  Everything was working fine for a while and then the 3rd reel (rightmost) started taking longer and longer to stop.  After just a few minutes it continued to spin for ~15-30 seconds after the Insert Coins light came back on.  Eventually it clicks to a stop but obviously it's freewheeling and the payouts are all whacked.

I haven't pulled the reel mechanism yet to check it out but .. Is this a common problem and, where/what would cause this?

[Jon]

yes it is a very common problem the real machine grease gums up

I personally pull the real machine out
pull the reels out of it
I use a spray called knocker loose it seems to eat the grease very well and you need to spray it and clean it and get it working into all the holes
you should be able to get it up and working in about 15 to 20 minutes
and then read the manual and service the entire rest of the machine because if the grees there is getting like that it's all getting gumd up
there again not that bad of a job takes me an hour to go through on 873 clean and lube it

[OldReno]

Oil your clock, that should fix it.

[off-track]

Ok, pulled the reel mechanism out today.  Yes, there is a lot old dark lube on the mech.  The clock seems fine but the third reel wiper arm (forgive me if that is the wrong term?) is really stiff.  I removed the reels and sprayed what little was left (almost nothing) in a contact cleaner can on the trip shaft and exercised the arm enough so that it would finally return on it's own.  It seems to work for now but obviously needs a good cleaning and tune up.

Is there a guide for normal disassembly/maintenance of the machine / reel mechanism?  The Bally EM manual I have seems to just show parts across all the different models as opposed to what I'd consider a "service manual".

[rokgpsman]

...Is there a guide for normal disassembly/maintenance of the machine / reel mechanism?  The Bally EM manual I have seems to just show parts across all the different models as opposed to what I'd consider a "service manual".

Which Bally EM manual do you have, I've seen a couple of different ones. Does it have an "FO" number or a title that can id it? If so then maybe the other manual will contain more info about what you need.

[off-track]

All I have is a 132 page PDF that has a picture of a machine on the first page that's captioned: THE ORIGINAL 1938 BALLY "DOUBLE BELL".  I don't see any other identifying information?

I have seen other posts that include images of detailed adjustment instructions so I'm guessing that there are other, more detailed service manuals out there as well?

[rokgpsman]

All I have is a 132 page PDF that has a picture of a machine on the first page that's captioned: THE ORIGINAL 1938 BALLY "DOUBLE BELL".  I don't see any other identifying information?

I have a different Bally EM manual than that one, don't know if it applies to your machine but you are welcome to look it over. It is too large to attach here, I can email it to you. Let me know you email address here or thru PM.

I have seen other posts that include images of detailed adjustment instructions so I'm guessing that there are other, more detailed service manuals out there as well?

Possibly, Bally issued lots of manuals. Have you tried using google for "bally em manual" or similar?
Here are a few places that came up when I did it:

http://rwatts.cdyn.com/Machines/download_area.html

http://www.coinslots.com/manuals/bally/
(not free to download but will show you some of what is available)

http://www.bigdaddy-enterprises.com/books/books-index.htm
(not free to download but will show you some of what is available)

[off-track]

Possibly, Bally issued lots of manuals. Have you tried using google for "bally em manual" or similar?
Here are a few places that came up when I did it:

http://rwatts.cdyn.com/Machines/download_area.html

Thanks, that exactly how I found the one I do have.  It is the one listed as : Bally Electro-Mechanical Slot Machine Manual.   on that site.  There are some other references I saw there that should prove useful as well?  I did see one with and exploded reel diagram that should be helpful as well as the EM diagnostic document.


 

[rokgpsman]

Your NLG PM inbox is full, you will need to delete some messages in order to receive any new ones. I think the limit is 10 messages in storage.

I got your PM with your email address, will be emailing the large attachment manual to you shortly.

[off-track]

Your NLG PM inbox is full, you will need to delete some messages in order to receive any new ones. I think the limit is 10 messages in storage.

Done!  Thanks, I wasn't aware of that limitation and that the site doesn't tell that it's full either. 

[rokgpsman]

Your NLG PM inbox is full, you will need to delete some messages in order to receive any new ones. I think the limit is 10 messages in storage.

Done!  Thanks, I wasn't aware of that limitation and that the site doesn't tell that it's full either. 

Not a problem, happens a lot, we just remind people when we get a PM kicked back due to their inbox being full. I think the PM limit is mentioned somewhere like an FAQ or informational thing but I don't think it is automatically directed to a new user. If you are expecting a PM it's good to check to see if your inbox has room to receive more. I don't think the site software has a feature to alert you that your inbox is full.

EDIT- The number of PM's you can have in storage increases as your site participation increases. It is explained in the link below:

http://newlifegames.com/nlg/index.php?topic=45.0

(this is in the new user area, there is other useful site information there too)

[rokgpsman]

Here's a Bally EM Troubleshooting Guide,
might be useful, not sure what EM's it applies to: