DREAM ALMOST SHATTERED....PLEASE HELP

[Toyguy]

I'd  also consider replacing the fuses, even though they seem to be good.  I've had a handful of cases where fuses that test good somehow don't work and replacing them has solved the problem.  Don't ask me how that's possible, but I have seen it with my own eyes.  Also make sure the fuse holders seem to be holding onto the fuses well.

[Tokoloshe]

I'll respond accordingly to your posts  "rokgpsman".

We need to know all the symptoms or clues that you can provide about the machine, otherwise it is difficult to offer advice or suggestions.  Is there anyway I can post a video of every test I have done.?

Naturally we aren't there to see what you see, so our only info is what you tell us and your photos. Video will make it so much easier.

What happens when the power switch is turned on? So when I Switch the SM on I hear the Buzz from the transformer. The Three reels vibrate / shudder at the moment I switch power on. Only one little light comes on.  See Picture attached.

Anything light up on front of machine, like pushbutton lights or the red digital display above the coin slot?      No Push Button, No Red Display Nothing else comes on not even if a flick the power button.

Are you sure all fuses are ok? I only know of the three fuses close to the power pack. However that been said there are few connectors down there that has not been connected but also cant see any place they need to go.. almost like something was removed... I saw a place where something was Val-crowed (sic) on, Dunno? maybe aftermarket mod?

Do you have a meter to measure voltage if needed? Yip, I know how to swing a spanner. point me in the right direction and I'll test away.

When the machine power is OFF you can rotate the reels by hand easily, but when machine power is ON the reels should have a stiffness to being rotated by hand if they are getting power. Does this happen? As you explained it exactly! Good news I hope .. means there is power to the reels.

The mpu board plugs into another circuit board below it that is called the motherboard. How does it look? Any damaged cables? Remove the hopper and take a photo of the motherboard for us to see it.   PHOTO ATTACHED

On the side of the machine with the pull handle there is usually a metal idplate that has some information printed on it like model number. If that idplate is there post a photo of it. PHOTO ATTACHED

Are there used slot machines for sale often in S. Africa, like online dealers or privates sales, newspaper, craigslist, etc? I Did a google search but cannot find anyone in SA that can help.. will search some more. I just got a hit but don't know till Monday if its legit. this is for a repairs person.

What is the availability of used machines? It took me 8 months to get this unit...  traveled very far to pick it up in a warehouse. There where like 5 units and I took the best looking one.. Note they were all locked so there was no key to open and check ... I had to jimmy the lock to open this unit.and I don't even think it was used in S.A. I think it was cross border equipment. Not readily at all in SA.

Are there casinos or cruise ships there that sell older machines when they are done with them? We have casinos in the city .. but they have been running on the new tech machines for many years already. I think this unit was put in storage for close on 10 years.

I did unplug both FL Lights in my tests...

The Hopper:

So I just decided to started looking at the mechanical side of the SM and boy has this machine worked... The coin pickup knife (think it's the correct name) thing is totally broken and even if I get the electrical side working the hopper will never work like that .. so I have started making a new leading edge pickup knife part, that I can adjust and that will work better.

To test it properly so I need to know is the motor AC or DC and is it 12v or 24 V?  I would like to run some tests.

Also I would like to use a smaller coin, as I will be using the SM for fun I want to make it work with our SA 5c coin. How can I set the hopper to spit out smaller coins?

[Tokoloshe]

Pictures as requested in this post



Pic 1 & 2  The light that comes on... front and rear view
Pic 3 the ID Plate
Pic 4 5 The Bottom where MB is...


RED BUTTON ON LEFT and the one next to it IS ALSO STUCK...

[Tokoloshe]

Pic 1 MB Pics .. some open connectors
Pic 2 Front connectors
pic 3 Power Pack Pics
pic 4 something was stuck on here...
 

[CabinetDan]

I've just gone through all of this.  These guys are a huge help.  You'll get there.  Sounds like your biggest issue is going to be time to order and receive any parts. 
My machine also sat for a while.  Things that I thought wouldn't or actually be an issue were.  Double and triple check the fuses.  Pull all of the plugs and clean what you can.  If you have access to some spray electronic cleaner, use it.  Make sure all plugs (connectors)  are fully seated.  Wiggle the wires in the connectors.  push them down into the cooenctor.  The right wire being loose can cause problems.  If you have wires hanging that seem to have a place to go, trace the wires.  They may go up into the top to the rewards card reader that was disabled.  I removed all of the wiring that went to all of that stuff so that it wasn't in the way.  Get the battery replaced.  Makes a ton of difference.

[Shaggy]

Well I tried to get some pics of the inside of one of my machines. I have one of the lights burned out in there and it's cloudy and raining outside but I got a few although some are a bit fuzzy. I'll add them below. What voltage do you run in your country? These machines can be set to run on 120v AC or 240v AC. Could the place it came from (across the boarder?) possibly be running a different voltage than yours.
I'll try to help on the questions from my place........Hopper is 120v AC (some call it 110v AC, same thing) I have a pic of the side wall, I have no idea what was Velcroed there but it wasn't from IGT. Maybe something for player tracking etc. You can use smaller coins but let's get this thing operating before you start working on changing things. The red button is the call attendant light. It's probably not stuck but more likely partially unhooked or broken on the bottom of the switch. When they come loose on the bottom, they drop down and it releases the tension on the spring. That allows the button to fall in and it won't push down anymore or pop back up. I have a pic of the bottom of that button also. Check that voltage though, it could be part of the problems.

Dave

[Shaggy]

And here's a few more.....

[Shaggy]

Here's one of the power supply

[rokgpsman]

The reason I asked about the availability of used slot machines from various places where you are was in case there was a hobby club or repair shop with people that can help locally with repairs, also with spare parts and other support like that. The more used slot machines there are in an area the better chance there is of finding spare parts and people that can help with repairs.

From your photos it looks like the machine uses American 50 cent coins, they are about 32mm diameter. So unless someone has done changes to the machine then that is the size of coin that the hopper is setup for. I think the S. Africa 5 cent coins are about 17mm (older coins) and 21mm for ones made later. To change over to the using your 5 cent coins you would probably have to change some parts in the hopper and also the coin entry bezel on the front of the machine. But like Shaggy said earlier, it is best to get the machine working before doing any mods like going to a different coin.

The red button on the far left is usually the "Call Attendant" button, if so then it's not required for the machine to work. I think all it does is turn on a bulb in the candle (light at top of machine). But if it says something besides Call Attendant then it might be needed to work. The Cash Out button is what activates the hopper if the player wants to get paid coins for any credits that are displayed on the Credit display.

The buttons can be removed and cleaned, that might free them up. They have a plastic housing and a plastic button insert that fits inside the housing. Often there is a plastic nut underneath that holds the button housing to the metal deck of the machine. There is a spring inside the button that pushes the button upward. Underneath there is a microswitch with wires attached. Inside the button is a bulb and it's wires are attached underneath. The buttons could be stuck from dust, dirt, rust and grit that has accumulated. If you remove the buttons be careful, the plastic gets brittle over the years and can crack if you put too much force on them.

Might be good to give the machine a good cleaning, get the debris out of the connectors on the motherboard. This will also give you a chance to get more familiar with how it is put together.

That disconnected 2-wire cable with the red & black wires may be for something optional. Those colors of wires are typically for power (red) and ground (black). When the machine is made at the factory they are built for optional equipment that the casino may want to install themselves. So unused connectors on the motherboard and disconnected wiring cables don't necessarily mean a problem.

The hopper can be removed from the machine and you can test the motor. It is better to test it first manually with no electricity. On the motor there is a brake, it is typically a small piece of plastic with teeth, it is attached to a spring arm that is electrically activated when the machine is operating. You can move the brake out of the way with your finger, then turn the hopper coin wheel by hand to see if it turns freely. Turn it counter-clockwise, the same direction it would turn to lift coins up and to the left for dispensing to the player. Sometimes on older machine the hopper motor gearbox can get frozen or hard to run because of the dried-out grease inside. So see if it can be turned by hand before trying to apply power to the motor.

Since you picked up this machine in a different country you will want to make sure what voltage it is set to operate from. Will likely either be 120 volts AC or 240 volts AC, or something very similar. The connector at the end of the line cord may give you a clue. Be careful about connecting your local power to it until you know what the machine is wired for. Someone could have modified it in past years. The hopper motor may have an idplate or sticker that says what voltage it needs.