Bally Alpha Coin Simulator

[dehalladay]

Hello, I have a Bally Alpha 1 Cinereel slot machine. When I bought it the Bill validator, printer, and coin comparator had all been removed. It has a coin simulator and hopper simulator installed, the coin simulator plugs in to the coin in harness plug on the main mother board and has 2 wires that go to the service switch and when pressed would add $5 to the game. Recently while changing the game theme I accidently shorted the service switch pin with the LED voltage and it just keeps adding money now with out stopping , even when the switch is open. I think the memory on the coin simulator chip got zapped/erased. I would like to buy another coin simulator if anybody has one or knows where to get one. I am including a couple of pictures that show where it plugs in to the circuit board. The board was made by Myrsky Electronics Technology (TIAN JIN)  and patent # E360046.

[rokgpsman]

It looks like there are only two active components on that small board. You could try replacing both the transistor and the 8-legged ic, that might get it to working properly. But if the ic is a custom-programmed chip you'd have to have the software for it. Still, the problem might only be the transistor.

Have you tried to find the company that makes the board, see about getting a replacement from them? I think they are a Chinese electronics company but they may have a USA distributor or office. Their Contact Us information shows this email address, you can send them an email and ask about getting another board. But they may be a wholesale place only and won't deal with individual sales of just one board. If so you can ask them where you can find their product for sale:

wangli@myrsky.com.cn


Also, if you bought the machine from a slot machine business that might be where you can get another board. They may order these boards to install in their Bally machines, or have them on hand for repairs.

[dehalladay]

Thank you for the help and advice rokgpsman , I sent a email out to the one that you provided, I will see if I get a response.

[rokgpsman]

Good luck! If you can't get another coin simulator board you can try having someone replace the transistor on your board. It's the smaller round black part, not the ic. The part number of the transistor should be written on it. That could be the only thing wrong and is worth a try.

I can't read the writing on the top of the 8-leg ic, can you read it or post a photo that shows the writing? If it is a 555 timer chip they are low-cost and you have a good chance of fixing your board. Is the 8-leg ic installed in a socket, or soldered directly to the board?

Do you think the Service switch is stuck or shorted and causing the board to continuously add credits? When it was working ok if you held the Service switch down did the machine add multiple credits continuously, or did it just add one credit and you had to release and press again to get another credit? You can test the Service switch by removing one of the white wires that goes from it to the coin simulator board.

[tjlee]

Please PM me.  I think I know who makes the board.  TJ

[dehalladay]

Yes, the chip is in a 8 pin socket and is removable, not soldered. When you pressed the service button once it would add one credit or you could hold it down and it would keep adding credits, when it was working right. No the button is not stuck, I have even removed the 2 wires that go the switch and it still adds credits. It's hard to read the writing on the chip but it looks like it reads 12F50B, I/P 02K, 1627

[rickhunter]

That is one cool way of making it freeplay.  Although TITO is now easier and better, that is certainly pretty cool.  Would love to buy something like that if it is available for purchase.

[rokgpsman]

Yes, the chip is in a 8 pin socket and is removable, not soldered. When you pressed the service button once it would add one credit or you could hold it down and it would keep adding credits, when it was working right. No the button is not stuck, I have even removed the 2 wires that go the switch and it still adds credits. It's hard to read the writing on the chip but it looks like it reads 12F50B, I/P 02K, 1627

Just a guess since I don't have the schematic but if the transistor is bad that could be what is causing the credits to get added continuously. If you are not able to locate a replacement coin simulator board then you can have that transistor replaced to see if that fixes it. There can't be much wrong, just a few parts on the board. Can you read the writing on the transistor? Also, did you find out from tj (above) about the company that makes the board?

The 12F50B ic is a small self-contained microcontroller, it has a cpu and memory internally, plus custom software that was programmed into it by the company that makes the coin simulator board. So you wouldn't be able to simply replace the ic, it would have to be programmed with the proper software. The "1627" written on it indicates the chip was made in 2016, so the board is less than 3 years old.

If you don't have anyone to replace the transistor I can do it, just for cost of shipping & the transistor. My contact info is on my profile page, just click my username over to the left of this message.

[Sunrise Side]

Contact tjlee. I'm sure he can help with purchasing those simulators.

[dehalladay]

I was able to purchase one from tjlee, thank you everybody for all of the help and advice.

[WoodlandAMC1]

Do you know what setting in Bally needs to be set to accept the coin simulator?  Had to do a reset and not sure what setting to set so it uses with service button.