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ETE's website - Tech Issue #12

 

 

Bingo Pinballs

 

06/11/2003

 

 

Tech I
All of these tech notes are from postings listed on the forum rec.games.pinball

Tech Issue #1
James Ireland
Subject: I have a Bally Mystic Gate Bingo
Date: 2000/06/18

Question - Recently it started smoking in the back cabinet and it is now stuck on tilt - will not reset - any clues where to look for what burned out?

Answer - Try checking the trip bank reset coil. I don't have a Mystic Gate, but I assume it would be located on the back door, left side and at the bottom.

If the this coil is burned, the trip bank won't reset. The tilt relays are located there, so maybe that's your trouble.

Before you just plug another coil in, check to see what caused the problem. Could be something to do with the shutter switches controlling the reset coil - perhaps stuck in the make position.

Answer - Do motors run and balls rise to the playfield while displaying tilt? That could be a bad anti-cheat relay.

 


Tech Issue #2
From: Steve Pazar
Subject: Re: Tech: Bally Yacht Club Bingo
Date: 2000/08/18

Question - The ball lift motor does not activate after the second ball is shot. I checked out the ball lift motor relays on the shutter motor and on the lift motor itself and they seem to be functioning properly. There was a worn contact on the timer unit that I fixed, but it did not seem to correct the problem. I think the problem is in the timer unit, but I am not sure how to verify that.

Answer - These types of problems are usually in the timer stepper. If the contacts are now OK, make certain that its not sticking. This is usually caused by old grease collecting crud and making the step up/down function sluggish to the point where it doesn't always work.

Another area to look at is the switch on the top of the PF that the ball goes under as it enters play. This, along with the shooter lane switch is what triggers the next ball. The first ball does not depend on these switches, only the first position of the timer unit.

 


Tech Issue #3
From: Alan Van Nevel
Subject: tech:bally beauty bingo
Date: 2000/08/08

Question - I recently got a bingo (my first) and it was working but has since developed a problem.

The game coins up, the 1st card lights, and additional coins light more features and cards. It also lifts the first ball into place in the shooter lane. But when the ball is shot, the shutter does not close as it should. I can trip the shutter motor and it still works though. There is the start? relay under the playfield, next to the shutter motor, when does this energize? Any help would be appreciated

Answer - Just fixed that problem on one of my bingos. Your "timer step-up" unit is probably sticking (very common problem). The bad news is you will have to completely disassemble it to clean it properly. I've noticed that in the past, folks used the old style TV tuner cleaner on the contact discs, which leaves a waxy residue. This needs to be removed as well (I use paint thinner on a rag).

If you look closely at other steppers in your bingo, you'll almost certainly find the same problem. Take heart though, once they are cleaned it'll probably work for many moons before it needs servicing again. Steve

 


Tech Issue #4
From: smddms@aol.com
Subject: Tech: Bally Yacht Club Bingo
Date: 2000/08/18

Question - The ball lift motor does not activate after the second ball is shot. I checked out the ball lift motor relays on the shutter motor and on the lift motor itself and they seem to be functioning properly. There was a worn contact on the timer unit that I fixed, but it did not seem to correct the problem. I think the problem is in the timer unit, but I am not sure how to verify that. Thxs - Steve

From: Steve Pazar
Subject: Re: Tech: Bally Yacht Club Bingo
Date: 2000/08/18

Answer - Steve, these types of problems are usually in the timer stepper. If the contacts are now OK, make certain that its not sticking. This is usually caused by old grease collecting crud and making the step up/down function sluggish to the point where it doesn't always work.

Another area to look at is the switch on the top of the PF that the ball goes under as it enters play. This, along with the shooter lane switch is what triggers the next ball. The first ball does not depend on these switches, only the first position of the timer unit.
Good luck!
Steve

 


Tech Issue #5
From: Lovemypins
Subject: Tech: Bingo Golden Gate
Date: 1999/04/26

Question - Hi Guys. On my Golden Gate, there is a resetting problem on the Magic Screen. As you Bingo people know, when the screen is used and a new game is started, the screen will move a fraction to the left and then will reset by moving completely to the right until it reaches it's normal position. Well, on my game, occasionally when I start a new game, the screen will not return or will move even further to the left. When this happens, I can hear the screen motor running constantly. I then tilt the game and try again. Any ides where I should start to look for the problem. Thanks....Roger

From: Lynne and Michael Sands

Answer - Seems like I have a similar problem with my Silver Sails, an identical game.

The actual screen position is indexed with a contact disc underneath it. If any thing is preventing the screen from moving you will have a problem similar to this.

In my case, the number glass behind the screen came loose and prevented the screen from moving. In fixing that, the disc position did not match the screen position. It is an easy matter of rotating the screen to match.

 


Tech Issue #6
Message 1 in thread
From: Michael Sloan
Subject: General info needed on bingo games
Date: 2000/01/14

Question - I have a Bally "Bali" bingo unit. While I have the circuit info, I'm not exactly sure what the game is supposed to do, or how it is supposed to work. Can anyone give me some info?

Answer - MAKE SURE YOUR MACHINE HAS THE CORRECT NUMBER OF BALLS INSTALLED USUALLY EIGHT BALLS FIVE FOR NORMAL PLAY AND THREE FOR EXTRA BALL FIVE BALLS SHOULD BE LOCKED ON TOP OF YOUR PLAYFIELD WITH THREE BALLS IN THE TROUGH CHECK ALL YOUR TROUGH SWITCHES. WHEN YOU CLOCK A CREDIT ALL THE BALLS SHOULD DROP INTO LOWER BALL CATCHER AND MAKE THERE WAY TO THE TROUGH. ALL ODDS SHOULD GO BACK TO LOWEST ODDS AND A BALL SHOULD BE LIFTED TO BALL PLUNGER. GAME IS READY TO BEGIN LET ME KNOW IF YOU GET THIS FAR REGARDS MARIK

 


Tech Issue #7
Down Under with the Bingo Kings
Message 1 in thread
From: chantal rennard
Subject: So You Want To Know About Bingo'
Date: 1999/10/15
Contact Us
John And Justin
The Bingo Kings
(Australian Division)
johnk@c033.aone.net.au

 


Tech Issue #8
From: Lovemypins
Subject: Tech: Bingo Golden Gate
Date: 1999/04/26

Question - Hi Guys. On my Golden Gate, there is a resetting problem on the Magic Screen. As you Bingo people know, when the screen is used and a new game is started, the screen will move a fraction to the left and then will reset by moving completely to the right until it reaches it's normal position. Well, on my game, occasionally when I start a new game, the screen will not return or will move even further to the left. When this happens, I can hear the screen motor running constantly. I then tilt the game and try again. Any ides where I should start to look for the problem. Thanks....Roger

From: Lynne and Michael Sands

Answer - Seems like I have a similar problem with my Silver Sails, an identical game. The actual screen position is indexed with a contact disc underneath it. If any thing is preventing the screen from moving you will have a problem similar to this.

In my case, the number glass behind the screen came loose and prevented the screen from moving. In fixing that, the disc position did not match the screen position. It is an easy matter of rotating the screen to match.

 


Tech Issue #9
From: Lynne and Michael Sands
Subject: TECH: cleaning cloth insulation in very old games
Date: 1999/04/19

Question - I am looking for suggestions on how to clean the dirt and oil off the cloth insulation in very old pinball machines. I am compulsive when it comes to cleaning machines like to clean the insides as well as the visible parts.

From: Bob E.

Answer - This is not exactly the same, but I have had good luck with cleaning cloth-covered wiring harnesses from some of my English cars and my jukebox in the following manner. Note, this is for harnesses that are OUT of the machine, and I can't imagine anyone wanting to take one out of a bingo -- *shudder* -- but maybe you can adapt this...

Anyway, this has worked for me on the type of wiring that is several or many vinyl-insulated wires inside a braided or woven cloth covering. I just fill a large dishpan with warm soapy water (dishwashing liquid is fine) and lay the harness in it. Gently squeeze up and down the length of the bundle, maybe changing the water/soap mixture if it gets particularly greasy or dirty. You don't want to scrub and abrade the cloth, especially if it is old, but squeezing seems to do no harm. When dirt and oil/grease are removed, change to clear water for rinsing in the same manner, then set out in the sun to dry.

 


Tech Issue #10
Subject: TECH: Bingo machine diamond ring problem.
Date: 1998/10/08

Question - I have bought a bingo machine that have been in storage in ten years. When i powering it up all the gi lights but nothing happens when i drop a coin in it, i have never seen a game bingo game before (and never played one). does someone have any suggestions where to start looking for wrong things. When i powered i t up it did reset the number to zero.

Answer - First off, check all the fuses (you didn't state the make or model of machine, but let's assume a Bally bingo). The fuses are in the backbox, right hand side.

The reply meter knocked-off. That's a good sign.

Make sure you have 8 bingo sized balls in the machine, in the ball ramp. They are not the same size as standard pinballs, and the size is important. The wrong size balls will not activate the ball ramp switches properly. I am writing this at work and I don't have one of my manuals here, so I can't remember the ball size. Marco's sells bingo sized balls. If you don't have 8 balls in the machine, the game will never play correctly (once again I am
assuming this machine is a Bally with 3 extra balls feature. If it's two extra balls, then you need 7 balls).

First coin inserted should move payfield shuffle, allowing any balls on the playfield to return to the ball ramp. Shuffle will stay open until first ball is shot.

First ball should now eject up to the ball shooting lane. At this point you would deposit additional coins to try to light up higher odds and special features. You may deposit as many coins as you want until you are satisfied with the odds and features. Odds and features are lit randomly.

When you shoot the first ball, the playfield shuffle will close.

That's the basic sequence for the start of a game. A bingo machine is the MOSTcom- plicated of all EM pin type games. They are proto-computers and working on them takes time. Marco may have a manual for you. I have been surprised how many bingo manuals he has dug up for me.

Subject: Re: Bally Bingo Tilt Question
Date: 2001-06-02 20:47:17 PST

Question - "Fred Cunningham" wrote in message

Hi, I have a Bally Roller Derby machine. Yesterday, while I was playing, it just topped. It appeared to be a "normal" tilt. Well, everything went dead. I pressed the red button to start a new game...no response. Put a nickel in...nothing. Turned it off and on....the counter still shows the games, no zero score start.

I have the schematic and the manual. The focus of my investigation is around the anti-cheat relay, the tilt relay and the replay reset relay. Nothing is burnt up or anything like that. The replay reset counter does not have 50V to the coil. The anti-cheat relay neither. I cleaned all the contact just for lack of anything meaningful to do.

If you have any experience with this problem, please let me know.

Answer from Jeffery Lawton - Your problem is that the 50 volts went away. I would check the fuse socket. Bally bingo games have terrible fuse holders. They look fine but do not make contact with the fuse. So, you look at the fuse and think all is well when it is really open. Slip the 50 volt fuse out of it's holder. I suspect you will notice that one side slides out with almost no resistance.

When I get a game in, or start working on one I always check the tensile strength of the fuse holders. If any one fails, I replace the entire bank. The holders can be purchased at any Radio Shack or electronics store.

Also, check the "jones plug" between the transformer and the fuse panel. I had a Cypress Gardens recently that played fine until I put it in line with my other games, then all the lamps went out. fuse holders were all good but the jacks on the "jones plug" were oxidized. After a good cleaning, my game lit up like a Christmas tree.

 


Tech Issue #11
Electronic Technical Enterprises

This is not a pinball site at all, but someone here has worked on and fixed a Bally Big Time and probably a few other Bingos.

There are some good tips and a little trivia.........

 


Tech Issue #12

Phil helps Russ

 

From: Phil (okorange@home.com)
Subject: Re: SILVER SAILS BINGO TECH HELP?
Newsgroups: rec.games.pinball

Date: 2002-02-24 09:38:06 PST

To test the yellow step up coil, jump a wire from 21 (blue and red) wire on the yellow score unit step up arm switch to the side of the coil with the white and brown wire (not the orange and red side). As long as the play feature relay is not energized, this should activate the coil.

 

Do you have a copy of the schematic for that machine? Which switch prevents the fuse from blowing? There are two switches on that relay.If opening the single pole double throw switches solves the problem, you probably have a short in the white and brown wire coming from the relay to the yellow score step up coil. If it's the normally

closed single switch, check the white and blue wire. This runs from the yellow score stop and the magic screen feature unit stop to the magic screen feature unit step up. The main thing to look for is bare/worn wire. Also, I hope your wire is not totally gray and cruddy and that you can at least sort of tell what the original colors were.

 

Good luck.

 

RUSSELLCAD@NETZERO.NET (RUSS CADWALLADER) wrote in message news:<4ada2218.0202141247.7cd8d1b8@posting.google.com>...

> DIDN'T GET A CHANCE TO LEARN BEFORE MACHINE SMOKED. ANY HELP WOULD BE

> APPRECIATED. 50V CIRCUIT FUSE BLOWS AT TURN ON. PAPER BETWEEN CONTACTS

> ON YELLOW SCORE STOP RE. STOPS THIS BUT OF COURSE THIS AIN’T THE CURE.

> WHERE SHOULD I GO NEXT TO LOOK FOR PROBLEM/SHORT/BAD THING? ALSO, WHAT

> IS A GOOD COIL READING Vs. FRIED IF IT ISN’T OBVIOUS ON COIL .ANY BINGO

> TECHS STILL OUT THERE??? THX. RUSS

 

 

 

Tech Issue #13

From: Guy (guyvanransbeeck@planetinternet.be)
Subject: Miss Bowling Bingo

 

Newsgroups: rec.games.pinball
Date: 2003-02-16 10:11:49 PST

Does enyone now how to remove a tilt from a miss Bowling bingo.I have tryed everything, power on with door open, reset my elektonic key...nothing works he stays in tilt mode.

Thanks

 

Post a follow-up to this message

Message 2 in thread

From: David Deturck (willy.deturckREMOVE@pandora.be)
Subject: Re: Miss Bowling Bingo

 

Newsgroups: rec.games.pinball
Date: 2003-02-16 10:42:22 PST

First:

check the tilts; are they constant on? there's one ball roll tilt in the upper part of the backbox, one or two in the cabinet, perhaps one in the door and perhaps one on the underside of the playfield. Those bingo's often go in a sort of 'code', you could look at it as a sort of alarm thing. What probably has to happen now, is to reset the memory addresses of the bingo.  This is done by attaching a little interface to the machine where you can reset the memory.

 

However, very hard to find.  Some operators might still have it, but they are not very willing to help people out with there old bingo problems...

 

Good luck,

David

 

 

 

Tech Issue #14

Bingo tilt problem

Many Bally bingos have a design that causes a tilt if the coin switch is activated too slowly. This is intended so that it will tilt when someone tries to cheat using a string or wire to activate the switch instead of a coin. This often is a problem in home use when you're not using coins and just tripping the switch with your finger. To deactivate this 'feature' bend the top switch piece on #4D of the Control Unit up so that the switch cannot close. #4D is the 4th switch stack from the left on the Control Unit.

 

 

 

Tech Issue #15

Message 2 in thread

From: Walter Newton (newtonw@netone.com)
Subject: Re: TECH: Bingo machine diamond ring problem.

 

Newsgroups: rec.games.pinball
Date: 1998/10/08

Patrik Danielsson wrote:

 

Hi! I have bought a bingo machine that I have been in storage in ten years. When i powering it up all the gi lights but nothing happens when i drop a coin in it, I have never seen a game bingo game before (and never played one).

does someone have any suggestions where to start looking for wrong things. When i powered i t up it did reset the number to zero.

 

Patrik

 

Message two in thread:

First off, check all the fuses (you didn't state the make or model of machine, but let's assume a Bally bingo). The fuses are in the backbox, right hand side.

 

The reply meter knocked-off. That's a good sign.

 

Make sure you have 8 bingo sized balls in the machine, in the ball ramp. They are not the same size as standard pinballs, and the size is important. The wrong size balls will not activate the ball ramp switches properly. I am

writing this at work and I don't have one of my manuals here, so I can't remember the ball size. Marco's sells bingo sized balls. If you don't have 8 balls in the machine, the game will never play correctly (once again I am

assuming this machine is a Bally with 3 extra balls feature. If it's two extra  balls, then you need 7 balls).

 

First coin inserted should move payfield shuffle, allowing any balls on the playfield to return to the ball ramp. Shuffle will stay open until first ball is shot.

 

First ball should now eject up to the ball shooting lane. At this point you would deposit additional coins to try to light up higher odds and special features. You may deposit as many coins as you want until you are satisfied

with the odds and features. Odds and features are lit randomly.

 

When you shoot the first ball, the playfield shuffle will close.

 

That's the basic sequence for the start of a game. A bingo machine is the MOST complicated of all EM pin type games. They are proto-computers and working on them takes time. Marco may have a manual for you. I have been surprised how many bingo manuals he has dug up for me.

 

If you need more info, email me. (tell me make and model of bingo)

 

Walt in Denver

 

Message 3 in thread

From: Donellllll (donellllll@aol.com)
Subject: Re: TECH: Bingo machine diamond ring problem.

 

Newsgroups: rec.games.pinball
Date: 1998/10/08

Hi Patrik:

Unless you know Bingos and EM repair, I'd suggest the nearest house of worship for help.  : )

Don L.

 

 

 

Tech issue #16

Message 1 in thread

From: Dave (low5@sympatico.ca)
Subject: Bally wiring colors and schematics.

 

Newsgroups: rec.games.pinball
Date: 2002-05-23 19:20:01 PST

Hello All,

Does anyone know if in a Bally game, old mechanical that is, does the wiring  color remain the same from top playfeild wiring to cabinet wiring? What I mean is, if you find a red wire with yellow strips in one part of the

machine, is it esentially the same wire as another red and yellow one found in another part of the machine?

 

Are there any downloadable schematics available on line.

 

Dave.

Message 2 in thread

From: Lloyd R Olson (ltg@ssbilliards.com)
Subject: Re: Bally wiring colors and schematics.

 

You would think so, but I wouldn't rely on it as 100 percent all the time. I had a schematic from another manufacturer, beautiful huge fold out thing, and there in the corner was printed " due to wire shortages the wire colors may not be the same in your machine".  And the old cloth wires do discolor with age. LTG :)

 

Phil (the man)

Message 3 in thread

Message 3 in thread

From: phil (bingo@cdyn.com)
Subject: Re: Bally wiring colors and schematics.

 

I wouldn't bet on it.  bally didn't have an infinite number of color combinations, so they needed to reuse the wire in

different circuits.  bingos, for example, can use the same wire color more than ten times.  on the manual/schematic, the difference is denoted by a suffix.  e.g. 74-1, 74-2, etc.

 

the colors are:

 

1 - red

2 - blue

3 - yellow

4 - green

5 - white

6 - brown

7 - orange

8 - black

9 - gray

0 - no tracer (e.g. 70 is solid orange)

 

take care,

phil

 

 

 

Tech issue #17