Bingo Pinballs

This Page Last Updated 6-11-2010

~ This tech note is from postings listed on the forum rec.games.pinball – A good high-traffic site for Q&A’s ~

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.

~ Although the owner is referring to his 1968 “Magic Ring” a “Wheel Machine” - This general advice applies to most Bally bingos ~

~ There aren’t any internal pictures of a Magic Ring anywhere! ~

~ If you have one of these bingos, please email me some photos – Thank you! ~

~ Be careful in there, this is live A.C. circuitry when plugged in! ~

~ You can email with technical questions! ~

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