IGT S+ Triple Diamond Hopper Not Spinning

[jscreeha]

Hi all,

First time owner of any gaming machine.

I bought a used Triple Diamond IGT machine.  I had trouble with the coins getting jammed, but that was fixed with a new knife.  Now the hopper motor isn't spinning sometimes when a cash out.  Sometimes, just opening and closing the door does it, but usually I have to "mix up" the coins with my hand then close and the motor will spin.  When it doesn't spin, I can hear it "trying" to spin.  There isn't anymore obvious coin binding.  I've taken apart the hopper and confirmed the wheel spins with the brake off.  As I said, the coins are now no longer getting jammed with the new knife.  It seems to be getting more and more frequent that this happens. 

My thought is that the motor is going bad.  Doesn't have enough power to turn the wheel.  When I do turn the wheel by hand, it is a little difficult, but I thought that is just the gearing.  It turns smooth and it seems like that is working right.  I can hear, and see when I leave the tray off, the motor brake releasing and what sounds like power to the motor when it tries to turn.

Do you think I need a new motor?  If so, thoughts on where to get one?

Thanks,
Scott

[sixcardmark]

Do you have plenty of coins in the hopper?

[jscreeha]

Yes, lots of coins.  About 150-200.  It is a quarter machine.  I tried taking more coins out to see if the lighter weight would work, but it didn't seem to make a difference.  However, I did that with the bad knife, so maybe I'll try that again if you think it would help.

[Stayouttadabunker]

You should be seeing a error code on the display when having hopper problems.

There are three possible codes...>>>

3100 - This means the brake isn't stopping the coin wheel in time after paying out win and one extra coin is paid out. Check pawl spring for proper operation.

3200 - This means there's too much amperage going to the motor, making it extremely difficult to turn the motor. Check inside hopper bowl for a jammed coin.

3300 - The hopper optics haven't seen any coins pass thru in a pre-set amount of time...could mean an extremely low/empty hopper or faulty pathway such as a bent knife.

Of course, another thing that can cause the motor problems you're having are broken gear teeth inside of the hopper transmission, but that is very rare and you say it turns smoothly.

If you keep getting coins jammed, you may have the hopper springs installed on incorrectly or a bent knife. However, you said the knife is new. Black springs on the top two nuts, "white" springs on the bottom two nuts.

However, it is possible your motor is shot....remember, these motors are close to 30 years old!!

Check your hopper wiring for weak points and the red SSR relay for proper operation too. The hopper relay unit could have out of spec internal IC components...try swapping it out for a known good one. It has to allow enough juice to get to the hopper motor. Checking the relay output with multimeter is the best way.

Here's a link to an old video I made that might help you...I found out later on after making this video, that the black stiffer springs go onto the top two hopper bowl nuts....lol...>>>

https://youtu.be/GAkVj8olMHE

[Jim]

That hopper motor runs on 115vac, you can make a cheater cord out of an old extension cord, put on some push on connectors like on the hopper, plug it into a power strip with a on/off switch and use that to switch the hopper on and off.
out side of the machine you can observe what is actually going on.

Hope this helps

Jim

[jscreeha]

So I figured out the issue...the brake is not fully releasing.  When I cash out without the coin collection tray I can see the motor and brake operation.  I cashed out and saw the brake mechanism move a little.  While the motor is trying to turn, I pushed the brake all the way and it started to work.  the spring looks normal, but it looks like there isn't always enough force on the brake to fully close it.

How do you think I can get the brake to fully release?  I'll probably try taking it apart again to see if it is gummed up.  Any advice would be appreciated.

Thanks

[Jim]

take a picture of how everything is assembled before you disassemble it for cleaning, clean all pivot surfaces, including the inside of the parts, the bottom of where the brake comes in contact with the motor coil, clean that area as well.

the brake is pulled in by induction when power is applied and released when power is removed.  after cleaning, when you push in on the brake and release it , the brake should release immediately, no hesitation what so ever,

Jim

[jay]

The spring is what brings the brake back into place.
When the spring goes you get 3100 errors because the wheel is still turning (momentum) and you get extra coins paid out.

Its the solenoid at the back of the hopper that pushes the brake out.
I suspect that its gummed up somehow - rubber tends to deteriorate over time so there might be some housing that is rubberized.
WD40 will do wonders for both cleaning up rubber gunk and lubricating the solenoid.

It could also be electrical - you might try cleaning the pins on the hopper that interface with the machine.
a can of contact cleaner is the ideal solution but a pen knife and white eraser is good to shine up the contacts in a pinch.

[jscreeha]

I wanted to give an update.  I took the brake apart (2 screws...tough work), and cleaned it real good with WD40.  Put it back in and seems to be working now.  I ran about 10-15 cash outs and all worked on the first try.

Thanks for the assistance!!

[jay]

We really appreciate you posting back......  very pleased you got it working.

I am just curious how you got all those wins in such a short period of time.....     much be luckier than most..... 

What are the first seven numbers that come to your mind..... I need to buy my lotto tickets tonight....