new to me SG-50B triple ripple

[Cyhyam]

I just picked up this machine. It is in really good condition, wiring has not been hacked like a lot of machines I have run into. The cabinet has seen better days but will look new when I get done with it.
My first question is a manual available? It doesn't have any issues at this point but I am trying to be pro-active.
Second question is does anyone know what these boards do. They are both in the upper cabinet on the right side. There was a 1" hole added to the case maybe to access these boards, maybe adjust jumpers??

[Chris-socal]

Yes, there is a Sigma SG series manual in the file system that is available to contributing members. If you are not a contributing member one option is to make a one-time contribution of $10 which goes directly to supporting storage and hosting expenses.
For the most part SG-50 and SG-150 are the same. Tell me a bit about what exactly you are getting from your machine when you turn it on.

As for those boards, I can’t recall what they do, I think they are a peripheral controller and not critical to the machine starting. I would focus on getting the game to boot. Lets start there.

Chris

[Cyhyam]

Hi Chris,

I forgot to mention. The machine boots and plays fine. I haven't found any problems. I wanted the manual on hand in case I wanted to change menu items or solve a problem down the road.

[Cyhyam]

So I found the "make A Donation" button, donated $10.00......still can't access the NLG file system.

[Chris-socal]

Hold tight, We need admin to open file system. Gimme a minute to see if they are still awake.

[Chris-socal]

Ok my friend, you are good to go. You have full file access for 30 days.
I will ask around about those controllers. There is some vague memory in the back of my mind, I just need to sleep on it.

I suggest you download SG-50, SG-32 and SG-150 files. I think there are 3.

As always, Consider becoming a contributing member for full access 24/7. Its one payment I make every month with no regrets!

Chris

[Cyhyam]

The "operator manuals" for the GS-50 and SG-32 were empty. There was nothing found for the SG-150.
I'll spend some time digesting what I found.

A quick review of the downloads. The SIGMA SG50 MPU SCHEMATICS.pdf looks incomplete for this much circuit but maybe misleading, just did a quick scan.
The download for the SG-50 & SG-32 are the same .pdf. This looks to be fairly thorough, including some schematics.

[Chris-socal]

Hmmm, maybe refresh, I just looked at the SG-150 manual, its near the bottom of the page.
Im pretty sure the SG-50 schematic is complete. Keep in mind this is a very analog machine and most ICs are 14 or 16 pin.
I have done troubleshooting on a few boards that is complete dead at startup and one of two things happens.
1. You find one or more of the SN logic chips has failed
2. You check virtually everything and you still can’t get the game to boot.

Some of the traces are very small and I suspect a microscopic break takes place in a critical circuit. To be honest, it isn’t worth spending the time at that point. You can usually find a working board for under $200 so just swap it.

Anything else that is symptom specific follows normal troubleshooting techniques. The most common problem on these machines is the switching power supplies. If you own a Sigma SG series machine you are guaranteed to have a PS problem at some point.

Chris

[Cyhyam]

Thanks for the help, I downloaded differently this time and got everything. This (schematics) may come in handy tracing those small boards in the top area.

I scanned quickly the -50 manual and it showed dip switched to set the odds %. I do not see a dip bank on the main board, what am I missing?

[Chris-socal]

Wellll. The dips have to match the game chip, it doesn’t let you change the odds, the jumpers need to match the eproms. The jumpers are usually connected underneath the board or with soldered wores on top.

[Cyhyam]

Is there anything "user" configurable on this machine without an eprom change?

[Chris-socal]

With slots its more about experience settings, you can’t change anything that would impact how it pays, those details are all highly regulated, remember these were official gambling machines.

Here is what comes to mind as user-configurable, all covered in the SG-50 manual if you wish to change them.
Denomination
Volume
Turning on or off the bill validator.
BV bill acceptance
Hopper pay limits
Jackpot pay audio (NV or NJ)

I have not been able to find the game data sheets so if you ever acquire one that throws a payout mismatch or jumpers were removed by a previous unknowing owner) hopefully the eprom has a label, the digits printed after the L are the odds. Example would be L93-1318 Double Cherries. You would set jumpers to 93%. If label is missing you start changing jumpers until it matches and successfully boots. Personally I install a bank of DIP switches if I ever have to change them.

Hope that helps, these really are fun machines, they were amongst the first to have really fun and engaging audio instead of just bloops and blips.plus, they don’t require a complex reset process if the backup capacitor goes dead.

Chris

[Cyhyam]

So I would assume 94%?
Yes, sound adjustment might be nice.

[Chris-socal]

Correct, 94%.
You can change audio level by turning the knob on the game board. Its on the right side, you can just reach it from the front. You might have to slide the board out a little. Don’t pull too hard, you don’t want to stretch the connectors at the back of the game.

[Cyhyam]

I have everything working except the bill changer. It will accept bills, takes them all the way in then spits them back. After there are credits on the machine it will not even allow them to run in. The dip switches are set for all denominations. I have cleaned the sensors. I don't really need it to work but it would be neat to use if it did. Any ideas?

[Badbaud]

Those small boards on the top were for a progressive sign. I found them in a Sigma game I repaired.
The theme was "win a car" which is a clue.

[Chris-socal]

I have everything working except the bill changer. It will accept bills, takes them all the way in then spits them back. After there are credits on the machine it will not even allow them to run in. The dip switches are set for all denominations. I have cleaned the sensors. I don't really need it to work but it would be neat to use if it did. Any ideas?

Did you follow the BV activation procedure? You didn’t mention if you did that step and it still doesn’t work. Activating BV is sometimes overlooked and sometimes a challenge because its not a straightforward process, you sometimes have to do it a few times to get it right.
When you say you cleaned the BV, you know to never use cleaners, right? Only ever use a cloth damp with water on the lenses. Honestly, it almost sounds like the BV isn’t activated.

[Cyhyam]

It was turned off but now runs on boot, I can hear the motor. I did follow the Bill Validator initalization before posting. I also notice it will not accept bills if there are credits on the machine.

[Chris-socal]

Ok, my apologies, I had to read that again. The way I read it the BV simply doesn’t accept bills. This sounds like the BV is making decisions which is a good thing. I don’t think my Sigma will not accept bills either if there are credits, but I thought it was several credits, hmmm. Its in storage so I can’t check it. Have you tried a $1 bill? If the bill head hasn’t been upgraded it will only accept bills that are pre-2003 or any $1 bill. It will take them in but it won’t recognize the font so it spits them out. $1 bills haven’t changed so if it accepts them the BV is fine, it just needs older bills or a new updated head. Or just use $1 bills and set the denomination as 5 cents so you get 20 credits per bill.

Chris

[Cyhyam]

I didn't do an incrimental on the credit, I think I had 100 credits and it wouldn't accept the bill, ran the credits to zero and it accepted. I'll further test to see if there is a cut-off point. I tried all bills $1, $5, $10, $20. I tried all orientations also. I'll see if it will credit on pre 2003 $1.