Bally 873 Arm stuck in down position with wiggle

[Sherlock91]

Hello everyone this is my first post and I look forward to learning.

I'm looking at a Bally 873 that has a stuck arm in the down position, the arm has some wiggle and seems to be under spring tension but something is preventing a full cycle. The previous owner claims that it worked previously and had an "all of a sudden moment"

Also the top lights are inoperable, I'm unsure if this is related or a separate topic. Thank you!

[wolftalk]

first step is get the reels to kick and release the handle.

below pic is what you need to do when the reel mech is still in the cabinet.

if you can see it, you can also release a pawl in the front of handle box to allow the handle to go back up.

the pawl you want is #22 on page 84 of the bally 2400 manual (https://bingo.cdyn.com/slots/bally_manuals/) ... if you can rotate the pawl to disengage it from the ratchet teeth, the handle can go up and you can pull out the reel mech.  You need to hold the handle down when trying to rotate the pawl, and let the handle up while holding the pawl rotated.

the main handle release lever (#37) is poking out the back of the handle box, but you usually can't reach it with the reel mech installed.


I usually just do what the picture shows if I have a long screwdriver or dowel handy, but releasing the handle box pawl is easier if you can get to it and move the handle enough to allow you to rotate the pawl.

wrt top lights ... you mean none of them are on?  If they are all on (all 5 lines enabled), that resets when the first coin is played after a spin.  If the lights aren't resetting, first thing is make sure the stepper unit in the top compartment can step up and reset easily when manually pushing in the coil plungers on the unit (youtube for bally stepper units).

[Chris-socal]

Hello everyone this is my first post and I look forward to learning.

Welcome to NLG. You are in good hands. We would Love to see some pics if your machine at some point during your technical journey.

Chris

[DavidLee]

The handle has a ratchet mechanism with a stop pawl.
This is located right in the front inside the ratchet/handle enclosure.
On occasion this will malfunction causing the handle to stay down.

As mentioned the reels trip trigger might need a little persuasion to resolve this situation.

Best to inspect both for free movement and or a missing spring

[Sherlock91]

first step is get the reels to kick and release the handle.

below pic is what you need to do when the reel mech is still in the cabinet.

if you can see it, you can also release a pawl in the front of handle box to allow the handle to go back up.

the pawl you want is #22 on page 84 of the bally 2400 manual (https://bingo.cdyn.com/slots/bally_manuals/) ... if you can rotate the pawl to disengage it from the ratchet teeth, the handle can go up and you can pull out the reel mech.  You need to hold the handle down when trying to rotate the pawl, and let the handle up while holding the pawl rotated.

the main handle release lever (#37) is poking out the back of the handle box, but you usually can't reach it with the reel mech installed.


I usually just do what the picture shows if I have a long screwdriver or dowel handy, but releasing the handle box pawl is easier if you can get to it and move the handle enough to allow you to rotate the pawl.

wrt top lights ... you mean none of them are on?  If they are all on (all 5 lines enabled), that resets when the first coin is played after a spin.  If the lights aren't resetting, first thing is make sure the stepper unit in the top compartment can step up and reset easily when manually pushing in the coil plungers on the unit (youtube for bally stepper units).

Is the anti cheat prawl the item in question? I I've also attached a picture of my machine, when I get home I will post more of the troubled area.

[Sherlock91]

first step is get the reels to kick and release the handle.

below pic is what you need to do when the reel mech is still in the cabinet.

if you can see it, you can also release a pawl in the front of handle box to allow the handle to go back up.

the pawl you want is #22 on page 84 of the bally 2400 manual (https://bingo.cdyn.com/slots/bally_manuals/) ... if you can rotate the pawl to disengage it from the ratchet teeth, the handle can go up and you can pull out the reel mech.  You need to hold the handle down when trying to rotate the pawl, and let the handle up while holding the pawl rotated.

the main handle release lever (#37) is poking out the back of the handle box, but you usually can't reach it with the reel mech installed.


I usually just do what the picture shows if I have a long screwdriver or dowel handy, but releasing the handle box pawl is easier if you can get to it and move the handle enough to allow you to rotate the pawl.

wrt top lights ... you mean none of them are on?  If they are all on (all 5 lines enabled), that resets when the first coin is played after a spin.  If the lights aren't resetting, first thing is make sure the stepper unit in the top compartment can step up and reset easily when manually pushing in the coil plungers on the unit (youtube for bally stepper units).

YOU MY FRIEND ARE A GENTLEMAN!
Not going to lie, I got a little angry with it and pop!! There it goes! Thank you sir!

Now, Im completely unable to pull the handle and I've figured out how to "trick" the handle and let it go through its full motion and the reels refuse to turn, only move one at symbol at a time if that.

Is there a way Im able to send videos?

[DavidLee]

Best to check the "L" shaped angle stop bottom right corner of the reels chassis.
These are usually set flush with the back of the chassis.
Refer to reply #1 as mentioned by Wolf.
From that point there could be additional issues related to the reels malfunction.

[wolftalk]

there's a poor video here:

   https://bingo.cdyn.com/slots/videos/Windup_and_Kick.m4v

see how the pawl rotates off the black trip arm to kick the reels?  If that happens too early, the reel wiper arms aren't latched back yet and the reels immediately index when the reels kick.  You need to loosen the l-shaped bracket david mentioned below the black trip lever and slide it a litte left to delay when the kick happens.

if ya do things like in the video, you can verify the bracket position.  If the handle sticks down again, either ya went too far left with the bracket or your handle fork is worn and sloppy.  You should not be able to rotate the fork on the handle shaft.

this video hasn't helped anyone yet help, but there's always a first time:

   https://bingo.cdyn.com/slots/videos/How_reels_spin.mp4

ya can email video to slotpics@cdyn.com or put it on a sharing site and point us to it.

[Sherlock91]

I've went ahead and adjusted the L shaped bracket on the R side of the reel housing to several different positions while also cleaning the old grease and lubercating the wipers and the kickers, even after each time I go through the full cycle, the reels seem to hang up instantly.

From what I notice while comparing to your video, my wipers engage instantly, at the same time right after the kickers do.

There seems to be no timing whatsoever.

Any ideas?

Here are some videos with different adjustments producing same results
https://photos.app.goo.gl/6uuaAJQ3ZhPnK9Pb9
https://photos.app.goo.gl/avVeam2EY9oGsB3B9

[Sherlock91]

Hello everyone this is my first post and I look forward to learning.

Welcome to NLG. You are in good hands. We would Love to see some pics if your machine at some point during your technical journey.

Chris

Here are some pics of my machine

Offsite image links removed. Please use the NLG attachment system.

[DavidLee]

Time to inspect the clock/timer and fan assembly. Left side of the reels chassis near the front.
There needs to be a 4 blade paddle wheel fan attached to the clock.
If it’s not installed and or freewheeling on the shaft the slot index arms will engage immediately.
In past post on this site.
It was discovered that the roll pin was shared off the main shaft that went through the clock.
Causing the index arms to prematurely engage.

If everything is in tact with the clock. The next step would be to inspect all the levers, shafts, bushings, and springs beneath the reels. Note, all these parts should move freely around the shafts and side to side.
All ratchet wheels should spin freely.

High quality well lit photos might help.

[Sherlock91]

Hello everyone! Just to keep everyone in the loop, it was discovered that a gear in the clock mechanism was detached from its shaft and free spinning. I was advised to epoxy it and voila ! She's kicking and spinning as she should!

Thanks to all that assisted. Special thanks to Wolftalk! Now on to the electrical gremlins

[DavidLee]

Wonderful,

How is the machine preforming overall?

[Sherlock91]

Wonderful,

How is the machine preforming overall?

Currently I'm having difficulty with the machine accepting coins.

I found a faulty fuse holder in the back so I replaced it and I got the coil that controls the metal leaf below the brass coin accepter / return mech to operate, but it doesn't appear that the coil behind the brass cassette works to divert the coin.

Also, I've noticed that the lower metal wire sensor that the coin would trip that would release the reel arm works however I'm unsure what the identical one above it does.

The top lights do not work nor does the hopper appear to have any response from a combination from the reel. Maybe because it doesn't recognize a coin accepted?

Here's a video  https://photos.app.goo.gl/t2VMa8Q9aUMj6uA18

[DavidLee]

There’s a little adjusting screw near the top of the coin mechanism.
It appears to have a slotted screw head.
This screw will move the magnetic armature in and out.
The armature needs to move in towards the door.
Turning the screw out will accomplish the adjustment.
Best to take note of the starting point and keep track of how far of a turn.
One quarter turns should be made until the coin travels into the mechanism over the switch wire.
See if this adjustment makes a difference.
Also, blowing out the mechanism with compressed air could help.

[wolftalk]

there're a few reasons the coin rejects to the tray:

1] the lockout coil behind the mech isn't powered, so the lockout armature tab pokes into the mech and deflects the coin.  If the "insert coin" lamp is not lit on the reel glass, the lockout coil won't be powered (assuming the lamp works).  The lockout coil is normally powered all the time ... it's only off during reel spin, payout or when you've inserted max coins.

2] adjustments to the coin mech like david mentioned.  There's also may be a bar on the back which can be moved to make the mech more forgiving.  To test the mech itself, either remove it and hold it vertical while dropping a coin in the top, or stick a piece of tape over the hole in the back so the lockout armature tab can't poke into the mech

3] the door is open so the angle is slowing down the coin.   The coin velocity thru the mech is important, so a cruddy mech is also a problem.

the microswitch immediately below the mech is the coin switch.  That's the one you can manually operate. 

the microswitch lower down/left of the mech just pulses a coin box meter (if you have one) to coin the coins directed away from a full hopper.  It's not needed.

I'd get the lights all working first as they will give you info on what state the machine is in.  Not counting the fluorescent tubes, there's some GI (general illumination) lamps that should always be on ... like the blue 1st coin boxes on the reel glass and top glass, as well as the pay table on the reel glass.   If those lamps aren't on, suspect a problem with the 6V fuse or the yellow 30 wire (common wire for the 6V and 50V circuits) daisy chain is broken someplace.
 

[DavidLee]

Might want to start a new post regarding the current situation.
As to create more direct input on the current problem.