Expert: Rodger Knutson - 7/2/2010

Question
QUESTION: I have a Bally EM slot.  Not sure of the model but the 6000 manual matches up to it.  Here is the problem: When the trip lever releases, it does so with such a jerk that it causes the 1st reel wiper arm to unlatch and thus the 1st reel does not spin.  When I manually cause the release to be smoother all work fine.  Appreciate the help.

ANSWER: Hi Michael,

The allexperts site hasn't been sending me notifications of pending questions again, but I found you question waiting for me here. The Bally model 6000 is an electronic machine, but as you say, we are working with a older Bally electro/mechanical machine here. I think I need you to explain this problem in more detail. Trigger what release, the handel release? When tripping it yourself is this mechanism out of the case or are you just tripping the Handel mechanism by hand so it is unlocked, and you can pull the handle and cycle the mechanism?

Thanks
Rodger Knutson
http://www.coinslots.com

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: I apologize for the confusion.  This problem occurs both with the reel unit in the machine as well as out.  I have been working on it with the unit out of the machine. I am manually activating the reel unit by pushing on the U-shaped bar that passes thru the air cylinder.  This causes the trip lever to ratchet up.  When it has traveled far enough, the trip operating lever unit releases the trip lever and the reels start spinning.  It is when this release happens that the 1st reel wiper arm unlatches and therefore does not spin.  If I hold on to the trip lever so it does not come crashing down so hard all works ok.  Hope I have described this better.  Thanks...

ANSWER: Hi Michael,

If your machine is a Electro/Mechanical (no circuit boards) I have an idea of what might be causing this. Just one time there was a machine that was brought into a dealer for repair like this, they couldn't find the problem so they passed it to another dealer, that dealer couldn't find the problem either, so he brought it to me. I studied it, and found that the roll pin that attached the clock to the index timing arm assembly had sheared off inside where you could not see it. The clock was still attached tight and moved the way it should, but when it was kicked off hard and fast this assembly arm would turn without the clock, where the roll pin was sheared off so the clock was almost useless, without the clock to slow the machines cycle down the machines cycle was almost immediate, thus all the reels slammed to a stop in an instant. If you were to work the mechanism slowly this would not show up as a problem because there was still plenty of hold on the clock shaft roll pin, but when the machine was operated fast this broken roll pin would slip. This would happen so fast you could not even see it, so everything look fine! Check this roll pin that attach's the clock to the timing arm or rod assembly and mark the arm and clock shaft, maybe with a felt pin or something and see if this arm is slipping on a fast hard pull, and please let me know if your machine has this problem also.

Please let me know if this is what is wrong with yours or if we have to look for something else.

Thank you

Rodger Knutson
http://www.coinslots.com

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: The clock/pin is fine.  The problem is only with the first reel.  It essentially 'jumps the track' when the trip lever is released at the bottom of the handle pull.  As I pull the handle (or do this manually with the unit out of the machine) everything loads fine.  When I reach the end of the pull and the trip lever is released, starting the reels spinning, the jolt of the lever releasing is causing the first reel to unlatch and therefore not spin.

Answer
Hi Michael,

Strange, but the answer is there somewhere. I find most reel problems are due to sticky old grease, the small parts loaded with light springs just don't work right when they are dirty and sticky due to sticky, waxy, gooey old grease. These small parts like the trip latches need to be clean so they snap quickly and lock fully. At this point I would go right to these levers and locks and start cleaning. Enclosed with this answer is a photo, you can enlarge it and print it. This shows the area of the trip levers that never get cleaned, and where I find most of the problems like yours. Try really cleaning this area good and oil the parts until they work good, free, and fast in this location and see if this cures it. Please let me know if this helps clear up the problem with your Bally Slot Machine.

Thank You
Sincerely
Rodger Knutson
http://www.coinslots.com