Expert: Rodger Knutson - 6/21/2010

Question
QUESTION: Hi Rodger,
I was having a problem with my escaltor advancing the coin as needed to allow the next coin to drop correctly. I follwed the instructions you gave to Robert on 2/11/10 on how to clean the escalator. There was a lot of oil and dirt on the escaltor. I think the cleaning was needed.
When I went to put the mech back in it seemed to need an extra litte push to slide in to place. Now when I try to advance the reels I need to force the arm to get the reels to advance. After the spin cycle through the escaltor is not completely returning.
I recently purchased this machine it is GN reproduction with a preWW2 MECH. I hope you can provide me some advice on how to fix or solve my problem?
Thank you for your time and help with this.
Jeff

ANSWER: Hi Jeff,

You have something wrong with the way you slot mechanism is lashing up with your coin escalator. I am thinking that maybe you did not have your escalator fully released when you shoved the mechanism in. Remove you mechanism and trip your coin escalator and see if it is released. Make sure that your reel mechanism is also released or in a game over rest position. Both the mechanism and the escalator have to be fully released before you slide the mechanism into the cabinet. Study the way that the lever high up on the mechanism with the hook, fits over a lever on the coin escalator and when played pulls down and brings the lever down on the escalator making the escalator slide to the left pulling coins along with it. When the slot machine mechanism is done cycling this lever with the hook is shoved up and pushes up two levers on the coin escalator and releases the escalator so it can snap to the right in it released position. you play another coin and pull the handle and this same hook lever now pulls down again and this pulls the escalator to the left again and it locks there, Intel the hook comes back up and kicks the escalator release again. My guess is this hook lever isn't lashing up with the coin escalator right for some reason. I can scan a few photo's of how it should look if this will help you.

Thank You

Sincerely

Rodger Knutson
http://www.coinslots.com  

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

QUESTION: Part of my problem is the lever with the hook is not completely sliding up after the machine is done cycling. i have to manually cycle it to get it to play again. If you have pictures that would be very helpful.

Thanks,
Jeff

Answer
Hi Jeff,

Sounds like it not a problem with how your mechanism is lashing up with your escalator then. here is my suggestion, I would take the mechanism out of the case and play it manually out of the case, then see if the mechanism and the hook, (Called a "Coin Advance bar operating lever") is returning to it's fully released and up position, or end of cycle position. If not, something needs to be done with the mechanism. If it does return to fully released position, then we need to go to the cabinet and first try the handle to see if it returns all the way up, after pulling it down and letting it go. If not, it may need a handle return spring or the screw on the handle return air pump needs to be backed out to allow the handle to return faster, or the handle needs to be removed and the handle bushing and handle hub needs to be cleaned and lubed. After this is checked, and the mechanism has been checked, if there is still a problem then it's how the mechanism and the escalator are interacting that is causing the problem. Please let me know if this is helping you, or you are able to find out what is wrong now. Also please remember to leave feedback for me here at allexperts, it's my total reward for doing this. If you need a manual for you Mills slot machine, you can find one at:

http://jackpot7.freeyellow.com/page21.html

And I would HIGHLY RECOMMEND this manual:

Mills Slot Machine mechanical repair and fully illustrated Manual, The Big One! This is a large manual with lots of mechanism photo's and information. You will be very happy with this manual, nothing better out there.

Thank You

Sincerely

Rodger Knutson
http://www.coinslots.com