Expert: Rodger Knutson - 7/19/2010

Question
I was unable to as another follow up. I have included where we were for reference at the bottom.

I cleaned the parts you indicated with out success.  However, while cleaning I believe I have found the problem.  It looks like the 1st reel trip latch does not lock at the bottom of the handle pull.  It works when I do this manually because I am pulling up the trip lever myself.  Apparently I pull it far enough to lock the 1st reel latch.  But it does not lock when run normally - the trip lever releases before 1st reel is locked.  So, is this an adjustment to something with the trip lever so it travels a bit further before being release?  Or an adjustment to the 1st reel trip latch/lock?  Or something else.  Thanks for the help...

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?

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

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.

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.

Answer
Hi Michael,

I need to scan and email you about three pages of information. I think now we may need to adjust the kick off stroke, this is critical and now it sounds like it could be kicking off to soon before all the index levers are locked in and held in place. If you will email me at Jackpot7@q.com, I'll get this information ready and scanned for you. It's possible some of these adjustments have became out of adjustment which would also cause this.

Thank You

Rodger Knutson
http://www.coinslots.com