What is a "REEL KNOCKER" ?

[StatFreak]

uniman
« on: January 06, 2007, 07:34:15 PM »   

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Alright, this has been driving me crazy Is it so obvious that I'm looking right past it, or is it something weird?

On my Universal Ultra Series machines there are several input/outputs on the mother board. On my slant tops they are labeled; cash box sw, progessive, bell, etc., and then there is this three pin labeled "reel knocker".
I see the same three pin male connector on my uprights too.

Just what is a reel knocker? Do IGT's have a reel knocker?


CommTech
« Reply #2 on: January 06, 2007, 08:45:38 PM »   

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I also never heard of a reel knocker.  But I am guessing that it may have something to do with shaking the reels. I have seen slot games that have reels that shake during a bonus round.


uniman
« Reply #3 on: January 07, 2007, 06:16:21 AM »   

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Shaking the reels, that was my first guess too. But I see no place to connect a small 3-pin harness.
If the reels were to shake it would/should come from the reel harness.
I am attaching pictures of the motherboard and a reel.
Ultra Series reels are individual. Much wider and are backlit.
The Ultra Series manual, purchased from Universal, is a photocopied Operators Manual. Has complete part listing for non-optional hardware. Schematics are almost impossible to read! Nothing explains this connection. 
I may email Aruze technical dept. and see if they will answer me.
Probably an after-thought idea they never completed.

[StatFreak]

CommTech
« Reply #4 on: January 07, 2007, 07:07:34 AM »   

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On a IGT S+ Machine, you hear a solenoid click (knock?) Whenever each reel comes to a stop after spinning. I wonder if that could be what a reel knocker is???  ?-?-?


uniman
« Reply #5 on: January 07, 2007, 07:16:39 AM »   

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I believe the reel stopping sound is a function of the sound eprom. You hear it from the speaker(s) to give the illusion of a mechanical stop sound.


uniman
« Reply #6 on: January 07, 2007, 08:45:59 AM »   

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You're right, that is what it is for. I found a three pin connector, put wires on it and plugged it in.
Bottom pin is 12v dc as soon as you power up. Middle pin not used. Top pin is an open ground and closes momentary at each reel stop. Machine already has sound "click" for each reel stop, I guess they gave the option of an even louder stop.
I was always afraid to test it for fear of smoking my MPU. Not easy to find a new one!
Now that I know what it is, maybe I'll rig it to some lights or something.
 ( Now I get it. Not every machine in a casino has it's sound on. This could be used to still give the mechanical stop sound with the rest of the sound turned down or off)


Cactusjack
« Reply #7 on: January 08, 2007, 09:39:10 AM »   

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It may have also been to help simulate the mechanical "Stopping" action that older players might have been used to from the Electro-mechanical days.  This was done on one of the first Electronic pinball games.  Players were use to all the mechanical clicks and thuds the games use to make.  When you go Digital, there is nothing to make the sounds.  They still used bells at this time, but there was nothing to make noise during the start up and various game functions.  They (Williams) actually installed one Score Reel mechnism with a single solenoid, so they could simulate the clicking sound as well as a little vibration in the cabinet (which you would feel through your hands as you gripped the cabinet).  Same may be true for the reel stop action????

CJ


uniman
« Reply #8 on: January 08, 2007, 02:32:50 PM »   

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I believe your right CJ, that's exactly what it's for. What had me confused was that there was already a reel stop "click" programmed into the sound eprom. Why have an external? Then I realized not all machines in a casino have their sound on. They could still have the click (and vibration) without the rest of the sound.