New Life Games Tech Forums

I know it could be the optic board, but the comparator and optic board do not seem to be getting power?  Everything else works.  The light on the coin comparator does not come on?  Is it supposed to?  I'm new at this.  Thanks Mike Paris

Unplug and replug your wiring harness to make sure it is securely plugged in.  Welcome to the disease
that is slot collecting!   :200-

Thanks, I tried reseating every plug i saw in the machine, and even reseated the computer board.  Mike

Have you checked where the comparitor pigtail plugs into the door harness behind the comparitor bracket?

The light on the CC only comes on when the optics see that the door is closed.
If you want to see the light come on, pull the CC out of the holder, open the belly door and hold the CC from outside of the machine.

                                             or

look through the unused belly door lock keyhole from the side of machine... :72-

:212-

This.  You'll typically never see the light on, on your comparator.

Also, a bad comparator will not cause a 21 error.  The issue is in your coin-in optics (which are located just below the comparator).

So, i finally changed the optics with used tested ones that work, and it still comes up with error 21??  I am new at this, is there anything i missed?  Thanks Mike

Is this a continuation of this thread (http://newlifegames.net/nlg/index.php?topic=11817.0)?  If so, we'll add this post to the thread -- it won't do anyone any good to start a new thread that doesn't contain all of the information about the situation.

As far as the optics, which optics did you change out?  The door optics, or the coin-in optics located directly below the coin comparator?  Do you have a different MPU board you can try to make sure the problem isn't within your MPU board?

Sorry, yes it's the same thread, still trying to figure out the forum.  I changed the coin-in optics?  That was what everyone said error 21 was.  Thanks Mike

Also, no, i don't have another mpu board, could that be the problem?  If so, are they cheap?  I would move this thread to the old one but do not know how.  Thanks Mike

We'll get the thread merged.  It could be the MPU board, but I'd like for some other folks to offer their opinions.  I seem to recall Jim (http://newlifegames.net/nlg/index.php?action=profile;u=673) suggesting cutting off a component of the optics that is problematic, but I'm not sure if that's a solution to the issue you're experiencing or not.  MPU boards run about $20 plus shipping, and even if it winds up not being the issue, it's not a bad idea to have a spare.  Again, though, I'd wait a day or so and see what some other folks think.

Edited to add: Are your door optics working properly?  That is, when you fully close and latch the door, does the display go blank for a second or two, and the three reels spin, then the 21 error comes back?

The Component you remove is q2 or q4 depending on which version (it is a transistor and not a phototransistor)

I think it usually in the middle of the board.

When i close the door, the display goes blank for a second or two, but then the code pops up, the reels do not spin? 

Check to make sure the wiring harness for the coin comparitor is in good condition .. no broken wires .. back connections.

All the wires to the comparitor look good.

You need to look at the optic and wires just below the comparator.

The optics usually has a black cover over them, not always though.

Changed the coin in optics and checked them with an infrared sensor, all 3 optics work, not very bright, but they work, the old on i changed only had 2 optics working, but they were a little brighter.

Did the replacement solve the issue?

No, still comes up with error 21.  I can turn it off and on, and o comes up on the display, then it goes straight to 21?

It could be that you have 2 bad optics

Even with a 21 he should be able to do an optics test, right?  Mike, what is the SP chip in your machine so we can get you directions on how to run the tests for the three optics to figure out what the machine is and isn't seeing?

SP1271, are the reels supposed to spin before it gives you the error? Thanks Mike

Not necessarially -- it depends on the error.  I just wanted to make sure that your machine was seeing you close the door (necessary to reset errors), which it appears it is doing correctly as you said that when you latch the door the display goes blank for a couple of seconds before the 21 returns.

Okay, try this to test your optics.  Open the door and press the white Self Test switch (next to or behind the power toggle switch) three times.  The "Coins Played" display should show a "1", and the Winner Paid display should show "10 1" or "10 0".  Remove the comparator, and use a folded piece of paper to break the beam of the optics.  You're testing the "A" optic (the top one) -- its state should change between 1 and 0 as you break the beam's path with your paper.  Turn the jackpot reset key once (Winner Paid should show 11 1 or 11 0).  Perform the same test for the "B" optic.  Turn the jackpot reset key again (12 1 or 12 0), and perform the test again.  Do all three pass?  (Do any of them pass?)  What is shown for each optic (ie. are you getting a solid 1 or 0 for any/each of them?)?

Thanks, did the check and only 2 of the 3 work on this board, i bought it from slot depot who said it was tested and working, i just e-mailed them back to see if i can exchange it, so hopefully i can get another and it will fix the problem.  Thanks Mike

Got a reply, slot depot said they checked the board and it was working 100%, so he said check for a short or try a different mpu, i dont have another mpu, anyone have a working one for sale, cheap incase thats not the problem?  Thanks Mike

You can post a "WTB" (Want To Buy) ad in the classifieds section of the forum (http://newlifegames.net/nlg/index.php?board=5.0) and I'm sure someone will have one they can sell you.

If your current board has a blue volume knob sticking out of the top part of the tray and has a bank of DIP switches on it, it's a 10mhz board.  If it does not have a volume knob or any DIP switches on the board, it's a 16mhz board.  You'll want to get the same kind of board you currently have (likely a 10mhz) -- make sure to indicate that in your ad.  :89-

Thanks, i hope that will fix the problem.  Mike

I hope so too.  If not, we'll keep banging away at it until we get it fixed.

So, follow up, just replaced the optic board again with a new one, and it works great, so it was just a bad coin in optic, what are the chances that i buy another and its bad also??  Anyway, wanted to thank everyone for there help, i ordered another mpu board, but wont need it now, oh well, i guess i will have a spare.  Hopefully i can get my money back for the bad optic i bought.  Mike

Glad to hear that your machine is up and running!   :3-

I guess it's up to the company selling you parts as to whether you could get a defective part or not.  I'd highly suggest using one of the reputable vendors who frequent the site here for future parts purchases, as they'll sell you good parts and on the off chance there's an issue, they'll take care of you for the return/exchange.  Jim at Blueridge Slots tends to have a ton of parts, and has a fantastic reputation here on NLG (I've bought many items from him, too).

As far as having a spare MPU board, that's not a bad part to have an extra one of.  They don't frequently go bad, but at the same time it's nice to have one for future troubleshooting.