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Well the time has come, I finally have it complete. I purchased 4 Bally's S6000, and 4 IGT SPlus Machines back in October 2010. I was planning on selling the machines to the public but I wanted a simple way for my customers to use the machines. The coins are cool, and seeing them fall in to the tray is like good ole Casino times.. but it does get old very quick and not to mention noisy, opening the machine and taking all the coins back out and starting over got very annoying.. As well none of the machines I got came with Canadian bill acceptors.. So coins was all I could offer. All my Bally's machines came with the players club VFD Display, Keypad and Card Reader. I read in a couple of posts that you could buy some controller to power the display but the functionality was very minimal. As well there was a company selling a device to add credits and bypass hopper which I thought was a great idea.

So I took what I knew and come up with a cool little add on feature to the machines in my show room..  I have been an automotive tech for 15 years, and thought what a great little project considering most of it is relative to what I do everyday.. by far I do not portray myself as an electronics engineer or anything like that. I did months of research and studied and studied the S6000 top to bottom. It was a lot of fun.. 

Check it out, let me know what you guys think....  :103- 


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s4tGG5w6O1w (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s4tGG5w6O1w)

Great job Red.  :244- :244-
Do you have them for sale?
on the Devils & diamonds I have to collect bonus through hopper - will it work?
Thanks Ford

That is a fantastic mod red7!  :3-
I can see that you've succeeded using the Bally machine - did it work with the S+ as well?

That's awesome!   :131-  Congrats, nice work!

Red, can you use bill acceptor & printer with this setup?
Ford

It looks like an add on board that the OP invented and used the Mastercom as a control. Very ingenious. I suppose that there will be a run on Mastercom units now? ha ha.

Reed, you know me, I'll have to get 1 or 2 or 3. Depends on price.
Ford

Red,

All I can say is WOW  :244- K+
Will you be making these available to the members here ?
Details on the hookup would be nice does the machine have to have coin mech and hopper installed for it to work ?


Tim

Hey all.. well I have a bit of tome so I am going to explain this a little better...

There is NO MASTERCOM unit in this machine.. I have built and developed a new VFD display controller that replaces the one that is bolted to the back of the screen. My unit then plugs into the other box you see in the video. There are 4 separate microchips. One for keypad controller, one for display, one for integrating with display and one for machine control. There is probably 100 different ways to do what I did, but like I said I'm not an electronics engineer so I did what I thought would work best for myself. I spent about 6 months in development testing every possibility to make sure it is redundant.

I wanted to add everything I could think of, so I did.. The password and card acceptor (doesn't really read card, card hits micro switch when fully entered to trigger) are really not necessary for most people, and these functions can be taken off. Now that I have the basis down pat and the basic program written I can change it for many different applications. I'm in the process of making them for "Spin to win" for my store where a customer has one chance to spin.. and maybe win a discount. Machine will monitor credits and lock machine out until it receives a signal to allow for one spin only. It can be used for stag and doe and charity events also. There are so many applications this type of thing can be useful, with or without display.. I had it there, so I decided to get it working.  

This is the first Gen, I had 20 Circuit boards printed for the machine control and 20 for the VFD display. Overall I have spend a ton of cash on parts, upwards of $1500.... It takes about 3-4 Hours to completely assemble the 2 boards, program chips, test, and make the 6 harness' for the integration. Approx install on machines is about 25-30 Min.


U can still use bill acceptors, and printers. For using printer u just don't hook up to the hopper at all.. no need.

FORDSBS - Devils & diamonds

This machine is a little unique because it wants to spit out every bonus pay. There is a way around this.. When the bonus pays out coins, this device can mimic the coins falling from tray. It will count the virtual coins, when bonus pay is compete it will then enter that amount of coins to credit meter. It's a little trickier then that in the programming but it can be done. Does your machine have a VFD display and keypad? (if it does please take a couple pics so I can see to make sure it is the same) Let me know what features you would like? Something basic? Full out? And I will put something together for you.  

Cost??? I have approx $100 cost in parts to build a complete kit you see in the video. (3-4 hrs of time) (U DON'T NEED A MASTERCOM) The free play device on line sells for 60 Bucks? Mastercoms sell for?? This covers it all and I can customize it for your specific needs..
If you have a machine with out VFD display, I can still do everything but the selection of auto play spins and credit enter is pre-set. I use the "Change" button, push it 4 times fast and it triggers pre-set credit amount, push and hold "change button" for 4 Sec and it activates auto-play. With out the VFD display controller my cost and time is cut in half.  

I don't know what a fair price is. I would like to get a couple units out there for you guys to have fun with. As well I always in need of parts, maybe a trade of some kind will work as well. If anyone has any suggestions, or would like something specific, let me know and we can figure something out. I took a install video as well and will post tonight for those who are interested in seeing all the components.

Thanks for all the great comments.. I look forward to chatting so more..

Steve

  
Stormrider...

I got your post just as I was "posting this"

Good question.. U do not need a hopper, or coin acceptor. Although it will work with both installed.. U could add a ton of credits then cash out your coins I guess. The reason I really kept the coin mech, and added all the electronics to use it was for the spin to win events and charity stuff. For example.... If I have a spin to win event in store (electronics retail store) I want to give a customer the option to "Spin to win".. The machine will sit there idle with zero credits, I give customer a "token" display reads welcome to "Spin to Win" please enter Token. They enter token, comparator reads token and accepts it, machine will automatically enter 3 coins and hit "bet one" button 3 times to load them. Display will read "Push spin button, or pull handle" They do so, machine spins.. if no winning combination happens machine starts back at the beginning. If machine wins, the program will cash out credits virtually and count them, based on the count of coins it will compare that to a "win Table" i have created.. and the display will read "Congratulations you won Prize B"  and so on.. sorry for the novel I have typed.. But gives you the idea..



 

FORDSBS - Devils & diamonds

This machine is a little unique because it wants to spit out every bonus pay. There is a way around this.. When the bonus pays out coins, this device can mimic the coins falling from tray. It will count the virtual coins, when bonus pay is compete it will then enter that amount of coins to credit meter. It's a little trickier then that in the programming but it can be done. Does your machine have a VFD display and keypad? (if it does please take a couple pics so I can see to make sure it is the same) Let me know what features you would like? Something basic? Full out? And I will put something together for you. 








Red, This is what I'm putting in Diamonds & Devils.

2 more

Steve,

Thanks for answering the above questions.
I can't wait to see the install video for this, great work I must say.

Tim

1 more. Pm with price for works.
Thanks Ford

This circut is similar to another call Autoslot. That circut is used for pachislo machines where you control the stop order, add credits, etc. Hauntingly similar. Sort of like hard, self contained SAS without the PC part...........question............to take it up a notch..........could the circut be modified to take pulses from the BV from like lets say a ticket or $ is inserted and assign the proper value in credits. Reason I ask is because you are then not relying on a specific protocol like SAS but breaking it down in it's simplest form for pulse processing. I assume (maybe wrongly so) that the logic programming is very simple and kept that way because of cost, etc. However 1500 dollars versus millions for R and D and really good. If you check out another post on this forum about redemption gaming slots, etc, the potential could be enormous. Thanks very much for sharing. You may want to keep the application non- commercial however

Reho33 -

I see what you are saying.. in the near future I plan on playing around with the BV and such.. I guess is was much easier using the coin pulse input for now.. I will let you know if I work something out. I think my hands will be full with this little project for some time.

FORDSBS -

Awesome pics.. thanks.. Looks like you are all set. The only thing you will not need is the Mastercom. The Raw VFD and keypad will be it. Although you will need to hold on to the mounting hardware.  I will look over the programming this week and have a look on what needs to be changed for your machine. I guess you are looking for exactly what's on the video, with the "bonus issue" tied into it. No hopper, No coin mech? I will post the install video tonight so you have an idea on what is involved and we can go from there. A Custom "FORDSBS" Version coming up..

Thanks again.

Thanks Red. Look forward to seeing video. That's what we want for this one, the full.
This is a game I plan to keep.
Ford

Here is the install video and information of the actual parts I..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rlxPKX_-B2M (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rlxPKX_-B2M)

Thanks Again.. Enjoy.. Let me know if you have any questions

 :259-  WAY  COOL make 1 for a igt S2000  and put me on the i will buy list 

nice work, very cool.

Red, I'm getting ready for one. I'm taking the Bonus Frenzy & the Diamond & Devils & switching cabinets
so I have a nice cabinet for the display unit when you get one for me.
Ford

FORDSBS

I am currently changing the program tonight and will do some testing. I watched your video again I noticed you don't have a comparator. Well from what I can see the coin slot is covered over which is a good thing, the micro chip I am using on the board is full, but I can use the input from the comparator to do what I need, but you will not be able to hook up a comparator.. Will this be an issue? I assume you are going to remove hopper correct?

The machine you have is the same as in my video? As for as internals I assume.. I should have the program fixed up tonight and will give you the "down low" tomorrow..

Thanks Steve


Off to work I go..

 

Steve

I am currently changing the program tonight and will do some testing. I watched your video again I noticed you don't have a comparator. Well from what I can see the coin slot is covered over which is a good thing, the micro chip I am using on the board is full, but I can use the input from the comparator to do what I need, but you will not be able to hook up a comparator.. Will this be an issue?      No problem

 I assume you are going to remove hopper correct? Yes.

The machine you have is the same as in my video? As for as internals I assume..   Internal same. Game Diamonds & Devils with Bonus games. No progressive.

Thanks Ford

FORDSBS

Got it..

The only other thing you need is to let me know what you want for the opening message.. Currently on the Video it's

       WELCOME TO
  "YOUR NAME HERE!!"

You can up to 20 characters top and bottom line.. I cannot do scrolling... well I can but it eats up to much memory.. and the chip is almost full.

Steve
 

FORD'S LITTLE CASINO  or FORD'S CASINO
What ever works
Ford

Steve   :172-

Hi Red7

Cool project - Can you tell us a bit more about what micro's you used and what language you developed this in.
Did something similar for S+/PE+ but only basic coin in hopper out simulation - There is some info on the pulse sequence for S+ there as well as some protocol docs for BV's that some other members posted there. http://newlifegames.net/nlg/index.php?topic=7238.30

You may also want to check out this section of NLG - http://newlifegames.net/nlg/index.php?board=105.0 for info on the SAS protocol. Another meber AndyP was able to write a PC application in order to communicate with SAS capable machine and add credits via the PC interface. SAS is a serial protocol and once you have the commands figured out it would be possible to communicate to the machine with a micro controller project like yours but and it will give you far more options that you have by interfacing to the IO's directly (Ie acknowleding TITO requests and crediting mach, Meter collection, SAS progressives etc etc)

Ian

Swapping ALL from one cabinet to the other to get ready to install new toy.
The cabinet on left is NICE, that's where it's going.
Ford

Want one for the S2000 as well. I guess it does not matter as conceveably one could adapt the circut for an S2000

Have my Diamonds & devils all into another cabinet & ready to go.

Here she is in here new cabinet.

Hey Fordsbs!
You have a Super Stars Spin too?
I didn't know until I saw your photo!

okay back to the subject at hand...lol
Have you gotten your special board & harnesses yet to try?

No. When I get it you better believe me I'll be posting a video.
The Super Star Spin was my first change & I had on heck of a time till I got it working. I have all you guys on here
To thank for helping me.

FORDSBS -

Just soldering up the boards tonight and going to test.. I'm going to try and mimic exactly what yo machine does so everything will work 100%.. But not having a machine here that does that is a little tough.. But I can assume what its doing internally and go from there.. If testing goes good.. It will be ready to ship by tomorrow.. I will let you know..



As far as the S2000 ?? Not familiar.. I don't have any of those but they look very similar.. are the internals that much different? Might just a different harness.. .. If someone wanted to send me the info .. pics of the internals and such I could take a look.. I plan on making one for the Splus Machines as well.. But I have yet to even meter up the wiring.. and start any testing. I believe the voltages are different but the rest should be pretty straight forward.. I guess there are a lot of IGT Splus with the Ballys players club stuff so it might work out as well.

Hey TZtech..

Yeah i seen something that on the forum.. someone posted a little device for the coin in and out.. that's what I did.. but I added a ton of monitoring to make sure there would be no "error" codes.. So if someone opened the door, hit buttons, or the coin in is maxed out. It will not tilt the machine. As well in auto play.. it monitors everything, so if you hit a big jackpot it will stop, if someone opens door as well, if it runs out of credits it will auto load some, I tried to think of everything. I see what you are saying regarding the SAS Serial. To do something like that I think you would have to actually have a PC running along side the machine at all times. I think it can be done on a smaller scale, but have yet to really have a look. With the bally's 6000 I found that all the wiring that I needed to build an interface around was pretty much there, and I didn't need to go any deeper.

As far as programming.. Well to be honest.. I have never been to school for this stuff, kinda self taught. I have played around with a lot of Allan Bradly PLC stuff and know how to program in ladder logic very well. So one day I typed into Google "Ladder logic PIC programming" and found a company called Picaxe.. They make a wide variety of chips and sizes and I found the programming to be very similar to Ladder logic..   And here we are. It is more then enough for these machines.. As well I deal with automotive electronics all day, and everything is now done in some type of Data, Can bus and so on.. So I have a lot of tools at my disposal. I'm certain I will continue to expand this idea until I can run the machine from my blackberry.. But all in time. I only have so much "Hobby" time.. I wish I could crack a couple SPlus machines open and go at them.. but One thing at a time. If you need any info on anything else please feel free to ask..

Steve

Good news Steve. :244- :244-
Thanks, Ford

Bunker. If you look @ my profile you can see some of my toys. Pic came out dark.
Ford

Here's video before new toy installed. Only had 1 hit in bonus
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dTTjRLM-bwo (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dTTjRLM-bwo)

Just talked to Steve. It should be mailed on Monday. I don't know how long it takes to get here.
Hope to have update next week.
Ford

It's on it's way. Don't know how long from Canada to here.
I'm like a kid @ Christmas,   :233-  can't wait.
Ford

HAHAHA..

I am excited for you!

 HEY Red 7  make them for S2000 so we all can be EXCITED  :89- :89- :89- :89- :89-

Once I get the chance to own an S2000 .. Then I can be able to put one together. I have a couple SPLUS Machines. But from the looks of the schematics they differ in a couple ways.. I will keep you posted.

 

The S+ and S2000 are completely different. The S2000 runs on the i960 processor and uses a proprietary protocol called Netplex to interface with peripherals.

Thanks Steve. Received today. If I get time tonight will install.
Ford

OK Perfect.. If you get hung up on anything.. just PM me..

if you get it up and running let me know how everything works..  I tested it the best I could on my machine to mimic yours.. should work perfect!

Have fun

THANKS STEVE !!!!
  :wa :136- :185- :293-
I got it in & working. This is great .
Only had one problem & that was operator error. Steve straightened me out.
Ford

This sounds pretty cool!!
You better go grab a video camera Fordsbs and show us this puppy in action!  :136-

I took 3 videos & non came out. Picture was choppy. Trying another.

If you looked @ video I did about 2 wks ago you could see that my machine would put credits to
credit meter except in bonus rounds it would pay out with hopper.
Steve worked on program & got that taken care of. He had a special problem with mine & he got it taken care of.
When he send it to me he had it right the first time.  Now all go to credit meter.
The instruction Steve gave were THE BEST.  :3- :3-
I'm well pleased with it & Steve's work.  :259- to Steve
I hope I'll have a video tomorrow.
Ford

Glad everything worked out FORD..
I have a lot of fun tinkering around with it last week..

Enjoy..

I cant wait for the video.. It be cool to see it in action..

Here we go with video.
On first page of this thread Steve has good video of all the features.
My big problem with my game was I had 2 choices for payout in bonus. 1  was hand pay  2 was put hopper in
& take payout from hopper. It would not put credits to meter.
Video of what it was before I installed new toy.
This is with hopper .
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dTTjRLM-bwo (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dTTjRLM-bwo)

This is how it pays now.
I'm in 100 free spins, take notice that when it runs out of credits it put more on.
Thanks for looking, Ford
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=doBTMGF4Xt4 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=doBTMGF4Xt4)

One more thing. The game I got from rjpohl   :244- :244- :259-. Thanks to him for selling it to me. It's one of my favorite games.
Ford

Thanks for the video..

Glad its working as planned..

Steve

Dude, that is f--king awsome...................k++ glad you got it working Ford.

Reed, you have to stop in & check it out.

One thing I was waiting for some of you eagle eyes to see was that it is $1.00 on one legend
& $0.25 on the other. I'm going to put another  $0.25 in it when I get one.
Ford

Wow, we're slipping!  :279- :60- :257-

Time was when no one could post a picture or video without members pointing out every single tiny hidden piece of information found in the reflections, dark corners, and whatnot, myself included. :209-

Shame on us!  :190-  :125- :203-   :72-

Just wanted to let you all know that I've been using this setup for a week or 2, it works great
& I love it.  :3- :3- to Steve for offering it. If anyone else got one we'd like to hear how you like it.
Ford

Update on this setup. Anyone interested it's working great. It might sound a little pricey but
I think it's worth every penny it cost. When you think of what your getting it's a good deal.
Everyone that See's it likes it.
All you have to do is think of ALL the work Steve put into it.
Ford

Hey guys..

Just wanted to let you know if you wanted something to get your VFD display working.. I can put together just a display board that will plug into the existing VFD display. As well I can customize it say whatever you want.. Have a couple scrolling messages or flashing messages.. .. This way you don't need to buy a Mastercom Unit to control it.. Just a thought. I do this kinda stuff as a hobby, so I do enjoy it.. Let me know if there is anything I can put together for you. There are  a lot of costs involved and time, but I'm fair with price. As well I will contribute 10% of price to NLG...
 

Thanks..

Steve
   

 :212-
Steve, just wanted to let you know I'M STILL HAPPY with what I got from you.
Ford