New Life Games Tech Forums

Hi All,

What are common problems with slot machines and what kind of test equipment do I need to repair them?

Cheers,
-Greg

For tools , not to much you can't do if you have a few screwdrivers,volt meter,1/4" drive socket set

For me at least, Patience is the most important tool, but as for hardware, a really good set of nut-drivers is super handy,
a basic multimeter,  and a flexible socket extension for those hard ro reach places. :61-

Check this out...especially the "Video Tour"... :96-

https://www.igt.com/InteropTour/#3 (https://www.igt.com/InteropTour/#3)

What kind of slot machine? Mechanical, Elctro-Mechanical, computerized, video, Paci-slot, etc????
For the basic computerized three reel American casino slot you really just need a multi-meter and maybe an eprom reader to verify checksum.
If you were to plan on doing board diagnostics then the manufactures test station would be needed. But much easier just to swap boards.
Of course you need the proper tools and manuals. Good troubleshooting skills would be needed.
And a computer with access to the internet so you connect to NewLifeGames!!!!

Each model has it's own common problems, so it depends on the manufacture and model number as to which problem you will see the most.

I was considering igt s+.

Manufacture's test station?  Say for laughs, I don't happen to have one of those.  Anyone here try to repair boards?  Or is it just get a new one?

Cheers,
-Greg

Hi

Test station would probably only be needed if you plan on repairing lots of machines. The S+ has diagnostics built into SW and should be more that adequate.
Would recomend a basic electronic toolset. A good soldering iron and solder sucker and a digital multimeter.
If you can solder you should be able to repair an S+ board as there are no surface mount components on it so repairs are easy. There are several technicians that have posted repair tips here and the S+ and PE+ repair manual gives a break down of every input and output and which component to check if faulty.

Regards
Ian

Actually, There was a couple of IGT board test stations for sale last year.
I have never heard anything more about them or whether or not they actually worked?
The S+ boards are fairly inexpensive online and you're right about "replace"...
I have gotten lucky most times but once in a while they come with problems.
The most common problem with these boards is the board components
that "Hold" the reels in place while the machine is in "Idle".
Remember, these machines were at one time "ON" for years, 24x7.
That's a lot of time that the stepper reels weren't spinning and in "holding" position.
It's these components that burned out...by the time the homeowner gets them,
it seems that not too longer thereafter, they start getting reel error codes such
as "41", "42","43" (41 being the 1st leftmost reel, 42 being the middle reel,etc.)

Other MPU problems consists of of basic cold solder diode points especially with the diodes near the caps.
They start giving the CPU on the MPU conflicting signals causing erratic behavior...

Other boards on S+'s that give headaches are usually the coin-in optic boards and
the coin comparator board.
These boards will exhibit intermittent behaviors and cause coins to go unnoticed or rejected.
Most of the times, it's due also,  to cold solder points...
but I suspect certain components on these particular boards go "bad" too.
That's why I was asking about a "hand-held" oscilloscope on another thread...but again,
my knowledge of these tools and how to properly
use them for board component inspections - are minimal at best.  :8-

Dogwrangler, I am a bench tech and repair lots of diffrent types of gaming boards daily.

You picked the right machine, the S+ is a workhorse, very reliable and easy to repair when you have a problem. some logical thinking and a basic understanding of how the machine operates, helps track down problems to a general area, then as TZ tech mentioned  the S+ has aset of diagnostics in the software that allows you to test every function of that machine, inputs , outputs, test displays, audio tests,hopper test, pay table test, etc. and as uniman  stated a good multimeter, to test fuses, battery voltages, and machine voltages, and continuity checks. Parts are easy to find and reasonable. Prices for machines are all over the place, depends on how much work you want to do, and what you consider a house worthy machine.  Even if you wanted to have a bunch of machines, I don't think you need to invest alot into test equipment.  I do have a test station, for me its a great tool , because the machines  I get have not been shopped,tested or have all the parts . So, at least I know I have a good board to start with.

Good Luck,    Jim