New to slots - need help!

[Paladin]

A friend of mine asked me to check out a slot machine for him. I told him that I would, but that I've never seen the inside of one before and didn't know what to look for. He was fine with that, as long as it looked like it was in good shape and all there.  He figured that since I have some arcade games and pinball machines that I'd be able to spot anything funny.

The seller advertised it as a complete 25 cent slot machine that lights up, but doesn't stop the wheels. He added the common phrase 'It probably just needs a fuse'. I tried to find some information on slot machines of that age, but there is little out there. I didn't find any pictures to go on, so the machine looked good to me and I paid for it.

Once I got it back to my place, my friend came over and we started looking it over. He's very happy with the appearance of the machine, and we both decided to do some research online to try and find out why it may not be working. I finally found one website with pictures of the inside of a similar machine, and discovered that the entire MPU of the machine is missing!

Of course repeated emails to the seller got both of us nowhere, so now we're trying to find out if we can get this thing up and running.  I can see that the hopper is a dime unit, but that's the least of our problems.

I can find several places online that sell parts for antique slots, and also 1990 and newer machines. I'm having a problem finding anyplace that sells parts for the late 70's and early 80's machines.

Can anyone tell me what my best options are?

Thanks!
Tom

[Neonkiss]

Sorry about you rough start to slot machine ownership.
Your story is not uncommon, and sound a little like my first machine.  

You are correct that the MPU is missing. What needs to be determined is, is that machine a Bally E-1000 or Bally E-2000
From the looks of it I would guess the E-1000
The good news is, that machine does look good inside and it was a Harrahs Fruit Machine. They are more fun to play than the JPO machines.

Look at the reel mech on the front. You should see a model number etched with a hand engraver on the metal. If it's not there look in the inside in front of the hopper.

With that numbers you should. be able to contact Barry at Foxslots. A link to his business is at the top of the page. He should be able to provide you with a MPU with the correct game chip for that machine.

Welcome to NLG and please keep us posted on your progress. We want to see you get that machine up and running.


*** Just noticed in the first picture, the data tag is still on the side just below the handle. The model number and date of MFG will be on that. Usually the tag is missing.  See, things are looking up.

[Paladin]

The label on the side of the game is:
742A-
237-10
I had looked that up, and it came up as a 1960's EM.  I assumed it was converted.  The last 0 is stamped sideways, not sure if that means anything but it looks odd.

The engraved numbers on the reel mech are:
E-2226-7-20
Thanks for pointing that out, I didn't even see that!
Ah, that's the same number that's on the paper label on the bottom of the I/O board.

The paper label on the hopper and real mech are:
2226-7

[Neonkiss]

Great, Use the E-2226-7-20 number and email Barry at his link at the top of the page.
Once you have a parts complete machine, we can go from their.

Just for poops and giggles 
That tag on the side, It should have a date of manufacture stamped in the top black part of the tag. What does that read?
I suspect that the original tag was lost and someone just replaced it with one they found.
Those E series machines were made from 1980 to mid/ late 80's

[Paladin]

I sent an email to Barry, thanks!

I took a picture of the tag, and there's no date on it:

[FOXSSLOTS1]

got your email - someone retaged your machine to make it "LEGAL" the tag you have is for a 1960s machine.  Send me a PM around the 29th when I get back - I will see what I can do for a board and software.   

[Paladin]

Thanks! 

I'm sure learning a lot! 

[CaptainHappy]

got your email - someone retaged your machine to make it "LEGAL" the tag you have is for a 1960s machine.  Send me a PM around the 29th when I get back - I will see what I can do for a board and software.   

Barry,

I sure had to do a double take on the pictures as it sure didn't look like my Bally 742A !!!!  Funny to see that relabel job!

 

Paladin, FOXSLOTS1 is a definite Bally Expert, I am sure that he will be able to help you out! 

CaptainHappy
  ADMIN

[Op-Bell]

That tag could be a valuable antique!  742 was the first Bally EM machine of that style ever made. After some people hurt themselves on the  live  110V  wiring  the 742A came out a couple of months later with safe 50V electrics.

[jay]

Brings new meaning to "Malfunction Voids all Pays and Plays".......

Must have been commissioned by the mob.... Your a winner...ZAP....Ooops... I guess we don't have to pay this one out,  hey, bugsy.... 

[stayouttadabunker]

Brings new meaning to "Malfunction Voids all Pays and Plays".......

Must have been commissioned by the mob.... Your a winner...ZAP....Ooops... I guess we don't have to pay this one out,  hey, bugsy.... 

 



<<<<Actually,  "Bugsy" is the name of my kitten in the box avatar....

[Paladin]

I don't mind that the tag doesn't match, I'm just glad the whole thing isn't made up of different machines!

[CaptainHappy]

Just for the fun of it I thought that I would post a picture of my Bally 742A... It has a tag like yours, but it matches the machine! 

These are a few of my original collection of machines. The 742A is the TIC TAC TOE machine.

CaptainHappy
  ADMIN

[CaptainHappy]

That tag could be a valuable antique!  742 was the first Bally EM machine of that style ever made. After some people hurt themselves on the  live  110V  wiring  the 742A came out a couple of months later with safe 50V electrics.

If the tag is a valuable antique, what about the machine?  Can I retire, or do I still have to work for a living?  (Nowadays they are about the same: to work or not to work, that it the question?!!!)

HA HA

CH

[Paladin]

That clear machine is awsome!  Did it come that way, or did you make it?

[CaptainHappy]

That clear machine is awsome!  Did it come that way, or did you make it?

Here is the story that I have. The machine came from the house of the former Owner of the Horseshoe Club, a good family friend. I used to play it all the time when I wasn't playing with their kids in the pool. Later on, it was not working, and my family got the machine that way. As a youngster I was able to fix the machine and get it working so it was a true find for us!!! The story behind it was that this was a prototype for a Huge Big Bertha Style machine for the Horeshoe Club, and they made it in a lexan style case so that they could see the workings of the machine during the design and fabrication process. I do not know any more details about the maker of the slot.

I don't remember exactly, but I think the machine made it to my collection for my 21st birthday!  It still works today, but could use more play and a really good cleaning! One of the prize toys in the collection! 

CaptainHappy

[Paladin]

Fantastic news - we now have a working game!  I also found that it is indeed a quarter machine, and not a dime like it's labeled on the I/O board and hopper.

The MPU board from Foxsslots1 arrived today.  The game wouldn't play after installing the board, but with the help of the manual I was able to run the game tests and found it was registering a hopper jam.  It turns out that someone bent the hopper switch AND reversed the adjustment screw so the switch was closed no matter what.  I turned the screw around and unbent the switch to the specs in the manual, and the game now works 100 percent!

I guess we got real lucky that there weren't any other problems with the game.  I was fully expecting something to be wrong with the I/O board, or to have other missing parts.  I did see in the manual that there's a sound board for the E-2000, but my friend agrees with me that the bell sounds are great and the sound board isn't needed.  I think we did pretty good, considering that even if we buy a candle for the top we'll still have less than $400 in it!

The only problem now is that my friend will be taking it home, and now I want one!

Thanks to everyone for the help, and a huge thank you to Barry!  I couldn't have done it without you!

Tom

[stayouttadabunker]

That's good news Tom!
I'm glad you got the machine up and running!