Coin optics button - external switch?

[modessitt]

I've got a customer with 5 slots.  All appear to be IGT S+ versions of different titles.  Hopefully I don't need specific SP numbers right now for this question.

Well, I have all the slots working now with tokens, but the customer wants to be able to play them without having to keep track of tokens, worrying about whether the drunks who come to his parties are dropping the quarter tokens into his dollar token slot and causing jams, etc.  He already has the switches removed from the cash-out buttons, and would like it if I could rig up a button he can push to add a credit so he can just get rid of all of the tokens.

From what i remember, the small white button on the optics board will add a credit when pushed, correct?  Anyway, I was thinking about connecting the "Play 1 Credit" switch to that button, so that he could just push that button to add a credit one at a time.  However, when I tried it, I got a "21" error as soon as I pushed the button.  Otherwise it works just fine with the tokens.

What am I doing wrong?  And am I going to be able to make this work?  I did some searching and found some mention of pulses and extra boards, but I don't know how that applies to the button on the optics board, since pushing it adds a credit usually...

[Foster]

That button only works with the door open.
I do not know if you have a limit on how many times it can be used or not.
You could wire it to bet one credit and unplug one of the door optics so the mpu thinks the door is open all the time even with door closed
There is also someone that made a coin-in emulator using a micro-controller (PIC) that can take the place of the optics.

[poppo]

Do the machines have BVs? If so, an option might be to set them up for 100 credits per dollar. A quick way to put a lot of credits on the machines.

[modessitt]

Do the machines have BVs? If so, an option might be to set them up for 100 credits per dollar. A quick way to put a lot of credits on the machines.

Yeah, they have BV's, but the customer wants to make it free.  No money or tokens necessary...

[modessitt]

That button only works with the door open.
I do not know if you have a limit on how many times it can be used or not.
You could wire it to bet one credit and unplug one of the door optics so the mpu thinks the door is open all the time even with door closed
There is also someone that made a coin-in emulator using a micro-controller (PIC) that can take the place of the optics.

Interesting.  I wonder how that works for wins?  I thought you could credit and play that way as a test, but that if you won, it wouldn't give you winning credits?

[poppo]

Do the machines have BVs? If so, an option might be to set them up for 100 credits per dollar. A quick way to put a lot of credits on the machines.

Yeah, they have BV's, but the customer wants to make it free.  No money or tokens necessary...

Right, but he can just run a $20 in them ahead of time and put 2000 credits on it, or how ever many he wants.

As for the other solution (unplugging door optics), I thought the the machine will never play as long as it thinks the door is open.

[Foster]

Using the button on the optics is the only way to play games with the door open.
That button does not work on the S2000.

It does not seem to have a use limit. another way to set an S+ up for free play.
Machine will follow the 5 x setting for wins and hopper operates normally on a cash out with door open after a win from test games.

[reho33]

There was a thread that covered a free play button circut that Rudy's deals was selling. All you have to do is hit the button to add credits.

[Foster]

That one is for the S2000.
S+ uses three signals for the optics they pulse to logic 0 as the coin blocks that optic
S2000 uses a Coin accepted signal from comparator and 2 signals from the optics to accept the coin.
The optics in the S+ powered from 24V AC and the optics in the S2000 are 13V DC.

[modessitt]

Thanks, guys.  I'll see if I can make it work by disabling the door optic, and I'll let you know - next week...

[modessitt]

Wanted to come back and let everyone know that I got this working today.  I had to replace the cherry switch on the Bet 1 Credit button, as it wasn't giving a good short when closed (.112).  I connected two wires to the pads of the optics credit button, then ran them to the proper lugs of the cherry switch on the Bet 1 credit button.  Make sure you remove the normal connectors to that switch, otherwise you will get a 21 (coin tilt) error.  Then I disconnected the plug for the door optic on the side mounted on the door.  Turned it on, shut the door, and everything is working.  I push the Bet 1 Credit button and I get credits.  After 2 it stops registering more credits like it should, and the arm or the Bet 2 Credits button will cause it to spin.  When it wins, credits are added to the memory.  If I hit the Bet 1 Credit button, it adds coins to the Played, but doesn't subtract from the memory.  Or I can Bet 2 and spin from memory.

Works just fine.  Now I have to do it to 4 more when I take this one back...

[brianfink]

yes i have done this before and i never had a problem with it you can even add a switch to the optic and the normal bet one button wires so you can switch  between free play and regular play

[stayouttadabunker]

This works fine on an S+ - making the machine as a free-play game.
The door optics are disabled and the machine is really in "Service mode" as that little button
on the Coin-in optic boards is really called a "Service Credit Switch".
Generally it's reserved mainly for service technicians to run tests
on the machine such as hopper operations and such.

I'll be surprised if it will work with the progressive systems but they might?
Certain bonus wheels and games may not be operational -
they will see a "Door Open" and send an error code to the MPU until it is resolved.

As far as an S2000, the best way to add credits to a machine
is to up the value of the credits per coin.
Or hook up a PC to it....lol