Power saving Idea

[zarobhr]

Please feel free to move if this is wrong place

i have this idea i am going to try. to conserve power on my slots by turning off automattically when not in use for a specific amount of time.

without getting into too many details i am going to put a relay inline with power switch, install a timer circuit that will monitor gameplay and trip relay  if game hasnt been played for a specifc amount of time and shut off machine. i am thinking of using the palyer tracking card reader (there is a switch that detects when a card is inserted) to trigger reenergizing the relay and resetting timer if a player card is inserted.

so from start to finish
turn on machine
when i stop playing timer starts
after 30mins relay trips and power shuts off
insert any player card and machine powers back up

this will also help because i really hate having to open up each machine to power on and off and it is not good to power them all on at once via power strips
i could even go as far as making it not power up after a power outage until a card is inserted

[BR549 Auto Sales]

why is it not good to power all machines on at once with a power strip?

Thanks,

David

[zarobhr]

why is it not good to power all machines on at once with a power strip?

Thanks,

David

i am mainly in computer world and as you know when equipment is powered up is when they have the highest load. so 3 or 4 slots i wouldnt see a problem, but i have 8 on 1 circuit lol. i have been in offices where they had so much stuff on a single power strip that when it was turned on would blow the breaker but if equipment was off when strip turned on and then equipment turned on one at a time everything would be fine. just personal preference i guess.

[BR549 Auto Sales]

I have mine in 2 sets of 6 on power strips, could I still damage my games if I power them on all at one time?

[zarobhr]

I have mine in 2 sets of 6 on power strips, could I still damage my games if I power them on all at one time?

if your doing it now there shouldnt be an issue.

i alsways shut mine off at the game not a power strip so this idea will really help me out, plus for this idea to work i would want the other stuff plugged into my strips to stay energized, (hubs, ethernet to serial converters etc.)

i done a little more thinking and with what i have i would even be able to power on and off individual slots from my SAS program , and be able to keep them from being powered on with the card if I wanted the gameroom to stay closed. (the kids know how to turn on and know a secret stash of tokens and slot tickets, but know nothing about the SAS program)

[stayouttadabunker]

Using the switch in the Mastercom player tracking unit to turn on the machine
with a card is a top notch idea zarobhr! 
Great thinking! 

I only have a single S2000 machine on a power strip so I use the power strip to
turn on/off my personal machine but I love the idea of using a PT card and a relay!
The relay is a safer way to switch the power on as it separates the voltages.

[zarobhr]

well i install the relay, I just removed the power switch completely and plugged the wires into the relay. i am using a 12v 10a relay i tested with a 12v walwort and works fine and powers up

now for the PT card to turn on. i connected to the PT device (see below) to the connections at NC. those traced to the switch at the back of the PT reader. connected my walwort inline.  inserted the card and hurray the machine powered up. no heres the wierd part. when i removed the card the power stayed on. even though the switch contacts opened. i actually had to remove power from the wall wort.

[PLUNGER BOY]

 There is a back feed going through the relay Or the relay is double poled

[zarobhr]

actually it appears thats the way the PT reader works. if i go to a machine that  has PT in it a insert the card all the way lights go green and display does it stuff. the card has to hit the rear switch.  when i remove the PT card from reader slowly i hear the switch disengage but the lights and diplay dont register the card is removed until it hits the front switch. i am now going to test just based on front switch instead of the back switch

now this may actually work to my benifit. insert and remove card powers up machine and leaves on, and my timer circuit that will remove power if game not played in 30 minutes. and then probably mount a momentary push button switch inside machine if i need imediate power off (like when changing parts)