How do I link the poker games together to make them progressive?

[Roninva]

I have 3 drop in PE Plus poker games from IGT in my home bar. What do I need to connect the 3 together to enable the progressive jackpot?

[jay]

The cheapest way is get a CON1 and a Gateway.

A CON2i will also do but its way more expensive than a CON1.
just a note on the CON2, you need the "i" version to be used with the IGT line. There are lots of CON2s floating abound but you need the i version.

A PE+ and S+ (Slot) have a 4 pin interface on the motherboard (the fixed board that the removeable MPU slides into).
Of the 4 pins only 3 are used GND, COIN-IN and DATA-RETURN

The CON1 uses 2 wires connected to GND and COIN-IN on the PE+ and the S+
When setup for progressuve the PE+ will say the word Jackpot on the screen instead of the classic 4000 coins.
If you have a external METER (sign) for you CON1 you will now see the progressive increment

To get the progressive amount on the screen you need the 3rd wire connected to the data return. Only problem is that the CON1 doesn't have a 3rd wire.
This is where the gateway comes in. You use the 2wire display output from the CON1 and the GND line and feed these to the gateway. The output of the gateway then connects to the data return point on the motherboard.

This is well documented in the CON1 maual.

[jay]

I failed to mention to program the CON1 you need a PC with a serial interface and the PSP software.

[4 Deuces]

Hi, newbie here, also interested in making my PE+ Double Double Bonus Superboard a progressive for 4 5-K thru Royal.  I don't have any manuals, so trying to glean as much as possible from posts. 

This is excellent post in telling me I need both a CON1 and Gateway (thank you).  My questions are, what manufacturer/model are compatible with my machine?

How about this CON1 from Rudy's Deals?

Will either of this or this Gateways from Rudy's Deals work?

What wires/harnesses do I need?

Thank you in advance for your support and help!

[Roninva]

Thanks for the links! I just bought some other parts from that site. Didn't even see those. Now I feel really stupid though. When he was saying gateway, I thought he meant I needed a computer... Which I still am thinking a computer runs this? Or should I just go back to doing what I know and mow my yard?

[jay]

Hi,

What is pictured is a CON1F (F meaning Fiber). I took a look at the pictures and think it should still work.
There are 2 x 16 long white connectors shown. This is for connecting up to 32 machines. Then there is a smaller 6-8 pin connector which is for connecting up the displays.
or in your case a gateway.

The fiber would connect (over long disatances) to another CON1F so you can cascade controllers. I think you can have a total of 256 machines via via multiple controllers.
Hardly a concern for the home user.

Both the CON1 and the Gateway are available at exceptionally good prices.
What I don't see included is the necessary power supplies. These can be picked up at any Radio Shack. I think mine are the multi voitage adapters for about 19.95 ea.
I bought these not because I needed the multi-voltage but they came with a variety of output connectors and I wanted to ensure a fit.

Here is what your traditional configuration would look like.
                                                                             32 Pin (dual 16 pin connectors)
PC with PSP software ---- 9 pin modified cable ---- CON1  ===================== 2 wire (Slot GND + Pin1) ==== PE+ / S+  (Gnd + Coin in)
                                                                    ||        ===================== 2 wire (Slot GND + Pin2) ==== PE+ / S+  (Gnd + Coin in)
                                                                    ||        ===================== 2 wire (Slot GND + Pin3) ==== PE+ / S+  (Gnd + Coin in)
                                                                    ||        ===================== etc, etc up until 32 machines.
                                                                    ||       
                                                                    |======2 wire (Display GND + Display line 1)===== Cham1/LED5   ----- 12 Cell machine sized Meter
                                                                    ||       
                                                                    |======2 wire (Display GND + Display line 2)===== Cham44/LED4 ------ Overhead large sized Meter
                                                           
I am going to redraw the same picture but this time with only 1 slot and a Mikohn Gateway and I am showing the wires in a bit more detail.

                                                                             -------Coin In----------(pin1 from 2 x 16 pin connectors)--------------------------------------------  Coin in       PE+ / S+
PC with PSP software ---- 9 pin modified cable ---- CON1 -------Gnd --------(Slot GND common to all machines)--------------------------------+-------------  Gnd           PE+ / S+
                                                                    ||                                                                                                                   |         +----- Data Return PE+/ S+
                                                                    ||                                                                                                                   |         |
                                                                    ||                                                                                                                   |         |
                                                                    ||                                                                         IGT Input      IGT Output        |         |
                                                                    |+------ Display Gnd  ---(common to all displays)------------  Gateway Device ------------+         |
                                                                    +------- Display Output ----------------------------------------  Gateway Device----------------------+


You only need 1 Gateway and its output would go to each of the Data Return lines.

The PC is only needed to program the CON1- once its configured the PC goes away. The CON1 holds its memory even after being turned off.

The 9 pin cable mod can be found by doing a search (on this site) for Mikohn + Cable. Basically you just cut a pre-made cable in 1/2 - there are 2 wires that need to be shorted and you splice the rest straight through. The reason I say cut in 1/2 is that I was able to get some high quality molded cables for cheap - being molded you can't take apart the connector. By cutting in 1/2 you can do the mod and with a short length of  heat shink tubing it comes out looking professional.

Once again the gateway is only needed if you want the progressive amount to display on the PE+ screen.
If you don't have the gateway you can still use the CON1 but instead of the 4000 coins display it will say PROGRESSIVE
Of course if you don't have the overhead displays you would now have a mystery progressive as you would never know the amount.

In my configuration I have 3x S+ slots and a PE+ on a linked progressive.
In real life you would never see a slot and poker machine share a progressive but my house my rules (LOL).

In each of the slots I have a 12cell display and I have also added a IGT Mini Photon as a second level standalone progressive.
I have added a gateway for my PE+
I have a 3ft large sign by the slots and a 10ft sign over my bar.

Keep us updated on your projects - photos are always good.

[Roninva]

Where on earth did you get a large sign for over your bar?
With the drop in pokers, where would I display the progressive amount since you say they would replace the 4000 with PROGRESSIVE and not the actual amount?
YOU need to upload pictures!!
What part would I need to install in each of the three drop in poker machines? I was looking at the Mikohn Super Controller but at $700, I'll pass for now. That one I downloaded a manual from Rudy's and saw pictures of a part that runs network wires from machine to machine...
Thanks!

[jay]

With the CON2 supercontroller you don't need the Gateway.
I will caution you - you need the CON2i (i for IGT).
I once made a $500 mistake and got one (non i) - donated it to Joey to resell with the proceeds going to the site.

On the PE+ you set the progressive screen (top award) to Link.
The value of 4000 will change to the word "Progressive"
Assuming you don't have a controller connected yet you will get a banner across your screen that says link down.

The PE+ (bar top, slant or upright) displays the progressive amount (via vi the gateway through the data return line) instead of the word Progressive.

You don't really need to install anything in the games themselves other than the wires that connect the motherboard back to the controllers.
The CON1 and the Gateway you can stuff in one of the cabinets if you have room. Otherwise run the wires back to a convienient spot.

I used CAT5 from each of the units back to a central spot just cause I had a box of Cat5 wire around - I found it a bit light for the connectors I had but made due with a drop of solder.

[jay]

Here is a pic of the 4 pin connector on the right side of the mother board.
Pins 1,2,3 are used (Coin in, GND, Data Return) Pin 4 is labled unused in the manual.

[4 Deuces]

Jay - I can't thank you enough for your friendly volume of advice.  I've got the boards and I'm looking for power supplies.  How do I know what voltage I need?  Do I need a Mikohn manual at this point?  The board says Mikohn Controller Rev. C, PRC v6.1, CON1 v7.44.  As always, thanks again for your support.