Turning Alpha on & off ?

[FORDSBS]

For all you Alpha guys. How do you go about turning your Alpha on & off? I do the 3 switch thing but it is
a pain in the butt. I was curious if any of you do it another way.
Ford

[mvco]

I am also doing the three switch process, but what a PITA.  I use an X-10 system tied to all my power strips, so have been used to always booting up the whole room at one time.  But now there is the trip to the Alpha aisle every time I power up/down.  Sure would love to find a solution. 
BTW, my Alpha with the newer OS boots up find with just applying power, but my Alpha with the older OS will sometimes never completely boot if not using the three switch method.  I am about to update the OS in that one.  However, I am leery about just booting them with just applying power, as Jim at Bettorslots was telling me you can wreck your computer by not going through the 3 switch process.

I sure would like to learn more about this, and could it be made safe to just apply power to boot the machine, as like I mentioned, they boot no problem with a newer OS. 

I'm sure Coors will be here to help shortly after he gets back from the store with a case of Coorslight.  :-)

[lindam1]

I use the 3 step wat but......what does the casino do in the event of power outage. They  don,t run around turning off all the alpha,s til the power comes back on. So how bad can it be??

[cowboygames]

They have generators

[Neonkiss]

I was advised to use the three switch method as well.
It was also stated that turning off needs to be done in the order of right to left
Turning on is reverse from left to right.

[Ron (r273)]

I was advised to use the three switch method as well.
It was also stated that turning off needs to be done in the order of right to left
Turning on is reverse from left to right.

Same here with mine. Maybe Jim with Bettor Slots might have some insight?

Ron (r273)

[Bettor Slots]

I can recall at least two machines that I accidentally plugged in without checking to see if the power switches were off from when the machine was in casino.  Results were two damaged main computer boards.  I can recall twice that many or more that I did they same thing to with no ill effects.    Play at your own risk gentlemen.  

[FORDSBS]

Thanks guys. Guess I'll keep doing the 3 switch thing.

[coorslight115]

I answered this yesterday but it did not take. The reason for the three step process is this. The cabinet of the Alpha is full of USB boards that communicate with all the modules, IE: door led boards, sound amp, reel driver board, com board ect. these take time to boot and report back. The MPU boots very quickly and looks for these boards to report back that they are ready. If you turn all on at once, the mpu will boot before the USB boards have completed their boot up and error can occur. Also the voltage spikes and lows from all the stuff booting will/can cause noise or RF feedback on the power lines from stepper motors and such. The main switch can be left on all the time. But you must boot the cabinet first , then the MPU. Reverse shut down is for the same reason, a spinning fan when power is turned off can become a generator putting out voltage, not using voltage. And the cabinet has a lot of fans. So if you shut down the MPU the power lines are seperated from the machine and all spikes will be absorbed in the mpu power supply protection circuit.
I have my son the electrical engineer working on a very simple delay circuit to make this a simple on/off thing. It will be a outlet box that has two recepticals and a power cord. you will hook the machine main power cord to one outlet and the mpu power cord to the other. The one outlet will be an instant on and the second outlet will have a 15 second delay. On power down it will have a set of filter caps to absorb any spikes. That way you will be able to turn the machine on and off from a power strip switch. light switch or what ever you want. I will let you know when they are ready and tested.

[mvco]

Coors,
Please accept my order for as couple of these when you get it all done.  :-)

[coorslight115]

Ok, I have the prototype built and being tested in machines as we speak. The device is a very simple plug and play device. You simply trace the power plug from the mpu back to the power supply on the left rear of the machine just under the reels. Unplug the connector from the power supply and plug it into my device, then plug the connector from my device back into the power supply where you just remover the mpu connector. The small box has velcro to attach it to the tray above the mpu and below the reels next to the power supply. That is it. Now turn all three switches on and leave them on. Connect your alpha to a power strip or light switched outlet. When you turn on the switch the alpha cabinet will power up instantly and roughly 10 - 15 seconds later the mpu will power up. It will still supply the power down delay the mpu power supply has. This way you never need to open the door and do the three switch shuffel. It will simulate the same power up sequence as you do with the three switches.  Taking orders for the first production run. PM if interested. $29.00 each unit plus actual shipping to USA only at this time. One per alpha required. Again. ...PLUG AND PLAY....NO CONFIGURATION NEEDED. Will come with full installation instructions. If you can plug in a machine..you can install this kit.
Pictures and reviews from testers to follow.

[FORDSBS]

    Coors for coming up with this. COUNT ME IN, I NEED SOME.
Ford

[mvco]

You already know where two are going.  :-)   

Thanks for all your efforts with this platform, you have taught us all a lot!  Cheers to Coors!  :-)

[FORDSBS]

You have to give Coors an A for effort. When he gets something on his mind to do he sticks with it until he has it figured out.

[coorslight115]

Item perfected..

 http://youtu.be/UMVQyb56oLI

 


I have tested this for over a week and it works perfectly. I turn all my machines on by a light switch that controls the wall outlets. The three switch routine was a pain in the butt. I have (4) alphas and that got to be a real pain when I wanted to get the game room up and running. Also I have grand children that like to play the Alpha's and they can not unless I am home to turn them on for them. This cures the issue. I have sent free units to two other independant users to test and we will get their results shortly. But in the mean time if you are interested, I am taking orders that I expect to fill within 5 days of order. The units are $29.95 and free shipping to US NLG members and Plus shipping to non members. Very simple plug and play interface. No programming or setup required. Two minute install. Biggest dummy in the world could not mess this up!!!

[FORDSBS]

    for a job well done. Put me on list. I know I will want one for each machine. YOU DID A GOOD JOB & THEY ARE COOL.
Ford

[CommTech]

I am in for one also!  Thank you so much for this! 

[Ron (r273)]

PM sent.

Ron (r273)

[mvco]

Nice job!  Mine are already ordered.  Having all my gameroom on an X10 power up system was great, until the Alpha's showed up. Good to be able to just power up the room once again without fiddling with the Alphas.  :-)   

Great job!

[coorslight115]

Nice job!  Mine are already ordered.  Having all my gameroom on an X10 power up system was great, until the Alpha's showed up. Good to be able to just power up the room once again without fiddling with the Alphas.  :-)   

Great job!

I have to look around, I had some old x-10 stuff i should send you. I never used it much, someone gave it to me years ago. basic startup kit.

[mvco]

thanks Coors, but I have everything setup and running, and still have a half dozen switchers and two master control units left.  We used them at iork years ago, and were going to get tossed, so I hauled a whole big box of X 10 goodies home.  Sure makes it nice turning everything on this way, especially now with your new Alpha unit.  :-)

[FORDSBS]

Can't wait to try this out. Coors, you better start putting in overtime to get these ready for delivery.

[coorslight115]

Can't wait to try this out. Coors, you better start putting in overtime to get these ready for delivery.

My normal day is 5:30am till midnight..not much room for overtime.....or anything else. Would be nice to sit and work on my own games and play them...Not much timefor that either. Have to invite you down and put you to work.... Hahaha

[mvco]

Not fair, Ford, you live closer, and will get yours first, damnit!  Haha, all in fun.

I know none of you want that 5 reel Alpha kit I just put the opening bid on Ebay, raght?   Is this game any good?  Have not heard of that title but willing to take a chance if it goes cheap.   :-)

[coorslight115]

Not fair, Ford, you live closer, and will get yours first, damnit!  Haha, all in fun.

I know none of you want that 5 reel Alpha kit I just put the opening bid on Ebay, raght?   Is this game any good?  Have not heard of that title but willing to take a chance if it goes cheap.   :-)

Go for it...as much as I hate to admit it...the seller does deliver nice product. Idesign that is. I bought Flying Carpet off him and it was perfect.

Surprised you are not going for the american original and figuring out how to make your alpha cinna reel....