Universal Intermediate PS problem and schematic

[StatFreak]

jbeau698
« on: October 29, 2007, 02:06:23 PM »   

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Greetings Friends! I have just been introduced to this great forum of fellow Slot Machine enthusiasts and I look forward to much dialogue as it pertains to our passion. I am in need of assistance on a Universal. It is a Diamonds and Sevens machine, Model #92. The problem was intermittent but has now become permanent. Here it is- I turned the machine on one night in anticipation of a night of game play, lights came on but much to my surprise nothing else happened beyond that. The hopper didn’t cycle, it wouldn’t accept coins (just spit them back out at me) and none of the screens for coins played, credit, etc. lit up. It did make some clicking noises for a few but never did anything beyond that and finally stopped. I fiddled around with it for 2 or so hours with no success. So I shut it off and left it alone for a few days till I had more time. When I fired it up this next time, started right up no problem. So, I played for a few with no trouble. The next time I started the machine; it was back to not functioning the same as before and has not worked since. I am looking into the power supply currently but I could use any help available for making this work again. It seems to me like a possible short in a wire harness or a contact terminal that is not making the connection. I just don’t know where to start looking and I would consider myself a novice when it comes to machine repair. Please help- I miss my machine! Thanks so much!


uniman
« Reply #1 on: October 29, 2007, 05:30:09 PM »   

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I have several questions to try and narrow this down.
When the machine did work, did it work for awhile then fail?

Universal made four(4) different power supplies. They are GREEN DOT, RED DOT, YELLOW DOT, and Narrow/Intermediate.
So, does your power supply look like the one in my picture?  (RED, GREEN, or YELLOW DOT)
Or is it mounted underneath the reels? (Narrow/Intermediate)

Are your fluorescent lights ballast powered or electronic driver powered?
Ballast powered lights have GREEN or RED DOT power supplies, they are interchangeable.
Electronic Driver powered lights have YELLOW DOT power supplies.   
(NOTE; the dots were stickers, most fall off and are gone)

Do you have and are familiar with a volt meter?

Besides the power supply, the big black door plug to the left of reels can cause trouble too.
But your case does sound like the power supply as the door plug would not interfer with the hopper.

[StatFreak]

jbeau698
« Reply #2 on: October 29, 2007, 06:49:14 PM »   

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Thanks so much for responding so quickly to this issue. See below for my responses to your questions. Thanks again!

I received the machine from a friend in January of 2007. It was in dry storage for a few years before I received it and I had no trouble whatsoever with the machine for about 7 months. (The machine is in absolutely stunning condition) After the first failure, it was within a week that it started up again and less than 2 days before it stopped for good.

Power supply is mounted under the reels so Narrow/Intermediate

The flourescent lights have removeable ballasts.
 
I do have access to a volt meter.


uniman
« Reply #3 on: October 29, 2007, 07:35:26 PM »   

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I have never worked on a Narrow/Intermidiate power supply.
I have heard that the noise filter is often a problem and is by-passed/removed.
I would test all the outputs first.
Here is a pic of the schematic.

Curious, does you machine have fuses or circuit breakers?

[StatFreak]

jbeau698
« Reply #4 on: October 29, 2007, 08:35:09 PM »   

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Thanks for the schematic. Unfortunately it has breakers. Fuses would be much easier. If a fuse goes bad you swap it out for a new one. A breaker is an entirely different animal.


uniman
« Reply #5 on: October 30, 2007, 03:19:09 AM »   

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Yours must look like this one in the pic.
I remember seeing this problem before. The machine in this pic, taken from eBay, had the same symptoms as yours, had a cut in the power cord.

Check your power cord, especially where it enters the machine, could be an easy fix!

My schematics are 1988, your machine with circuit breakers is early 90's, schematic may not be correct.   

[StatFreak]

jbeau698
« Reply #6 on: October 30, 2007, 04:42:09 AM »   

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That is exactly my setup as shown in the picture. I'll put checking all power cord connections on the list. I will provide an update on all this as soon as it becomes available. Any additional thoughts or schematics are appreciated. Also, if anyone knows the whereabouts of a manual for this particular generation of machine please let me know where I might be able to get that from (hopefully at a reasonable price as folks tend to gouge you for specialty items like this) THANKS AGAIN!!!


diecaster
« Reply #7 on: October 30, 2007, 03:58:39 PM »   

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I've never worked on this model either, but start with checking every voltage on the 15 pin plug. Unless the Universal has EVERY voltage listed on the schematic uniman posted, the game won't boot.

My Universal had the "red dot" power supply and it was only missing one voltage and nothing, no displays for credits or wins.


jbeau698
« Reply #9 on: December 04, 2007, 01:52:29 PM »   

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Here is an update for all those who are interested...

Looks like the noise filter is causing some issues with our testing of the power supply so we are going to go with a recommended bypass and see if that is the issue. If need be does anyone have a source for a noise filter? More updates to follow after I re-install the PS tomorrow!


uniman
« Reply #10 on: December 04, 2007, 02:29:34 PM »   
« Reply #11 on: December 04, 2007, 03:35:48 PM »   

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I don't think the noise filter is needed for home use. Believe it was needed in a casino atmosphere with all the lights and whatnot. If anyone else has an opinnion on this, please chime in! I know one of my older green dot power supplies works fine without the filter.
If you could, post some pics of the internals of yours and the noise filter. Curious what it looks like.
Good Luck and keep us posted.
...
Since the time of your first post I obtained an Universal Video Poker Machine. The power supply for this machine has breakers too.
I found a manual for it and the schematic is the same as the Narrow Power Supply schematic I posted with the exception of power for the monitor, lamp drivers for lights, and instead of the tower 4 board, it has a tower 3. Tower 4 was used for the slot handle coil, not needed in vid poker. Pinouts are the same. Here's a pic of it, does it look like yours inside?
silver lamp drivers upper right
black noise filter lower left
Tower 3 board, left above noise filter

[StatFreak]

jbeau698
« Reply #12 on: December 04, 2007, 06:54:51 PM »   
« Reply #13 on: December 05, 2007, 05:07:03 PM »   

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Your thoughts regarding the noise filter for home use are exactly as those of my friend who has been playing around with the power supply. He also thought it might not be needed without all of the "casino" electricity flowing. His description of a malfunctioning noise filter was that it would cause the machine to give me that "oops i have something wrong with me" blank stare, which matches the problem the machine was having with its malfunction- so I guess I'll see when I plug it in tomorrow... hopefully it fires right up like old times. I will post some pics tomorrow evening when I get the unit back from him. Hopefully I can also include some full pics of the entire unit fully functional and lit up.
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Today is a day of excitement... my machine is full function again!!! What a great feeling to flip the switch and have it come back to life as if it never stopped in the first place. After all my waiting it was in fact the noise filter that was causing all the problems. When you shake the filter it sounds like a baby rattle, not a good sound to be making. Anyhow, thanks to all who contributed to its repair! Especially Uniman! Thanks so much for all your help with this thing. I'm sure I will have other issues that arise as play on the machine continues but for now we are looking good. I will stay in touch! Enjoy the pic of the fully functioning machine all lit up. It really is a beautiful unit!

[StatFreak]

uniman
« Reply #15 on: December 05, 2007, 06:29:47 PM »   

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Fantastic! 
Those Universal narrow machines have a nice metal cabinet. And I like the pegasus emblem on the coin tray.
Regular Uni's don't have that.
Glad to see it's back up and running!