Universal 8304 Video Poker

[golflover]

I have been trying to get my Universal Video Poker back up and running.  It has sat for a year during a remodeling project and when I plugged it in I received a Ram Error on the screen. In checking the manual it states  battery low,so I replaced the battery set up with the AA battery fix I found on this forum and still received the ram error on the screen. I have rechecked the solder joints but still have the ram error. That is the first problem. The second problem or question I have is the micro switch on the door that makes contact with the lock mechanism on the door. The metal tab/rod on the switch broke off. Are there any sources for the switches? Any suggestions or sources for parts appreciated.

[golflover]

Anyone think that the power supply could cause a problem because of not putting out enought voltage. I have check all wires, and everything seems to be intact and connected. Just looking for suggestions from the group

[uniman]

I have a 8304 with the same problem, constant RAM errors on startup and a clear does not help. Obviously a weak link in these old machines. Thought about wiring a slot power supply to it and see if it makes a difference but have not had time yet to try it.
I think it is a board issue though.

The board takes a Nicad battery, not sure if two AA will work?
It looks like the machine will work without the battery, just everytime you shut it off you would lose memory.

The micro switches should be available at an electronics store.

[golflover]

I thought about the AA's and decided to add the purple nicad from radio shack in the holder for easy replacment. Hmm didn;t know the board would run with out a battery not that it matters since it doesn't get passed anything. Am almost out of options. Have thought of swithing chips off the different boards I have but not sure that would make a difference. It just seems it is soemthing with the back plane board as none of the 3 manboards I have start up. But I could find anything that look worn or frayed in the wiring.  Cleaned the contacts, etc..  about the only thing left is the power supply. I thought about an eletronics store, but am not sure that they would handle a switch with the mmetal finger that extends out to hit the door switch. I'll have to check on that.

Thanks for the reply..

[uniman]

I thought about the AA's and decided to add the purple nicad from radio shack in the holder for easy replacment. Hmm didn;t know the board would run with out a battery not that it matters since it doesn't get passed anything. Am almost out of options. Have thought of swithing chips off the different boards I have but not sure that would make a difference. It just seems it is soemthing with the back plane board as none of the 3 manboards I have start up. But I could find anything that look worn or frayed in the wiring.  Cleaned the contacts, etc..  about the only thing left is the power supply. I thought about an eletronics store, but am not sure that they would handle a switch with the mmetal finger that extends out to hit the door switch. I'll have to check on that.

Thanks for the reply..

Are you talking about this style of switch?

http://www.google.com/products/catalog?q=micro+switches&oe=UTF-8&cid=16206344013502554606&ei=LedITJ3sB6W4iwTJuIHPCA&sa=image&ved=0CAgQ8gIwADgA#p

[golflover]

Yup That is the switch.. I ahould be able to find it locally then. Alot of electronics parts stores around here. But if I cannot get it to boot up it won't be worth the investment.

[uniman]

I just pulled my power supply and I see someone has already bypassed the noise filter. Check yours and if the noise filter is not bypassed then bypass it.
It's a long shot, but worth a try. The noise filters were required by law in the casinos, not needed for home use and these do fail often!!

[golflover]

Hey Jim:

Not sure what I am looking at if I pull the power supply. Is the noise filter inside the power supply? Any description woould help. Thanks!

[uniman]

Little black box mounted on sidewall next to coil. Has a blue wire and a brown wire going in the bottom and a blue wire and brown wire exiting the top. Snip the wires off and connect the blue to blue and brown to brown.
The black box is attached to sidewall with two screws, impossible to get at without removing coil so just leave it in there.
The noise filter should say Tokin on it if you can read it. (bad angle)

I would take a pic of mine but it is already back in the machine.

[golflover]

Thanks Jim I'll find it and do that after the weather dies down here.. We're getting hit pretty hard with thunder storms and some tornados in the southern tier..  wild weather today

[mattnz]

hi there, how did you get on with this machine?  , i have a universal draw poker(video tec 3000, aussie model)  with the same problem, it has the same problem when using the spare boards that came with it, i have checked the noise filter, it has not been bypassed, but checks out ok, however all the fuses have power, but the  9volt power supply has power into the power supply circuit board but no 9volt out , maybe a bad capacitor, any ideas

[golflover]

Morning Matt:

Sad to say this is still a work in progress.  I have traced back and my porblem seems to be in the monitor wiring or with the monitor itself.  With the mmachne being so old it has been difficult to find spare parts to test with or to replace with.  I still "tinker"  with it when I have time and will not give up the ship as with each foray into the machine I learn a little more. For me it is a hobby.  Jim maybe able to guide you as he knows alot aboout these machines.

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