Big Choice Claw Machine problem

Edziu23

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I think I posted this in the wrong section:


First I want to introduce myself, My name is Ed and I am becoming an arcade room junky. I started by purchasing a Ms Pacman multicade as a wedding gift for my wife. I will need help with restoring it and possibly changing it from a 4 in 1 multicade to a larder one but have a few questions about a Big choice crane game that I recently purchased as it doesnt work at all.

The game has a joystick and a flashing light will come on when the coins are put in. I cant find any other information on the unit. It has one circuit board with two fuses that I replaced.

I would like to preface by saying that I am fairly mechanical but have never worked on circuit boards so I have a few questions.

What is happening is that when a quarter is placed into the machine the timer light comes on and flashes but the crane doesn't move. I checked and the transformer is functional and the board is receiving 30+ volts I also checked and the two fuses on the board are functional. The board looks like it is in decent shape there are no burn marks on it however it is pretty dusty.

When I turn the unit on/off the claw open and closes but that is the only movement it makes.



My questions are:



1) Does this sound like a board problem?

2) Could it only be a relay problem on the board?

4) How can I be sure I need a new board?

5) Any ideas what my next step would be?


THanks in advance. If it would help I could possibly post some pictures.

ED
 
I guess we should start with the basics. Can you move the crane on the track when it is powered off easily? It should move back and forth, left right, without much trouble. Have you double checked the joystick connections to make sure they are wired properly and have not fallen off? Have you checked for sticky microswitches on the crane/claw unit?
 
I found one tab was broken off on one of the micro-switchs on the joystick. I also found a couple of wires were not on the tabs on the other micro switches. I am not positive i picked the right wires to put back on the tabs, so I have to double check when I get the new micro switch in.

The crane does move fairly easily (some resistence but I think that is normal). I checked, but did not put a meter to the micro switched on the crane.

When moving the joystick I heard clicking on board in 3 out of the 4 directions. I will double check once I put the new switch in.

The part that concerns me is the condition of the top part of the board. I thought it was dusty but it looks more rusty now that I got a better look at it.

I havent had a chance to call the Elaut company yet, but from what I have gathered there isnt much info/drawings/schematics on these units.

I would rather not spend close to $300 on a board and wiring if it isnt necessary
 

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If it were me, I'd pull that board, douse it with simple green, and after hosing it off, let it sit a few days. It would make it a lot easier to see if there are any issues on the pcb itself. Perhaps a component has rusted legs?
 
Nice, I didn't realize that you could do that. Can I check the board out by checking for continuity after cleaning?
 
You can swap relays on the main pcb. Swap the relay which closes the claw with a relay which moves the trolley forward, etc. Those relays on that pcb are all the same. Then you could rule out the relays, OR perhaps find one that may be bad.

Dave.
 
Hi Ed.

When you first power this unit up it should perform a test on all the limit switches. The first test is up/down with the claw (which tests the "bottom" switch (the switch that tells the logic the claw is resting on the "bottom" (wherever that may be)), then the "Top" switch (which tells the logic the claw is at the top).

If these tests pass, then the logic will try to move the claw to the home position which is over the Win Chute. (where the prize drops, making it accessable to the player/winner).

If any of these tests fail, the display will flash a fail code in the games display. a number that will flash quickly.

If everything passes, a steady zero "0" (or the amount of unused credits currently in memory) will show on the display.

Normally what I did was I'd move the claw to the center, then by turning the spindle, manually lower the claw down enough to where I'd be able to see the unit lift it back up during this test.

In all the time I've worked on these, documentation was few and far between for anything Elaut.

If you do decide to work on it yourself, as an FYI most of the logic boards used by Elaut are multi layer, and can be tricky to work on.

Thanks for reading,

Gynotai
 
Thanks for the advice. The only movements it makes is an open of the claw. This unit doesnt have a display timer, just a light that blinks. When a coin is deposited the light flashes for a few seconds then goes out. I am getting in a replacement board that is exactly the same as the one I have now. I will put it in and see where that gets me. Thanks for the help and if you have any more advice please let me know.

Ed
 
If it were me, I'd pull that board, douse it with simple green, and after hosing it off, let it sit a few days. It would make it a lot easier to see if there are any issues on the pcb itself. Perhaps a component has rusted legs?



Nooooooo..... Do NOT wash a board with relays on it! Always be careful if there are relays or potentiometers with moisture, particularly with detergents as they leave residue behind. This board has both with the game select and the claw strength pot. Along with relays. I would wash the effected area, just try to keep the knobs and black boxes dry.

E-mail me and I will send you the schematics. You will find Betson is a bit unresponsive to requests for these.
 
Here is a picture, I have a (new to me) used board on its way. I hope that will be the problem.
 

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OMG....do you live near the ocean or has the machine been used near one? The rust on the picture is crazy....I would definitly expect the new board to work and give the old one a cleaning or toss it and forget it.
 
Just picked up an untested one off EBay for $10.52 shipped.
Now to see if I beat the odds when I install it!!

I have 3 boards already, but only 1 working one..
Kids play this so much I'd be up the creek if I don't have a backup!!!
 
Well I put the new to me (untested) board in and it still doesnt work. As you can tell from my previous pictures the machine was sitting in a damp garage for a year or two. I am now wondering if the motors are now shot? but think that I should double check the joystick first. I played around with things so much I want to make sure I am putting them back right. So I have a few questions.

1)In looking at the drawings for the machine the colors of the wires on the drawing and what I actually have on my 15 pin harness are not the same. I am pretty sure I now know what is supposed to be what. Seem logical?

2)On one page of the manual it says things like Pin 13 orange drop claw n/o
Should I assume that the drop claw micro-switch should have an orange wire on the NO3 tab?

3) What should be connected to the other tabs of the micro-switches?

4)In the manual there were 3 black wires on pins 6,7,8 that were labeled as either ground or ground common, in my harness they are blue/white, purple, red with the purple and red each having a daisy chained wire off of them. Which part of the microswitch should these be connected to?

5) What is the other tab on the microswitch for? NC2 or Com 1?
 
I've seen a lot of these not work simply because the claw string reverses and rewinds in the wrong direction. Remove the top chrome top, it just clips on, and then slice down the cover over the pulleys and string. The string should ride straight up threw the top pulley, down and under the middle pulley, then I believe the string should wind counter clock wise on the right pulley, if you have a manual it should show the correct direction. Hope that helps......
 
Well I am still working on this thing. I took the trolly off and the string is run correctly. The problem is I cant turn the motors by hand at all. Is this normal? Is there any way to test a motor? Can I wire it to a battery? the motors say 48 v. I think that I either call someone in to take a look or purchase a new board and wiring, but I dont want to do that unless I am confident the motors are good. Thanks
 
You should be able to spin the motors. I had one freeze up on me, but had a spare. Since then I located an entire spare assembly as the kids play this machine to death!
 
those motors are hard to turn by hand, but if you have a car battery or power supply, 12vdc is enough to turn the motors and will show you if they are good.
 
What's the status on this now? When I work on a crane, I usually move the trolley away from its home spot before turning it on, just to see if it is returning to home when powered (which it should do). That will eliminate motor and power as an issue.
 
Elaut crane not working hints

I would also check the condition of the switches on your trolley. Your board is digital so it needs good high TTL levels and good low TTL levels. Measure the resistance of the switches. When a contact is closed it should have close to zero ohms of resistance. There is a chance that the contacts in the switches and commutator of the motor has gotten corroded due to moisture in the air, oxygen in the air, and time. You may also want to check that the wires are good by moving them as you measure continuity.
 
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