Big Choice Crane - Claw wont close!

hallzy21

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Hello everyone I hope I am posting this in the right section. This is my first post in the forum! So I guess first off I should introduce myself! My name is Eric Hall and I am from Ohio. Today I acquired my very first arcade type machine! In a way it fulfilled a childhood dream. Since I was little I was obsessed with the crane machines that you win stuffed animals and such from. Today I had the opportunity to trade a few items that I no longer used anyways for an old "big choice" brand crane machine!

Besides years of experience playing the games, I really don't know much about how these machines work. The one I got is an older one, but still in very good shape, and ALMOST functions perfectly. It does power on, all the lights work, quarter slot works, crane moves and drops, and even returns to the home position each time! The only problem I have noticed so far is that after the claw drops, it does not close. It remains open thru the whole process.

The person I got it from did inform me of this problem, and gave me what appears to look like an o ring that had snapped. Does anyone know anything about these machines, and what my problem might be and how to fix it? I have tried searching the web for a diagram to figure out where this o ring looking price belongs, but so far have had no luck. I can post any pictures needed, just let me know what I need to do! Thanks in advance for any help! :)
 
Congrats! been looking for one of these myself actually. I can't help you as I have no experience with them, but I'll be watching this post for updates, so I can learn too!
 
Here is a picture of the o ring. I think because of the size of it, it could possibly even be used as a belt. That is just speculation tho, I still havnt been able to find any kind if manual or diagram for this machine. I don't know the exact size at the moment, but I can measure and post tomorrow.
 

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OK so I have come to the conclusion that it is the drive belt. But I still have no idea how to replace it. I picked up an o ring that should be close to the right size, does anyone have a picture or diagram of how this belt is to be installed?
 
I have the part, I just don't know where it goes! Lol it was broke when I got the machine so I didn't see where it came from. Could you take a picture of yours so I can see where to install the drive belt?
 
I have the part, I just don't know where it goes! Lol it was broke when I got the machine so I didn't see where it came from. Could you take a picture of yours so I can see where to install the drive belt?

I would but I have no idea where it goes either. I know nothing about them. Contact "QbertWPC" here on the forums. He is a great guy and I got my crane from him. He should be able to help you out.
 
that belt has nothing to do with the problem you are having
my guess is that you have a bad claw coil or a bad switch but my
money is on a bad claw coil. buy a new one from happ and see
if that resolves the problem
 
I actually found a wiring diagram today, and when I started messing around with it I was able to get the claw to close, but only for a brief second, and it closed when the claw was already on its way back up. I didn't have much time to keep working with it tho, so that is as far as I got. In the meantime I also somehow managed to make it unable to move the arm back, forth, and left. It would only move right. Haha but like I said I didn't have much time to mess with it so I'm sure I can get that working again. The good thing is the claw did close on its own, just not at the right time, so I don't think the claw coil itself is bad. I will mess with it some more tomorrow and let you know what happens.
 
Possible relay or transistor problem...

Also take the screws out that hold the cap and solenoid housing together on the claw and check for a bad solder connection on the claw coil.

The belts go on the sides of the bridge assembly and put even tension on the drive and idler rods, keeping the back and forth movement straight and preventing the bridge from wobbling left and right as it travels. New belts are available from happ controls.

Also, do you have the CPU controlled big choice or the electromechanical relay-only board?
 
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Possible relay or transistor problem...

Also take the screws out that hold the cap and solenoid housing together on the claw and check for a bad solder connection on the claw coil.

The belts go on the sides of the bridge assembly and put even tension on the drive and idler rods, keeping the back and forth movement straight and preventing the bridge from wobbling left and right as it travels. New belts are available from happ controls.

Also, do you have the CPU controlled big choice or the electromechanical relay-only board?

I can get o rings from work that will function just fine as a belt. And I'm not really sure what and electromechanical relay only board is.

But I did take the cap off the claw and opened it up and wouldn't you know it one of the wires had come unsoldered! Hit it with some fresh solder, put it back together, good as new! Working great now! Thank you so much!
 
qbert looks to be right on with the drive belt .....the trolly runs along the rods and is driven by a belt on each side. You probably can't see the drive belt position to well with the trolly up inside the machine so to get a better look at where they are, you are going to need to grab the trolly with both hands and lift it up and turn the whole assembly untill it can be dropped down so you can see the end of the trolly assembly. The roller wheels that ride back and forth have a belt looped around them and can be seen at each end.....and you will be able to see that one is still working and unless it has been replaced, you will see one end is missing the drive belt.

good luck....
 
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