Dumb Question - Coin Door Lockout Solenoids?

cpyne

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This may be a dumb question, but what is the purpose of coin door lockout solenoids? Why would an arcade operator ever want to make sure nobody put in TO MANY quarters? I'm sure there's a reason since the solenoids and wiring had to add to the manufacturing cost of the machine. Can anyone enlighten me????

Thanks
Charlie
 
The main reason for these as far as I'm concerned is more for if the machine has no power (or other issues) it prevents the machine from accepting money...

I know in most games you can also set it to that xx number of credits and then lock out, I really see no reason for that, but it's there...

This may be a dumb question, but what is the purpose of coin door lockout solenoids? Why would an arcade operator ever want to make sure nobody put in TO MANY quarters? I'm sure there's a reason since the solenoids and wiring had to add to the manufacturing cost of the machine. Can anyone enlighten me????

Thanks
Charlie
 
HotRod - Your answer makes perfect sense. Taking a quarter and giving no game totally invites vandalizm.

I own three games that have them, (Black Knight 2000, Devils Dare, and Stargate). My Defender does not have them which may explain it's condition. I have a feeling it took a beating or two back in its arcade days!

Thanks
Charlie
 
HotRod is right on the money (pun intended). The coin lockouts were there to prevent coins from being accepted when the power was off. They were originally used by honest operators, but over time the lure of free quarters caused most of them to either bend the solenoids back out of the way, rendering them useless, wrapping them in rubber bands to keep the lockout pin pulled back even when the power was off or just plain removed them. I always try to put them back into position when I do a restore, but sometimes they are mangled beyond repair.

This is why you always see "Player assumes all risk", "No refunds" and such posted all over machines on location. Free quarters.

ken
 
Yes, it's to keep a game from taking a coin if it isn't on/powered up. Most games from the early 80's seemed to have them. At some point they seemed to have disappeared. I don't usually see them on over-under style doors that became popular around the mid-80's and later.

Wade
 
Yes, it's to keep a game from taking a coin if it isn't on/powered up. Most games from the early 80's seemed to have them. At some point they seemed to have disappeared. I don't usually see them on over-under style doors that became popular around the mid-80's and later.

Wade

I've had several games with over/under coin doors that have lockout coils. I know my paperboy does.
 
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