Noob question alert, high score reset plus other ?'s

EvilJack

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Noob question alert, high score reset plus other ?'s

Ok so I apologize for the noob question in advance, plus the many others that are sure to follow. So I have been reading through my owners manual for my Dolly Parton pin. Some things I have started to figure out and somethings I am still confused on. Nothing I really need to repair, I have just been reading and playing with settings just to learn how everything works. For example the guy had it set on 5-ball play and I figured out and switched it back to 3-ball play. Plus all the other settings that either make the game easier or harder to score on. I prefer it more difficult to score even though I am a novice. I feel its a false sense of your ability if the game is set too easy.

Anyways on to the point. This pin has a 6 digit score display. When its in attract mode it will flash the to-date high score on all four displays and the last played score on the first player display alternatly. The current to-date high score is like 405,670 or something close. I am not of the skill yet to reach that score. I would like to keep track of my high score, and the only way I know to do this other then writing it down is to reset the to-date. I have read through the manual a couple times and can't figure it out. I even tried removing one of the batteries from the remote battery tray. Should I remove all three? Is there another way to reset the score?

Also I have a question about the tilt mechanism. I was playing around with it to see how it worked. There are three mechanisms, two of which I saw, didn't know about the third till I read the manual. The is a plumb bob tilt sensor, which I though would register a tilt if it went too far in any direction, but it only registers a tilt when it swings all the way towards the back of the machine. The second one I messed with is a ball bearing similar to the pinball itself only smaller. Its in a track with switch at one end. Before I read the manual I was playing with it. It didn't do anything when it touched the switch or didn't touch the switch. According to the manual its a level tilt. Designed to sense if someone is trying to lift up the front of the machine. So I would guess that the ball is supposed to not touch the switch and if someone lifts the front of the machine it would hit the switch and set off tilt. Am I correct in understanding this? There is a third under the playfield according to the manual but I haven't messed with it yet.

Another question. Someone prior to the previous owner installed a credit button on the outside of the machine. When you drop in a coin it adds one credit. When you push the button it adds five credits. I know the outside button is not normal, is there supposed to be an inside credit button for the operator? The switch on the button doesn't look added on, just the button. Plus the only info I can find on credits is that there is a coin/credit adjustment in the back box and in the coin mech. Just curious on how this works.

Well thats it for now. I know I will have others, but this should be a good start.
 
Removing all three batteries with the game off will set it back to factory default I believe. Not sure if you want to do that though. Would be a great time to put new batteries in though. Best bet is to reset the high scores in the game menu so you know how to do that and then put new batteries in with the game powered on.

For the tilts this is a good overview

Funny they put a credit button on there. On my pinbot I just manually activate the little wire on the coin mech to add credits. My Bride of pinbot has a service credit button inside the coin door.
 
On my Bally Skateball I just lowered the replay value to 10,000. So no matter how bad you play you end up winning a free game everytime and don't have to coin up the machine everytime and you don't need to add an external button. It also keeps track of your credits, so even if you shut it off, you still have credits when you turn it on...
 
The tilts are simple.

The little ball rolls to the back when someone trys to lift the whole game..tilt

The plumb bob tilt moves in all directions and if it touches the side ring it will tilt or give a warning then eventually tilt

There are also tilts that look like little leaf switches with a weight on one part of the leaf. When it touches together..tilt

Simple...
 
On my Bally Skateball I just lowered the replay value to 10,000. So no matter how bad you play you end up winning a free game everytime and don't have to coin up the machine everytime and you don't need to add an external button. It also keeps track of your credits, so even if you shut it off, you still have credits when you turn it on...

Only way you could win a free game,eh ????

;)
 
Thanks for the replies guys.

As far as the to-date high score, I am gonna try all three batteries. There is no menu option for setting up play features. There is only a self test menu, and dip switch's.

As far as the credit button, was already on there when I got it and it will be coming off. Just curious why the button gives 5 creds and the coin 1 cred. I think there is supposed to be a factory service cred button like mentioned and that it was relocated outside the machine. Will have to look more into that.

As far as the tilt sensors go. I haven't looked into the one that has the weights thats supposed to be on the bottom of the PF. The plumb bob one is aparently not working correctly. It only registers a tilt when I push it forwards(toward back of cabinet) to contact the metal ring. If I pull it backwards(toward coin door), or side to side and make contact it does nothing. I am guessing that I may need to clean up the contact areas of the plumb bob and the ring. The one that uses a ball I don't think is working at all. Its constantly touching the switch, and even when I pull it back and let it roll into the switch it doesn't register a tilt. My guess is that the last owner leveled out the machine to the point that the ball touches tne switch and then probably discounected it. Thats just a guess, as I don't actually have the ability to go and check on the machine right now.

Thanks again guys.
 
That ball type tilt switch is useless in a home environment anyhow. Just forget about it. Who in there right mind is going to lift a machine that high to cause that type of tilt. Doesn't happen....
 
The button on the outside is more then likely wired to a coin switch/simulates putting in a coin and they have it programmed to give 5 credits (by means of the dip switches) so you do not need to push it all the time to get games.

Pulling/replacing batteries with the machine off will completely confuse and scramble the programming on a mid 80's Bally Dolly Parton.

To get it back a manual is helpful, but pushing that inside RED button on the inside of the coin door will enter test/programing (every push steps to next level). Once you get past the hardware test stuff you enter the resettable stuff you are looking for... total plays, free, coin left, right etc. the one you need is for programming replay levels (here is where you need a manual).

Push red button till you see the right MODE number in the display ...push the small S33 RED BUTTON on the top of the MPU board will reset it back to zero..then you hold in the GAME START BUTTON on the front of the Game to step up to the replay value that you want..when you see that number let go of the start button...push the red test button INSIDE the door to advance to the next level. push that S33 button agian on the MPU to reset this one to zero, set to the value you want. REPETE for every value/level.

You can program 1, 2, or 3 replay levels ...if you leave it at Zero no game will be given....the next level is setting HIGH SCORE value. normally set above the last replay level but you can leave it at ZERRO and every game you play will advance it up till it gets so high you can not beat it again.

Hope the does not totally confuse you..but gives you idea of what pulling the battery's will require.
 
Check the ball in your roll tilt. I think when I was over I saw that it may be made of plastic or something(it was white) It needs to be a metal ball to make contact. On the plumb tilt just take some scotchbright and clean up the metal ring and the plum bob and you should be good.
 
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