Tech Help: 1957 Bally ABC Bowler

craigmack

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Hi,

I am stuck with one hopefully last problem on this game.
Game seems to play perfectly except for the 1st player always has its Spare lamp turned on when a new game is started.

I've looked over both mark storage relays for player 1, the director stepper and so far that is all I have found that can control the Spare event.

I am sure I am missing something obvious, I think I just need a fresh suggestion to refocus and find the problem. This is my first Bally Bowler and the director unit definitely throws a twist into the logic of the game.

Thanks!
 
I'm not familiar with Bally's and this is probably too obvious but did you try to manually reset the spare stepper before or after the game resets? If that turns it off, it sounds to me that the stepper needs to be adjusted/rebuilt (which consists of taking it apart, removing the old grease, putting fresh in and adjusting it so it makes it back to home position upon reset.
 
The "odd" thing about these Bally Bowlers is that unlike Chicago,United etc they didn't use steppers for the strike and spare scoring. They used a unit called a director that would set various scoring states. When this unit is reset I am still seeing the spare light and I'm not sure what else to examine...
 
Interesting don't have a ball bowler or a contact bowler. However interested in a photo of the director you speak of...maybe someone in the forum can help you work through it?
 
if the lamp isn't shorted on by some wiring error or whatever....then the unit that runs the strike/spare, regardless of what you want to call it, has to be the problem.
 
Do you have manuals / schematics?

If not, I've uploaded copies of mine here: http://www.arcade-museum.com/game_detail.php?game_id=414

I had to scan the schematics in 6 sections though. Just got a new scanner at work that can scan the full print, just have to remember to bring it in.

You are on the right track. The first player spare indicating lamp (at location N-15 on the second page) is powered through two separate mark storage relay contacts.

The numbers next to the wires indicate the wire colors (if they are still legible). The wire color legend is at the bottom, left side of the schematic (on the first page).
 
Thanks for the replies.

Nedc: I do have the schematics, but thank you for scanning yours. My question is what part of the reset sequence would this state be possibly set at? The spare lamp is out until the reset is complete and Player 1 has control, then the Spare lamp illuminates and stays that way until game over. When the game enters game over, the lamp does shut off (which may be a result of a complete cut of power to the relays if I am reading this right).

Thanks!
 
When the game enters game over, the lamp does shut off (which may be a result of a complete cut of power to the relays if I am reading this right).

Yes, the game over trip relay completely cuts power to the spare / strike lamps. This is the contact in bold at location N-14.

.....what part of the reset sequence would this state be possibly set at?

Before getting into the sequencing, check a few things. Look at the 1st player #1 and #2 mark relays. They should both be de-energized when you first start a game.

If they are both de-energized, you need to check the contact gaps. Power down then manually (and carefully) push in the relay coil plates and make sure the contacts open and close properly. Also check the tabs where the wires are soldered to the individual switch leafs and make sure that none of them are bent and shorted to an adjacent tab.

If any relays are energized when you first start a game, you should still check the contact gaps because each relay has a "hold in" contact that, if not gapped properly or if shorted at the tab, it can cause the coil to energize.

Post your results and if you don't find any contact adjustment issues or tabs that are shorted I will try to assist further.
 
Updating this issue.

The Player 1 Mark relays both function properly. The Mark relays for all players are fine as well.

Problem remains as this:

Game resets fully, selects Player 1. Player 1 has Spare mark already lit, but no points and no pins have been knocked down.

Player can bowl normally, but is only awarded points for single pins, not +10, 20, etc for spares and strikes.

Weird scoring occurs for all players.

Director unit, 1-9 pin scoring relay, 10-99 scoring relays work when operated by hand.

Any thoughts on this one???
 
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