14 replies to this topic

[imeltdown]

Hi, I have resently been given a MAYGAY 1999 Homer's Meltdown gaming machine, I've been browsing through this site for a while and have searched all of the available topics on this machine, however I have not been able to find any topics related to issues of this machine not paying out.

I have ran 'coin in', and 'coin out' tests and they seem to be working, I can also dump the float with no problems. However when I play the game and my winnings go to the bank section, after my goes have ran out it flashes the collect button, when I press the collect button it just makes a noise instead of paying out (the same noise when you press the test button on the hopper).

I don't know if it is related the problem, but as a side note the meters recording money in/out do not function properly, even though when I test the meters in the system test menu they all rotate normally.

I have also ran the inputs test and all the buttons appear to be working. There is a full £125 float in the machine and so I have no idea what could be wrong with it, anyone able to give me some advice?

Thanks.

[todd1970]

Hi, I have resently been given a MAYGAY 1999 Homer's Meltdown gaming machine, I've been browsing through this site for a while and have searched all of the available topics on this machine, however I have not been able to find any topics related to issues of this machine not paying out.

I have ran 'coin in', and 'coin out' tests and they seem to be working, I can also dump the float with no problems. However when I play the game and my winnings go to the bank section, after my goes have ran out it flashes the collect button, when I press the collect button it just makes a noise instead of paying out (the same noise when you press the test button on the hopper).

I don't know if it is related the problem, but as a side note the meters recording money in/out do not function properly, even though when I test the meters in the system test menu they all rotate normally.

I have also ran the inputs test and all the buttons appear to be working. There is a full £125 float in the machine and so I have no idea what could be wrong with it, anyone able to give me some advice?

Thanks.

Thats refreshing to see...someone that knows how to use a forum

Sorry i cant help you with your problem though m8 as i know nothing about real machines...you might have some joy if you look under Forum : "Real Fruit Machines" and type in "Epoch" .

Hope this helps.

[stanmarsh14]

I had a very similar problem with another Epoch machine (Flashback), which also had an memory problem relating to a dead battery, but all sorted, with a new Epoch board.

Check your main Epoch Board (Normally on the upper left inside the machine), and see if the battery is leaking.

If it is, unfortunately, almost always, you will have to replace the board, as there are two very tiny tracks that run under the battery, and almost always when the battery leaks, they fail, and it's a bastard to fly-wire broken tracks on an Epoch board too. Having said that, if the battery has leaked, take it off ASAP, and wash the area, first with some vinegar, use an old tooth brush to scrub the area, then rinse under cold water, then leave to dry, somewhere warm for 24 hrs. Afterwards, re-fit, and see if the board works (You will get a battery alarm / memory cleared, but machine will still work). If all is good, you just need a new battery (See link below). If not, then look at the tracks and surrounding components where the battery was, and see if it's possible to repair, though more often than not at this stage, board will be scrap.

Battery will have 2 legs, and look like this http://www.aaamuseme...62c17ac90c41ea9

The link BTW, is from a very well known and trusted member in FME (aaamusements, both here, and at The Mecca, where he's found most often), should the board be ok, but battery want replacing.

Edited by stanmarsh14, 28 July 2011 - 08:57 PM.

[imeltdown]

Thanks for the replies todd1970 and stanmarsh14, the problem was something stupidly simple, I needed to put the lower case door on so it holds a switch which I thought was just a reset button :facepalm: Problem fixed and the machine is working perfectly - pays out and meters rotate .

@ stan chears for the link to another battery, may have to be picking one of thoes up, as after turning the machine off then back on from the mains it makes a loud error noise displaying memory cleared. I was looking for a CMOS type battery (was expecting the type thats on motherboards in desktop computers), I guess this needs replacing as it gives me that error on startup and needs me to reset date/time. Thanks for the info much appreciated, any links you would reccomend for getting replacement bulbs (presuming 12v 10mm wedge), I was also looking into seeing if if it would be worth my while to replace the bulbs with LED versions, but the only ones I could find were cluster (3x) LED bulbs on ebay at £2.90 each!

[stanmarsh14]

LED type will either not work, or are massively too expensive, but not the first time someone has been looking at doing this.

For bulbs, I normally use Stemik's, though you can probs find cheaper, like these.... 50 for a fiver delivered: http://www.ebay.co.u...=item3f0bae6f6d

Sometimes, you may need to use the smaller 5mm size, like these: http://www.ebay.co.u...=item587ce86ece though watch out for coloured ones, and replace like for like.

Something to add about the battery when you replace it..... fly-wire it off the Epoch board, and tape it somewhere to the inside of the cab.

Reason why is as per the battery leakage issue I explained earlier, so if / when the battery leaks again, it will not screw over the epoch board. Phone wire from places like wilco's is ideal for this.

Edited by stanmarsh14, 29 July 2011 - 02:04 PM.

[imeltdown]

Something to add about the battery when you replace it..... fly-wire it off the Epoch board, and tape it somewhere to the inside of the cab.

Phone wire from places like wilco's is ideal for this.

Hi thank you for bringing the battery concern to my attention, I have checked my machine and the battery is starting to grow that fuzzy white stuff :s (looks like I will be buying that new battery then), luckily it appears only to be growing on the one side and has not leaked anywhere. I will get on this asap as suggested, I have searched around and realised that I need to desolder the battery, so I will be needing to get a solder sucker as from a quick google searching using desoldering braid is not adviced due to possibility of damaging the PCB. Will be practising my solder/desoldering skills over the weekend then.

By fly-wire do you mean soldering a connector to the PCB for the battery to attach to - e.g. like for a 9v battery, you could use a 9v battery connector:



I guess I can use 2 strips of some normal thin wire cable and solder the one end to the PCB, the other to the new battery? Also can the weak vinegar solution be used instead of isopropanol for cleaning the PCB, or is the vinegar used only to remove the damage done by the leaking battery?

[stanmarsh14]

By fly-wire do you mean soldering a connector to the PCB for the battery to attach to?

I guess I can use 2 strips of some normal thin wire cable and solder the one end to the PCB, the other to the new battery? Also can the weak vinegar solution be used instead of isopropanol for cleaning the PCB, or is the vinegar used only to remove the damage done by the leaking battery?

Yes, it's just two wires (Recommend using phone wire from Wilco's, or wherever you can find it, as it's cheap, and strong enough for the job), one end to the Epoch board, other to the battery, noting your + / - markings.

Cleaning, normally recommend using Vinegar and an old tooth brush, to clean any leakage, rinse under a cold tap, leave to dry in a warm place for 24 hrs.

Once dry, you can fit the battery, and just fly-wire it off the board, and just tape the battery to the inside of the cab, using some electricians tape, or similar.

Sorry if I am teaching you to suck eggs, but it's vitally important you get that battery off now rather than later, even if you just snip it off with a pair of pliers.

Machine will still run without the battery, just you will get a ram clear / battery warning upon boot, and game information will not be remembered.

Edited by stanmarsh14, 29 July 2011 - 05:00 PM.

[arnookie]

Yes, it's just two wires (Recommend using phone wire from Wilco's, or wherever you can find it, as it's cheap, and strong enough for the job), one end to the Epoch board, other to the battery, noting your + / - markings.

Cleaning, normally recommend using Vinegar and an old tooth brush, to clean any leakage, rinse under a cold tap, leave to dry in a warm place for 24 hrs.

Once dry, you can fit the battery, and just fly-wire it off the board, and just tape the battery to the inside of the cab, using some electricians tape, or similar.

Sorry if I am teaching you to suck eggs, but it's vitally important you get that battery off now rather than later, even if you just snip it off with a pair of pliers.

Machine will still run without the battery, just you will get a ram clear / battery warning upon boot, and game information will not be remembered.

Great info I purchased the Homers meltdown machine from a charity store. I had read this before it came and was a little worried that the battery may have leaked because I did not test the machine at all and I know they had it stood for about 6 months. I offfered them £25 for it. It cost £10 delivery and they brought it yesterday. When I tried it it did nothing at all. Would not work in any way apart from buzz. I looked at the board and battery you mentioned and indeed they were damaged the battery had leaked and burnt several tiny track on the board. I spend several hours trying to repair the board and re solder the track. Amazingly I managed to get it working by using several wires fed from some decent points on the back of the board and fed them to the start of the break in the circuit. I can't beleive I managed to do this as the tracks are so tiny. But my machine works superb now so I am very happy your post pointed to this problem.
Thank you,
I also proved you can fix these boards with a little patience and wire / solder. Yes its real tricky and I only used a cheap soldering iron. I am so pleased I could fix it.
So dont give up on your damaged boards. They can be fixed.

[arnookie]

Happy thank you for your help. )

[cgleisure]

check the door switches in test

[arnookie]

check the door switches in test

Every thing works perfect. Test mode, door switches and all modes of operation work perfect.
It takes the coins and the hopper works fine no problems at all after I fixed my board.

[arnookie]

Easy find replacement epoch battery.

Just a nother note for you all. If you need a battery for your epoch board I know of a very good source.
Just visit your local poundland and purchase a solar rechargeable garden light. They all use the same small rechargable battery as the origional you need to replace. You may need to change it every couple of years though but they work fine and are the perfect Mah for these machines.
I hope that helps some of you who needed an easy replacement battery. : o )

[arnookie]

I love the simpsons FM.

I have a Modern yabba dabba darts I am looking to swap for one, Or sell mine and buy a simpsons.

My dad used to work for Bell fruit back in the day and he would use a paint on track repair, it looked similar to the stuff you use to repair the tracks on the heated rear windsreen of a car.
Fiddly stuff I'm sure but seemed to work.

Im no wizz with fruit machines but if anyone is interested I could ask him what this was for future reference?

That would be a big help as the boards are near on impossible to solder.
I did concider the rear heated windscreen repair but they are expensive and I was unsure how effective they are.
So yes please ask you dad what he used.
Thanks.