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Crane Game repair

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RickDIII:

Ok, maybe this should be in Everything Else - feel free to bump it over.

Anyway, game room is almost finished   :cheers:

I've been trying to get it put together for some time now, buying a piece at a time.  Got the bar in place, Starship Troopers pin is perfect.  Poker table arrives July 5th.  Slot machine is great!  Mame machine is in the home stretch...

Don't ask why, but I've wanted to throw a skill crane in as well...I know -  :lame:

But that aside, there is a local one on ebay that does not function.  I might be willing to take a shot at it if the bidding stays low.  Problem is I have been able to find very little resources on repair, parts, etc.  Anyone have any sites they can point me to?  Any experience with these things?  I'm wondering how complex they are and how difficult a task I am considering. 

Thanks for any input!

Rick


Fozzy The Bear:

I maintain 4 of them at work..... The difficulty for you, is really dependant on who made it and how old it is.

If it's a fairly modern one then it's electronics.... if it's a fairly old one then it will be more mechanical.

You do know that they don't grab with the same amout of force on each grab, don't you...  and that on more modern ones you actually program the payout from them.  For example to pay out (Grab) a toy every 5 attempts or 10 attempts or 15 attempts or whatever you set it to.   

In the most modern ones you just tell it the cost of the toy and the amount you want to get in for it and it will work out when to grab and when not to.

Again if it's a modern one then you should have no trouble getting an opperators manual for it.

They're much easier to restore than a video game. There really isn't that much to them. Especially if mechanical stuff is more your thing. Post some pictures, and some manufacturers details and I'd guess several people on here will be able to help you.

Best Regards,
Julian (Fozzy The Bear)

ahofle:


--- Quote from: Fozzy The Bear on June 01, 2006, 01:03:08 pm ---You do know that they don't grab with the same amout of force on each grab, don't you...  and that on more modern ones you actually program the payout from them.  For example to pay out (Grab) a toy every 5 attempts or 10 attempts or 15 attempts or whatever you set it to.   

--- End quote ---

LMAO I didn't know that.  I'll have to share that with my brother who claims to be 'good' at those crane games.  :laugh2:

Fozzy The Bear:


--- Quote from: ahofle on June 01, 2006, 01:07:58 pm ---
--- Quote from: Fozzy The Bear on June 01, 2006, 01:03:08 pm ---You do know that they don't grab with the same amount of force on each grab, don't you...  and that on more modern ones you actually program the payout from them.  For example to pay out (Grab) a toy every 5 attempts or 10 attempts or 15 attempts or whatever you set it to.   

--- End quote ---

LMAO I didn't know that.  I'll have to share that with my brother who claims to be 'good' at those crane games.  :laugh2:

--- End quote ---

Yeah!! Most people never realise that, they just can't really win.  At the end of the day, arcade operators are in business to make money, just like everyone else.

That said, the ones in the arcade I work for are set to a very fair cost to win ratio.  Most operators do that, because if you don't ever win anything from them you wouldn't come back and play them again.

Best Regards,
Julian (Fozzy The Bear)

Kevin Mullins:

Which crane are you looking at on E-bay ?
That would help determine the "usual" problems you might find.
I know my older Greyhound Candyshop crane is even simpler than alot of the newer "smart" cranes. It generally has more of the mechanical variety problems.
(claw coil power supply was the first issue)
But as far as the rest there are replacement boards and such out there for many of the newer ones if it comes down to that on the one you are looking at.
Ex: http://lupinesystems.com/crane/
Just let us know what it is and I'm sure it'll be fairly simple to figure out.

Oh... and by the way.... the little crane I got for the house is one of THE most popular machines I have with the kids and adults alike. (if I can ever keep it full of candy) ;)

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