I also need Greyhound skill crane help

[aeao]

I recently purchased a greyhound skill crane and I'm having a little problem getting it to work. I have been tinkering with it for over a week know and have made a lot of progress but the claw wont come down.  It moves left and right forward and backwards but when i press the purtty red button the disply turns to 88s and nothing happens. I love arcade machines and repairing them is a hobby of mine but that doesn't mean I know what I'm doing. I pretty much just fiddle with things tell they go my way. If anyone could help locate the cause of the problem (in the simplest terms) I would greatly appreciate it.

[Ken Layton]

The KLOV forums were just talking about this and the company still supports these. Go here to this thread to get more info:

http://forums.webmagic.com/ubbthreads/showflat.php?Cat=0&Number=1055355&an=0&page=5#Post1055355

[Kevin Mullins]

About how old of a Grayhound crane are we talking?
Does it have just one little circuit board or does it have a couple separate ones?

[aeao]

It has 2 boards i think. I really dont know how old it is, but it looks old.

[Kevin Mullins]

Does it have just one 2 digit display or does it have two of them?
What does the digital display show when you first turn the machine on?

Peruse through this information and see if it matches anything you have as far as boards, dipswtiches, test modes, etc. I put this together for my candy crane, but the info is usable on most similar models. (not the greatest documentation for sure)
http://arcarc.xmission.com/PDF_Arcade_Manuals_and_Schematics/Grayhound%20Crane%20Candy%20Shop.pdf

[aeao]

The score board has two little number screens attached to the same console thingy, each of which has 2 digits. I can see any switches on the inside except the main power switch. It appears to be newer than i original thought because it appears to have a place where a bill reader used to be. I assumed it was old judging mainly by its piss poor condition. I intend on fixing op the outer wood after I get the machine operational. I don't think it was a candy machine because it has the three claws as apposed to the bucket type claw I see on the candy machines. If it would help I can take pictures of the machine if that would help. I greatly appreciate all the responses.javascript:replaceText('%20:burgerking:',%20document.forms.postmodify.message);

[aeao]

I dont remember seeing any switches other than the power switch and the red knob on that big grey box. javascript:replaceText('%20:P',%20document.forms.postmodify.message); i realize i must sound silly without all the proper lingo.

[aeao]

if it helps any my machine looks like this one

[Kevin Mullins]

The score board has two little number screens attached to the same console thingy, each of which has 2 digits.

Sounds like it may still have the older style boards.... not sure yet though.
Do they display digits when you first turn it on?
(and it may change twice, so watch close)
Usually it'll flash a year XX+XX and then a revision number XX+XX

I don't think it was a candy machine because it has the three claws as apposed to the bucket type claw I see on the candy machines. If it would help I can take pictures of the machine if that would help.

Yeah, I realize yours is probably a plush crane. But most of them used the same boardsets and controls and whatnot in them, they just change the claw to suit it's purpose.

Pics of the inside would help narrow down which version you have.
And maybe one or two of the trolley assembly as well.

I've seen lots of Grayhound machines like the one in the video, but I'm not sure when they changed board styles and such.

[aeao]

okay I took pictures but my dog has chewed the cord for the camera. So untill I get a new one I hopr thr numbers you asked fro will suffice. The number came fast so I hope I wrote them down correctly. first it showed 06 02 then 14 8 and finally 08 80.

[Kevin Mullins]

Could you double check those once more ?

The 06 02 seems right.

14 8 is kinda odd, missing digit

And is the 08 80 actually 00 00 ?
Like when it's done with it's self-test and is ready to put a coin in and play.

[aeao]

ya i guess it was 00 00 the flASH must have cought it wrong. On the other set it appears to be 81 but the display looks as though its had a tough life. a few segments aren't lighting up anymore. I pretty sure its 81

[Kevin Mullins]

the display looks as though its had a tough life. a few segments aren't lighting up anymore.

Yeah, that does make it tough then, especially when some of the test modes show digits for good/bad and for any other kind of error codes.

Does yours have a board set that looks like mine?
To the left of the main board is a relay board.
(sorry for the terrible picture)

[aeao]

Yes from what I can tell they look the same, but I will check it again when i go back out to the garage later . The box I have is grey though and mine is a lot more dirty, and in general piss poor condition. Thats actually the reason I purchased it. it might sound stupid but I didn't think an arcade machine should go out sitting in a moldy storage room. I felt it deserved better. I want to get it working again regardless of the time it will take me to do so. Even if I have to replace every damn bolt in it.. Something I would like to point out is that I was told it should self test when I turn it on but all it does is go to home.

[Kevin Mullins]

Yes from what I can tell they look the same, but I will check it again when I go back out to the garage later.

Cool... let us know.
And look to see if there is any label on one of the chips on that main board.

Thats actually the reason I purchased it. it might sound stupid but I didn't think an arcade machine should go out sitting in a moldy storage room. I felt it deserved better. I want to get it working again regardless of the time it will take me to do so. Even if I have to replace every damn bolt in it.

I like that mentality.

Something I would like to point out is that I was told it should self test when I turn it on but all it does is go to home.

From what you've described.... it's doing what it should do as far as the usual "self-test" by just turning it on.
It's more of a software test, hence the version and date code stuff showing up.
And if the carriage is out of place it'll go to home position.
If everything is set and good you won't actually see it do much.

But ...... there are dipswitch tests you can run it through manually. Including a more thorough self-test that will actually run the entire carriage and claw through it's paces and also individual switch tests. The individual switch test requires that you be able to make out the digital display fairly well though, so get used to reading it. (especially if yours is damaged)


The initial digits you are seeing are the software version and the date codes.
example - (0602) (1987)

Then it goes into attract mode 00 00 flashing back and forth.

If it does NOT go to the flashing back and forth 00's then it should display an error code.
example - 88 01 or 99 01 or 99 11 or 11 11 , etc

Dipswitch 8 activates the test mode.
But.....you need to use dipswitches 1-4 to activate each "individual"
test mode.
Turn OFF machine.
Turn ALL dipswitches OFF except number 8.
Turn machine ON
Now turn on dips 1-4 (one at a time only) to activate each individual
test mode.

1. Display test (cycles the two digits in each display)
2. Switch input test (each switch will display a digit if working
correctly)
3. Auto Bridge  test (cycles the entire bridge side to side back and
forth and drops/raises claw))
4. Sound test (will play each attract tune and the WIN tune)

You do not have to turn the machine back off in between tests, just turn the test on or off as needed, but one at a time.
When done...... turn dipswitch 8 back to OFF and restart machine.

I suggest running through the switch tests and bridge test.
The display test should help you know which segments on each display are working or not.
Yours may or may not have the sound option.

[aeao]

this may sound like a stupid question but where might i find these switches. I've looked and the only switch I see is the master power switch

[Kevin Mullins]

Look up .....   

I circled where mine are in the picture.
There is a little bank of 8 tiny switches.
Wish you could post the pictures you took of your stuff.  (Grrr, ruff, ruff)
I'd like to make sure we are talking about the right boardset for sure.

[Tony bridge]

Hi, ive just bought a greyhound candy shop skill crane think its from the year 1993/4 which needs a lot of work doing to it. the first problem i have is that its meant to take 20 pence in money to make it work but i have to put 80 pence in it to make it work.is there any way i can ajust the the amount so it takes the right amount of money. thanks hope you can help.

[Kevin Mullins]

I don't know "pence", so is this 20 pence a single coin unit? (one coin?)

If yours is using a similar board as the one I posted above, try setting dipswitches 1,2,and 3 to OFF. This should allow one coin / one credit.

[Tony bridge]

 thanks,i will give it a try and let you know how i get on. i live in the uk so my skill crane takes uk currancy.

[Kevin Mullins]

Yeah, I just didn't know if 20 pence was a single coin currency option. (like our quarter mechs only take a 25 cent piece)
Or if you meant you had to drop two 10 pence pieces in order to get the 20 pence, etc.

So I'm gonna assume you have 20 pence coin mechs which will only take a single 20 pence piece. (not all different variations to add up to 20 pence)

I think I just confused myself. 

[Tony bridge]

the coin mechs  will take a mixture of coins..10p,20p,50p,£1. depending on how much credid you want .but i have to deposit 80p for my first credit when it should only be 20p.sorry if i'm confusing you but i'm new to all this.

[Tony bridge]

Hi i sorted the coin mechs  out.the next problem i have is the display its only showin 1 zero in the seconds display it will flash then stop when i put credit into machine. the top display dosnt show any digits please help....

[Kevin Mullins]

Is it doing the back and forth displays BEFORE you coin it up ?

I haven't messed with mine in awhile and was trying to remember the sequence of events.... but if I recall correctly only ONE display will have anything on it after coining up. (should be the timer count down)

Should start at whatever the duration is set to by the dipswitches and then count down to zero.

I would start with double checking all the dipswitch settings.

But it sounds like the timer is jumping straight to zero. (done)

[Tony bridge]

all thats happening is the zero is flashing in the secounds display intil i put credit i then once credit is in it stays on till i use up the credit then it starts flashing again theres nothing showing in the plays display at any time.is there only one dipswitch in the machine to look at or should i be looking at the small board on  the coin mech   

[Tony bridge]

Hi, My machine works fine most times but sometimes when its picking candy up once its grabbed it it will will open fast and then close droping the candy.. could this be a problem with the flexy cord ..please help   

[Kevin Mullins]

I would check the flexi cable specifically what leads to the claw coil. Sounds like something coming loose causing the coil to lose power briefly and then gets it back.