The NEW Build Your Own Arcade Controls
Arcade Collecting => Miscellaneous Arcade Talk => Topic started by: coyote640 on August 24, 2009, 12:05:17 pm
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Please help me with this beast. This SkeeBall machine has a marquee that says "FAB U BALL"... All stickers in the machine are for F.A.B. Electronics Co., Inc. in Pleasantville, NY.
I can't find any info on the machine. The control box inside contains 3 boards.
Was wondering if this was like any of the actual SkeeBall machines H or S?
As you see, the sound board has 2 sets of dip switches. I would like to identify this machine to get hold of a manual.
The machine powers up fine and stays in attract mode, but can't get it to reset to start a game. It has a service switch and a reset switch like some of my arcade cabinets. The ball sensor seems to be working fine, stops the balls after 9 have passed.
Any help is much appreciated...
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I would call "SkeeBall Inc" in Philadelphia and ask them if they have ever heard of the "F.A.B. Electronics Company" from Pleasantville New York, or whether they could recommend someone in New York to ask about this company. I mentioned "SkeeBall Inc" since they have been around since 1909 and most likely would know who their competitors were from New York. Anyway, worth a try.
www.skeeball.com
121 Liberty Ln
Chalfont, PA 18914-1820
(215) 997-8900
Other than that, if you are really desparate, you can try calling electronic stores in Pleasantville New York and ask them if they have ever heard of "F.A.B. Electronics" and see where that leads you.
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interesting. Besides the electronics, the cabinet is damn near identical to a classic alley. I'll be at skee ball tomorrow, I'll have to ask one of the old heads. Any year on it?
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Just missed some manual information on ebay not long ago.
Looks like it has some regular "Skee Ball" stuff in the mix.
http://cgi.ebay.ca/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=270406674205
There was a gal (Liz) at Skee Ball that was helping me find some manuals and such not too long ago, I e-mailed her to ask about this F.A.B. machine. Figure it's worth a shot.
If RichSorr is stopping by there than that would probably be even better.
Curiosity has got me now.
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UncleT: Thanks for the input, I definately will try.
RichSorr: That would be great.
On the CPU it says FAB 002 and there is a sticker on one of the chips "FAB U3 1pt 11/15/04.
A sticker on the back reads: "F.A.B. Electronics Co., Inc. Pleasantville, NY 10570."
No serial number, but inside the coin door, it says Property Number:100900 9
Kevin Mullins: Always a day late. For the heck of it, I am going to email guy that sold the manual and see if I can get an email address to whom he sold it too. Maybe I could get them to scan it for me.
I still need the measurements on the LED display cover of a regular 3 digit SkeeBall. Maybe SkeeBall.com will have this info, I will call them tomorrow.
I did redo some wiring, and got the game to reset, just need to figure out the lights schematic, the "GAME OVER" and the "ALLEY OPEN" lights don't work, but it does show the ball number in play, and the score board is changing...
Thanks for all the help guys, keep it coming.... :notworthy:
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The response from Liz at Skee Ball I just received......
(granted I only sent her a couple general pics)
It looks like it is actually a SkeeBall game with a different display panel on it. But the electronics look like they may have been done by Deltronics Labs way back in the day. We can't really work on these boards anymore due to lack of test fixtures and any of the techs that knew how to work on it have left our company. So I would give Deltronics a call or send them an e-mail seeing if they can help with that.
Liz Callahan
Customer Service
Deltronics not only does the ticket dispensing equipment, but they did main circuit boards for a lot of redemption games as well.
This may be one of those "who bought out who" scenarios, because there's just not much information on the F.A.B. Electronics Co.
Maybe with enough people poking around we'll find more out as we go. :dunno
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Thanks for that.... I did get hold of the guy who won the Ebay auction. He just wanted the Skee Ball sheets, so he sold me all the FAB paperwork...
1) A blue folder with label "Parts List, Price List, F..A.B. Target Ball Game" containing tons of pages of part numbers, pics, prices, etc.etc.etc.
2) FAB Troubleshooting Problems Guide
3) 1 page cabinet assembly instructions
4) 1 page display board wiring sheet
5) DIP switch settings guide
6) 1990 price list, order form, and other information sheet packet
After I get that, I will have a little better idea what I have, and then may try talking to someone at Deltronics.
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Scan it. ;D
Glad that worked out for ya.
I've made some strange contacts that way that have worked out well. :cheers:
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yes, scan all that. I would really like to see it. Didn't stop by skee ball today, but I was at deltronics! shame I didn't see this earlier. I'll give one of the engineers I know at skee ball a ring tomorrow. He's been with the company since they were a tiny place in lansdale..if anyone would know..he would. That HAS to be a skee ball cabinet. Doors, runway corner guard, channel covers are all identical. I am really curious to see where the rest of it came from though, the boards could be deltronics, but I doubt they would produce a board with another companies name on it. Coyote, where did you get this from? where did the person you got it from get it from?
Having worked for skee ball for years, being a skee ball fan, and still repairing them constantly, I am very curious to see how this came about.
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I bought the machine in Bennington, VT.... the guy said he had gotten it a few years ago from a local bar..... Bennington is around 3 hours from Pleasantville NY where the FAB Electronics Co was...
I talked Skeeball.com on the phone today, the first guy Bob seemed a little PO'd when I was inquiring on the measurements of the LED display cover to see if it would fit mine. He blurted out that No SkeeBall parts would work with another kind of machine. He then patched me to Liz who told me that they don't carry anything like that anymore. So dead end there.
I have found one on Ebay that is off an S machine, and I am having the guy measure it for me and he said he will get back to me.
When I get the paperwork by the end of the week, I'll scan it for anyone who wants to see it...
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yeah, everyone in customer service there now is new...they won't be helpful with older stuff. Do you need the actual display or just the red covering?
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I need the cover that goes over the bulbs, that give it that digit look when the bulbs are lit.... Like this one -
http://cgi.ebay.com/Skeeball-coin-display-cover_W0QQitemZ350243020049QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item518c1c5d11&_trksid=p3286.m20.l1116
I need one that is close to 5"H x 11"W. From edge to edge it might be slightly bigger. But the height of the numbers are around 4 3/4".
You can see from this pic it is missing....
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That HAS to be a skee ball cabinet. Doors, runway corner guard, channel covers are all identical.
I agree... But have you seen one with a coin return like that?
I am really curious to see where the rest of it came from though, the boards could be deltronics, but I doubt they would produce a board with another companies name on it.
But they could be of a Deltronics design or one Deltonics bought out or some other situation like that. You know how smaller companies were always getting eatin' up by others.
coyote640 - I know where one is laying around from an S machine at a location I help tend to on occasion, just haven't made it down there this week. Sorry for the delay.
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I know Kevin, just curious is all. I will wait till you are able to get down there to see.
I just came across this.....look familiar?
The pic is on a site that rents machines -
http://www.fourseasonsamusements.com/sports_bar.html
It states that it SkeeBall Alley - A Four Season's Exclusive. It has a little shorter ramp, but this could be a twin to the FAB I have. I think I'll give them a call to see who it was that made the machine for them.
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That HAS to be a skee ball cabinet. Doors, runway corner guard, channel covers are all identical.
[/uqote]
I agree... But have you seen one with a coin return like that?
I am really curious to see where the rest of it came from though, the boards could be deltronics, but I doubt they would produce a board with another companies name on it.
But they could be of a Deltronics design or one Deltonics bought out or some other situation like that. You know how smaller companies were always getting eatin' up by others.
coyote640 - I know where one is laying around from an S machine at a location I help tend to on occasion, just haven't made it down there this week. Sorry for the delay.
Definately possible. When skee ball/deltronics/ptc all split up Deltronics was doing A LOT of boards. I can't recall if I've seen a coin return like that, I didn't even take notice of it. There are a few things that are different from an actual Classic alley, looks like there is a metal trim on the bottom of the back box, the netting is different, beacon, no sandbags (could just be missing). I see screw holes on the edges of the target board, unless it was done in the field thats not done. solenoid assy is completely different. Looking at the pictures you posted in your other thread it looks like you can get to the boards through the back? skee balls cabinets are closed. Also doesn't appear to be target board lights. Skee Ball used to build A LOT more than they do today, so the cabinetry could be something they built for another company, or it could just be a pretty good knockoff.
Skee Ball said they didn't have that display cover? When I was there they were fairly good about keeping old classic parts around since there are so many older models in service. Maybe that changed when they got new management.
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Yes, boards from the back...and no target lights.... Alot is different....
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Skee Ball said they didn't have that display cover? When I was there they were fairly good about keeping old classic parts around since there are so many older models in service. Maybe that changed when they got new management.
That response kinda surprised me too...... especially when their site praises the fact that they carry older machine parts in their FAQ's section.
I mean come'on..... I can't imagine how many "Classics" are out there.
Bet if you gave them a part number they'd have it. ;)
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OK, got our answer. Spoke to one of the old timers I know over at skee ball. Skee Ball had NOTHING to do with it. Once he heard FAB U BALL he said "nah, that was some company in NY making cheap knockoffs, they havent been around for years"
so there we go
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Well, that sure answered that right quick. :cheers:
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So that is that..... Now it's just putting the beast back together... :lol
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I'll see what you find out on that display cover Rich, if worse comes to worse, I'll strip it out, put in a Keywiz and a monitor with RandyT's software...
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if worse comes to worse, I'll strip it out, put in a Keywiz and a monitor with RandyT's software...
Gonna make a jukebox out of it ? (http://forum.okcoin-op.com/Smileys/classic/confused.gif)
10 hole to PLAY
20 hole to PAUSE
30 hole.....
40 hole.....
Just kidding of course..... I know what you're talking about.
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I'll see what you find out on that display cover Rich, if worse comes to worse, I'll strip it out, put in a Keywiz and a monitor with RandyT's software...
Call Skee Ball and ask for Barry, that man knows his skee ball parts, past and present. He will know exactly what you're talking about and could give you a definate answer as to if they have them or not.
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OK will do, Kevin says he has one off an S model that he is going to check out for me... If not, I'll make it fit or find something that does...
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LOL Kevin, besides I already made a dedicated Jukebox and did my Mame cabinet...LOL
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KEVIN - Here is a couple pics of the display cover I need......Thanks, and let me know what you come up with...
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Yup, I knew exactly what you needed.... where the heck did you find pics ? I looked all over the net for some.
Now hopefully to see if we can find a match of sorts to fit for ya.
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These were the pics of the one the guy has on ebay....
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Just pulled mine from my little Toss Em' machine..... looks almost identical to those aside from some very minor differences. (none that would make much difference in how it mounted) These are individual digits like those, but are glued together instead of the little slide together notches. And there is a metal bracket hold the red plexi versus the built in grooves for the red plexi to slide in.
Gonna try and grab the one from that Model S Skeeball machine later today.
Will measure them both up when I get the other .
Quick measurements of this one I have now matches yours to a T.
Are the mounting posts on your machine just push on type ?
(just push the display on, no through screw or nut)
BTW - My Toss Em machine was made by Coin Concepts, Inc. which has since been bought out by Baytek. They don't have much support for this particular game, but still may be another parts source if need be. (?) (basic parts)
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Yes, they are just the push-on type, that's how I lost it to begin with in the transport. It just blew off....
I don't think it would matter to much on how it mounted though, I can make one work. As long as the number size is the same and matches up to the bulbs. Even if they didn't, it would take a little work, but I could move the bulbs around on the board to make it line up.
Let me know on the model S.... if that doesn't work, I can try to get hold of Baytek...
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Baytek won't have parts for Toss Em
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Baytek won't have parts for Toss Em
Yeah, I know. I had already called them for any information in regards to my little machine in particular.
Point being is a game with a similar display may be interchangeable. (including possibly a classic Skee Ball which they should support)
Kinda one of those parts that were out sourced to begin with by many different companies who all got them from the same manufacturer.
coyote640 - I ran down to the location and the one I was thinking of on the shelf ended up being the NEW style display which actually has true LED digits. The older version used bulbs like yours and my little Toss Em.
I still think it's a good shot the older version will fit your machine like the one you found on ebay. It matches my display, which matches your dimensions, etc, etc.
They have six other Skee Ball machines in operation on location, I may run back down shortly and pop each one open and see if any have the older style in it.
We were only in the neighborhood to go birthday present shopping, so I didn't have much time with the misses waiting.
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No need Kevin, the guy on Ebay emailed me back, and he says my measurements match perfectly as far as the digits. The mounting holes are exactly like yours on the Toss Em'. So looks like we have a good enough match to make something work. I'll you keep you posted on the progress.
The manuals should be here sometime today. I'll scan them for anyone that is still interested.
Thanks to everyone for the help.
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Bennington, VT eh? You're fairly local to me then. I live in Brattleboro.
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Same general area, but I am in NY near Plattsburgh....across the lake from Burlington.... I traveled about 3 1/2 hours for this machine...
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No need Kevin, the guy on Ebay emailed me back, and he says my measurements match perfectly as far as the digits. The mounting holes are exactly like yours on the Toss Em'. So looks like we have a good enough match to make something work. I'll you keep you posted on the progress.
Sweet.... that's kinda what I was expecting to find out anyways. You should be good to go with the "Skee Ball" older style version then.
:cheers:
The manuals should be here sometime today. I'll scan them for anyone that is still interested.
Indeed looking forward to seeing those.
And it would also give us something to look at if further trouble shooting is needed.
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Sorry for coming up missing guys.....The Fab_U_Ball came out great!!! New paint and alot of cleaning and rewiring, and it is working perfect! The new LED Display cover fit perfectly....
Thanks for all the help.... :applaud: :notworthy:
Also attached is the manual I got on it....not much, but it did actually help a little. As you can see by the quality of the manual, it was definitely a fly_by_night outfit who sold these...
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Awesome !! :cheers:
That turned into a very nice looking machine.
What did you find as being your initial reset problem ?
To a forum moderator -
Can a moderator help us out with the .pdf links please?
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Works just like a regular skeeball machine....alot of work went into it, but the final result was worth it. The reset problem ended up being in the ball sensor, it wasn't counting all the balls when I tripped the release spring. A little cleaning, and had to lower it abit. Once I did that it counted 9 balls and reset. I bypassed the coin mech and just added an arcade button on the side, this drops the balls and starts the game. I was a little worried about the cork board on the ramp, it was pretty messed up. I had read not to paint it, but I bit the bullet and painted it, and it came out and works great. Originally, the tops of the sides were red, but I decided to paint those yellow to look more like a regular SkeeBall machine.
Here is a direct link to download the PDF manual, it is in a zip file to make it easier.
http://rapidshare.com/files/283123670/FAB.zip
I am going to order a set of new balls from Happ, the ones I have are pretty bad. I might have a new marquee made up, but other then that, it is golden and the family is really enjoying the new addition to the gameroom. ;D
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To a forum moderator -
Can a moderator help us out with the .pdf links please?
Nope. Attachments (except pictures) are still broken.
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To a forum moderator -
Can a moderator help us out with the .pdf links please?
Nope. Attachments (except pictures) are still broken.
I had seen moderators post a direct link to files in other threads before is why I was asking.
But since he's posted it elsewhere to share.....all is good. :cheers:
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Here is a direct link to download the PDF manual, it is in a zip file to make it easier.
http://rapidshare.com/files/283123670/FAB.zip
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I had seen moderators post a direct link to files in other threads before is why I was asking.
Do you have an example link?
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I had seen moderators post a direct link to files in other threads before is why I was asking.
Do you have an example link?
Oh you would ask me something like that. :lol
I think it was in the software or artwork section maybe the last time I saw it.
And I could have mis-read the link they had posted, but I thought it was pointing to somewhere on the forum server.
It wasn't one of them things I took particular interest in, just happened to be reading through.
EDIT: http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=92263.msg1000755#msg1000755
No biggie really, I think they're on the verge of fixing the download issue.
I know they've been working at it.
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Okay, that's something only an admin would have access to.
Yes, it's being worked on. I'm not even sure what caused the original issue.
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Hi all.
I'm a new member and would like to thank coyote640 and others for their contributions to this year-old thread, which I've found quite helpful and insightful. I purchased a Fab U Ball machine about a year ago (pic attached). At the time the thought occurred to me that perhaps it was manufactured by someone other than Skee-Ball, but I was (and still am) far from an arcade expert. Aside from some of the lights other than the score panel not working and the winner light missing, it worked flawlessly for several months. Later, it would occasionally freeze after a game and fail to start a new one. The coin op sensor would appear to trip correctly (the red LED would blink), but the ball release solenoid would not engage and the balls subsequently would not release. Usually power cycling (or hitting the reset button, can't remember if that also worked) would correct the problem.
A couple of months ago, the previously intermittent problem permanent-ized itself. When you power up the machine, the music plays and the lights blink. The coin op sensor appears to trip properly, but the balls don't release. Pushing the reset button starts the music over but doesn't correct the problem. This would seem to be different than coyote's ball-counting sensor problem. Any advice on how to go about troubleshooting? I'm quite mechanically inclined, somewhat less electrically inclined - but I can navigate my way around electrically if I'm helped with good directions.
Thanks in advance for any help,
Paul
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I see this is an old thread but I am posting for a good reason. I am the grandson of the owner of FAB Electronics. It's GREAT to see people taking our machines years later and restoring them. It's been a long time since I've worked with these. I want to clear the air on a couple things though, these machines were a similar design to the Skee ball game but we're anything but a "cheep knock off" as one of the Skee ball reps said. If anyone has any questions, or would just like to talk, please pm me my name is Neal. Thank-you
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Hello,
I have a similar machine made by fab electronics. It came out of an Alladins Castle arcade. I need to find a wiring schematic for this . I have no power to ball release. Lights work, that's it.
Thank you
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I just acquired a Fab-U-Ball game and it is missing the display board. I cannot find any schematics for the boards. I am more than happy to build my own board but I need to know how the CPU is driving the display. Could someone with this game take some up close pictures of both sides of the board so I can see what is are being used. I could then figure how the 7-segments displays are driven from the CPU. Thanks.
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Apparently everybody is getting Fab-U-Balls nowadays lol. I signed up for this forum just for this thread. I have two of these, both Chuck-E-Cheese branded. One is the 10-foot model everyone has been discussing here, but I also have the 13 foot model as well. The 13 foot came with three boxes of spare parts but unfortunately they don't seem seem to work on the 10 footer. I don't think either have sound boards but I need to dig through the parts more.
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Glad someone else is looking here. I don't need a sound board but instead a display board. Got the game all working but no display. If anyone has schematics that would be very helpful. Short of that just some close up photos of the display board showing what ic s are used on it so I can build my own. Need to know if the CPU is sending bcd to each digit or if something else is going on. Any information on the game would be extremely helpful.
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I'll try to get some pics of mine when I get to my shop today or tomorrow.
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Pinwiz, there are (5) SC141D triacs and the lower portion of the power supply board used to drive the lamps and solenoid, maybe the ticket dispenser. I can't remember but I think the middle triac was the solenoid. 2 to the right were win and display lamps I think.
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Thanks for the input. My problem is several, but the main one is I do not have a display board (for the scores). I am trying to figure out how the system drives the lights for the display so I can build my own. If I had schematics it would be a breeze, but I can't find much information on these machines. What I have gleaned from what is out there is the display board uses 7448 (common cathode 7-segment decoder/driver) for the scores and the output of those goes to dual drivers (8-pin ics, I've forgotten the number) to drive the lamps themselves. I won't need those in my design since I will use 7447 (common anode 7-segment decoder/driver) and LEDs for the scores. In the picture of the display that has been posted there is another chip that is un-identified. I am guessing this is the chip that drives the 10 balls played lights. I would also guess it is probably a bcd to decimal chip. I have no idea how the DP (decimal point) is driven or what it is for. I am guessing this has something to do with giving a visual indication of out of tickets but I don't know for sure. I have been tracing the wiring from J6 and J7 on the card cage to the pcb connectors. It appears that the cpu latches the data via the 8255 PIAs and that is what goes to the display drivers on the display board (which I don't have). I have not figured out yet which pins from J6 and J7 are for which digits. Anyone have a clue and can help? Schematics would be so helpful here or some close up pictures of a working display board showing both front and back so one could see what wire colors are attached to where on the display board and the J6 and J7 connectors on the card cage. The game seems to play fine although I have other questions since I have never played one and don't know how it is supposed to operate. I have the music set to play Popeye but it only plays when you first boot up the machine. Is that the only time you hear it? Seems odd to go to all the work of programming all the different kinds of music and you only hear it when the machine it turned on the first time. My 110 volt lights in the head seems to work okay and flash when they should. Does the game play if the tickets are out? Mine plays okay and the ticket dispenser runs even though there are no tickets, is that normal? It counts the balls played okay and resets when 9 balls have been played. If there a way to turn off the background noise that grows louder the more points you get? Can you change it? Are there settings for the music it plays for the point switches? Is there a way to adjust the number of tickets? As you can see, I have lots of questions but the main thing is to get the score to show up! Help! I would really like to learn as much as possible for these games and document it all to help others out when they have problems.
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I will have access to a new never sold 10 footer that has been our family since the early 90's. It has been in storage about 4 hours from my home. As soon as I get a chance to transport it and get it running I can start to help you out with the questions you have. Right at the moment we are moving into another house and awaiting a closing date. So the FAB U BALL will have to wait a little bit. I will keep you posted.
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That would be very helpful. Thanks.
I got my bread boarded/cardboard display working enough to at least see the score. It's not pretty but works. Now I need to figure out how to make it permeant. I laid out a pcb but the cost of having it made is a little more than I want to spend so I will probably just hand wire things up on perf board for now. Next is to figure out the circuits for the Balls Played and what/how the decimal point is used.
Once I have that done it will be figuring out all the other questions I have that I listed above.
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Got my breadboard done for the score only. Used 12 vdc pinball LEDs for the display and they look nice. Still have not figured out all the rest but at least you can see your score!
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@coyote460 have you figured out what the reset buttons do. I came across one of these machines and it works but I can’t figure out what the bottom button does.
Top button triggers ball release solenoid
Middle button seems to reset (counts through ball lights)
Bottom button just sets ball played to 0 but leaves game unplayable.
Also I can’t seem to figure why the game over and alley open lights are always on