Skill Crane - Anyone Help? **FIXED**

[clite_rad]

I have a Jumbo Skill Crane by Grayhound, when I bought it it wasn't working. I found a loose ground wire and bingo it started working. The only issue I am having now is that the solenoid that closes the claw is not activating until the claw is about half way up. Does anyone know how to troubleshoot this? I have adjusted the pot on the board but it only changes the strength of the claw.

If anyone knows about these please help.

Also, if anyone has manuals or any information  - I'd be happy to purchase a copy.

[grantspain]

i work on alot of cranes(not your make though),the issue you have is either a program setting for claw adjustments or a signal to the claw not being recieved(eg a broken wire).best thing to do is contact the manufacturer for a print out of the setup and also check all you wires for continuity from the grab to the cpu-from what you say the claw does not make the initial grab action at the lower prize grab point only

[D_Zoot]

It sounds like your claw adjustment is still out.    There are two pots on the board and they need to be adjusted in a specific order and manner to get the claw right.     

I've got the procedure and manuals back at the shop (We have a bunch of those cranes on the route),  when I get in to the shop tonight I'll dig it up and post back (unless somebody beats me to it!).


D

[hnugz]

I have a Jumbo Skill Crane by Grayhound, when I bought it it wasn't working. I found a loose ground wire and bingo it started working. The only issue I am having now is that the solenoid that closes the claw is not activating until the claw is about half way up. Does anyone know how to troubleshoot this?

Not closing until its halfway up?  Sounds like it's working perfectly to me...

Those things piss me off so much, yet I still continue to play.

[clite_rad]

Thanks D_Zoot; that would be great.

Just to let you know my layout.  There are three boards in the unit:

Board 1: this one has all the connections from the coin mechanisms and the output to the claw.
Board 2: this one has the claw tension adjustment pot (I think) only connection is to board 1.
Board 3: this one has connections to the timer and playcount and seems to be the "logic board"

Thanks again!

Not closing until its halfway up?  Sounds like it's working perfectly to me...

Those things piss me off so much, yet I still continue to play.

I was thinking I would get at least one or two trys from most people until they figured it out - but it is going to be used at kids birthday parties; I'd hate to have parents...

[D_Zoot]

Ok,   if you have the typical Greyhound Skill Crane:

There should be two pots on the power supply board (the board with the transformer on it).   The first pot should be right on the edge of the board as you look in thru the coin door, the second pot is behind that and might not be obvious until you pull the board set out some.

Turn both pots all the way counterclockwise

Put a couple of games on the machine, run the trolly out and drop the claw.   When the claw starts to come back up, turn the innermost (rear) pot clockwise until the claw just closes.

If it's set right the claw should close on a prize, but won't have enough power to hold onto anything at all.

Adjust the front pot to get the desired claw strength.


If you don't have two pots on the board, then either: 1) One pot is missing (robbed or broken off),  2) You have a Super Greyhound, which I don't have so I can't help, or  3) the crane has been retrofitted to another crane boardset (a universal fit boardset)
If one of those turns out to be the case, post a picture of the board(s), maybe I can ID it.


Good luck!
D

[clite_rad]

After closer inspection of the board it looks as though the board has been changed and striped of some items; there is only one pot and there are several items missing off the board.

I hope that I'm looking at the right board - here are some pictures.

If you can help identify it that would be great - maybe I can get new pieces for it. If not, do you know where I might get a replacement?

Thanks!!

[clite_rad]

Why is it that I always make things more complicated than they are...    After spending a couple of hours with it - I found that if the wire to the solenoid had no tension on it the claw would close properly. The wires just at the point where it goes into the claw had a broke inside the insulation, this part bends and stretches everytime the claw goes up and down; it would loose continuity until the wire had not tension on it.

D_Zoot thanks for your help -  I'd still be interested in any information you could give me especially the dip switch settings.

i work on alot of cranes(not your make though),the issue you have is either a program setting for claw adjustments or a signal to the claw not being recieved(eg a broken wire).best thing to do is contact the manufacturer for a print out of the setup and also check all you wires for continuity from the grab to the cpu-from what you say the claw does not make the initial grab action at the lower prize grab point only

Thanks - grantspain -- Good call on the broken wire...

[D_Zoot]

That's cool!

Yup, that's the original Greyhound board,  but it has been modified...  interesting what was done.....


Sure thing on the dip switch settings..  I'm out of the shop until tomorrow, but will get the switch settings for you when I get in.


D

[D_Zoot]

Here ya go...


D