Bon Voyage EM Pinball Machine - An analysis of how it works. Part 4 START NEW GAME PART 1/2
Starting a game causes more simultaneous action than any other part of playing a pinball machine. Everything needs to be reset and organized for the start of the new game. The credit button is used to start a new game. If there are zero credits on the machine, then pressing the credit button will do nothing (normally, unless the machine has been modified for free play). This is controlled by the Credit Unit Zero switch . When the credit unit is on the zero position, this switch is held open by a pin on the unit, as discussed in a previous section. Once any number of credits has been added as described previously, the Credit Unit Zero switch will close. This will now allow the machine to start up a new game when the Credit button is pressed. This is shown here.
credit_button (resized).jpg
To help us analyze the circuit for this part, we can start with a decent explanation of the startup procedure from the operating instructions.
1D. When the credit unit has been advanced from the 2nd or 3rd coin chute, (as described in sections 1B and 1C) the front door credit button switch will energize the credit relay and then the credit relay will energize coin relay.
2A. The coin relay, when energized by any of the ways described, (in sections 1A thru 1D) will stay energized thru its own hold in switch and normally closed #8 score motor switch.
2B. The coin relay will energize the lock relay which stays energized thru its own hold in switch and a normally closed switch on the delay relay.
2C. The coin relay will energize the reset relay which will stay energized thru its own switch until all drum unit zero switches are open and #8 score motor cam switch is open. The score reset relay will pulse thru #2 score motor cam switch as long as the reset relay is energized. The score reset relay provides the pulses to advance the drum units until the individual drum unit reads zero. The reset relay also operates the score motor.
2D. The coin relay thru a normally closed #I score motor cam switch will latch the game relay if the ball count unit is in index position or it will trip the game relay if the ball count unit is not in index position. If the game relay is tripped, it will lock in the coin relay and thru the combination of the two relays and the #2 score motor cam switch, they will reset the ball count unit to index position. With the ball count unit in zero position, the coin relay will latch the game relay when the score motor is back in index position. The coin relay is still locked in thru the #8 score motor cam switch. When the game relay is latched and the coin relay is energized, the ball count unit will advance twice for a 3-ball game thru #4 and #5 score motor cam switches or four steps for a 5-ball game thru #4 and # 9 score motor cam switches. (#5 score motor cam pulse is cancelled out by the #9 score motor cam switch).
2E. If the game is adjusted to register game over when the game is tilted, the coin relay will latch the tilt relay thru the #3 score motor cam switch.
2F. A coin relay switch thru a normally open #3 score motor switch will advance the total play meter; if a credit was used to start the game, it will reset the credit unit one step.
3A. A ball on the out hole switch will energize the out hole relay thru a normally closed #1 score motor switch; and it will stay energized thru its own hold in switch and normally closed #10 score motor switch.
3B. The out hole relay will operate the score motor and then energize the out hole kicker solenoid thru a normally open #7 score motor switch. The 1st ball is kicked thru the ball trough to the shooter alley and the game is now ready to play.
We can use this information combined with observing the machine and studying the schematic to figure out how it all works.
First, we can take the information above and boil it down to these more easily-understandable steps which all need to happen when the game is started up.
- Reduce the Credit Reel count by one digit.
- Turn off (Latch) the Tilt relay if it has been tripped (depending on adjustment).
- Reset all of the trip relays.
- Advance Total Play Meter by one digit.
- Turn off (Latch) the 100,000 Point relay if it has been tripped.
- Reset all of the Score Reels to zero.
- Set the Balls To Play count to 3 or 5 (depending on adjustment).
- Kick ball from the Outhole into the shooter lane.
There are two different start-up situations that we can analyze in detail to understand how the schematic works.
- The new game is started after the previous game has been completely finished. In other words, the last ball was played and the machine is in the Game Over state.
- The new game is started before the previous game has been finished. In other words, the credit button was pressed in the middle of an ongoing game.
We will analyze the "previous game over situation" first. So the the previous game was finished and the display indicates Game Over.
By observation (or listening) we can see that the score motor most typically will normally make three half-revolutions to accomplish the startup procedure. It will help us to analyze the circuit if we know when things happen, so more observation confirms the following:
- Reduce the Credit Reel count by one digit. First score motor half-rotation.
- Turn off (Latch) the Tilt relay if it has been tripped. First score motor half-rotation.
- Reset all of the trip relays by turning the Reset Motor. First score motor half-rotation.
- Advance Total Play Meter by one digit. First score motor half-rotation.
- Trip the 100,000 point relay if it has been latched. First score motor half-rotation.
- Reset all of the score reels to zero. If all of the shown digits are 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, or 0, it will reset all to zero in the first score motor half-rotation; if any of the digits are 4, 3, 2 or 1, then it takes two half-rotations of the score motor to reset them all to zero.
- Set the Balls To Play count to 3 or 5 (depending on adjustment). First score motor half-rotation.
- Kick ball from the Outhole into the shooter lane.Last score motor half-rotation.
Now we have to break down how all that actually works.
Pressing the Credit button will close it and this will complete the circuit which will activate the Credit solenoid. Also involved in this circuit is switch 1F on the Score Motor, a switch on the Reset relay, and a switch on either the Game interlock relay or the Game Over relay. This is shown this part of the schematic.
Bon Voyage Schematic Credit Relay 1 (resized).jpg
In order to start the game, the Credit Unit Zero switch, which is shown open, will need to be closed. If there are any credits on the credit reel (mainly from putting a coin in), then it will be closed. If this switch is artificially closed by installing a jumper across it or by forcing the switch contacts together, then pressing the Credit Unit Zero button will always start a game. Thus, the machine will be on "Free Play". In the diagram below, the Credit Unit Zero switch is now shown closed. The Credit Button is also shown closed, which will happen when it is pressed, Therefore a circuit to activate the Credit relay is completed through a switch on the Reset relay, and switch 1F on the Score Motor. I believe that the Score Motor 1F switch is in that circuit to close off the credit button while the game startup sequence is going to prevent confusion to the logic.
If the previous game was finished, or if the machine was just powered on, then the Game Over relay will be tripped and that switch will be closed, allowing the Credit relay circuit to be completed via the green path.
Bon Voyage Schematic Credit Relay 2 (resized).jpg
Once the Credit relay has become energized by the press of the Credit Button, it will stay locked in by its own lock-in switch CR04-3, shown below now closed as part of the green path. This will keep the Credit relay activated through NC score motor switch SM7D (which was also used for adding 4 credits via the coin chute as previously described). Therefore, as soon as the Score Motor makes a half- rotation and switch 7D opens, the Credit relay will turn off. This is long enough for it to do its job.
Bon Voyage Schematic Credit Relay 3 (resized).jpg
To figure out what the Credit relay does, as usual, first we look at the relay itself and see how many switches it has. We can see there are 3:
CR04_credit_relay (resized).jpg
Next we find all 3 switches on the schematic and figure out where they are connected.
CR04-1 Credit Relay Mounting Board R NO D20 W Credit Unit Reset Solenoid GRAY-R SM3B
CR04-2 Credit Relay Mounting Board R NO D4 GRAY Coin Relay BLU-Y SM8C
CR04-3 Credit Relay Mounting Board R NO E7 BR-Y Credit Relay G-Y SM7D
We already identified switch CR04-3 above, so we know its job is to lock in the Credit relay until the Score Motor rotates and opens its switch 7D. Switch CR04-2 is connected to the Coin relay, and its job is to energize the Coin relay as shown below. The circuit is completed through Score Motor switch SM8C. IMPORTANT NOTE: The schematic is mislabled for this switch as 8D. This is definitely wrong as 8D is also elsewhere in the schematic.
Bon Voyage Schematic Credit Relay Switch 2 Coin Relay (resized).jpg
The first switch on the Credit relay CR04-1 is connected to the Credit Unit Reset Solenoid as shown below. When this solenoid is activated, it will reduce the credit count by one. That circuit will be completed via a switch on the Coin relay, which was activated above, and also by NO switch 3B on the Score Motor, which will close when the cam 3 position triggers it. So, the credit count won't be reduced until the Score Motor turns. We will see how that happens next.
Bon Voyage Schematic Credit Relay Switch 1 Credit Reset (resized).jpg
As we saw above, when the Credit relay is energized, its switch CR04-02 will then energize the Coin relay. When we observe the Coin relay we see it has 7 switches, and when we find all 7 of those switches on the schematic (scattered from one end to the other) we can construct this table.
CR01-A1 Coin Relay Mounting Board R NO C11 G-B Reset Motor Y 50V Leg
CR01-A2 Coin Relay Mounting Board R NO B11 O-R Reset Relay Y 50V Leg
CR01-A3 Coin Relay Mounting Board R NO C10 W-G Lock Relay Y 50V Leg
CR01-A4 Coin Relay Mounting Board R NO B20 O-B SM3B Y 50V Leg
CR01-B1 Coin Relay Mounting Board R NO B26 Y-B Game Relay Y 50V Leg
CR01-B2 Coin Relay Mounting Board R NO B8 R-Y Score Motor W Coin Chutes
CR01-B3 Coin Relay Mounting Board R NO C4 GRAY Coin Relay BLU-Y SM8C, Game Relay
The Coin relay switch CR01-A3 has a simple task. It will energize the Lock relay which we previously discussed, if it is not already on. Normally it probably would be on since it would be turned on at the beginning of the day by pushing the left flipper button, which will turn on the general illumination (GI). But in case the left flipper button was not pressed yet, and there are credits on the Credit Reel, then this switch will energize the Lock relay, turning on the GI. Also as discussed before, the Lock relay then will stay on via its own lock-in switch until the machine is turned off. This switch and circuit path are shown below, the Coin relay switch CR01-A3 is shown closed.
Bon Voyage Schematic Lock Relay Coin Switch (resized).jpg
The Coin relay switch CR01-B2 is connected in the Score Motor path, so its job will be to give the Score Motor the signal to start turning, which it will do as long as the Coin relay is energized. This is shown in the circuit path below, and switch CR01-B2 is shown closed.
Bon Voyage Schematic Score Motor Coin Relay (resized).jpg
The Coin relay switch CR01-A4 was already shown above in conjunction with the Credit relay switch CR04-1. This is shown here again. CR04-1 is closed because the Credit relay is still activated. CR01-A4 is closed because the Coin relay has been activated. The Score Motor will start to turn due to CR01-B2 as described above. Thus, there will be an early pulse from cam 3 for Score Motor switch SM3B. This will then energize the Credit Unit Reset solenoid which will reduce the number of credits on the reel by one. Also, remember that the Credit relay is being held by its lock-in switch connected to NC Score Motor switch SM7D as discussed above. So shortly after SM3B closes and reduces the credit count, cam 7 will cause SM7D to open and the Credit relay will be turned off. This will stop the Credit Unit Reset Solenoid from being activated again via the circuit as the score motor turns during the startup sequence (which would take additional credits of the machine and annoy the player). So the Credit relay will turn off toward the end of the first half-rotation of the score motor, having completed its tasks (which you can confirm by observing).
Bon Voyage Schematic Credit Reset Coin (resized).jpg
If the game has been tilted before the startup, then the Tilt relay will be tripped (the Tilt circuit will be covered in detailed later). If the Tilt option has been set via its adjustment plug to Game Over (game is ended upon a tilt), then the same Coin relay switch CR01-A4 will also energize the Tilt Latch relay in partnership with SM3B, which will then turn off the Tilt condition. This is shown in the circuit below.
Bon Voyage Schematic Tilt Latch via Coin (resized).jpg
If the last game was played until the end, then the Ball Count Unit Zero switch SU06-1 will be as shown highlighted in yellow below. This make-break switch will be in this position when the Ball Count unit is at its "zero" position which is actually ONE ball to play. This means that the 100,000 Latch Relay will be activated via the same Coin relay switch CR01-A4 which is now closed as shown during the previous discussion of the start up. Normally the 100,000 Relay is latched. When the score is turned over from 99,990 to 100,000 the 100,000 relay is tripped and the 100,000 lamp comes on. If this is the case during the new game startup, then this will relatch the 100,000 Relay and the 100,000 lamp will go off. This will happen almost immediately via the NC Score Motor switch SM1D.
The same Coin relay switch CR01-A4 also provides a path to increment the Total Play Meter by one. This is done as the Score Motor makes it rotation via SM3B as shown closed below.
100000 and play meter startup (resized).jpg
Another Coin relay switch #CR01-A1 is shown in the circuit below. This switch is NO but will close when the Coin relay is energized. This will close the circuit for the Reset Motor which will then make a rotation and therefore reset all of the trip relays. Similar to the Score Motor,the Reset Motor has its own Index switch shown in the same circuit (highlighetd yellow) which will close to keep the voltage to the motor for one full rotation. At the end of the rotation the Index switch opens again and the motor will stop.
reset motor coin relay (resized).jpg
So far then, we have accomplished startup tasks #1 which was to reduce the credit count by one, #2 which was to reset a tilt if present, #3 which was to activate the Reset Motor to reset the trip relays, #4 which was to advance the Total Play Meter, and #5 which was to turn off the 100,000 lamp if it was lit from the previous game, all done with a partnership between the Credit relay and the Coin relay. Next is #6 which is to reset the score reels to zero.