1st thing to remember is that you dont get tempted to start cleaning and adjusting everything in sight as you will very likely put more faults on the machine than you are trying to fix.

In respect of the coil on the reel, it's looking toasty but, not necessarily bad. I would unsolder its wires, test it with a meter and then do the same test on another reel coil to compare. It's most likely getting burnt because it's taking a heavy load. They dont, unless a continuous duty one, burn for no reason. So, check the relay that fires that reel because that could well be why its hanging. If it's out of whack, then buy a new one from PBR and invest in a schematic too, unless you have one already of course.

Also, check the spring tension on the reel and look for anything that might be making the reel stick. If the return spring is weak, then that might be a factor.

Hope that helps.

I'm fairly new myself, but I can tell you what I usually do. When I get the reel out of the cab, I work it manually to see how well it rotates and where it may be getting hung up. Just keep clicking the plunger using the nub that sticks out. They typically seem to hang up while moving from 9 back to zero....where the switches are getting the biggest workout. It's interesting that yours is having trouble with a specific amount of point.

If it's getting stuck anywhere, you need to break it down and clean it up really well. A lot of times I find old grease that has solidified over time, making the mechanisms move slower than they should....or just all the coil dust that blows around. In any case, when cleaned up and adjusted properly, the score reel should click along easily and have a nice snap in between numbers. That way you can rule out the mechanical aspect of the reel as the issue if you're still having problems after that.

It's hard to tell from the video (even when I slow it down), but it kind of looks like it's not always returning to the resting position when the solenoid releases. It's possible that there's a problem with the spring or it could just be getting hung up. it's possible that the plunger is mushroomed or that the sleeve needs to be cleaned or replaced.

What happens during the reset cycle? Does it ever get hung up at that point or just when scoring 500?

Yep, I agree.

It's definitely getting the five pulses you would expect, and it seems to be pulling in fine...so the solenoid seems OK. It's just the plunger is not coming back all the way like it should (at times). Since you said it moves fine when you work it manually, I'm assuming the rod moves easily thru the sleeve? If so...and you can rule out a mechanical issue...maybe the switch sending the pulse needs to be checked for it's gap. Maybe it's not always opening and allowing the plunger to return properly.

Just thinking out loud.

If you haven't completed your order yet, it might be worth looking at the condition of the plunger, spring, and coil stop. I'd hate for you to order only *some* of the parts you need and then have to wait for another order (and pay again for shipping).

Or if those parts are not too expensive, order them anyway... your other score reels will use the same parts, so it's probably useful to have spares on hand.

That's the coil end stop. If its turning then I'd just replace it, along with the coil if you are going to change it. The new one has a little nylon washer with a shoulder on it and you should fit it the right way round. You'll see the correct position when you go to fit it. Check too that coil pin to make sure it's not slightly mushroomed at its base or that wont help your reel problem.

Welcome to the wonderful world of decagon score reels.

When you work on these reels, there's lots of things to consider. Given that you had a coil that looked a bit worse for wear, the coil sleeve should definitely be replaced. Along with that, there is an anti reverse spring on a decagon that keeps the reel from going the wrong direction as it starts to step. It looks like a little finger sticking up. To test that it is properly adjusted, push the plunger in just a touch and see if the reel will go backwards. If it won't, you're good to go.

Make sure the EOS switch on the reels opens at the very end of the travel. Also, and this can happen, make sure the bracket that holds the coil in place and the plunger goes through is pushed all the way back, away from the reel. If it isn't, it can interfere with the pull in of the plunger and cause an issue like you described here.

Finally, there is a wireform that rides on the score reel itself, and the other end moves the switches on the reel. Decagons are notorious for hanging up between 8 and 9. The reason is a misadjusted 9 position switch. Quite often, they are adjusted so that the long blade is pushed too far into the short blade, and this causes tension on the wireform, and thus the score reel, and it hangs up. You want to adjust that 9 position switch so that it just closes when the reel turns from 8 to 9. That will cure the issue in the vast majority of cases.

Lots of people replace the springs, thinking it is an issue, but I have never had a decagon where weak springs caused an issue. Generally it's the coil sleeve getting gunked up, or the anti reverse spring, or the wireform/9 position switch issue.

These things are touchy and can be a PITA to get adjusted correctly. Once you do get them adjusted they're generally reliable.

It's just not a real good design IMO. I've had way more problems over the years with decagon reels than I have ever had with Bally/Williams reels.

Congrats of fixing your issue. People often neglect the score relays and they cause more issues than reels usually do, from issues like yours to reels not carrying over to the next reel.