7 Steps to Solving Pachislo Slot Machine Hopper Problems

Simple Solutions for Pachislo Hopper Errors

Most hopper problems are easy to solve. Hopper error codes are general and do not give you specific details about the problem itself. First you need to find the problem.

Step 1: Remove the hopper

There are types of hopper connections: one that has a cable that runs from the hopper to the power source, and the other where the hopper connects automatically when fully inserted into the back of the machine.

If your hopper has a wire that runs from the hopper to the power source, that wire can be removed from the power source or depending on the hopper, from a connector on the hopper itself.

Pull the hopper towards you; It is held by a rail and can be tight, just move it slightly from left to right while pulling. Some have a white clip at the bottom front that you will need to push down while pulling the hopper towards you. Others may have a piece of plastic in front of the machine’s hopper. Simply lift the hopper over the plastic while pulling it towards you.

If your hopper is connected by a cable, remove the cable from the hopper itself or from the power source.

Step 2: Remove the top of the hopper

Hoppers have two sections that are bolted or clamped together. The top section is the plastic that the coins fall into. The bottom section is the wheel, plug / connector, and sensor. The upper part of the hopper can be removed.

If your hopper has screws, just remove them with a Phillips screwdriver. There should be four screws, two located on the inside of the hopper and two on the outside of the coin area. When the two bolts are removed, the top will come off and you will be holding the entire bottom area with the exposed wheel.

There are also hoppers that have clips that hold the top to the bottom. These clips are usually yellow. The most common has two yellow clips at the front corners. Pull the clips towards you.

Step 3: look for stuck coins

Look at the area where the coins come out of the hopper and at the holes in the wheel itself for any stuck coins. You will see them immediately now that you can see the entire area of ​​the wheel. Remove the obstruction and test the wheel manually.

Step 4: lubricate the wheel

You should be able to turn the hopper wheel clockwise with little resistance. If you don’t have coins stuck in the machine, try spinning the wheel. If it looks tight, it has rust, etc. recheck for obstructions. Clean the wheel, the area around it, etc. You may need to give it a quick spray of silicone; don’t use WD40 and don’t use too much spray. A quick spray will do it. Work the wheel for a few minutes to let the lubricant do its job.

Step 5: clean the sensor

If the wheel moves freely and you don’t see any obstruction, look at the area where the coins come out of the hopper. Flip the hopper over and you will find a spring loaded arm. When the tokens are paid out, the arm passes through a sensor, interrupts the light and sends a signal to the machine that a token has been paid. Clean all dust and dirt from the sensor with a cotton swab and a little rubbing alcohol.

Step 6: Lubricate the Sensor Arm and Spring

The spring loaded arm that breaks the sensor will sometimes rise sixteen due to dirt or rust. Spray some silicone spray on the arm and springs. Manually move the arm for a few minutes to allow the lubricant to penetrate the arm and spring. You will feel it loosen and you will feel the spring begin to pull your arm back when you pull it forward. When it moves freely and the spring snaps it back into place without hesitation, you’re done.

Step 7: Manually test the hopper

Put some coins in the wheel and turn it clockwise. You will see the chips fall into the holes in the wheel and go up towards the pay ramp. If everything is clean and lubricated, you will see the tokens enter the checkout chute one at a time and shoot out of the hopper.

If the wheel does not move easily, clean it again and check for obstructions.

If the coins are going into the pay hopper but they are falling out and NOT TRIPPED, then clean and lubricate the spring loaded arm, make sure the arm is quickly jumping into place after moving it through the sensor, make sure that not hitting the sensor but moving it THROUGH it and breaking the beam.

Replace the upper part of the hopper, install the hopper back into the machine, restart the machine using the reset key and test it.