Claw Snack Attacker - New project

[wrkey]

I picked up this machine today for free. The gentleman that owned it had removed the claw mechanism and sent it in to be repaired. The repair shop went out of business and he never received the stuff back, fixed or broke. The pizzia place it was at was on him to get it out of the store if it didn't work so he offered it to anyone who would come pick it up.

Yours truly did.

Now I have this machine and hopefully someone can help me out here. It is a Snack Attacker crane/claw machine made by AGE. It has a multi-use computer board in it. It is missing the coin mechs and the crane assembly. When plugged in it makes it's start up sound and then after a few minutes is say 'Claw Fault Error, Claw Fault Error' and a VERY SCARY voice. Well, obviously there's a fault with the claw because it ain't there. But what this does tell me (I think) is that the machine is functional otherwise.

So, can anyone here help me out? There is a company called SandB Candy (www.sandbsales.com) that repairs these machines and may have the assembly.. but they want like $400 for that puppy. I haven't been able to find anyone else yet that has the parts I need.

The original owner said he would try to contact one of the techs that used to work at the place that went out of business to see if he could get the assembly back and if so, he would give it to me. I have my fingers crossed but not holding my breath.

If all else fails, I will either part it out (the computer board sells for $450 alone) or possibly make something else cool out of it... maybe a Fortune Teller machine or a good halloween prop.

So... if anyone can help, I'd love to hear from ya!

[dattia]

Good luck... what a great machine to have, I hope the parts connection is able to come through for you!

[mudfud]

check ebay, too. I have seen claw mechanisms for sale there, and never know who would want to buy one... now I know :

[wrkey]

Update: I found a local Arcade machine repair shop that sold me the complete crane boom and claw for $25 although no guarantee that it was in working condition. But at least I got all the parts now and I can make it work! Woo hoo! He also sold me a single coin acceptor mech for $19 which wasn't a great deal but I was too excited about the other deal!

Anyway, should be able to play with it soon and see if I can make it work.

More coming soon!

[derek1960]

YouTube - LGM the claw
How to vid, Hope this helps

[wrkey]

Ha ha... dang funny there Derek!

I got the parts home and installed the coin mech with no problem. However, the gantry assembly is being a bit more contrary. Two problems, first one of the rubber drive belts is broken and second there is a problem with the systesm recognizing that the crane is at the far left. The belt is cheap and easy enough to replace.

The switch is question is a normally closed with a diode across the connection points. One side goes to the wiring harness plug to the computer the other to one pole on the motor. The other pole on the motor goes to the wiring harness to the computer. Therefore If I understand this correctly, when the motor is going one way the switch is normally closed until it reaches the far end where it opens and stops movement. When it moves the other way, the diode allows the current to by pass this switch and it depends on the switch on the opposite to signal to stop.

I thought the diode was bad so I replaced it.. but it has gotten dark on me and I'll have to work on it more tomorrow. If anyone has any advice (other than Derek <grin>) please express yourself!

Thanks in advance!

Rusty

[new in town]

YouTube - Tips of the claw machine

[takethecastle57]

YouTube - The Craw

[wrkey]

Woo Hoo! The guy who gave me this machine called me today and he found his original gantry assembly! The repair shop hadn't gone out of business.. just moved! So went today and picked it up! They hadn't worked on it yet and no one could tell me what was really wrong to begin with (speculation is the claw wouldn't grab). But the original owner told me he had just replaced the driver belt (that one that's broke on my other one) so I'm thinking between the two assemblies.. I'll get one of them to work!

Woo hoo!

And for all those who have been such tremendous help with finding the videos!
PHHHFFFFFFFFFTTTTTTTT!!!