Results 1 to 12 of 12

Thread: How are your machines plugged in?

  1. #1
    Eye Shooter Calypso's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2017
    Location
    God's Waiting Room AKA Florida
    Posts
    538
    Thanks
    458
    Thanks Received
    216

    Default How are your machines plugged in?

    So here is a new idea for a topic.

    I was looking at my machines yesterday. I keep them all plugged into a surge protector power strip and when I want to turn the machines on I flip the on/off button on the power strip itself.

    Is this how everyone’s set up is?

    I ask because many machines have an independent on off switch located somewhere on the back. And sometimes my machines are used so infrequently that they need a ram reset or for example on my Batman machine I need to reset the date for some reason if it’s been left off too long.

    My question is, does anyone leave the power running to their machines all the time and just turns them off manually (in the back)?

    That way the unit is still getting power so technically the CPU is still getting some energy. I wonder if that is better for the machine. I do know that the power adapter would be warm all the time as well. I’m not sure if that is a concern.

    Anyway I’d love to hear how your games are set up!

    Do you think manually plugging & unplugging them is best OR using a power strip like I have and switching power there is best OR keeping them plugged in all the time & just flipping them on/off on the unit is best?
    Calypso

  2. #2
    Master Inventor daverob's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2005
    Location
    Brighton, UK
    Posts
    1,365
    Thanks
    1,961
    Thanks Received
    7,101

    Default Re: How are your machines plugged in?

    All of the pachinko machines I've seen the power switch on the back of the machine is inline with the 24Vac feed to the machines power board. If you switch it off, then the whole machine is off. There is no 'extra' power getting to the CPU to keep the memory, so in that respect it is no different to switching them off at a power strip.

    If you do leave the power strip on, and only use the switch on the back of the machine, then the transformer will still be energised. You will always get the core losses in a wound transformer, even if there is no load on the transformer, so it will always be using some parasitic power. Depending on the size and quality of the transformer, this could be several watts of power wasted, and over the course of a year each machine could add a few dollars to your power bills. (If you have a 'kill-a-watt' type meter, you can measure the difference).

    Over here in the UK, we are one of the few countries where the wall sockets usually have switches for each outlet, and I switch my machines off at the wall socket. In my workshop/shed, I have a separate breaker box for the sockets, and it's easier to switch all the games off with the breaker.

  3. The following 5 users say "Thanks" to daverob


  4. #3
    Fever Hunter doa12's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2010
    Posts
    248
    Thanks
    472
    Thanks Received
    460

    Default Re: How are your machines plugged in?

    I have mine going to a UPS, the UPS I turn on or off. The UPS for the pachinko wall is one with the LCD screen that says how much power is being used. Having them off that way does mean you occasionally need to open them up and hit the operator reset 'inside' before they will play. I have smaller 850 brick UPSes for the stand alone ones that aren't in a wall, the cocktail arcade, and pinball machines.

    I'm chicken, practically everything in my house goes to UPSes, every few years one dies and I have to go get new batteries, or a new UPS if the charger part croaks.

  5. The following user says "Thanks" to doa12


  6. #4
    Eye Shooter Calypso's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2017
    Location
    God's Waiting Room AKA Florida
    Posts
    538
    Thanks
    458
    Thanks Received
    216

    Default Re: How are your machines plugged in?

    Thanks Daverob!

    I have tried both ways I mention above with my machines. But my Batman does continue to draw power even when "off" on the back of the unit. (there is a little red light that shows its getting power). I am not sure why the clock feature is on it, but it may have to do with keeping the time set?!

    That is really where this curiosity came from. My transformers game often needs a RAM reset, however (more often than others) when off for too long. Star Wars:BODV rarely also requires one!

    But I understand your thinking that "when the switch is set to "off" whether it be the Power strip OR the unit, it shouldn't be taking power. Batman appears to be the only one that does.

    Quote Originally Posted by daverob View Post
    All of the pachinko machines I've seen the power switch on the back of the machine is inline with the 24Vac feed to the machines power board. If you switch it off, then the whole machine is off. There is no 'extra' power getting to the CPU to keep the memory, so in that respect it is no different to switching them off at a power strip.

    If you do leave the power strip on, and only use the switch on the back of the machine, then the transformer will still be energised. You will always get the core losses in a wound transformer, even if there is no load on the transformer, so it will always be using some parasitic power. Depending on the size and quality of the transformer, this could be several watts of power wasted, and over the course of a year each machine could add a few dollars to your power bills. (If you have a 'kill-a-watt' type meter, you can measure the difference).

    Over here in the UK, we are one of the few countries where the wall sockets usually have switches for each outlet, and I switch my machines off at the wall socket. In my workshop/shed, I have a separate breaker box for the sockets, and it's easier to switch all the games off with the breaker.
    Last edited by Calypso; 12-15-2018 at 12:48 AM.
    Calypso

  7. #5
    Eye Shooter Calypso's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2017
    Location
    God's Waiting Room AKA Florida
    Posts
    538
    Thanks
    458
    Thanks Received
    216

    Default Re: How are your machines plugged in?

    Thanks DOA.

    Always interesting to hear how others have their "set-up" rigged!

    Quote Originally Posted by doa12 View Post
    I have mine going to a UPS, the UPS I turn on or off. The UPS for the pachinko wall is one with the LCD screen that says how much power is being used. Having them off that way does mean you occasionally need to open them up and hit the operator reset 'inside' before they will play. I have smaller 850 brick UPSes for the stand alone ones that aren't in a wall, the cocktail arcade, and pinball machines.

    I'm chicken, practically everything in my house goes to UPSes, every few years one dies and I have to go get new batteries, or a new UPS if the charger part croaks.
    Calypso

  8. #6
    I was thrown out of Top Gear Drunkenclam's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2010
    Location
    Guildford, Surrey
    Posts
    28,495
    Thanks
    13,442
    Thanks Received
    18,805

    Default Re: How are your machines plugged in?

    As also in the UK I have a small distribution board connected to the mains outlet via a wifi enabled socket. meanng all the wiring is hidden inside the cabinet and no need to open the machines to turn on.

    The distribution board has the 240v coming in then gets split to run a 500va 24vac transformer to run 1 machine, 3x ball lifters and data counters., A 240-100vac transformer to run pachislos and another 500va 100-24VAC transformer, good enough to run 2 more pachinkos. All inputs and outputs to each transfomer has its own fuse for protection as well
    Ian #UKPachinko

  9. The following user says "Thanks" to Drunkenclam


  10. #7
    Blind Shooter billyp203's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2007
    Location
    SouthWestern CT
    Posts
    76
    Thanks
    18
    Thanks Received
    60

    Default Re: How are your machines plugged in?

    When we do an install in the wall, we install a switched outlet inside the cabinet so the client can just flip a light switch next to the cabinet to power on and off the whole thing.
    We always recommend not leaving them on all the time - a hot transformer hidden in the wall is not something we'd want to be liable for... just our opinion.

    And yes they will still have to do a reset on most machines every once in awhile.

  11. The following user says "Thanks" to billyp203


  12. #8
    Eye Shooter Calypso's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2017
    Location
    God's Waiting Room AKA Florida
    Posts
    538
    Thanks
    458
    Thanks Received
    216

    Default Re: How are your machines plugged in?

    Thanks Bill! I may be contacting you soon about an order we discussed! PM me if you have lost the email string!
    Calypso

  13. #9
    Blind Shooter billyp203's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2007
    Location
    SouthWestern CT
    Posts
    76
    Thanks
    18
    Thanks Received
    60

    Default Re: How are your machines plugged in?

    Whenever your ready!

  14. #10
    Sandwich Shooter stampeed valkyrie's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2015
    Location
    PA
    Posts
    450
    Thanks
    114
    Thanks Received
    598

    Default Re: How are your machines plugged in?

    I think I mentioned this before, but I have my machines connected to a UPS. I can connect 3 or 4 to 1 UPS and when I power on the UPS it powers up all the machines.
    I currently have 3 UPS units doing this, with 1 connected to a bank of 4 machines.

  15. The following 2 users say "Thanks" to stampeed valkyrie


  16. #11
    Pachi Puro Card Shark's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2011
    Location
    Midlothian, VA
    Posts
    12,779
    Thanks
    9,405
    Thanks Received
    5,617

    Default Re: How are your machines plugged in?

    I have my machines plugged into surge protectors. 2 machines per strip. I then have the surge protectors plugged into wemo switches that I can control with either an app on my phone or with my Amazon Alexa. This is mostly for the cool factor of being able to walk into my game room and simply say "Alexa, turn on Jaws" and my Jaws machine spring to life.
    "Life consists not in holding good cards but in playing those you hold well."
    Pachiholic and Proud!!! サメ

  17. The following 4 users say "Thanks" to Card Shark


  18. #12
    Pachi Puro Peteybob's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2013
    Location
    Grand Rapids, Michigan
    Posts
    6,029
    Thanks
    6,576
    Thanks Received
    3,677

    Default Re: How are your machines plugged in?

    Quote Originally Posted by Card Shark View Post
    I have my machines plugged into surge protectors. 2 machines per strip. I then have the surge protectors plugged into wemo switches that I can control with either an app on my phone or with my Amazon Alexa. This is mostly for the cool factor of being able to walk into my game room and simply say "Alexa, turn on Jaws" and my Jaws machine spring to life.
    Cool sounding idea

Similar Threads

  1. I just plugged in my Biohazard Pahcislo... now what?
    By The Rube in forum Pachislo Technical Support Tickets
    Replies: 16
    Last Post: 04-21-2013, 03:56 AM
  2. 2 Pachinko pinball machines and 2 skill stop machines - $650 LaGrange, NC
    By JACKSJE4 in forum FB Marketplace, Craig's List and Other Listings
    Replies: 1
    Last Post: 07-18-2012, 08:54 PM
  3. Slot Machines and Pachinko Machines - $200 each or make offer! SeattlSpanaway
    By JACKSJE4 in forum FB Marketplace, Craig's List and Other Listings
    Replies: 2
    Last Post: 01-29-2012, 02:17 PM
  4. SLOT MACHINES!! 3 Skill Stop Pachislo Machines
    By Sid in forum Pachislo Listings / Ebay RSS feed
    Replies: 0
    Last Post: 03-31-2009, 01:30 AM
  5. Replies: 32
    Last Post: 08-08-2007, 04:41 AM

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •