Aruze Max711 Cannot change Skill / Odds level.

[z-man]

Hi All,

New guy here, I was recently gifted a good condition Aruze Max711 token machine.
Got the cobwebs and dust cleaned out, glass and graphics cleaned, dead bulbs replaced. All seems to be working as it should...

However - I have been trying to reset the Skill Level and not having any luck.

Here is what I have used for the change protocol:
1) Power switch off
2) Reset Key Switch to "on"
3) Power switch on
4) Number displayed on front of door LED on right side is " 1 " (most difficult)
5) Using black Momentary Switch on power supply, cycle skill level to any other setting (i.e.: 6) as displayed on front of door LED on right side
6) Push and release Start Handle / Play lever once (or 6 times - instructions vary) to "lock" the desired skill level into memory
7) Turn Reset Key Switch to off
8) Machine becomes ready to play, but "Skill Level" seems as before - there is no apparent difference in the play of the machine.

If I now repeat steps 1 through 4 to see the indicated Skill Level it will indicate " 1 " - (most difficult)

It seems like I am not able to get a change in Skill Level to "stick."

Am I missing something?

Am I correct in thinking that maybe the reels should be spinning more slowly with "easier" skill level settings so that a player has a better chance of anticipating when to press the stop button, or is the skill level a purely programming function that adjusts the payout percentages?

It is my understanding that the Skill Level should default to " 3 " - why does mine persist in defaulting to " 1 "?

I sure would appreciate any advice on this.

My next project will be to adjust it to use quarters (at request of wife) so being able to set skill level will be important.

I also had a broken door key which I repaired with brazing, and when I have successfully found a workable US key blank to cut a new one from I'll post that info. Meanwhile, for easier access to the inside I jury-rigged a wire pull cable to the door latch to bypass the lock. I'll post pictures if there is any interest.

Cheers All!
Z-man

[z-man]

OK... follow up...

It seems that this model is the 4 reel "Hanabai" / "Fireworks" machine of 1999 or so. The odds setting does seem to be adjustable from 1 to 6, and can be locked into place (for as long as the machine remains 'on') by holding down the play lever for 10 seconds and then switching the Reset Key to 'Off'. However - as soon as the machine is switched off (like for the night) it reverts to skill level 1 when next switched on. I kinda thought that the default on these machines was a skill level of 3 from my reading, but apparently not.

The U.S. Quarter coin conversion (fully detailed in several of the "Pachislo Manuals" available freely online and absolutely legal for private use in Arizona USA) was easy-breezy and works perfectly - I can go back and forth between quarters and tokens at will - just gotta make sure the hopper is completely empty when switching - for obvious reasons.

Next project is the installation of a paired L-Pad volume control. As an old analog electronics guy I cringe at some of the volume control "kits" available which appear to do little more that place increasing amounts of resistance into the speaker circuit - this (to my old analog brain) is a quick road to damaging the audio amplifier which is probably optimized for somewhere from 6 to 10 ohms. Asking it to drive say, 50 ohms or more using a potentiometer will indeed attenuate (quiet) the sound, but can result in harm to the audio amplifier and/or also result eventually in a burned-out pot if the amplifier is powerful enough. Better to use a proper L-Pad circuit - just google it, it is not rocket science! Easy to hook up, happy for your audio amplifier!

It also kinda looks like these machines were built to be disposable, not serviceable beyond replacing major sub assemblies, so probably best to be as gentle on them as possible with mods... at least in terms of the electronics. From what I can see of the mechanicals, if mine is representative, well, I wish my car were as well built mechanically! This thing is mechanically simple and tough! Built to survive a casino or pachislo parlor!

Cheers All!
Z-man

[Steve2000]

Supercap is probably dead.

[z-man]

Hi Steve2000,

Thanks! I should have known that there might be a cap in there somewhere to keep memory alive on shut down...

Should I be looking in the power supply or somewhere else? Any thoughts on what I might be looking for in terms of size?

Thanks!