Mills/Sega/Jennings Lucky Horseshoe/Devil/Chief

[coppinpr]

That would be the ON (and possibly OFF) switch for the feature. One possible way (but not the only way) all this worked was like this:
The vertical finger related to the solenoid and switch you show dropped into the pay hole allowing the vertical finger to close the alternating on/off switch leaving it in an ON position. The switch would then stay in the ON position until the finger once again drops into the same hole this time switching the on/off switch to the OFF position. The power going through the switch while ON was used to hold the solenoid in the ON position thus holding the horizontal fingers back, allowing the feature to pay out every time the machine is played until the finger switches the power to the solenoid OFF by dropping into the pay hole for the second time.

[stoxman22]

Topic split & merged - Site Admin.

I have a 777 that I will be starting on soon. The photos show a solenoid, a microswitch and the control. All disconnected. I am hoping to get whatever function they have back again... So that's my question... What is the play sequence? Does it time out then trigger the mystery payout, or is it number of pulls? What is the microswitch for?

[coppinpr]

Firstly, your machine is not an original 7-7-7. It's a much later model, probably from the Sega/Mills era, plus it's a UK refurb. It may well have an original 7-7-7 mech though. The electrical parts were most likely added during the refurb to either increase the payouts or make them more interesting. Can't really see from the photos, but it looks like one of the more simple solenoid payouts. The top part fires the payout and the lower part resets it (switches off the top solenoid). There might be a delay on the bottom one to allow a preset number of further payouts, but It is not clear to see from the photos. Is there a solenoid payout unit at the front?

[treefrog]

That same machine was posted by Coppin a couple of years ago.

I have owned one and it worked, but long gone. I don’t believe these are the same conversions as Ashby and Inness, as they were simpler, with fewer parts. Everything is in that hood. Weighs a ton, and I think lots of high voltage… Search the site for 'Horseshoe', as there are at least 3 threads talking about these machines. Topics now merged - Site Admin.


I think the horseshoe feature is triggered on the jackpot win and is timed, which is variable to stay lit and will trigger wins with a solenoid on the finger on every horseshoe on the first reel, which is in most positions. I am sure there are owners still on the site of the other machines who may chip in…

Good luck

[grains]

Hi Stoxman 22, I purchased a Hi Top a while ago that was a Lucky Horseshoe conversion, It had the soleniod. microswitch, loom, jackpot glass and lightbox assembly but sadly the control unit had been removed from the rear bonnet amd I was unable to source one at the time.
Here's a few pictures which might help for reference as to what was attached to the mech and case before it was removed. I have kept the parts so if you are missing some bits drop me a message.

[stoxman22]

Thank you all.... Gives me an idea how it worked. I might ditch the electronics and make it work with a micro controller (Arduino) I will do an update when I get to that bit in a month or so.

[treefrog]

Ooo errr, sounds way beyond my pay grade.

[stoxman22]

It's a small controller that takes inputs and gives outputs. Easy to learn to program.... I use them at work ...

[coppinpr]

Actually, I don't think we have ever mentioned Arduino on the site before and now I think about it "what a great idea" when a machine has a controller that's gone phut and can't be replaced with anything original this would definitely be the answer.
For those who don't know the concept, Arduino makes kits or sets of electrical parts designed to be easily assembled using their "breadboard" system into a variety of units, everything from timers to sensors and readouts to alarms and very much more. there are literally thousands of parts available, and they are cheap, a large start-up set is only £24. A lot of its many followers keep a stock of parts and just download the build instructions for whatever project they need, just buying additional parts needed for that particular job. Im hopeless with electrics but can manage to build with Arduino.

https://www.wish.com/search/Arduino/pro ... osition=32

[brigham]

Does simulating the feature with a micro-processor count as restoration?

[coppinpr]

It certainly counts as "keeping a machine running in its original format when there is no other way of saving it". Also, you would not be simulating a feature, you would be replacing the broken original control unit with a new, modern SAFE one, just as you might replace an old strip light choke with a safe modern solid state one.

[pedroofn19]

Here are some pics of the control box for my Lucky Horseshoe. When I got it it was in a bad state, and the transformer had burnt out. I got someone to replace the old transformer, and make the rest of it safe. Now when a jackpot comes in (bars or melons) it pays out ten coins, then insert another coin pull the handle and another ten coins is paid out. That happens until the timer runs out. The timer can be adjusted by turning the round black nob that sticks out from the box housing.

[grains]

Here's a close up of the award card which might help anyone needing to re-create one.

[batteryboy50]

Hi I’m new to the site and looking to purchase my first machine. I came across this topic whilst researching a machine for sale on eBay which is being sold as a Lucky Horseshoe but doesn’t appear to have any electronics in it but says it has mystery payout. I may be wrong, and probably am, but from what I have read on here the electronics are what make the machine payout differently from when it was “standard”. If what I’m saying makes any sense to anyone could they shed some light on it and advise me if the machine would be a good buy and what problems I may face with it. Thanks in advance to any who takes the time to read this.

David

[treefrog]

Hi and welcome.

Think I recall seeing the same machine and yes the electronics were bolted to the hood as in machines in this thread. Mystery payouts tend to be separate payouts associated with either cherries and lemons or melons and oranges depending on the machine. The horseshoe awards paid a fixed amount each time the first reel showed a horseshoe while the feature was lit.

Hi tops are not bad machines to start with, as spares are fairly easy to get as similar to the Sega variants. Perhaps avoid electronic add ins unless you are good with electricity

[brigham]

Don't forget the feature was an after-market add-on, usually by Instone and Ashby.
They are of the period, but not original to the machine.
A Mills or Sega enthusiast might very well take them off. Most of them seem to have been removed or disconnected by now anyway, just for the sake of reliability.

[batteryboy50]

Thanks to those who replied although I am good with electronics it’s the mechanical aspect of these machines which interests me. I will take the advice and keep a look out for an original unmodified Hi-top or similar.

[graham]

Post moved from Arena - Site Admin.

Firstly thank you for letting me join the forum.
I bought myself yet another restoration job, a Sega Lucky Devil. After drilling out the rear lock I discovered quite a clean mech thank goodness.
Apparently it has a bonus that the top light will randomly light and if the first reel lands on a lucky horse shoe it will pay ten. Unfortunately, the control circuit is missing. The solenoid and micro switches are present. Has anybody got a circuit diagram or can explain how it works so I can make it up myself?
Thank you,
Graham

[treefrog]

Add to the thread, this time not a Mills or Sega, but a Jennings version of these special award featured machines.

IMG_20240112_221840044a.jpg (199.02 KiB) Viewed 929 times

I bought this Jennings Standard Chief about 15 years ago, but only displayed it and never really looked at the
mechanicals, especially given it was set to free play. So dug out and found a few issues affecting play and payout, including a pool of oiled in the slides, got it running properly to then look at the special award feature. This is the same type used on the Lucky Horseshoe variants, I guess why it’s called Lucky Chief..

IMG_20240112_215013295a.jpg (71.69 KiB) Viewed 929 times

IMG_20240112_214529543a.jpg (117.92 KiB) Viewed 929 times

Very clean, but was not working. The first reel has Jennings head transfers on and there three bulbs under each reel. The second two are permanently lit and the left hand one will light and stay on during award feature.

After soldering dry joints, bulb replacements and adjustments on microswitches, voila it now fully works. Something the Jennings purists will hate, but I love quirky British operated machines like this…..if I ever sold, I suspect the buyer would rip out and stick a jackpot back in as it still have all parts, even full slide stack….

[badpenny]

That's interesting, I've never seen the likes before.
It clearly originates from when it had more value earning its living than as a collectors' item.