sternfreeplay

There are a few methods of altering your machine so that you do not have to put coins through the slots to add credits.

One, which is a bit more extensive, makes it so that the machine puts a credit back on every time you press the start button. In essense the number of credits on the display never changes.

I prefer a different, way that still seems to somewhat keep the tradition of having to add credits to play. This method adds a switch to the coin door to add credits at will. It is very easy and cheap to set up and can easily be removed if so desired.

Open the coin door, and notice two screws behind holding the pricing plate onto the front of it. Remove those so that you can pull the plate off. You will probably notice that under the plate, and on the plastic pieces there is a great deal of crud. Now is a good time to clean it all. As you do, take the 1-Dollar price plate out of the plastic coin chute leader. Save it somewhere in case at some point, you or someone else wants to return the game to coin use. Put the chute plastic back in without the price plate. Set all this aside somewhere to be put back on later.

Now we work inside the coin door. Take some 18 or 20 gauge wire of different colors. Locate the center black switch. This is the one used for Susan B. Anthony dollars (the center chute you just altered). Note that on a few games this is a quarter slot, or none is present. Altering this plan to one of the other slots is acceptable. Note that the redish set of wires is positive, and the black, or gray is negative. Carefully solder a wire to each of the connector leads in addition to what is already there for normal game operation. This allows easy removal, and does not disable the ability to use coins.

Cut the other end of the wires so that there is enough room to reach where the switch will be located (Inside the hole where the 1-Dollar GI light use to shine through). Solder the wires to your switch, coresponsing with +/- you soldered previously. You can remove the lamp for the 1-Dollar GI and bend it's base back to make room to put the switch as shown. Light will not be needed. Take the plastic head of the switch off so that you can unscrew the little nut that is underneath. Place a washer around the back side of the hole, and include the switch. On the front side put the second washer around the switch, then there is just enough room to put the nut back onto the switch. Use pliers to tighten the nut and secure the switch into place. Push the cap back on to the front of the switch.

Tools and parts needed:

Screwdriver (philips or flat, depending on machine).

Soldering iron, preferably lower wattage (15 watts).

A momentary switch: This is a switch that activates when you press it, but turns off when you let go (Radio shack- comes in a 2 pack red/black). It is important to have the right type of switch. If you get a regular toggle or press on, it will not be good for the machine.

Wire: 18 or 20 gauge is adequate.

Two Washers: With a hole big enough for the switch to mount into, and a diameter large enough to not fall through the GI light hole.

Key: The key you use to open your coin door (Well I wanted to cover everything in case...)

Put the coin chute plate back on the machine just as you took it off, minus the 1-Dollar plate. With this in place, now this small button is protected against snags from clothing and accidental bumps from moving. You can decorate the opening or create your own custom plate if your so artistically inclined.

Now every time you press the button it ads one credit. Note that it will not add 4 as if your putting in a dollar coin. An actual coin must go through the slot for that. This is because of an anti tampering design of the coin mech.

Note: If you wish it to add multiple credits each time the button is pressed, refer to the manual on how to adjust the coin/credit ratio with dip switches, then solder to the appropriate coin chute switch.