ELAUT Benchmark Games Fireball

The Fireball arcade game is a coin-operated redemption game designed to provide an engaging and rewarding experience for players. Manufactured by Benchmark Games, a member of the ELAUT Group, it features a vibrant and interactive design, with a focus on ball-dropping mechanics and ticket payouts.

Function Description:

The core function of the Fireball game is to allow players to drop a ball onto a spinning playfield wheel, aiming for specific holes that correspond to ticket payouts or a bonus. The game operates in several modes:

Power-Up Initialization: Upon powering on, the game initiates a sequence where the wheel spins, displays light up, and the ball lift system runs to ensure the ball trough is filled.
Attraction Mode: When not in active play, the game enters an attraction mode, triggering various lights and sounds at a programmable frequency to entice players.
Adding Money: Players insert coins or bills to add credits. A "coin-in" or "bill-in" sound confirms the transaction, and the current credit value is shown on the Credit display. Once enough money is added for a credit, the game transitions to Play Mode.
Play Mode: In Play Mode, play sounds begin, and the play buttons flash, indicating readiness for player interaction.
Player Interaction: The player presses a "Stop Wheel" button to slow and momentarily stop the wheel, followed by a "Drop Ball" button to release a ball onto the playfield. Simultaneously, the ball lift system activates to replenish the played ball, stopping once the ball trough is full.
Scoring/Payout: When the ball drops into a hole on the wheel, the game senses its position using optical sensors. Based on the hole the ball lands in, the game pays out the appropriate number of tickets. A light and sound celebration occurs for bonus hits or standard wins. If the player has remaining credits, the game continues in Play Mode; otherwise, it returns to Attraction Mode.

Important Technical Specifications:

Basic Components:

Header/Marquee: The top illuminated sign displaying the game title.
Ball Drop Assembly: The mechanism at the top where balls are released.
Bonus/Credit Displays: Digital displays showing the current bonus value and player credits.
Ball Lift Belt: A belt system that transports balls from the lower cabinet to the ball drop assembly.
Playfield Wheel: The spinning circular surface where the ball lands to determine payouts.
Button/Coin Tower: The player interface for inserting coins and pressing game buttons.
Ticket Door: The exit point for dispensed tickets.

Main Electronic Components:

Main CPU Board (Part Number: 166PCB001): The central controller located in the lower cabinet on the left. It manages game actions, commands, and overall game logic. ID Switch Setting: 0100 (On, Off, Off, Off).
Quad Stepper Controller Board (Part Number: PCB00068): Located in the lower cabinet on the left, this board controls the stepper motors for the wheel and ball lift. ID Switch Setting: 0000 (All Off).
LED RGB Controller Board (Part Number: PCB00086): Located in the lower cabinet on the right, this board controls the lighting effects, specifically the lights behind the ball drop section and along the sides of the game. ID Switch Setting: 0000 (All Off).
Power Distribution Board (Part Number: PCB00032): Located in the lower cabinet on the left, this board supplies power to the main board, light board, quad board, and various lights. ID Switch Setting: None.
Coins In/Tickets Out Meter (Part Number: 500ASM024): Located on the floor of the lower cabinet, these meters track the number of coins inserted and tickets paid out.
Bonus 4 Digit Display (Part Number: PCB00120): Located on the back wall, top right, above the credit display. Shows the bonus value. ID Switch Setting: 0000 (All Off).
Credit/Ball Count 2 Digit Display (Part Number: PCB00003): Located on the back wall, top right, below the Bonus display. Shows current credits or plays. ID Switch Setting: 1000 (On, Off, Off, Off).
Triple Ticket Dispenser (Part Number: 112ASM001): Located in the lower cabinet behind the white plastic bezel. Dispenses tickets. ID Switch Setting: 0000 (Off, Off, Off, Off).
Scoring Opto Receiver (Part Number: PCB00025): Under the playfield wheel, toward the back. Receives signals from the transmitter to score the ball.
Scoring Opto Transmitter (Part Number: PCB00029): Under the playfield wheel, toward the back. Sends a steady beam to the receiver.
Home Opto Sensor (Part Number: PCB00077): Under the playfield wheel, toward the front right. Reads a pin on the wheel to signal the zero position to the main board.

Game Components:

Balls (Part Number: 115BLL001): The game requires 7 balls at any given time.
Drive Belt (Part Number: BLT10011): A small belt in the back of the cabinet connecting the Ball Lift motor to the pulley system.
Ball Lift Belt Assembly (Part Number: 115ASM017): The elevator belt that carries balls from the cabinet to the top of the game.
Blue Roller for Motor (Part Number: GEN00169): A rubber roller that sits on the playfield motor and spins the large playfield wheel.
Roller Bearing Assembly for Wheel (Part Number: 115ASM016): Supports the playfield wheel.
Playfield Motor Assembly (Part Number: 500ASM127): Spins the playfield wheel.
Ball Lift Motor Assembly (Part Number: TBA): Spins the small belt attached to the Ball Lift Belt to move balls up the game.

Usage Features:

Programmable Settings: The game offers extensive programming options accessible via "Back," "Program," and "Next" buttons on the Power Distribution Board. These settings include:
- Game Volume, Attraction Volume, Bonus Round Volume: Adjustable from 0 to 255.
- Pulse Per Credits: 1 to 8.
- Play per credit: 1 to 8.
- Two Cents Tickets: Yes/No option.
- Bonus Start Value: Range 50 to 9940 (display value x 10).
- Bonus Max Value: Range "Bonus start value + 50" to 9990 (display value x 10).
- Bonus Increments: 0 to 4.
- Game Brightness: 0 to 15.
- Payout Settings: 1 to 5.
- Wheel Speed: 1 to 4 (Slow, Medium, High, Dynamic Speed).
Test Mode: Includes tests for Upper Wheel Scoring, Lower Wheel Scoring, Ball Drop, and Ticket Dispenser to aid in troubleshooting and calibration.
Wheel Options: Various wheel configurations are available (Dollar Wheel, 25 Cent - Standard, 50 Cent, 25 Cent 2 Point) to allow for custom payout structures based on location and desired revenue. The manual recommends using default factory settings as a starting point.

Maintenance Features:

Error Codes and Troubleshooting Guide: The manual provides a comprehensive list of error codes (E-1 to E-16) with detailed troubleshooting steps. These include:
- E-1: General RS485 Communication Error: Checks for cold solder joints, missing plugs, proper wire connections, and continuity on blue and gray wires.
- E-2: Ball Lift Jammed: Checks for physical jams in the ball catch, lift belt, or drop assembly, and verifies the Ball Alert Switch, Quad Stepper Board signal, and motor for damage.
- E-3: Game is Out of Tickets: Checks ticket bins and dispenser loading.
- E-4/E-11/E-13: Quad Stepper Communication Error/Wheel Stepper Communication error: Similar to E-1, focusing on the Quad Stepper Board, including power checks (VCC and CPU lights) and voltage measurements on the J3 Connector.
- E-5: Bonus Display Communication Error: Checks connections and continuity for the 4-digit Bonus Display Board.
- E-6: Credit Display Communication Error: Checks connections and continuity for the 2-digit Credit Display Board.
- E-7: LED RGB Communication Error: Checks connections and continuity for the LED RGB Light Board, including power checks and voltage measurements on the J6 Connector.
- E-8: SD-Card Read: Checks for SD card reseating, corrupt files, and power to the Main board (3.3V and CPU lights, voltage on J1 Connector).
- E-9: EEPROM R/W Failure: Checks power to the Main board (3.3V and CPU lights, voltage on J1 Connector).
- E-10/E-12: Wheel Home Position Error: Checks power to the Main board (VCC and sensor lights), voltage on the connector, and signal wire continuity and voltage (should be a steady 5V, dropping to 0V when obstructed). Also checks signal at the Quad Stepper.
- E-14 - E-16: Main Board Software Errors: Suggests turning the game off and on, entering programming mode, selecting "Exit," and choosing "Restore Game Default" (which resets all settings to factory standards).
Physical Damage Checks: For most errors, the guide recommends checking for any physical damage on boards and harnesses.
Ball Replacement Recommendation: It is recommended to change the game balls every 6-9 months, depending on game usage, to ensure optimal performance.
Customer Service: A dedicated customer service line is available for ordering parts or persistent errors, operating Monday-Friday from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm EST.