GSX not setting 123 pins

[LilGMech]

Hello everyone,
I have an issue in one of my lanes where our GSX pinsetter won’t set the 1,2,3 pins. The solenoids are not releasing when they go to set pins but they will open up to load new pins into the pinholders with no issues. Table is properly adjusted for both height and level, table cables and harness are all working and tested with multimeter, and properly seated and secured. The 1,2,3 solenoid release fuse is not blown either but replaced just in case. It almost seems like the machine is somehow programmed to set only pins 4-10. We just upgraded our scoring system from vector to Sync and we have had a lot of random problems happen since then. I know our Eproms are outdated so I wonder if that is part of the issue. I really hope someone can help me resolve this issue.

[GCM_Techs]

Not being familiar with Sync but what does the machine do in diagnostics? Does it do the set pins, check pins and sweep cycle?

[LilGMech]

CGM_Techs, thank you for replying.
1st cycle the machine will set pins 4-10, 2nd cycle when the table goes to detect pins, throws 51-53 error code since the pins are missing.

[gecko smacker]

Is the swing shaft for Forum and Blogs pulled back? At a certain "forward spot adjusting" angle, the weight of the pin won't allow the grippers to open.

[Bowler4Ever]

Have you checked your NexGen for blown fuses? If you don't have 11 green LEDs, you've got a blown fuse in there somewhere.

[OnTheTools01]

Hello everyone,
I have an issue in one of my lanes where our GSX pinsetter won’t set the 1,2,3 pins. The solenoids are not releasing when they go to set pins but they will open up to load new pins into the pinholders with no issues. Table is properly adjusted for both height and level, table cables and harness are all working and tested with multimeter, and properly seated and secured. The 1,2,3 solenoid release fuse is not blown either but replaced just in case. It almost seems like the machine is somehow programmed to set only pins 4-10. We just upgraded our scoring system from vector to Sync and we have had a lot of random problems happen since then. I know our Eproms are outdated so I wonder if that is part of the issue. I really hope someone can help me resolve this issue.

Our centre recently moved to SYNC and I think I can offer some advice given my observations.

So after we had moved over to sync, we started experiencing something similar to you across our GSX machines. Mainly issues with pin detection/scoring, on occasion a few machines actually set the incorrect pin combinations - all of these issues went away once we updated the EPROM in all the nexgens, so that's definitely something to look into. I only mention that due to the fact that resetting last known pins would always set an incorrect number of pins as if the nexgen was computationally in error and "stuck" unless we rebooted SYNC- then any combination of lanes could go about 200-300 frames before same issues arose.

Especially as the table has the capability of still setting #4-10 pins and only giving errors on detection of the pins that were never loaded/set tells me that it most likely is a an issue in the nexgen. Firmware/EPROM could be th next step here.

Also. What does the machine do if you were to manually release the pins into the holders/set them up by hand on the deck, any other errors or machine issues?

[Triley]

Is the swing shaft for Forum and Blogs pulled back? At a certain "forward spot adjusting" angle, the weight of the pin won't allow the grippers to open.

Could even verify if this is the case. Tape down the switch fingers so the machine think the 1/2/3 pinholders are holding pins, then run it diagnostic or standalone and see if the solenoids open or not.

If it does, then great, check the pinspotting to make sure that's good.

If not, then I would assume it's wiring. Just because the pinholders open at home height doesn't mean there might not be a broken wire that is connecting at home, but has a broken connection at setting height.

[gecko smacker]

Correction: Is the swing shaft for pin holders 2 and 3 pulled back?

If the link assembly between 4/5/6 and 2/3 is shortened too much, then instead of spotting the pins a little forward, when at "C" switch height, there won't be any slack between the grippers and the pin. The grippers will still have significant contact with the top of the each pin's neck. The magnetic pull of the red solenoid is not strong enough to overcome the weight of the pin. If there was no adjustment to the link assembly for the head pin, then its horizontal angle would be dictated by the 2/3 swing shaft.

Dealt with this physical scenario at our off-base bowling center, (GS96). One lane was intermittently not setting the 7 pin, when new pins are set on the deck. When I examined the pin holder, I noticed the "arm" that determined the forward/backward pin position looked really off compared to 8/9/10. It looked like a factory error, (I think that is very rare); the weld looked like it was set back about 15-20 degrees. The ground shaft of the pin holder was adjusted all the way to the front to get the pin as vertical as possible. I drilled a hole on the contact area of the ground shaft, and bolted it in front, (outside), of the adjustment area; the rear adjusting bolt and nut were not needed anymore. With this I was able to get the pin to stand vertically, and have the needed slack between the grippers and the neck of the pin, so the solenoid would not struggle when opening the grippers. Unfortunately, this "married" that particular ground shaft and rear swing shaft together. The pin is released and does not wobble when set, but there is no left-right adjustment; (kind of like a permanent cast, if left as is). Replacing the whole swing shaft, widening the hole on the ground shaft horizontally, or re-welding the position of the "arm" correctly, will bring it back to normal.? (Will try to get an after-photo uploaded).

If 1/2/3 do not have the situational/adjustment problem I described above, then was problem happening with your Vector system?