How to Disable Quarter Arcade Machines
A video arcade machine won't let you play a game unless you drop a quarter in its slot. If you have purchased an arcade machine from a gaming dealer, you can disable this restriction by rewiring the slot mechanism. You will need a basic understanding of how electricity works, as well as tools that you will find in most households. You will also need to purchase a few supplies from an electronics store or hobby shop.
Things You'll Need
- Soldering iron
- Phillips screwdriver/Torx screwdriver
- Flashlight
- Electric wire spool, 14-gauge
- Utility knife
- Wire stripper
- Ruler
- Microswitch
- Bonding glue
Instructions
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1
Unplug the video arcade machine's power cord from the wall outlet. Place a soldering iron on a work surface and plug its power cord into a wall outlet.
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2
Open the coin slot door using the key that accompanies the arcade machine. Leaving the coin slot door open, remove the screws surrounding the coin slot plate with a Phillips or a Torx screwdriver, depending on the type of screw holding the plate to the machine.
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3
Pull off the plate. Shine a flashlight inside the compartment that you have revealed. Locate the black plastic box inside the compartment that has red and black wires soldered to it.
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4
Cut two 8-inch lengths of electric wire using the blade of a utility knife. Strip 1/2 inch of insulation from both ends of both wires with a wire stripper.
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5
Place a microswitch on the work surface with the bottom facing up. Solder one of the wires to one of the contacts on the bottom of the microswitch. Let the solder cool. Repeat this process with the second wire.
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6
Solder the free end of one of the wires to the contact on the black plastic box that has a black wire soldered to it. Let the solder cool. Solder the free end of the other wire to the contact with the red wire and let that cool.
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7
Apply bonding glue to the tip of the metal "Coin eject" rod that is on the inside of the coin slot plate. Place the tip of the microswitch against the tip of the rod. Hold the two together for two minutes so that the glue can take hold. Let the glue set for 10 minutes before continuing.
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8
Push the wiring inside the compartment. Place the coin slot plate back on the arcade machine and reattach the screws. Close the coin slot door. Lock the door with the key.
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9
Plug the arcade machine's power cord back into the wall outlet. The coin slot is now disabled. Pressing the "Reject" button on the coin slot will activate the arcade machine as if a quarter had been deposited.
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Tips & Warnings
A "classic" arcade machine, once altered, loses much of its resale value.
