Troubleshooting Guide: Hole in One – Delayed Ticket Payout & Score Unread

In golf-themed arcade redemption games like Hole in One, timing and immediate score registration are essential to smooth gameplay. A common issue reported by operators is delayed ticket dispensing accompanied by unread scores—where tickets are eventually paid out, but only after a long pause, and without registering the actual points scored by the player.

Hole in one / Slam a winner

Symptom Breakdown & Fault Analysis

papan skor, inner score dan outer score

• Reported Fault: Score is not read when the ball drops into the goal, and ticket payout takes a very long time to begin.

• Root Cause: Broken Needle Switch (Whisker Switch) inside the scoring cup/hole mechanism.

[Start Button Pressed] ──> [Ball Drops into Score Hole] ──> [Broken Switch (No Signal)] ──> [Game Waits for Timer to Expire] ──> [Automatic Mercy Tickets Dispensed]

Why Does the Delay Happen?

terdapat 2 switch jarum dibawah papan score

When a player presses the start button and successfully hits the ball into a scoring hole:

1. Normal Sequence: The ball should hit the wire lever of the needle switch inside the hole. This instantly triggers the COM $\rightarrow$ NO contact to close, sending a pulse signal to the CPU to calculate the score and immediately pay out the corresponding number of tickets.

2. Failure Sequence (Broken Switch): If the needle switch is physically broken (wire arm snapped off or internal spring fractured), the CPU never detects that the ball entered the hole.

3. The "Mercy Ticket" Timeout: Each gameplay round operates on an internal play timer (limit time). Because no target hit was registered, the CPU holds in play mode until the timer completely runs out. Once the timer reaches zero, the game assumes a lost round or system timeout and automatically awards "Mercy Tickets" (default minimum payout guaranteed to the player).

This built-in fallback timer is why tickets eventually dispense, but only after a lengthy delay, while the actual hole score is completely ignored.

switch jarum, terdiri dari 3 pin, NO-NC-COM

Switch Operational States: NO vs. NC

To properly diagnose and wire the replacement switch, keep these basic contact rules in mind:

• NO (Normally Open): In standby mode (no ball present), internal contacts are open/disconnected. When the ball hits the needle, contacts close to complete the circuit.

• NC (Normally Closed): In standby mode, internal contacts are closed/connected. When triggered, contacts open.

Arcade Standard: Scoring switches in Hole in One rely on the NO (Normally Open) configuration to send an active-low or active-high pulse to the mainboard input buffer.

Step-by-Step Diagnostic & Testing with an Ohm Meter

switch terdiri dari NO-NC-COM

Verify whether the switch contacts or physical levers are broken using an analog or digital multimeter set to Resistance ($\Omega$) Mode / Continuity Test.

1. Isolate the Terminals: Disconnect power from the machine and remove the wires connected to the target switch.

2. Connect Probes: Attach one meter probe to the COM (Common) terminal pin.

3. Test NO Position:

   • Place the second probe on the NO (Normally Open) pin.

   • Standby State: The resistance needle should not move ($\infty\ \Omega$ / open circuit).

   • Actuated State (Press Lever Manually): The resistance needle should drop to $0\ \Omega$ (closed circuit / continuous beep).

4. Test NC Position:

   • Move the second probe to the NC (Normally Closed) pin.

   • Standby State: The resistance needle should immediately rest at $0\ \Omega$ (closed circuit).

   • Actuated State (Press Lever Manually): The resistance needle should not move / drop to open circuit.

Practical Solution & Repair Steps

1. Inspect for Physical Damage: Check if the thin wire needle has snapped off from metal fatigue caused by repeated ball impacts.

2. Replace the Broken Switch: Unbolt the damaged microswitch and replace it with a new heavy-duty whisker/needle switch.

3. Re-wire Correctly: Ensure the signal input line connects to NO and the ground line connects to COM.

4. Verify Alignment & Test Play: Manually roll a ball into each scoring cup. Ensure the needle is long enough to catch the ball's weight without getting stuck in the chute. Scoring and ticket payout should now respond instantly without waiting for the game timer to expire.