Animal Grab Machine Repair: Fixed "CATCH" Button & Drop Switch Diagnostic Guide

In video-based Animal Grab redemption games (featuring a 50-inch HD display), players use physical button controls to catch digital animals animated across the screen. Each animal species carries a distinct point value (e.g., small targets give lower points, while rare or large animals award bonus ticket payouts).

Perbaikan animal grab - tombol CATCH player 2 tidak berfungsi

Unlike mechanical claw cranes, this machine uses a pure video arcade IO architecture. Pressing the CATCH button sends a digital pulse through an IO board or keyboard encoder to the internal game PC/mainboard to trigger the onscreen catching mechanism (e.g., net, rope, or laser pulse) at specific screen coordinates.

Tombol catch player 2

buka tutup kap (tombol catch & joystick) dengan kunci AY 05

Switch tombol lepas, pasang kembali,
atau bila patah bisa diperbaiki dengan menggunakan lem bakar

Kunci beda model , ga bisa diganti dg kunci master, simpan di box collect coin

Kunci beda model , ga bisa diganti dg kunci master, simpan di box collect coin
untuk memudahkan bila ada perbaikan lagi

1. System Signals & Input Flow

Plaintext

  [Player Presses "CATCH" Button]
                │
                ▼
  [Microswitch Closes (COM to NO)]
                │
                ▼
  [Digital Ground Signal Sent to IO Board Input Pin]
                │
                ▼
  [IO Board / Encoder Converts Signal to USB/Serial Data]
                │
                ▼
  [Game Software Registers Catch Action & Calculates Point Value]

When the CATCH button fails, players cannot throw nets/traps at target animals, resulting in lost credits and zero ticket payouts.

2. Common Causes of "CATCH" Button Failure

1. Microswitch Dislodged (Switch Tombol Lepas): Aggressive button pounding pops the snap-fit microswitch off its plastic holder underneath the control panel.

2. Broken Retaining Tabs (Kaki Switch Patah): The plastic locking studs on the 100mm/60mm illuminated arcade button housing snap off from high impact.

3. Oxidized or Worn Microswitch Contacts: Internal metallic contacts fail to complete the $0\text{V}$ ground logic circuit when pressed.

4. Disconnected Wiring Harness: Spade terminals slip off the microswitch pins due to cabinet vibration.

5. IO Board Input Port / Cable Fault: Damaged wire terminal or failed input channel on the arcade IO board.

3. Step-by-Step Repair & Diagnostic Guide

1.Open Control Panel & Inspect Switch Mounting:Control Panel Access.

Power off the cabinet. Unlock the service door under the 50-inch display panel and open the control deck access lid to expose the button assembly and harness.

2.Re-attach or Glue the Microswitch Housing:Physical Fix.

• If loose: Align the microswitch locator pins with the button frame slots and twist/snap it firmly back into place.

• If mounting tabs are broken (Kaki Patah): Align the microswitch plunger directly with the button actuator stem. Secure the outer edges of the microswitch frame using hot melt glue (lem bakar) or epoxy resin. Keep glue away from the center moving plunger.

3.Verify Wiring & Ground Continuity:Terminal Check.

Inspect the spade connectors attached to the switch pins:

• COM Pin: Must be wired to the daisy-chained System Ground ($\text{GND}$).

• NO (Normally Open) Pin: Must be connected to the dedicated CATCH input line on the IO board.

• $+12\text{V} / \text{GND}$ Lamp Pins: Check the separate LED bulb terminals if the button backlight is unlit.

4.Test Microswitch Resistance with Multimeter:Electrical Test.

Set your multimeter to Continuity / Resistance ($\Omega$) mode:

1. Attach test probes across the COM and NO terminals.

2. Depress the CATCH button from the front panel.

• Working Switch: Drops immediately to $\approx 0\,\Omega$ (beeps on continuity test).

• Defective Switch: Stays at OL (Open Loop) or shows fluctuating resistance ($>10\,\Omega$). Replace with a heavy-duty $3$-pin arcade microswitch.

5.Verify Signal Input in System Service Menu:Software IO Test.

Power on the machine and press the internal TEST / SERVICE button behind the coin door to enter the setup menu:

1. Navigate to Input Test / IO Test.

2. Press the physical CATCH button.

3. Confirm that the corresponding onscreen indicator (e.g., BTN_CATCH or INPUT_01) toggles clearly from OFF to ON.

4. Hardware Repair vs. Component Replacement Summary

Problem Description	Field Fix / Emergency Repair	Permanent Component Solution
Loose Microswitch (Switch Lepas)	Snap back into plastic locking groove	Ensure twist-lock collar is fully engaged.
Broken Plastic Tabs (Bracket Patah)	Reinforce body using hot melt glue (lem bakar)	Replace with new 60mm/100mm LED arcade button body.
Button registers intermittently	Clean internal contacts with electrical contact cleaner	Replace microswitch unit ($0.1\text{A}-5\text{A}$, $125/250\text{V AC}$).
Button LED dark, but catch works	Re-seat wedge bulb or check $+12\text{V}$ lighting line	Replace T10 $12\text{V}$ LED bulb or socket terminal.
Button OK in test mode, no net in game	Game software software setting/credit error	Verify ticket dispenser settings and coin-in configuration.