CMOS Batteries in Arcade Machines: Functions, Error Symptoms, and Replacement Guide

In modern arcade machines, maintaining system settings, coin/credit counts, and game configurations requires a small but critical component: the CMOS battery.

battery CMOS Pada mesin game  Arcade

CMOS stands for Complementary Metal-Oxide Semiconductor. It powers the low-power volatile memory chip (CMOS RAM) on arcade motherboard assemblies, preserving BIOS system configurations and game operator settings even when the machine is completely powered off or unplugged from the wall outlet.

Tampilan pada PC ( baterry CMOS lemah/ rusak/ tidak terpasang)

1. What is a CMOS Battery and How Does It Work in Arcades?

[ Main Power OFF / Unplugged ]
             │
             ▼
[ Volatile CMOS RAM Memory Chip ] <==== Powered by === [ CMOS Battery (3V / 5.5V) ]
             │
             ▼
[ Preserves: System Time, Boot Sequence, BIOS Settings, Credit/Ticket Audit Data ]

When an arcade cabinet is turned off at night, the main power supply unit (PSU) stops delivering +5V/+12V DC power to the motherboard.

Without an active secondary power source, volatile memory loses all stored data instantly. The CMOS battery acts as a continuous backup power source, supplying microscopic amounts of current to keep the CMOS RAM active so that saved settings remain intact across power cycles.

battery CMOS Pada mesin game  Arcade

2. CMOS Battery Applications Across Different Arcade Platforms

CMOS batteries serve two distinct roles depending on whether the arcade machine is driven by a PC motherboard architecture or a specialized microcontroller board:

A. PC-Based Arcade Video Games (3V CR2032 Lithium Cell)

Modern high-end video games run on embedded PC platforms (Intel/AMD motherboards running Windows Embedded, Linux, or custom arcade OS environments).

• Example Games: Wangan Midnight Maximum Tune (1–6), Pump It Up, Initial D, Tekken 7, Photo Freestyle, Raw Thrills Racing Games.

• Standard Battery Type: CR2032 3V Coin Cell.

• Core Function: Preserves hardware BIOS settings (SATA boot drive priority, CPU clocking, onboard I/O configurations) and system real-time clock (RTC).

B. Microcontroller & Redemption Arcade Games (5.5V Supercapacitor / Battery Modules)

Dedicated redemption and skill games often use custom microcontroller boards (MCU) rather than full PC motherboards.

• Example Games: Street Basketball, Tower Crane, Claw Machines, Ticket Redemption Games.

• Standard Battery/Capacitor Type: 5.5V Memory Backup Battery / Supercapacitor Module (or Ni-MH button stack).

• Core Function: Preserves critical arcade operator settings, including:

  • Credit ratio settings (e.g., 1 card tap = 2 plays).

  • Ticket payout rates & mercy ticket options.

  • Game time limits and difficulty calibrations.

  • Audit meters (total plays, total coins inserted, total tickets dispensed).

battery CMOS 5,5V Pada mesin game  Arcade Streetbasketball

battery CMOS 5,5V Pada mesin game  Arcade tower crane

3. Symptoms of a Weak or Dead CMOS Battery

A standard CMOS battery has an operational lifespan of approximately 3 to 5 years. When the battery voltage drops below its critical threshold, arcade machines exhibit distinct error behaviors upon bootup:

+-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
|                     CMOS BATTERY FAILURE SYMPTOMS & IMPACT                        |
+----------------------+----------------------------------+-------------------------+
| Arcade System Type   | On-Screen / Hardware Symptom     | Operational Impact      |
+----------------------+----------------------------------+-------------------------+
| PC-Based Arcade      | "CMOS Checksum Error - Defaults  | Machine halts on boot;  |
| (Maxtune, PIU)       | Loaded" or "Press F1 to Continue"| requires keyboard input |
+----------------------+----------------------------------+-------------------------+
| PC-Based Arcade      | System Date/Time resets to 1999  | Online ranking, dongle  |
|                      | or 2000                          | security check fails    |
+----------------------+----------------------------------+-------------------------+
| MCU / Redemption Game| Settings reset to factory default| Credit/ticket payout    |
| (Basketball, Crane)  | after every reboot               | rates lose calibration  |
+----------------------+----------------------------------+-------------------------+

Key Indicators:

1. BIOS Boot Halts: On startup, a PC-based game displays error prompts on the CRT/LCD screen, such as:

   • CMOS Checksum Error - Defaults Loaded

   • CMOS Battery State Low

   • Press F1 to Run SETUP / Press F2 to Load Default Values

2. Loss of Game Operator Settings: Every time the machine is restarted or powered on in the morning, ticket payout settings, game difficulty, and credit configurations reset to factory defaults.

3. Loss of Audit Data: Total earnings, play counts, and ticket payout histories are wiped out, making daily revenue tracking inaccurate.

4. Boot Sequence Errors: The motherboard forgets which drive holds the game software (e.g., SSD, HDD, or CompactFlash card) and attempts to boot from a non-existent drive, showing No Boot Device Found.

4. How to Test and Replace CMOS Batteries in Arcades

[Isolate Arcade Power & Disconnect Mains]
                   │
                   ▼
  [Locate Battery on Motherboard / MCU]
                   │
                   ▼
  [Measure DC Voltage with Multimeter]
                   │
      ┌────────────┴────────────┐
      ▼                         ▼
 [CR2032: < 2.8V]        [5.5V Module: < 4.5V]
      │                         │
      ▼                         ▼
 Replace Cell             De-solder / Replace Module
 (Observe +/- Polarity)   (Check PCB traces for corrosion)

Step 1: Voltage Testing with a Multimeter

1. Power off the arcade cabinet and unplug the main power cable.

2. Locate the coin cell holder (or 5.5V backup module) on the main CPU PCB.

3. Set your multimeter to DC Volts ($V_{DC}$).

4. Place the red probe on the positive terminal (+) and the black probe on the negative terminal (-):

   • 3V CR2032 Battery: Replace if reading is below $2.8\text{V DC}$ (a healthy new cell reads $\approx 3.2\text{V}$ to $3.3\text{V}$).

   • 5.5V Backup Module: Replace if reading is below $4.5\text{V DC}$ when main power is off.

Step 2: Safe Replacement Procedure

• Standard Coin Cells (CR2032): Gently press the metal retaining clip outwards and slide the old battery out. Insert the new CR2032 with the plus sign (+) facing upward.

• 5.5V Soldered Modules: For arcade boards using soldered 5.5V button-stack batteries or supercapacitors, inspect the PCB surrounding the battery pins for green acid corrosion. De-solder the old module using a soldering iron and desoldering pump, clean the pads with isopropyl alcohol, and solder the new unit observing correct polarity.

Step 3: Re-configuring BIOS & Operator Settings

After replacing the battery:

1. Power on the machine and access the motherboard BIOS Setup (press DEL or F2 using a USB keyboard).

2. Set the correct Date and Time, restore the correct Boot Drive Order, and save changes (F10).

3. Enter the game’s Operator / Test Menu (using the internal test switch) to re-enter your preferred credit, pricing, and ticket payout ratios.

5. Preventative Maintenance Summary Table

Machine Category	Typical Battery Type	Lifespan	Primary Risk If Unserviced
PC Arcade (Maxtune, PIU, Initial D)	CR2032 (3V Lithium)	3–5 Years	Machine stuck on boot error; loss of custom game settings
Street Basketball / Tower Crane	5.5V Module / Capacitor	3–5 Years	Pricing & ticket payout rates reset to default on reboot
Classic Arcade PCBs (JAMMA)	Ni-Cd / Ni-MH 3.6V Pack	3 Years	Battery acid leaks, eating through PCB traces (irreversible damage)

Continue

Proximity Sensors & Rotary Encoders in Arcade Machines: Types, Testing & Diagnosis

Beyond standard photo-electric infrared beams, arcade game mechanics rely heavily on Proximity Sensors and Rotary Encoders to detect mechanical positions, coin drops, motor rotations, and physical player movements.

Understanding these components ensures fast diagnostic turns when servicing complex arcade attractions such as ticket redemptions, coin pushers, and carnival-style physical games.

• Proximity Inductive 

• Proximity Capacitive

Proximity Inductive berfungsi untuk mendeteksi obyek besi/metal. Meskipun terhalang oleh benda non-metal, sensor akan tetap dapat mendeteksi selama dalam jarak (nilai) normal sensing atau jangkauannya. Jika sensor mendeteksi adanya besi di area sensingnya, maka kondisi output sensor akan berubah nilainya.

Proximity Inductive

What is a Proximity Sensor (Proximity Switch)?

A Proximity Sensor (or Proximity Switch) is a non-contact detection device that senses the presence or absence of an object when it enters a specific detection zone.

Key Characteristics:

• Short Sensing Range: Operates at very close range—typically from 1 mm up to a few centimeters, depending on the sensor model.

• Operating Voltage: Standard industrial/arcade variants operate on 10–30 VDC, though high-voltage models operating on 100–200 VAC also exist.

• Non-Contact Operation: Prevents mechanical wear and tear, making it ideal for high-vibration arcade environments.

Proximity Capacitive

Types of Proximity Sensors Used in Arcades

Proximity sensors are categorized based on the physical properties of the materials they detect:

                  +-----------------------------------+
                  |         PROXIMITY SENSORS         |
                  +-----------------+-----------------+
                                    |
          +-------------------------+-------------------------+
          |                                                   |
          v                                                   v
[ INDUCTIVE PROXIMITY ]                             [ CAPACITIVE PROXIMITY ]
  • Detects: Ferrous Metals (Iron/Steel)              • Detects: ALL Materials (Metal, Plastic,
  • Ignores: Non-metal obstacles                        Wood, Liquids, Glass, Rubber)
  • Arcade Apps: Firefighter, Dino Time               • Arcade Apps: Street Basketball, Jungle 
                                                        Bowling, Disco Winner

1. Inductive Proximity Sensors (Metal Detection Only)

Inductive proximity sensors generate an electromagnetic field at their sensing face. They exclusively detect ferrous metal/iron targets.

• Key Feature: If a non-metal object (like plastic, wood, or cardboard) blocks the sensor, the sensor ignores it and continues detecting metallic targets behind or through the barrier—as long as the target stays within the maximum sensing range.

• Common Arcade Applications:

  • Firefighter: Detecting metal lever position or nozzle movement.

  • Dino Time: Tracking metallic gear alignment, target flaps, or mechanical coin-drop gates.

2. Capacitive Proximity Sensors (Universal Target Detection)

Capacitive proximity sensors measure changes in an electrostatic field. They detect all object types, including metals, plastics, liquids, glass, and wood.

• Key Feature: High sensitivity to any dense material passing through its close-range envelope.

• Common Arcade Applications:

  • Street Basketball: Rim-mounted ball passage detection.

  • Jungle Bowling & Disco Winner: Ball track positioning, plastic target flips, or coin distribution detection.

How to Test and Diagnose Proximity Sensors

You can verify whether a proximity switch is working properly using two practical methods: LED Indicator Visual Inspection or Multimeter Voltage Measurement.

Method 1: LED Indicator Visual Test

Most proximity sensors feature an integrated LED status light on the rear housing:

• Active-High / Normally Open (NO) Configuration:

  • No Target (OPEN): LED is OFF.

  • Target Present (CLOSED): LED turns ON.

• Active-Low / Normally Closed (NC) Configuration:

  • Target Present (CLOSED): LED turns OFF.

  • No Target (OPEN): LED turns ON.

Diagnostic Rule: Bring a metal target (for Inductive) or any solid object (for Capacitive) near the sensor face. If the LED toggles cleanly between states, the internal sensing circuit is functioning correctly.

Method 2: Multimeter DC Voltage Test (Signal Pin to Ground)

For deeper troubleshooting when the LED lights up but the main game board still fails to register input:

[ Power Source: 12V / 24V DC ] --------> (VCC Pin - Brown Wire)
[ Ground / Com ] ----------------------> (GND Pin - Blue Wire)
[ Multimeter (+) Probe ] --------------> (Out / Drive Pin - Black or White Wire)
[ Multimeter (-) Probe ] --------------> (GND Pin - Blue Wire)

1. Supply standard working power (10–30 VDC) to the sensor power wires.

2. Set your digital multimeter to DC Volts ($V_{DC}$).

3. Place the red probe on the Signal Output Pin (Drive/Out) and the black probe on Ground (GND).

4. Observe the voltage response:

   • State 1 (OPEN): Reads approximately 5V DC (or VCC voltage depending on pull-up logic).

   • State 2 (CLOSED): Voltage drops to 0V DC.

5. If the output voltage switches between 5V and 0V cleanly upon bringing a target near, the sensor signal driver is healthy.

Other Essential Arcade Sensors: The Rotary Encoder

While proximity sensors handle basic proximity and position switching, Rotary Encoders (Rotary Sensors) measure continuous mechanical rotation, velocity, and angular direction.

       +--------------------+
       |  ROTARY ENCODER    |
       |  (Optical / Magn.) |
       +---------+----------+
                 |
        [Rotating Shaft]
                 |
      +----------+----------+
      v                     v
[PULSE GENERATION]    [POSITION & SPEED]
Pulsed signals (A/B)  Calculates exact wheel
sent to game board    angle and spin speed

How Rotary Encoders Work in Arcades:

• Rotary Shaft: Connected directly to steering wheels, ticket wheels, or motor spindles.

• Pulse Signal Output: As the shaft spins, the encoder outputs digital pulse trains (Phase A & Phase B signals).

• Game Logic: The game board counts these pulses to calculate exact steering angles, wheel spin speeds, or physical ticket distribution counts.

Primary Arcade Applications:

• Racing Games: Steering wheel orientation and force-feedback centering (e.g., Mario Kart Arcade GP, Initial D).

• Wheel of Fortune / Spinner Games: Measuring spin strength, speed decay, and winning segment position (e.g., Big Bass Wheel, Spin-N-Win).

• Ticket Dispensers: Precision counting of physical ticket notches as they pass through the dispenser rollers.

Summary: Quick Sensor Reference Guide

Sensor Type	Target Material	Sensing Distance	Primary Arcade Role
Infrared (IR) Beam	Any opaque object	Up to 1–2 meters	Ball scoring, hoop tracking (Dream Shooter)
Inductive Proximity	Ferrous Metals Only	1 mm – 10 mm	Mechanical home positioning, metal gates
Capacitive Proximity	Any Solid / Liquid	1 mm – 20 mm	Plastic ball detection, non-metal targets
Rotary Encoder	Physical Shaft Rotation	Continuous ($360^\circ$)	Steering, spinner wheels, ticket counting

Continue

sensor Rotary encoder

Rotary encoder tersusun dari suatu piringan tipis yang memiliki lubang-lubang pada bagian lingkaran piringan.

Continue

Understanding & Troubleshooting Arcade Photo Sensors (Infrared TX-RX) and Vibration Sensors

In arcade engineering, photoelectric sensors (photo sensors) and vibration/impact sensors are fundamental input devices. They detect ball passes, coin/token drops, target hits, and gun recoil feedback.

Understanding how these sensors operate—and mastering quick diagnostic techniques using LED indicators, multimeters, and smartphone cameras—allows field technicians to quickly resolve scoring faults across various game types.

Pemancar dan penerima inframerah ini disebut sebagai pasangan IR TX-RX

1. What is an Infrared Photo Sensor (IR TX-RX)?

An optical photo sensor detects objects using infrared light emitted at specific wavelengths outside the visible spectrum. The system operates as a matched pair:

• IR Transmitter (TX): An Infrared Light Emitting Diode (LED) that continuously broadcasts an invisible infrared light beam.

• IR Receiver (RX): A phototransistor or photodiode that detects the presence or interruption of the emitted infrared beam.

infrared sensor module

infrared sensor module

 

Photo sensor | infra red

Sensor Types & Configurations:

1. Through-Beam / Direct Pass: TX and RX are mounted on opposite sides of a channel or lane (e.g., scoring gates, ticket notch readers).

2. Reflective Type: The TX and RX are housed inside a single unit, firing an IR beam against a dedicated reflector mirror/plate on the opposite side.

3. Diffused Reflective (No Reflector): The sensor bounces the IR beam directly off passing target objects (e.g., basketballs, plastic targets).

2. Quick Diagnostic Methods for Optical Photo Sensors

Field technicians can test photo sensor health without removing the board using three simple diagnostic methods:

                  ┌─────────────────────────────────────────┐
                  │       PHOTO SENSOR DIAGNOSTIC FLOW      │
                  └────────────────────┬────────────────────┘
                                       │
        ┌──────────────────────────────┼──────────────────────────────┐
        ▼                              ▼                              ▼
 [ 1. LED INDICATOR TEST ]    [ 2. MULTIMETER OUT VOLTAGE ]   [ 3. CAMERA TX BEAM TEST ]
 Observe state change on PCB  Measure OUT pin to GND          View IR TX LED via phone
 LED: OPEN vs CLOSE           0V vs 5V (Active LOW / HIGH)    Purple glow = Emitting OK

Method 1: LED State Indicator (NO / NC Logic)

Most arcade sensor modules include an onboard diagnostic LED indicator that functions like a Normally Open (NO) or Normally Closed (NC) switch contact:

• Active-Low Configuration:

  • Unblocked Beam (OPEN): Indicator LED is OFF → Output signal is High ($\approx 5\text{V DC}$).

  • Blocked Beam (CLOSE): Target cuts beam → Indicator LED turns ON → Output signal pulls Low ($\approx 0\text{V DC}$).

• Active-High Configuration:

  • Unblocked Beam (OPEN): Indicator LED is ON → Output signal is Low ($\approx 0\text{V DC}$).

  • Blocked Beam (CLOSE): Target cuts beam → Indicator LED turns OFF → Output signal pulls High ($\approx 5\text{V DC}$).

• Diagnosis: If blocking the sensor changes the LED state predictably, the sensor optical trigger is functioning.

Method 2: Voltmeter / Multimeter Signal Measurement

To confirm the signal reaches the CPU/mainboard logic circuit:

1. Connect the multimeter Black Probe to Ground (GND).

2. Place the Red Probe on the sensor's Signal Output (OUT / DRIVE) pin while supplying power (+5V or +12V).

3. Test State Change:

   • Clear Path: Voltage reads 5V DC (or 0V depending on active mode).

   • Blocked Path: Pass a card or object through the beam; voltage drops instantly to 0V DC (or jumps to 5V).

• Diagnosis: If voltage remains stuck at 5V or 0V regardless of object presence, the phototransistor or output pull-up resistor is damaged.

Method 3: Testing IR Emitters (TX) with a Smartphone Camera

Because human eyes cannot see infrared light, verifying whether an IR Emitter LED is burnt out can be difficult.

• Procedure: Open your smartphone's camera app (front-facing selfie cameras often work best as they lack strong IR blocking filters) and point it directly at the IR Transmitter (TX) LED eye.

• Result: A functional IR Emitter appears as a glowing violet/purple light on the phone screen. If no light shows, the TX LED is dead, unpowered, or has broken wiring.

3. Vibration Sensors in Arcade Machines

In addition to optical photo sensors, arcade games frequently utilize vibration sensors (piezoelectric / spring-ball impact sensors) to register mechanical collisions or physical play.

       [ Spring-Ball Vibration Sensor ]           [ Piezoelectric Impact Sensor ]
          Outer Metal Casing                        Piezo Ceramic Disc
             ┌──────────┐                               ┌──────────┐
             │  Spring  │                               │  Piezo   │
             │   (o) <──┼─ Floating Contacts            │ Element  │
             └────┬─────┘                               └────┬─────┘
                  │                                          │
       Shaking/Impact closes contact            Vibration generates micro-voltage spike

• Application Examples: Target shooting games (Police Action gun recoil and cabinet shake detection), carnival hammer/redemption games (Yenox Happy Zoo animal target hits), and pinball tilt mechanisms.

• Mechanism:

  1. Spring-Ball Type: A metallic ball inside a spring cage moves during vibration, momentarily bridging contacts to pull a signal pin to GND.

  2. Piezoelectric Type: Physical impacts flex a ceramic element, generating a small analog voltage pulse processed by an operational amplifier (Op-Amp) circuit on the PCB.

4. Platform Troubleshooting Case Studies

A. Happy Forest (Photo Sensor / Ticket Sensor Faults)

• Symptom: Balls fall into scoring holes, but no score registers on the display.

• Root Cause: Dust and paper fibers from ticket rolls coating the IR lenses, or a dead IR Emitter LED.

• Fix: Clean the IR TX and RX eyes using 70%+ Isopropyl Alcohol and a microfiber swab. Test TX output with a smartphone camera.

B. Police Action (Gun Sight Optics & Impact Vibration Sensors)

• Symptom: Gun screen tracking misses targets, or recoil feedback triggers false "tilt/vibration" errors.

• Root Cause:

  1. Optical Sight Tracking: IR LEDs along the screen bezel are dirty, misaligned, or obscured by bezel acrylic.

  2. Vibration Sensor: The gun stock internal vibration/impact sensor spring has fatigued or oxidized, leaving contacts permanently closed.

• Fix: Re-align screen edge IR transmitter LEDs. Disassemble the gun housing, clean spring-ball vibration sensor contacts with contact cleaner, or adjust the sensitivity potentiometer on the impact amplifier board.

C. Yenox Happy Zoo (Target Hit Photo & Vibration Sensors)

• Symptom: Hitting animal targets does not yield points, or one specific target scores continuously without being struck.

• Root Cause: Mechanical target arms failing to break the through-beam photo interrupter, or a shorted vibration sensor module mounted on the target frame.

• Fix: Inspect the physical target return spring to ensure the mechanical flag fully breaks the photo sensor gap when at rest. Check the sensor's signal wire voltage using a multimeter to confirm a clean $0\text{V}\leftrightarrow 5\text{V}$ transition upon impact.

📌 Sensor Troubleshooting Summary Table

Sensor Category	Detection Method	Diagnostic Technique	Common Fault & Fix
Infrared Photo Sensor (TX-RX)	Optical Beam Cut / Reflection	1. Phone Camera (check purple TX glow) 2. Multimeter ($0\text{V}\leftrightarrow 5\text{V}$ check)	Dust buildup or dead TX LED $\to$ Clean lenses; replace TX LED
U-Shape Photo Interrupter	Direct Slot Obstruction	Check onboard PCB diagnostic LED (OPEN vs CLOSE)	Paper dust in slot $\to$ Clean slot with IPA & cotton swab
Vibration / Impact Sensor	Physical Collision / Shake	Continuity/Voltage test across contacts while shaking cabinet	Oxidized spring or shorted contacts $\to$ Clean w/ contact cleaner or replace module

How would you like to conclude or organize this technical documentation?

Continue