Problem Tips for a misbehaving coin mech microswitch

[deadendthrills]

The microswitch on my coin mech is only registering about one in every three coins that goes in. Manually pushing the little bar down registers every time, so I'm guessing there's something wrong with the shape or position of the bar as the coins are passing through. I've followed a couple of guides online but the advice didn't really help, and I can't quite wrap my head around where the bar should theoretically be to catch every coin.

EDIT: nm, I've fixed it for now by just wrenching the bar around with two prongs on a fork till it conformed as well as possible to most of the pictures I found online. We'll see how long it lasts.

 

[69er]

Simple check probably coin passes switch bar prior to clicking the internal contact

With the room quiet and machine off- put finger over the coin switch exit to hold it on the bar/wire and insert the coin so it can’t go right through and rests on the switch bar

Slowly allow the switch bar to lower as if the coin is operating it and listen carefully for a click inside the micro switch if the coin escapes before the click then the bar needs bending upward slightly

Don’t overdo it repeat the above to test and ensure the switch also clicks a second time as it returns to its upper rest position ( without snagging on any part of the mech body if it doesn’t return the next coin will not change switch state -already ON )

Try several coins to finally test live. When pushing the switch down by hand you are supposed mutating maximum travel as would a larger size coin? Smaller coins may pass prior to that depth of travel?

Often happens if original exit and switch were big 10 p or big 50p and someone altered validator to a smaller 10 p or 20 p?

Slot reducer inserts can be fitted on metal s10 mechs and the black plastic s1 type can be adjusted by dismantling and reassembly on a closer tooth

Of course micro switches can also fail with age the internal sprung contact can crack and cause poor operation
Mech micro switches are also colour coded at the bar pivot point white poly for big 10 p black for small coins and red often for tokens midsize by weight as the switch needs to work effective without dual bounce ..the bar reacts to the coin weight and the difference can usually be felt when operating the switch by hand

Use long nose pliers to bend the arm switch bar don’t be too aggressive

Finally some machines only need to see a change of state on the switch while some void the credit if the switch remains down (stuck) for longer then expected often just microseconds on fruit machines to prevent ‘strimming’ dummy coin on a wire strimmer cord or cotton dangle for multiple switching for extra credits - common in 70s fruits and early video mechs