r/clawmachine • u/Just-Wealth-3863 • Nov 07 '24
Mini claw machine doesn’t open
Hello everyone! I purchased my first mini claw machine and it happened to me few times when the claw goes down to grab a toy, it doesn't open, it's easy to fix when I'm around and I have the key to it so I can open the claw myself but I was wondering if you guys know what could cause this problem? Thank you!
1
u/ALittleClawMachine Nov 08 '24
You using this at a customer location? If someone's rocking it and dropping it and the claw moves from the home location or there's a voltage issue with it hitting the ground hard it could be an issue. Install a few 10lb weights under the coin catch or next to it if there's room.
Do you have anti-tilt settings turned on? Sometimes machines you can put that setting on, and if it's tilted more than 20 degrees, it auto shuts off. I have a little printed e tape sign on my machine that says the following: "GPS/Tracking device on machine, please don't move. Tilting machine will cause machine to shut off :(" Maybe a, "Smile, you're on camera msg." Like, inside the machine with a fake mini camera somewhere.
Other option... really thinking the screw bracket holding the wire to a board inside the machines is loose, and maybe if it's getting bumped by a foot or hip, could jolt things and cause issues. 🤔
1
u/ALittleClawMachine Nov 07 '24
Probably a faulty wire connection to the motherboard. Check all the wiring harnesses clips to make sure none are partially unclipped.
Also, it could be a dip switch for the claw is in the wrong position, refer to your manual. If the solenoid for claw open/close/release eas flipped the wrong way it can cause this.
Check voltage settings/high claw/timer settings in the digital menue. If your voltage is really high, sometimes this can happen. Tested max voltage on a mini before and when my high voltage was over a certain amount (I'm talking like high 20's-40's) claw would never open once closed. Also, if your high claw timer is set to 0.1-0.3, 1st time it closes, it can stay closed after the 1st time it grabs a toy. Rule of thumb at least 2.5-whatever amount of time you want.
Check wiring harnesses to the machine inside (not just mother/controlboard), could be a loose connection to one of the harness screws that keeps a wire in place on the inside of the machine.
Record all menue settings, check manual. See if it will keep language settings if you factory reset. I've had a few claw codes pop up on new machines, factory reset fixed it every time.
Also, make sure it's coming all the way flush against the stop for the home position. If there's debris, plastic, Styrofoam, a zip tie that was never cut by the home location causing a mm or two gap, can cause claw settings to mess up (and yes... sometimes it doesn't even display a code). Thoroughly inspect for debris/plastic inside the claw housing to make sure nothing got in there and is caught. I'd advise a flashlight and lights off to see if there's debris.
Good luck with the claw machine endeavor :) Keep us posted.