I bought a step-up / step-down 120V - 240V transformer off Scamazon for a upcoming repair project.
The make "LiteFuze" should have been enough warning...
Curious about how well it was assembled I decided to open it up.
Inside was a nightmare of hot glue and questionable parts. I didn't trust any of the components except for the actual transformer.
I ended up gutting the thing and just keeping the transformer and wiring it inside the game with a proper line fuse, fuse clip and obligatory old school hustler terminals.
I bought a Variable Transformer in early 2021. I got to the point in my life where I really needed one for my projects. I turned to ebay and got a the cheapest one available 79.99 canadian dollars delivered.
Had tons of fun with it since.
You can see me use it in this video where I tested an urban legend about bingo machines and variacs.
I use the transformer all the time to power my japanese domestic market 100V machines. I don't see the point of buying a dedicated step down transformer when I have the variac on hand.
One day I noticed that the power cord was loose in it's grommet where it enters the unit.
I didn't want to accidentally snag the power cord and rip the wires inside so I went in for a emergency bodge job.
Removed two screws that held the front panel to get inside the unit and discovered a lot of the components were held in by hot glue.
The power cord "grommet" was just a generous application of hot snot!
I replaced the hot snot grommet by a zip tie "grommet" that will at least stop the power cord from pulling out.
Actually, having a look inside the unit, the general build quality is a bit scheisse imo.
I recently acquired a variable transformer. With a 120 Vac input, I can vary the output between 0 and a bit over 130 Vac.
This reminded me of something I read somewhere a while ago: Back in the day a variable transformer could be used to cheat on a Bally bingo machine.
The Idea was that the machine first had to be surreptitiously plugged in through the variable transformer.
Then through skill or luck a winning combination had to be achieved.
Then, as the machine started adding up credits the variable transformer’s output voltage would be dropped. Enough so that the machine kept operating but just barely. In that state the replay register would keep adding up credits but the replay counter step up coil would be too weak to accurately step up the wiper. If it was done correctly the machine could rack up credits indefinitely. It it was just close enough, the replay counter would once in a while step up successfully the wiper.
That was all theory… more like a myth or an urban legend.
With my new toy I decided to test that urban legend.
Turns out it works.
a 100 replay payout went up to 247 replays. Off camera when I tested the varian I went well over 300.
As one can notice watching the video, the bingo machine’s energized relays start buzzing loudly and the lamps become dim at around 85 Vac.
Also Back in the day there were the logistics of bringing a Variac into a bar and getting the payout from the attendant without the varian being noticed. Easier said than done.
