ATGV Posted November 19, 2019 Share Posted November 19, 2019 I have a WMH-188 Challenger Claw Machine and the claw lowers but will not open to grab a prize. The claw assembly is hot to the touch and giving off smoke with a burned wire smell. Has anyone encountered this issue and know the fix? Any help is much appreciated! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnnyB Posted May 29, 2020 Share Posted May 29, 2020 I’d say internal short in the eectromagnetic solenoid ,check voltage going to solenoid to make sure it’s not over volting but I’d guess a dead short solenoid. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ATGV Posted August 25, 2020 Author Share Posted August 25, 2020 Thanks, I checked the solenoid and it was burned up. I replaced it, and the same issue, claw lowers but won't open. I touched the claw and it was extremely hot, so I unplugged the machine. My next step will be to check the voltage going to the solenoid (the red and white wires). Anyone know what the correct voltage should be?........I'm thinking maybe the VR1 and VR2 meters or control knobs are bad and sending too much voltage to the claw?.......sorry for all of the questions as I'm not in the business and the machine is for home use. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gumball guy Posted August 25, 2020 Share Posted August 25, 2020 If the claw is closed then it is probably in a claw strength test mode. Once you killed the power to the machine the claw should open up. If the crane is in test mode then that would explain the solenoid overheating because it is constantly sending power to the claw. I have included a manual that I found on the internet. Hope this helps. https://brokensecrets.files.wordpress.com/2012/10/wmh-188-manual.pdf Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vendo Mike Posted June 2, 2021 Share Posted June 2, 2021 If the solenoid is engaged regardless of mode, I would be looking to the driver board. There must be either a shorted component (transister or driver ic) engaging that solenoid. It will eventually swell the coil until the core can't move freely. It shouldn't be hard to find as the shorted component should be hot to the touch. Be careful though, I've left my finger prints on shorted transisters before. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
exitrealty Posted March 23, 2022 Share Posted March 23, 2022 Did you solve this issue? I have the same machine with the same problem. Also on mine there are no knobs for the VR1 and VR2, just the volume know. I had the same issue where it got really hot. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tblake05 Posted March 27, 2022 Share Posted March 27, 2022 On 6/2/2021 at 11:05 AM, Vendo Mike said: .....Be careful though, I've left my finger prints on shorted transisters before. Amen to that! Sometimes I wonder how they aren’t glowing red hot. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now