Frequently Asked Questions and Answers

Q: Are Coinco and Coin Acceptors the same?

A: Yes.  Coin Acceptors, Inc. is the official corporate name. Coinco is a trademarked derivation that is widely used to describe the company and its products – thus, they are synonymous.

Q: Do you sell or service products other than your own?

A: Coinco sells and services only its own products. We do not sell used or reconditioned products. Some control boards used in electronic vending machines are designed and manufactured by us, but the company that sells the machine should provide the service.

Q: There are many different interfaces for coin changers and bill acceptors.  How do I know which is used in each machine if I need a spare or a replacement?

A: Detailed cross-reference information is available from our services department and from our branch offices. The most common interfaces are as follows:

Single Price: Usually 110-volt beverage machines with an 8-pin connector from the coin changer and a 6-pin connector from the bill acceptor to the changer. Vend price is set in the changer and a Coinco changer will have an “S” as a prefix in the model number. The machine will not have an electronic control board.

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Logic:  The changer, sometimes called a “Dumb Mech”, can be either 110 volts or 24 volts. This is the older standard electronic machine. Some 24-volt models have the same 12-pin connector as the 110-volt models, so make certain the voltage is correct before applying power, or damage will be caused. Most 24-volt models use a 15-pin plug. The bill acceptor is usually a serial interface that connects directly to the control board.

MDB: This is the new industry standard and most new electronic machines use it. A 6-pin connector is standard and the changer, bill acceptor and other components connect to the control board and each other with it. Power is 34 volts DC.

Q: How do changers detect good coins from slugs?

A: Older mechanical changers measure thickness,diameter and dynamic characteristics as the coins roll through the acceptor. As they exit the acceptor, they have been determined to be good or bad based on the tests and the good ones have been separated from each other. The coins then actuate switches in the coin changer to send credit pulses to the logic in the changer to be added together to initiate the vend and change payout.

Electronic changers measure coin characteristics by an array of electronic sensors located in the coin path just after entering the acceptor. Before the coin reaches the end of the track, it has been determined to be good or bad and its value has been determined. It then goes to the sorting area to be loaded into change payout tubes, or to the cash box. Upon exiting, the proper credit is issued.

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Q: A new dollar coin has been issued in the U.S. What is needed to accept it in your changers?

A: All of the electronic changers we have produced accept the old Susan B. Anthony and the new Sacagawea dollar coins. The changers have a switch, which allows $1 coins to be accepted or rejected. The switch will have to be turned on the accept position. You cannot accept the new and not the old. The U.S. Mint found a gold-colored alloy for the new coin that produces the same electronic signature in our changers as the old coin. Turning on the $1 accept switch will accept them both.

Q: I would like to use coupons in my machines to replace refunds and to stimulate consumers to visit my machines. What is needed?

A: You will need a Coinco bill acceptor in the machine. Models are available for nearly all machines. Then, choose one of our four available coupons to be programmed into the bill acceptor. This can be done with our field programmer or by our service department. You will be able to use the coupon to initiate a free vend signal in newer electronic machines with MDB interface. In other machines, the coupon will be credited as a dollar. After acceptance, it will be stacked with the dollars in the bill stacker. It can then be removed and used again.

Q: What is a 1925 nickel (or any other coin) worth?

A: We are not coin dealers. Call the American Numismatics Association at 719.632.2646 or visit their web site at www.money.org .

1. How do I set the vend price?

Model S75 | Model 9360-S | 3000 S-Series

Model S75:
1. Remove the acceptor from the changer and place in an area free of dirt and foreign material.

2. The S75-9800B has one switch module with five rocker switches located on the upper portion of the printed circuit board. These switches correspond to prices as follows:
1=$.05
2=$.10
3=$.20
4=$.40
5=$.80

When the top of the rocker switch is pushed in, the switch is in the ON position. Vend price is set by adding the value of all rocker switches in the ON position. EXAMPLE: Switches #2 and #3 in the ON position=30˘ vend price.

3. The S75-9800A has four price select slide switches (2 black and 2 white) located on the upper portion of the printed circuit board. These switches are ON when in the up position.

Set the vend price by sliding sufficient price select slide switches into the up position to total the desired price. Example: $.10 and $.40 in the up position=50˘

4. Replace the back coverplate

 
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Model 9360-S
1. Unplug the coin changer.

2. Remove the acceptor.

3. Located in the upper portion of the changer is a single switch module with 12 rocker switches. When the top of the rocker switch is pushed in, it is in the ON position. The switches correspond as follows:
1=$.05
2=$.10
3=$.20
4=$.40
5=$.80
6=$1.60
7=$3.20
8=$6.40
9=USA/CAN
10= $ coin acceptance
11=LO $.25
12=escrow until select

4. The vend price is set by adding the value of switches 1-8 to desired vend price. Make sure vend price set on changer corresponds to vend price indicated on front of vendor.

5. Set switches 1-8 to desired vend price. Make sure vend price set on changer corresponds to vend price indicated on front of vendor.

6. Set option switches 9-12 to desired setting

9=USA/CAN	ON: US and Canadian coins will be accepted OFF: Canadian coins will be rejected
10=$ACPT	ON: Dollar coin will be accepted OFF: Dollar coins will be rejected
11=LO $.25	ON: Quarters are directed to cash box once change tube has approximately 18 quarters OFF: Quarters are directed to cash box once change tube is full
12=ESC-SEL	ON: Changer allows complete escrow until selection and delivery has been made OFF: Changer allows escrow until vend price is accumulated

 
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3000-S Series
1. Unplug the coin changer.

2. Remove the acceptor.

3. Located in the upper portion of the changer is a single switch module with six rocker switches. When the top of the rocker switch is pushed in, it is in the ON position. The switches correspond as follows:
1= $.05
2=$.10
3=$.20
4=$.40
5=$.80
6=$1.60

4. The vend price is set by adding the value of switches 1-6 which are on the ON position.

5. Set switches 1-6 to desired vend price. Make sure vend price set on changer corresponds to vend price indicated on front of vendor.

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For Technical Support Please Contact
techsupport@coinco.com.