STAR*TECH Journal
Vending: Multiple Bill Acceptors
by John Batistic -
Cleveland Coin International
Cleveland, Ohio
Last nonth I talked about MBA's and the
success they are having in the vending
industry. I mentioned three manufacturers
of MBA kits. soon after the writing of
that article, I learned that Coinco has
entered the MBA kit market with a unit
that is built by RoWe for Coinco.
Another exciting thing that is beginning
to make a mark in the vending industry is
the PIASTIC CASH SYSTEM. This type of
system enables you to insert a plastic
card into a slot on a vending machine to
make a purchase. The system eliminates
cash in the vending machine, making theft
a thing of the past!
The way this system works is interesting.
You insert your plastic card into a
machine that resenbles a dollar bill
changer. Next, you deposit cash into the
machine in the form of bills or coins. The
machine then puts the appropriate anDunt
of credit on your card. Fach time you
insert your card into a vending machine
and make a purchase, the exact aIOOlD'lt of
the purchase is subtracted from your card.
There are also colll'lter machines that
resenble a cash register that are used
with human interface to add credit to a
card.
The systems are designed to acCOIOOdate
large accounts with full line vending that
have a captive clientel. Exanples are
hospitals or large factories.
I am aware of three firms that are
actively marketing the plastic cash type
of system. They are Debitek, Interface
Control Systems, Inc., and Wittenborg.
.I\D'lOIM.'ED
PlOlOCTS 00.
Autanatic Products Co. has recently
annolll'lced that a protector board, part
nunber 660335, is now available for the
4000/5000 series control boards. The
protector board has a therrnister installed
on it. The therrnister is a protection
device for the control board in case a
short develops in the 115 volt circuit of
September 1986 (6)
the machine, such as a changer solonoid
shorting out.
'!be protector board plugs into the lower
right hand corner of the control board.
Starting August 6, 1986 the protector
boards will be added to all 4000/5000
control boards that are sent to the
factory for repair.
Protector boards are also available as a
parts item and may be ordered under part
nunber 660335. '!be thermister has been
added to the power board for the 6000/7000
series Snack vendors for added protection.
ARlnC MB& St&:1.1:a;
There has been some confusion about the
interchangeability of sub assenblies with
the Ardac MBA Systems. Ardac has two MBA
Systems in the field. One is called the
BI.ACK SYSTEM, the other is called the BLUE
SYSTEM. Systems are identified by the
cover printing on the control box. '!be
stacker is completely interchangeable. 'lhe
bill acceptors are interchangeable if they
are part nunber 1X224-00X or 0100. Bill
acceptors with part nunber 1X224-0200 and
1X224-500 or 500 will work exclusively in
the Blue System.
If you install an EPRCM #57Xl06-XX in the
BI.ACK control box, it will accept any bill
acceptor. The BLUE control box will
replace any BI.ACK control box. The BI.ACK
control box may or may not replace a BLUE
control box. It will depend on the machine
it is interfaced with, and if you have any
doubts I suggest you call Ardac.
VOLUNES/IBBUES
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