Coin Operated Power

[Diveboy]

Hi Guys,

1st post (Hi Everyone!), I'm looking to build my first cab. It will go in the kids room and I want to also have it so they can watch Netflix on an android box. Is there a way to wire it up so that they would have have to put a coin in to turn it one and then have it go off after say 15mins?

So if they want to watch tv we can limit the amount they can watch it by only giving them a set number of coins?

Cheers

[Titchgamer]

This could be done using timer relays and a programable coin mech.
But I would advise against it as turning the power off to net boxes etc without shuting them down is usually a bad idea!

[Slippyblade]

But I would advise against it as turning the power off to net boxes etc without shuting them down is usually a bad idea!

Depends on the box.  I've got a ChromeCast and it couldn't care less if power is yanked.

[Titchgamer]

But I would advise against it as turning the power off to net boxes etc without shuting them down is usually a bad idea!

Depends on the box.  I've got a ChromeCast and it couldn't care less if power is yanked.

It does indeed, My Net box however very much dislikes abrupt power outages :p
It corupts the system on mine and means I have to reinstall everything

Personally I would also get peed off with the thing shutting off mid programme or whatever

Though I do commend the OP's idea!!

If you want to go ahead with it though you need to get a low voltage coil timer relay that is capable of switching 240v. Then wire it so the coin mech activates the timer coil with a retaining contact so it stays energised until the time is up.

Then use one of the switched contacts to switch your 240V to your android box adapter.
Or if you plan on running it off a standalone supply switch that.

[Slippyblade]

Why 240v?  Most of the folks on the board here are in the States, and we run 120v.

[Titchgamer]

Force of habbit ime a English Sparky :p

Swap the 240v for your houne countrys regional voltage if outside UK :p

[Diveboy]

Thanks Guys. I'm in the UK so 240v is fine. How about if I just powerdown led's, TV and Speakers. It'll be a RetroPie machine.

This could be done using timer relays and a programable coin mech.
But I would advise against it as turning the power off to net boxes etc without shuting them down is usually a bad idea!

Which mech would work for this I'm on a budget for this bit as I didn't really want to add it.

[Titchgamer]

LED's, Monitor and speakers will be fine to power down.
Definatly dont power off the Pi without shutting down or again it may corupt the file system.

As for the coin mech I recently brought a CH-926 off ebay for about £12 I think it was thats quite good.
Fully programeable for different coin types.

Good luck with your ideas, I will e intrested to see some pics once its up and running

[lilshawn]

could always leave the box powered up and use a relay to shut off the screen. that way the system stays running with no chance of corruption.

an arduino kit with a relay and a few lines of programming will have it sorted in no time.

also, i've been getting into arduino programming as of late. all I can say is "wow". i can think of 100 things in the past where an arduino would have been perfect to do the job.

[Diveboy]

I might look to add a count down timer to save from losing the screen mid program and a bypass button on the top for me. This is a can of worms

an arduino kit with a relay and a few lines of programming will have it sorted in no time.

Thanks I might drop you a PM when I get to that point. Just in the planning phase at the moment. Although I have started ordering bits.

As for the coin mech I recently brought a CH-926 off ebay for about £12 I think it was thats quite good.
Good luck with your ideas, I will e intrested to see some pics once its up and running

Pics yep will do  - No sub £25 CH-926 on ebay :-(

[Titchgamer]

just realised they dont seem to be listed anymore at the price I got them, but there is this one on amazon at a reasonable price:

[Sintron] CH-926 Multi Coin Mech Acceptor Coin Selector, for Vending Machine , Massage Chair , Arcade JAMMA Game Etc... https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00C16P03I/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_RoxFxbQJTNMQ0

These are also pretty good but only accept one type of coin:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/272287915645

[BigCurtis]

If you don't care about the "money", look at the any coin mech...


https://www.arcadeplastics.com/any-coin-v2

$7.50

[dylaninwv]

It may sound dumb, but they still sell the old Magic Fingers coin box units on ebay. That is all pretty much they are - a coin-op relay that turns on 120vac power.

[mgb]

There are many different ways to do what you're looking to do.
One method to consider is with a timer relay such as Altronix 6062. This is a great relay with many purposes.
You can have the coin hit a switch just like any arcade machine and that would hit the trigger of the 6062 which can be set via trim pot to go active for 1-60 minutes.
You will have to figure in the contact ratings for the power you will be switching. I don't remember the 6062 contact ratings off hand.
If you're not able to directly switch the 120vac mains, you can also improvise and run a slave relay with heavy duty contacts.

[ark_ader]

Hi Guys,

1st post (Hi Everyone!), I'm looking to build my first cab. It will go in the kids room and I want to also have it so they can watch Netflix on an android box. Is there a way to wire it up so that they would have have to put a coin in to turn it one and then have it go off after say 15mins?

So if they want to watch tv we can limit the amount they can watch it by only giving them a set number of coins?

Cheers

Wow what a tight arse.  15 minutes a pop?  You remind me of the first landlord I had.

Give the kids a break and stretch it 30 minutes.