Optical Coin switch plans available at Oscar's...

[alank2]

Hi everyone,

I recently developed a circuit to replace the mechanical coin switch with an optical one so I would get accurate coin reporting from my coin door to my I-PAC.

It seemed to fit with the superbright LED project page that Kelsey at Oscar Controls already has so I asked him if he would host this project page too.  Of course, Kelsey being helpful guy that he is said sure!  Here is the project page about it if you are interested, at:

www.oscarcontrols.com/coinswitch

Have a great day,

Alan

[Rocky]

Nice project and write up!

That looks like an easy project (even for a novice). Many people want to use their coin mechs with any kind of coin or token, but have trouble getting the smaller ones to trip the wire. This is a nice solution.

Thanks!

[Thenasty]

this doesn't have to be just for coin, it could be for anything that need an optic Switch. I'll let you guys know when I'm done what i have in mind for it. TIA for schematic.

[papaschtroumpf]

FYI, I use the following in my cab for coin detect: Optek OPB 490 series "11"  (about $1.25 a piece at my local electronic store). Those are "all in one" light switches with a slot in the middle. Anything that breaks the beam causes the "switch" to appear closed. The switch includes its own built-in pull-up and amplification circuit for the output, so all you have to provide is a single resistor to limit the current in the LED.
Works great with my keywiz...

exact datasheet here: http://www.optekinc.com/pdf/OPB480.pdf

[Thenasty]

sounds like this is alot cheaper.  I have to stop by an electronic store and see see if they have OPTEC 490 series "11". Can you separate the two and have it setup farther away ?

[froggerman]

The circuit you have looks like a 'debounce' circuit. Did you just try using the coin switch as input to the 'debounce' circuit? The problems you are having with the coin switch to IPAC might just be because the IPAC is set to register much faster button presses than you need for the coin switch.

[alank2]

FYI, I use the following in my cab for coin detect: Optek OPB 490 series "11"  (about $1.25 a piece at my local electronic store).

I looked at those, but couldn't find any that were wide enough I thought I could mount across the coin chute easily.  That is cool that they make ones that act like a switch.  I *really* wish I had a local electronics store that supplied such items!  Even with one of these, I would think you might need a timer or debounce circuit to make the pulse long enough for the keyboard encoder to detect--how does it work for yours?

Thanks,

Alan

[alank2]

The circuit you have looks like a 'debounce' circuit. Did you just try using the coin switch as input to the 'debounce' circuit? The problems you are having with the coin switch to IPAC might just be because the IPAC is set to register much faster button presses than you need for the coin switch.

Yes, I looked at doing a debounce circuit too.  Once it was apparent that I was going to have to make a circuit, I figured why not go a little bit further and make it optical, and I thought I would get better detection without physically touching the coin.  I would think it is possible that a properly done debounce/timer circuit could work just as well.

Thanks!

Alan

[ErikRuud]

Nice Job!

We use the same emitter/detectors to do timing on our slotcar tracks.  I have found that the emitters that Radio Shack sells seperately have a higher output rating and work better with 2"-3" seperation that we use on the track.

I have thought about doing an optical coin door a couple of times.  
I don't have a coindoor, and I might never have one, but if I did, it would be optical.

[alank2]

I have found that the emitters that Radio Shack sells seperately have a higher output rating and work better with 2"-3" seperation that we use on the track.

Yes, I saw that one too.  Is it capable of more current than the one in the matched set?  What current are you using in your slot track LED?  I'm surprised you need a more powerful one.  I am only allowing 0.37ma (VERY small) to my LED and the phototransistor picks it up easily.  The spec says the LED can go up to 150ma which seems insane to me, but that is the spec.

Thanks,

Alan