Dollar Bill Validator question

[TheGreg]

I haven't seen too much about dollar bill validators for jukeboxes on here, mostly just coin mechs.  I'm wondering if anyone uses them or has any experience with them.  I checked HappControls.com and they have about 50 different kinds and I'm wondering what differences there might be.

The one thing I'm curious about... I have a vague understanding of how the coin mech works, you put a coin in, it'll send one signal, simple enough.  Do the dollar bill validators send 4 signals, or however you would set it?  Any info would be very helpful, thanks!

[Felix T Cat]

First decide what bills you want to take: you can get 1-5, 1-20 or 1-100.  For a record juke a 1-5 will most likely do.  For a Video Juke you would use a 1-20.  Then how much bill capacity do you want ?.  Stackerless would just drop the bill to the bottom of the machine, or pick one with a 200, 300, 500, 700, or 1000 bill stacker.  Most coin doors that support a BV can't take more then a 500 bill stacker though.

As for pulses, you can set up most BV's for 1 to 4 pulses per dollar.  You would wire the pulse output across the switch on the coin mech.  Then set the bv to 4 pulses per dollar.  When you put in a $1 bill it would pulse 4 times and look like 4 coins were dropped.

Most people just don't put them on because of the cost.

[TheGreg]

Sounds good.  Thanks for the help!

[Ken Layton]

Many (but not all) bill acceptors have two methods available for output signals: relay contact closure and serial data pulses. Relay contact closure is the easiest because you simply wire the common and normally open directly across your coin switch's common and normally open terminals. Then set the bill acceptor's dip switches for "4 pulses for dollar". The relay output can switch 120 volt AC power applications if desired.

The serial data application is definitely for low voltage (5 volts dc) or computer data applications only (no 120 volts allowed here!). Remember that no matter how old a bill acceptor is they still take dollar bills fine. It's when you need to take the new fives and above where you run into problems with your particular unit being able to be upgraded (and the co$t).

I like the old Rowe "OBA" type bill acceptors even though the design is 30 years old. Parts are still made brand new, belts are cheap, and they are easy to work on. Plus Rowe makes an upgrade kit to take the new fives and the kit is only $50 (it takes some soldering & desoldering though).