Optical coin switches?

[RayB]

I just bought a lot of single-chute coin acceptors and one of them actually has a sort of optical coin detector instead of a switch with trip-wire. I've never seen this before. Are they reliable? Obviously they need to be powered... (It's made by Coin Controls)

~Ray B

[coinguy]

Coin Controls also made the technology for smart payphones.
They sometimes get dirty and need to be cleaned. A damp cloth
wiped over the clear plastic tip solves the problem.

Other than the traditional "sample" comparator, optical technology
is quite complex and fairly accurate.

[fredster]

I've never seen those before.  What do you do with it? It doesn't just fit into the standard coin slot does it?

Doesn't it need some kind of control unit to hook up to?

I bet it came off some kind of gambling machine.  Probably set for tokens. (my gut feeling)

[Orclord]

I have a Virtua Fighter 3 cab and it uses a Coin Controls validator to connect to a Klingon credit board.

[Level42]

I just bought a lot of single-chute coin acceptors and one of them actually has a sort of optical coin detector instead of a switch with trip-wire. I've never seen this before. Are they reliable? Obviously they need to be powered... (It's made by Coin Controls)

~Ray B

Actualy, I have been thinking of an optical solution for a couple of weeks, because now I have problems with my tripwire. I had to replace the Guilder coinproof with a Euro (0.20 cent) coinproof and it seems the coins are to small/light. Sometimes they pass the wire, and sometimes the coin hangs on the wire without tripping it.
So I was wondering if it could be done opticaly, much more reliable is my guess. Can you put up a picture ? Thx !

[Orclord]

Well here's my one if it's any help..

[Level42]

THis looks like a complete electronic coinproof to me. I think what Ray means is a "regular" coin proof, but only the microswitch with trip wire which is usualy under the coinproof replaced with an opticial solution. That's what I'm looking for actualy, but thanks for the help !

[Orclord]

In That case....ooops..

Just got this thing and It's my first cab, so I'm learning on my feet...

Now to work out if it can possibly be linked to an I-Pac in the future....Multimeter time I guess...

 

[Level42]

No problem, you tried to help and it is still appreceated ! I too had too learn (and still have) a lot. Hope RayB can put up some pics.

That coin mech you have has a serial and a parallel output. I think it's a bit overkill for a MAME cab, but I guess it came with the cab ? No idea if it simply outputs a contact when a coin is accepted, but I actualy don't think so. So a hook up to the PC would mean serial (RS-232) or other fancy connecting. Guess you don't want/need that.

But I could be wrong. It is programmable, and I've seen people offering to program it for 39 euro. I bought two mechanical coinproofs for that money, but of course, these are less flexible...

[Orclord]

Yep it came with the Cab...

I'm going to try and see what it outputs, I suspect 12v but not too sure..then what the credit board outputs....

If I get lost in that, then a Micro behind the Reject will be added.....

Still working out what I will need to convert the system 3 harness to "Standard" connectors and bung a comp inside.....Trying to keep it so it can easily be put back to original(plus a few Molex's) state....

Still that's another story...

[RayB]

Level42 is right. I'll post pics later, but what I'm talking about is a small circuit board about 2 inches by 1.5 inches that is located where there would normally be a coin switch. So what presumably happens is the coin passes by the optical detector and that causes an "on" state to be generated. It wouldn't detect coin denominations since there is still a regular coin mech above to do that.

[Level42]

Yup.

I was looking at this for a trip wire/ms replacement:
http://www.ortodoxism.ro/datasheets/Sharp/mXyzrxqv.pdf

It has a very wide (10 mm) and deep (12 mm) gap, so lots of space for the coin to pass through. The datasheet even mentions it's application in amusement equipment and vending machines !

However it seems to be discontinued...so I hope I can still find it.