Arcade savings box: possible to modify a coin mech to take any coin?

[Akuma]

Hello everyone.

A short foreword:
Even though I haven't finished my first project yet, I got so many ideas for a second project spooking in my head already.Since my Ebay coindoor came with old NRI Germany coin-mechs for spanish pesetas, they lie around here now rather useless, since I replaced them with Euro coin mechs. I just got the idea to use them for my next project.

Since the next project is meant to be more of a just-for-fun thing, I thought of it like some fancy savings box which will accept every coin you drop into it. Now I wonder if it is possible to modify a mechanical coin mech to accept any coin - not locking out but accepting everything you put into it. If this is possible, which doesn't seem to unrealistic to me, I wonder how much of a hassle it is. Is it just adjustment of some bolts and screws, or do you have to strip the mech, saw off some metal and alike?

I know, I could just put some sort of tube to the coindoor, but I just wonder if it is possible and using a coin mech also gives that fancy coin mech sound : )

[maxmix]

Maybe modifying a mechanical mech would be your best option....

Really depends on your biggest coin falling through.... Micro switch underneath will not be a problem
registering credits

maxmix

[Akuma]

forgot to tell - yes, they are mechanical. So are there specific parts inside the mech which have to be changed or modified?

[missioncontrol]

this might help get you started:

http://www.arcadereplay.com/content/html/happ_plasic_quarter_mechs.htm

http://www.arcadecontrols.org/yabbse/index.php?board=1;action=display;threadid=22251

http://www.arcadereplay.com/content/html/coin_contols_metal_mechs.html

http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=52277

also search for modifying coin mechs on this forum. It should help you find additional links

The links above are more about modding them for tokens, but the same principles are used to mod them for other coins

[Akuma]

thank you! I am sure this is gonna be helpful! So far I only have a very basical idea on how they work, but I bet I'll turn pro when reading this ; )

[buick4u2nv]

mine's set so i can put in any coin...(up to the size of a quarter)..and anything smaller dosent count as credits but drops into the box inside...insted of being returned to the user..

[vidmouse]

Mine didn't come with coin mechs so I just use cardboard slides for now...
it accepts anything but sometimes has trouble with dimes.


more detail on my coin door page:
http://www.freewebs.com/vidmouse/coindoorinstall.htm

[maxmix]

Vidmouses idea is a nice and simple route to go.... Either that or some fine adjustments on the mechanical movement of the mech.....

maxmix

Some resistance for the coin going through the cardboard would be better tho.... rather than plop straight through the wire on the micro switch.... Easily to miss a credit that way....

When a normal quarter or 10p UK us gettiing checked for weight and thickness and metal content it is slowed down a bit on it's travel before clicking your switch....

Hope that helps