problem with coin slot

[dys]

will this work?

               |------ + 
coin slot  |------ coin signal ------------->>> serial port
               |------ -


i tried to use PNP transistor and also a opto isolator to send +5v to CTS of the serial port, but with no success. the pulse that the coin slot produce is just not enough to drive the transistor. can i directly connect the coin-signal wire to CTS?

[NoOne=NBA=]

What are you using to interface everything else?

The easiest way to interface a coin mech is via the keyboard encoder, or the controller hack.

[dys]

What are you using to interface everything else?

The easiest way to interface a coin mech is via the keyboard encoder, or the controller hack.

What are you using to interface everything else?

The easiest way to interface a coin mech is via the keyboard encoder, or the controller hack.

I realized you can't just connect the coin-signal wire directly to the serial port. Thanks for pointing out that one.  We need at least to connect also the +5v so it'd work. And I dunno where to hook the +v5.

Problem with keyboard encoder, I called every electronic store in our area and it appears they haven't heard anything as keyboard (usb, ps2, serial) encoder

But NoOne=NBA=, thank you for bringing up the keyboard encoder. Maybe this keyboard encoder will really solve the problem. I'll put more effort to find them. 

While this forces me back to the transistor, relay,  opto coupler, IC, approach (?)

               |------ +                                     CTS
coin slot  |------ coin signal -------------|<        <<<----- is transistor or IC or relay (?)
               |------ -                                      +5v


Anyone please.

[Franco B]

It would help if you posted what coin mech/controller it is.

[Thenasty]

The cheapest and quick way would just be using a SERIAL MOUSE, then just load the Driver and in MAME Config, set the Coin INPUTS (mouse buttons). 

[severdhed]

What are you using to interface everything else?

The easiest way to interface a coin mech is via the keyboard encoder, or the controller hack.

What are you using to interface everything else?

The easiest way to interface a coin mech is via the keyboard encoder, or the controller hack.

I realized you can't just connect the coin-signal wire directly to the serial port. Thanks for pointing out that one.  We need at least to connect also the +5v so it'd work. And I dunno where to hook the +v5.

Problem with keyboard encoder, I called every electronic store in our area and it appears they haven't heard anything as keyboard (usb, ps2, serial) encoder

But NoOne=NBA=, thank you for bringing up the keyboard encoder. Maybe this keyboard encoder will really solve the problem. I'll put more effort to find them. 

While this forces me back to the transistor, relay,  opto coupler, IC, approach (?)

               |------ +                                     CTS
coin slot  |------ coin signal -------------|<        <<<----- is transistor or IC or relay (?)
               |------ -                                      +5v


Anyone please.

ok..so if you don't have a keyboard encoder or controller hack, how are you interfacing your joysticks and buttons with the PC?  the coin slot switch, for all intents and purposes is the same as a push button...you just connect it to one of the inputs on your controller interface just like your sticks and buttons.  if you don't have enough inputs, then the above suggestion for using a mouse is excellent.  just open it up, solder a few wires to where the mouse button switches attach to the PCB, then attach your coin switches to these.  then reconfigure mame to use the two mouse buttons as coin inputes.

[dys]

"It would help if you posted what coin mech/controller it is."


Franco B, the box says SR-1210.

http://www.validator.com.cn/Product/ProductInfo.asp?ProductID=57



"The cheapest and quick way would just be using a SERIAL MOUSE, then just load the Driver and in MAME Config, set the Coin INPUTS (mouse buttons)."

Thenasty, I guess since it would work on serial it also will work on PS/2 and USB?




"ok..so if you don't have a keyboard encoder or controller hack, how are you interfacing
your joysticks and buttons with the PC?  the coin slot switch, for all intents and
purposes is the same as a push button...you just connect it to one of the inputs on
your controller interface just like your sticks and buttons.  if you don't have enough
inputs, then the above suggestion for using a mouse is excellent.  just open it up,
solder a few wires to where the mouse button switches attach to the PCB, then attach
your coin switches to these.  then reconfigure mame to use the two mouse buttons as
coin inputes."

severdhed, this time it's internet-cafe style and the keyboard will have to stay. The
coin mech is the only part that is the involved hardware.

guys I see three terminals on the mouse button switche (it's a spare ps/2 by the way) but just two terminals were being used. what's the story about the polarity of these terminals? my coin mech outputs 12v if NC and 0v when NO. forgive me if im asking this. this is my one-and-only computer. it is toast if I make any mistake. i am afraid to take the risk.  I have to be sure. And will it take 12v also?


I have to hand it to you guys you brought the light back to my project. All 4 of you guys
(NoOne=NBA=, Franco B, Thenasty, severdhed). A big thank you.

[Franco B]

I figured it wasn't a 'normal' microswitch coin mech which is what im guessing the others thought it may be.

Im no expert by any means on this type of thing but I just had a quick look around and found [this thread] about connecting bill validators. It also linked to [this] product, which may (or may not  ) be of use to you.

I can't help any further but now that we know what type and model of coin mech it is im sure there will be someone with experince of that type/model of mech.

[dys]

Tomorrow I'll ask around if the electronic stores here have that Universal Validator Interface available. But I really really doubt it. They kinda sell everything except the ones I'm looking for  I just hope, I do find something useful when I get back there. Since also I learned quite a few new words after some activity in this thread, maybe there's a dif this time when I ask the people in the store, and get better results.

And Franco B, thanks for helping out and making me feel welcome since I'm new here.

But I'm still hopeful about the mouse approach, since it had the most low-cost solution to the problem. When all else fail and I can't find that Universal Validator Interface and if I can and can't afford it, and can't make the mouse approach work, I will grow my hair like this----------------->>>>