Comments on: Take Apart Tuesdays: May 25 http://blog.crashspace.org/2010/05/take-apart-tuesdays-may-25/ A Los Angeles hackerspace Sat, 14 Jan 2012 07:25:04 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Hutch http://blog.crashspace.org/2010/05/take-apart-tuesdays-may-25/#comment-60 Hutch Mon, 31 May 2010 05:49:15 +0000 http://blog.crashspace.org/?p=731#comment-60 These coin mechanisms, or "mechs" as they're called in the trade, are pretty sophisticated. Aside from width, diameter, and weight, the coin mech also checks each coin for metallic content, by rolling it past a magnet. A slug will stick to the magnet, then be knocked into the coin return slot when the reject button is pressed. A valid coin will be slightly slowed down as it passes the magnet, and drop into the "accept" chute. A coin that goes too fast or too slow past the magnet will drop into the coin return slot. I believe this mech is for quarters only. I don't think you could adjust it to check validity of other coins without replacing parts. If you just want to accept any coin, you can replace the entire mech with a chute that goes directly into the switch slot. I think it has been removed from this one, but there is usually an electromagnetic coil on the side of the coin mech (on the bracket shown in the fourth photo) that, when energized, retracts a pin that would otherwise knock the coin into the return slot. This coil is usually tied to the lamp behind the coin slot plate (which doubles as the reject button). This way, if the machine is turned off, all coins will get kicked into the return slot. In my vending days I was taught to never, ever, ever lubricate a coin mech, though some techs would rub a finger on the side of their nose, then rub that on the plate where the coin slides. MMMmmm... nose grease. These days, some coin mechs are made of plastic. These coin mechanisms, or “mechs” as they’re called in the trade, are pretty sophisticated. Aside from width, diameter, and weight, the coin mech also checks each coin for metallic content, by rolling it past a magnet. A slug will stick to the magnet, then be knocked into the coin return slot when the reject button is pressed. A valid coin will be slightly slowed down as it passes the magnet, and drop into the “accept” chute. A coin that goes too fast or too slow past the magnet will drop into the coin return slot.

I believe this mech is for quarters only. I don’t think you could adjust it to check validity of other coins without replacing parts. If you just want to accept any coin, you can replace the entire mech with a chute that goes directly into the switch slot.

I think it has been removed from this one, but there is usually an electromagnetic coil on the side of the coin mech (on the bracket shown in the fourth photo) that, when energized, retracts a pin that would otherwise knock the coin into the return slot. This coil is usually tied to the lamp behind the coin slot plate (which doubles as the reject button). This way, if the machine is turned off, all coins will get kicked into the return slot.

In my vending days I was taught to never, ever, ever lubricate a coin mech, though some techs would rub a finger on the side of their nose, then rub that on the plate where the coin slides. MMMmmm… nose grease.

These days, some coin mechs are made of plastic.

]]> By: Bardus Aude http://blog.crashspace.org/2010/05/take-apart-tuesdays-may-25/#comment-59 Bardus Aude Thu, 27 May 2010 05:18:56 +0000 http://blog.crashspace.org/?p=731#comment-59 How about making that "roller machine" / shaking manikin drink mixer coin-op? How about making that “roller machine” / shaking manikin drink mixer coin-op?

]]> By: outlawpoet http://blog.crashspace.org/2010/05/take-apart-tuesdays-may-25/#comment-58 outlawpoet Wed, 26 May 2010 20:43:42 +0000 http://blog.crashspace.org/?p=731#comment-58 It totally works, and the switch looks good too. In fact I'm 90% sure I know how to adjust it to take any coin. So if someone has a good idea for something coin-operated, speak up before I install it elsewhere! It totally works, and the switch looks good too. In fact I’m 90% sure I know how to adjust it to take any coin.

So if someone has a good idea for something coin-operated, speak up before I install it elsewhere!

]]> By: Jerry Isdale http://blog.crashspace.org/2010/05/take-apart-tuesdays-may-25/#comment-57 Jerry Isdale Wed, 26 May 2010 20:21:29 +0000 http://blog.crashspace.org/?p=731#comment-57 Sweet bunch of donations! Does coin receiver work? maybe we can install it on something.... soldering irons? ooh i know - put it on a wifi router! Sweet bunch of donations! Does coin receiver work? maybe we can install it on something…. soldering irons? ooh i know – put it on a wifi router!

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