Coin Acceptor/Validator with Fieldbus Interface

Hi Guys,

I have an application which I need to interface many coin acceptors to a PLC. Has anyone seen such an application before?

Would it be possible to obtain such a device?

I don't know of any directly networkable coin validators, as that function is typically handled by the central processing boards in coin-op devices (think laundries, slot machines). Usually, coin accepters are just go/no-go devices, sometimes with fancier features like built-in totalizers.

You can look at some of these chutes, they are fast, programmable, and accurate, but not directly networkable:

http://www.coinopexpress.com/products/parts/cash_handling/Electronic_Coin_Validator_7195.html

http://www.happcontrols.com/cc/nri.htm

RDCast....is there nothing you dont know about!!!

Thanks. I'll look into this but what I need is a coin validator to PLC interface solution. Do you think this is possible even if it were hardwired? I could perhaps hardwire to DNET/Profibus couplers.

Actually most modern coin ops are networkable through the MDB bus. The problem is that currently there isn't a PLC that I am aware of that can talk the MDB protocol.

Damn it...I'm snoookered then it seems

This one http://www.happcontrols.com/cc/nri.htm may not have fieldbus, but they do have a serial communications option available.

HTH

This is the one I am using. But am I correct in saying that you cannot network these via serial comms?

@Morphuis - No, you can't directly network them, but you can probably use either off-the-shelf serial to Ethernet converters, or for a more 'roll your own' solution, look at something like the Parallex Basic Stamp, or even their new Spinneret Web Server .

How elaborate you need to go would depend (of course) on your application.

Be glad the new coin chutes are what they are! Not even that long ago, I'm thinking 20 years or so, all coin chutes were purely mechanical. Yes, they were accurate, and reliable, but fussy to set up just right, and subject to frequent jamming. The new electronic ones are wonderful (except that I'm really not in that business anymore).

Moxa makes serial to ethernet devices used in "kiosks".
http://www.moxa.com/event/tech/2009/KAP/index.htm
Might be worth looking into.

And here's an app note where they list coin slot as a device they "talk" to.
http://www.moxa.com/applications/CP-168EL_For_Gas_Station.htm

Thanks for your all input on this. There might be a couple of options for me.

Using this MDB bus I might be able to network the coin validators back to this:

http://www.coin-payment.com/en/MDB-PC.html

Then using RS232 comms on AB plc lift the data from this. Anyone any thoughts on this?