Difference between revisions of "Hack-o-mat"

Hack-o-mat (view source)

Revision as of 00:27, 30 August 2014

2,732 bytes added , 00:27, 30 August 2014

→‎Coin acceptor

Juul

Bureaucrats, Administrators

892

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 A [http://www.ebay.com/itm/ICT-BL-700-USD4-US-Currency-Bill-Acceptor-Validator-used-/191139883132?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2c80d3287c ICT BL-700-USD4] bill acceptor that takes $1, old $5, $10 and $20 bills for $49 including shipping and an [http://www.ebay.com/itm/ICT-700-BL-BILL-ACCEPTOR-UPDATE-FOR-NEW-5-THE-CHIP-TO-UPDATE-/221294809358?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item338632d10e updated chip] that allows for $21 that allows the bill acceptor to take the new $5 bills.
-== Coin acceptor ==
+== Coin acceptor/dispenser ==
-We need to troubleshoot and fix the coin acceptor
+The built-in coin acceptor/dispenser does the following:
+*Accepts 5c, 10c and 25c coins (broken)
+*Sorts the incoming coins into the change dispenser (nearly working, easy to fix)
+*Detects when there are too few or too many coins in the dispenser.
+*Redirects coins when there are too many in the dispenser
+*Dispenses 5c, 10c and 25c coins (nearly working, easy to fix)
+The sorting mechanism needs to be modified so it always accepts what it gets, which should be as simple as locking the two solenoids in one position. The detection circuit needs more investigation and the nickel dispenser seems to be broken but we'll probably just control the solenoids directly anyway. Another option is to use a "sorting coin bank" and modify it for our needs. These are cheap at about $25 on ebay and include slots for dollar coins!
+Since it looked unlikely that we'd be able to repair the acceptor part of the built-in acceptor/dispenser, we bought a coin acceptor [http://www.ebay.com/itm/250772291798?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1497.l2649 for $28 including shipping on ebay]. Since that's an ebay link it may be gone when you read this, but it's the same as [https://www.adafruit.com/products/787 this one from adafruit] except that the one we got can be programmed to recognize up to five different types of coins.
+We will program it to accept these coins:
+*1 cent (yesss!)
+*5 cent
+*10 cent
+*25 cent
+*1 dollar
+We didn't just get a new acceptor/dispenser of the same general type because the cheap/old models are inflexible, only accepting nickels, dimes and quarters, and if you want support for $1 coins then the pricing seems to begin at $200 for a used model.
+== $1 coin dispenser ==
+Since we'll be accepting up to $20 bills, we will need better change than quarters. Unfortunately bill dispenser are expensive and you have to buy them used as ATM spare parts on ebay usually with little info on whether they're complete and functional. Another option is to buy a complete ATM of the type that doesn't support 3DES (now a requirement) or not compliant with the latest ADA regulations. We found two of non 3DES ATMs for $100 each on craigslist, and the bill dispenser could probably be hacked fairly easily (the rest of the electronics are likely encased in a large chunk of epoxy). However it was $100 and a two-hour drive both ways, just so we can dispense one type of bill.
+Instead we could try 3D printing a dollar coin dispenser. It would be the same design as the built-in machine uses with a tube for the coins and a slot with a solenoid that pushes the bottom coin out the side of the tube on command. Should be pretty simple.
+Another option is to use a motorized "sorting coin bank" from ebay and modify it to add solenoids and level detection.
 == Bitcoin / altcoin acceptor ==