Help with my rowe changer

[Sam01]

Help I am at a loss got an old rowe changer 1987 can't find much info out there ser # 0787-12028 can't find my model number. What I am really trying to find out is what I need to update for the new money. This carwash shut down and never updated it. The computer control center has BC-2R on it and I know my validator is a BA 35. I just don't know what parts need updating to read the newer currency.

Any info anyone can give me would be great. (It looks like a model # BC 200, but I can't find a model # on it anywhere)

Thanks alot

 

[Randy]

WOW!! That changer belongs in the Smithsonian. You’ve got a couple of options, I’ve replace it with a Hamilton ER-60 or an RNS Bill Changer with a Mars validator. Or you could try to retro fit in a Mars validator, do a search for Rowe conversion kits, I think you might be in sticker shock when you see how much they cost. The BA-35 transport will only accept ones and fives and are known for being problematic. I know a guy up in Pawnee that has a nice Hamilton RNS changer that he'd like to sell.

 

[Ghetto Wash]

If it's in a red cabinet, its an old post office machine. I had a couple for a while 'till the new bills came out. Years ago the post office got rid of these changers, a carwasher purchased these used machines by the truck load and sold them to other carwashes.

There is no updating it without major surgery that I know of. One guy around here did this major surgery and put Mars acceptors in his. I'm not sure what all he had to do to accomplish it however.

I believe the model on the control is correct, It is a BC-2R.

 

[Sam01]

Yep that's the one lol well any idea what the model number is?? I can't really figure out what to replace it without knowing. We own the 2nd car wash build in the state so just trying to keep it alive and updating along the way--so why not have a historical change machine-- It was a working unit when the car wash I got it from shut down--around 2001 or so maybe.... I just don't know what I have to change out either just the validator, the validator and computer board, just the computer board????? Thanks for your time.

 

[Sam01]

I'm okay with only 1's and 5's we are small and old school-just don't understand if the whole thing has to be changed to read the newer currency, just the validator, the validator and the computer board, just the computer board....I DONT HAVE THE MANUAL....I can't tell what replacement parts I need because I don't know the model number. We have ran for 2 years without a change machine lol
Thanks for your time.

 

[Randy]

You have a BC-2 changer. I take it this bill changer isn’t installed in a car wash at this time. Does it work now? You’re going to need a new control board and a new validator. It might be less expensive to do a Mars validator conversion. I’ll check with one of my suppliers and see if they have anything.

 

[MEP001]

If it's a really old model that still uses light bulbs, I'd junk it and start looking for a new one.

 

[Sam01]

No we can't get the validator to take a dollar I think the P4 photo is messed up-but would it even take the new 1's-I don't really know. There is test buttons and the hopper will dump the change off the test buttons-so I guess that part works.

Our wash was shut down for several years before we bought it and reopened it never had a change machine to begin with...so no it is not in the wash at this time the wash it was removed from has been shut down for ?? years early 2000's or so. It was still outside and exposed to the Oklahoma elements.
Thanks for your time.

 

[Sam01]

Well, I like my old junk I have a historical car wash why not have a historical change machine...lol

 

[Randy]

I contacted 2 of my suppliers today. One said he wouldn’t touch it, Rowe said it not worth upgrading that it would cost more to upgrade than what it’s worth. My supplier who said he wouldn’t touch it said to contact Capitol Vending they have a kit that will work in your Rowe Changer http://www.capitalvending.com/cart.php?target=product&product_id=2594&category_id=870 This kit does not come with the Mars validator, $350 for a new validator or $250 for are recon unit. You’re looking at around $700 to upgrade the changer to accept new currencies.

I know sometimes it’s hard to part with that cherished treasure, but sometimes you have to spend some money and move up. I had Standard 25A changer that I fought for years, finally replaced with a Hamilton DRS and with a working bill changer I make more money.

 

[Randy]

No we can't get the validator to take a dollar I think the P4 photo is messed up-but would it even take the new 1's-I don't really know. There is test buttons and the hopper will dump the change off the test buttons-so I guess that part works.

Our wash was shut down for several years before we bought it and reopened it never had a change machine to begin with...so no it is not in the wash at this time the wash it was removed from has been shut down for ?? years early 2000's or so. It was still outside and exposed to the Oklahoma elements.
Thanks for your time.

It’s no wonder it doesn’t work if it’s been sitting outside in the elements for the last 15 or so years, a course it’s not going to work.

A car wash without a working Bill Changer is like a taxi with no gas. Most new operators don’t understand the importance of having a working bill changer, it’s kind of the life blood of any coin operated business. Just because it’s never had a bill changer and it’s a Historical Heritage site doesn’t mean it doesn’t need a bill changer.

About 4 months ago I sold a changer to a couple who had taken over her 92 year father’s car wash. It hadn’t been updated since it was built in 1984. They had been fighting the bill changer for years, ole Dad wouldn’t hear of spending any money on updating the bill changer, the car wash was barely breaking even, after the kids took it over and put in a newer changer they are making a lot more now than they did before.

 

[2Biz]

Listen to Randy, he knows what he's talking about. When we bought our wash, it had an outdated changer that got strung within a week after taking ownership. The perp emptied the hopper. I bought a complete retrofit changer from him and it's been flawless. In the beginning I only took 1's and 5's...about a year ago I started taking 10's and 20's.....amazing how many 20's we take in now! Food for thought.....