Convert Vacs to take tokens and quarters

[Whale of a Wash]

I have 20 vacs mostly adams all older.
I want to convert to $1 tokens and quarters with the Slugbuster2.
Parker engineering said I need a 24v transformer---easy enough.
Also said I need to convert to 24V timers with a relay, to switch the 120V for motors. I had 3 Vacs that had relays and constantly buying $30 relays-relays pitted fast.
Here is my idea--use a 24v transformer for the SBII, and a 24v relay to emulate the microswitch, does this look feasible. or would the SBII pulses not trip a small relay.

 

[I.B. Washincars]

I've converted a bunch of vacs to multi-coin acceptors (old and new Microcoins and IDX). All I had to add to any of them was the 24V transformer. The vacs had two or three different brands of timers and no issues working with the new acceptors. I think you got some faulty info. At most, you should only need a transformer and a mercury relay if your vacs don't already have them. The coin switch wires from the acceptor will connect at the same place on the timer as the ones you have now. If the SB requires other parts you just need to get a different brand acceptor. The mercury relay doesn't have to be 24V either, nearly all of mine are 120V.

 

[MEP001]

I want to convert to $1 tokens and quarters with the Slugbuster2.

One quick point: the Slugbuster II cannot distinguish between a quarter and a dollar coin. It will take the dollar coin and give only a quarter credit for it. It can't be adjusted out. Your options would be to go to a Slugbuster III (or a different brand of acceptor) or to use a token smaller than a dollar coin and use something to make the slot smaller. If you don't see a lot of dollar coins in your area you may not have a problem, but it would suck if you bought 20 acceptors and suddenly found lots of dollar coins in the vacs and had angry customers who have lost money.

Here is my idea--use a 24v transformer for the SBII, and a 24v relay to emulate the microswitch, does this look feasible. or would the SBII pulses not trip a small relay.

It will work - I've done the same thing to add a mechanical counter. I used a very small Omron relay and just soldered the wires right to the connections and slid a bit of heat-shrink tubing over each one. It took a little time but it was very cheap and has been 100% reliable.

Try a mercury-displacement relay if you go that route. They can handle the startup load better.

 

[MEP001]

IB posted while I was typing - he's got a good point about the timers. If they're the Adams/IDX Flat-Pak (AT-411E), they can be configured to run on 24V. You would only need to add a transformer and change the acceptor (which is exactly what I did).

 

[I.B. Washincars]

IB posted while I was typing - he's got a good point about the timers. If they're the Adams/IDX Flat-Pak (AT-411E), they can be configured to run on 24V. You would only need to add a transformer and change the acceptor (which is exactly what I did).

None of my timers were the ones MEP mentioned above, but I did not need to run them on 24V. I left them on 120V just as they already were. MEP is also right about the SB-II not being able to distinguish a dollar from a quarter...been there, done that.

 

[MEP001]

You used IDX and Microcoins - not sure about the latter but IDX has two coin signal wires separate from the voltage that can be connected to the coin switch terminals on any timer. Slugbusters send 24V pulses through one wire and won't work on a 120V timer.

 

[Greg Pack]

While you're in there I would add the mercury relay. They will take the vac load off the timer and help keep the SCR in the timer from getting fried.

 

[I.B. Washincars]

Slugbusters send 24V pulses through one wire and won't work on a 120V timer.

As the late Johnny Carson would say, "I did not know that."

The SB-II does not seem a good option here. The SB-III or one of the other brands seem to be the better bet.

 

[Whale of a Wash]

I haven't bought any coin acceptor yet, I am sure the IDX would work fine, and i wish i had known about mercury relays, those are cheap and look likes industrial grade--those omron ones were junk. I want to dispense just $1 tokens instead of quarters, and i need the vacs to take tokens. I think because of mercury switches I will put the timer to 24v and they should be
bulletproof