Unexpected Hopper Payout

[Kevin James]

My maintenance guy called this afternoon and said the one of the changers shut down with an error “Unexpected Hopper Payout” What does that mean? How do we correct it? He said the controller was flashing an error code 5 flashes and then 3 flashes, unexpected Hopper 3 payout. There’s only 1 hopper in the changer.

 

[MEP001]

It's either the switch or the motor. The code means that the controller detected a break in the normally-closed signal from the switch while the changer was not supposed to be paying out. If the code occurs from bumping the hopper, the switch is failing. The less likely problem is the motor brake has failed and the hopper runs too long and either drops an extra coin or stops with a coin holding the switch open. It's pretty obvious if the motor doesn't "snap" to a halt.

 

[I.B. Washincars]

The hopper designation on a single hopper machine is #3. Makes a lot of sense, doesn't it? A two hopper machine's hoppers are designated 2 & 3. I'm sure tons of service tech time has been wasted over the years because of this stupid hopper designation.

 

[Kevin James]

I called Randy to order some parts to fix our Hopper and he had me open up the Hopper and talked me through checking the Payout switch and cleaning out the gunk, pocket lint, dirt etc. that builds under the switch arm, ours was real bad, dirty. He said you should clean out the Hopper about once a year or so with a 1” paint brush to get out the dirt and then wipe the insides down with nothing stronger than Windex. He said that Hamilton has come out with a new style Hopper payout switch that is easier for the end user to install, no adjustments needed, I went ahead and ordered one to have on hand. Our Hopper works like a champ now

 

[99Roadking]

It's either the switch or the motor. The code means that the controller detected a break in the normally-closed signal from the switch while the changer was not supposed to be paying out. If the code occurs from bumping the hopper, the switch is failing. The less likely problem is the motor brake has failed and the hopper runs too long and either drops an extra coin or stops with a coin holding the switch open. It's pretty obvious if the motor doesn't "snap" to a halt.

MEP I am having the same issue. Can you give me some insight on which switch. Is it the one with the wire that clicks as quarters go from the hopper to the customer outside?

 

[Randy]

Yes that is the correct switch, it's got 4 wires going to it. Check to make sure there isn't a bunch of dirt and lint under the switch arm. Also check the brake assembly on the back of the motor, it should move freely or loose, but not hanging down. It's good idea to clean out the Hopper about every 6 month or so. I pull mine apart and blow it down with air, brush out any dirt with a paint brush, spray it down with windex and wipe it out. Another thing to look at is the Hopper bowl, look at the very bottom, over time you get a deep groove worn into the bowl. When the groove gets deep enough you'll get Hopper jamming issues. Hopper jamming is very hard on the motor.

 

[99Roadking]

Yes that is the correct switch, it's got 4 wires going to it. Check to make sure there isn't a bunch of dirt and lint under the switch arm. Also check the brake assembly on the back of the motor, it should move freely or loose, but not hanging down. It's good idea to clean out the Hopper about every 6 month or so. I pull mine apart and blow it down with air, brush out any dirt with a paint brush, spray it down with windex and wipe it out. Another thing to look at is the Hopper bowl, look at the very bottom, over time you get a deep groove worn into the bowl. When the groove gets deep enough you'll get Hopper jamming issues. Hopper jamming is very hard on the motor.

Thanks Randy, It must be the switch because I cleaned around the it last week good. It will always reset and works for awhile, then stops working and gives the 5-3 code. I appreciate you answering that question and I may have to ask some others once the new switch arrives. Thanks

 

[Randy]

if you buy a new switch don't get the 11-0008. Get the 100-0151 they a few bucks more $41.46, but they are easier to install

 

[mhenry]

payout and money off

It's either the switch or the motor. The code means that the controller detected a break in the normally-closed signal from the switch while the changer was not supposed to be paying out. If the code occurs from bumping the hopper, the switch is failing. The less likely problem is the motor brake has failed and the hopper runs too long and either drops an extra coin or stops with a coin holding the switch open. It's pretty obvious if the motor doesn't "snap" to a halt.

If it is having an unexpected hopper payout would that allow you to be off on money? You know how you can check how much money you should have in there and it has been off a lot lately. It keeps throwing that error code. It's like 100 off.. Does that sound right?
Thanks for the help.

 

[Randy]

If it is having an unexpected hopper payout would that allow you to be off on money? You know how you can check how much money you should have in there and it has been off a lot lately. It keeps throwing that error code. It's like 100 off.. Does that sound right?
Thanks for the help.

You’ve more than likely have a bad Hopper payout switch. If you have a bad payout switch you can dispense more coins than what is expected until the controller sees the error and shuts down. The first thing I’d do is take the front cover off the Hopper and clean any debris from under the switch arm. To check to see if the Hopper is paying out correctly, write down the meter reading and the next time you pull the cash take another meter reading and subtract the two numbers, that will give you the total number of coins dispensed.

 

[mhenry]

hopper payout

You’ve more than likely have a bad Hopper payout switch. If you have a bad payout switch you can dispense more coins than what is expected until the controller sees the error and shuts down. The first thing I’d do is take the front cover off the Hopper and clean any debris from under the switch arm. To check to see if the Hopper is paying out correctly, write down the meter reading and the next time you pull the cash take another meter reading and subtract the two numbers, that will give you the total number of coins dispensed.

yea I've been doing where you check it and it has been off like by 100.00 sometimes. This is bad cause its losing a lot of money. I'll try to clean it. Is their any other suggestions you might have that will help from losing so much money?

Thanks

 

[Randy]

yea I've been doing where you check it and it has been off like by 100.00 sometimes. This is bad cause its losing a lot of money. I'll try to clean it. Is their any other suggestions you might have that will help from losing so much money?

If your losing that much money regularly I'd replace the Payout switch. Who else has access to the inside of the bill changer? What model Bill changer is it?

 

[MEP001]

If it is having an unexpected hopper payout would that allow you to be off on money? You know how you can check how much money you should have in there and it has been off a lot lately. It keeps throwing that error code. It's like 100 off.. Does that sound right?
Thanks for the help.

Considering how much you're off, if you ran a few $5 bills through you'd see a miscount. You might be getting strung.

 

[I.B. Washincars]

Are you always off in amounts divisible by $5? If so, you are probably being strung. If it is odd amounts, I would suspect a malfunction or harness tampering.

BTW, what validator do you have in it?

 

[Randy]

It could also be that he’s got a silent partner. I’ve seen that more than once.