Hamilton Bill Changer Taking customers money

[hopingforthebest]

I have a dual Hamilton Bill Changer with Mars Validators. We have been having a problem lately where the computer is tripped out on the unit, but the acceptor still takes peoples bills and gives no change......any suggestions or insight?

 

[MEP001]

Did it come originally with Mars, or was it converted? If the latter, whose conversion is it?

There's a setting for "Always enable" that can cause it not to shut down with an inhibit condition.

 

[hopingforthebest]

It was a conversion from Hamilton Changers. It was an Etowah Valley conversion.

 

[Randy]

Turn Switch #6 "OFF" position. I'd be concerned as to why it's going off line. Have you fiqure out why it's tripping off line? Flashing Green light on the controller should tell you why.

 

[hopingforthebest]

I have not figured why it is tripping out. I need a copy of the explanation of significance of the green flashing lights......I bought wash and none was there.....never had a problem until now.....planned on calling Hamilton on Monday to see if I could get a copy....but to your point, it worries me too.....wondering if I need a new computer....What does switch 6 (no the Mars I assume) control? (no diagram in front of me.)

 

[Randy]

Switch #6 controls the Inhibit signal to the validator. By turning it to the “OFF” position your telling to the validator shut down when it gets shut signal from the controller. Assuming that you’ve got a C-2000 controller in your changer here’s a copy of the manual.

http://hamiltonmfg2.site.aplus.net/pdf/101-0009.pdf

When the controller goes off line or trips. Count the number of flashes of the Green light on the controller. That with the chart on page 7 of the manual will normally tell you what wrong

 

[hopingforthebest]

Awesome! Thanks for the info. Saves me a call on Monday and I can address the problem later this morning. I appreciate your help. Thank you and I'll let you know how I made out. Kindest Regards, Craig

 

[MEP001]

What does switch 6 (no the Mars I assume) control?

Yes, on the Mars. It's what I said before, if it's set to "Always enable," then the validator won't stop taking bills when the changer shuts down. If this switch is already in the correct position, the small interface box with Etowah Valley's name on it is probably bad. If you turn the switch off and the validator quits working, you may have the wrong chip in the controller. Someone may have skipped changing out the chip and went for a quick fix.

 

[hopingforthebest]

More info acquired.

Ok, 6 on the mars is on. The controller tripped again today, it is doing 1 flash followed by 3 flashes which indicates that hopper 3 is empty......only have 2 hoppers and neither were empty......puzzling. Any ideas?

 

[I.B. Washincars]

The dual Hamilton (assuming DRS) changer is just two singles in a common cabinet. It makes no sense, but I'm pretty sure that in a single hopper changer, that hopper is known as #3. RL series changers can have a 1&2. Make sure that the metal strips in the bottom of the hopper are clean and have good connections where the wires attatch.

 

[Randy]

Did you turn switch #6 to the “OFF” position? Hopper #3 is the default Hopper in a single Hopper changer. Like Pat said the 2 stainless steel strips at the bottom of the Hopper bowl have to be clean. They also measure the conductivity between the Hopper Wheel to complete the circuit. It would hurt to swap the Hoppers from one side to the other and see if the problem goes with the Hopper. It would also not hurt to take the front cover off the Hopper and clean all the dirt buildup out from under the payout switch and from the inside of the Hopper, if you haven’t done this in the last year or so. Don’t use anything stronger than Windex.