Hamilton XE Validator

[Lonstar]

A couple years ago I bought a used Hamilton change machine from a laundromat that was closing its doors. I had plans to resurrect a public laundromat that used to be in an apt bldg I own, but those plans have been on an indefinite hold. The change machine is in great shape and worked fine when I bought it. Before I put it in storage I ran all denominations of old and new bills though it many many times to test it and it worked flawlessly. I also bought a soda machine and a snack machine from the same laundromat, they've also been in storage with the change machine for the past couple years.

I recently decided to set up the soda, snack and change machines for the tenants to use instead of letting them collect dust. When I plugged the change machine in, the XE validator was flashing a 2.4 error code [side sensors out of adjustment]. It pulls bills in and then rejects them, something it wasn't doing before I stored it. I cleaned the bill path thoroughly and recalibrated the sensors per the instructions in the XE manual. Nothing I do clears the 2.4 error code.

I read the best way to go is to replace the XE with a MARS unit, which I would do for laundromat use. Since this is just for tenant convenience there's not going to be much profit. The change machine won't get the use it's designed for, but if it's not available snack and soda sales won't be what it could be.

So I have a problem; it's not worth spending $600 on the changer for the intended use, but I need the changer to eek out enough to make what I want to do worth doing.

Can anyone offer advise on what may be causing the problem? Since it was working before I'm hoping it might be a simple fix. Either that, or has anyone done the MARS conversion on a Hamilton changer and have a working XE validator laying around that they're not using and willing to sell for a good price?

Specs - the changer is a Hamilton HS-2, build date 5/2001. The XE validator is part #46-4001, version XE v2.11 Build date 3/2006. Current eeprom, version 3.60

FYI - the guy gave me 2 Hamilton STA validators with the change machine. I assume they're the original validators that came with the change machines (he had two HS-2 machines, I bought 1 of them). I don't know if they work. Just throwing it out there in case any parts from them might be interchangeable to fix the XE.

 

[Randy]

I’ve repair lots of Hamilton validator and have installed a lot of Mars validators into Hamilton equipment. I’ve seen your problem many times. A customer will buy a spare validator, put it on the shelf and 2 or 3 years later they install it and it won’t work, validators need to be used, it’s very hard on them to sit on the shelf. I cycle mine into service every 6 months. In your situation did you do the white paper calibration along with the side scan calibration? What did you use to clean the validator? Did you clean the side scan sensors? Do you have any Token note coupons? There really isn’t much of anything you can do yourself other than recalibrating the validator.
A Mars validator conversion kits aren't cheap for that bill changer.

The STA validators will not fit into your Bill Changer without some expensive mounting brackets and harnessing.

 

[Lonstar]

In an effort to keep my post short I didn't explain every detail. Sorry about that.

I cleaned and calibrated it according to the XE manual:

First, I cleaned the heads with a cotton swab wet with rubbing alcohol, then sprayed a paper towel with some degreaser/cleaner (Krud Kutter) and wiped the entire bill path area clean. I then wiped over the heads again with a new alcohol swab and let it air dry. I'm not sure where the side scan sensors are. I assumed they were the 4 little round lights(?) on the top and bottom of the bill path area? I made sure the holes around them were clean and free of lint when I was done.

After that I cut a clean white sheet of paper to bill size, set dip switches 8 & 1 to the on position and put the paper through it. It did the approximate 10 second step through like the manual said it would. I followed the instructions as to what order to turn the dip switches on and off. After that I turned on dip switches 6 & 1 for the side scan calibration. The display stayed on 9 for a while, maybe 8-10 seconds. I looked away to do something so I didn't actually see it count down from 9 to 0. When I looked back at it again it was showing 0. I then turned the dip switches off. When I bought the changer, all switches were set to off so I just left it that way for normal operation, although I realize the #2 switch should be on since I won't use token notes.

I don't have any token note coupons, and I'm 99% sure the previous owner didn't use them if that means anything. I've tried the validator with dip switch #2 both on and off, but it rejects the bill in either setting. No matter what I do, as soon as the changer is powered up (or after pushing the reset button), the validator immediately starts flashing 2.4. I don't even need to run a bill through it first.

If this means anything, when I put a bill in it the display goes blank, then the lower right vertical segment of the display lights, the a J comes up for an instant as it reverses the bill, then 2.4 starts blinking again.

FYI, the validator doesn't have the vertical row of indicator lights on the bill input side/end as it shows on the manual. It just has the display and dip switches on the side, that's it. I assume this is because it's an earlier model? I guess I stated the wrong model number on the other validators I have. They're identical in size and shape to the XE and fit in the changer exactly as the XE does. I remember doing some research on them when I bought the changer but it's been a long time. If I remember correctly that can't be updated for newer bills?

 

[MEP001]

I've bought several Mars bill acceptors from eBay sellers and never paid more than $200 for any even with them refurbished and looking/working like new. You'd still have to get an adaptor mount and harness but you'll save a few hundred dollars.

 

[Lonstar]

Thanks for the info, that's a big help. I'll pursue that option.