Rowe BC 1400 Changer

[Main Street Carwash]

Hey Guys, I have a non working Rowe BC1400 at the wash I just bought. It appears the control board is dead. Since everyone seems to advocate doing a Mars conversion, I am seriously considering that route. The Genesis kit in particular because it seems the most simplistic solution and has great reviews. My other options are to repair the changer with a new/used control board or replace the unit entirely. My questions are; Which route should I pursue?, The control board doesn't do anything but the power supply seems to work so am I on the right track assuming the control board is bad? If I decide to replace, is there another changer that will require minimal wall modification to install? i.e. hole size? I kind of don't want to drop $1k on a conversion because I have a Hamilton with a Mars validator that works pretty well although it sometimes only pays out 3 coins and reads 4 on the hopper counter. It then will sometimes give 5 at a later point and may or may not count that errant coin. I just don't want to get caught with my pants down if my only working changer goes down. Any input is greatly appreciated.

 

[Randy]

The smartest thing you could do would be to get rid of the Rowe changer. Rowe has been struggling for sometime and I don't foresee them to be around much longer. I would replace the BC-1400 with the same model Hamilton changer you have with a Mars validator.
The problem with your Hamilton changer not paying out correctly is in the Hopper, more than likely the payout switch is out of adjustment, going bad or it's got dirt or debris under the switch arm.

 

[MEP001]

I changed over a BC1400 to Mars with the Etowah Valley kit. It was pretty easy and it eliminated everything that's usually a problem, just the hoppers and motors remained.

 

[Main Street Carwash]

I think that is what I am going to do with mine. I really don’t want to deal with modifying the wall to fit a different changer.

 

[Main Street Carwash]

Has anyone tried the Capital Vending control board and Mars conversion for a Rowe changer? It is about a third less in price than the Ewotah Valley kit.

 

[Randy]

The Capital Vending Mars conversion for a Rowe changer is a good system. I know a few operators who have installed it and they seemed to be please with it.
We just installed a Hamilton RNS into a hole that was quite a bit larger than the RNS changer. We made a larger face plate out of a sheet of stainless steel that covered the hole, looked good. Filled the void around the changer on the inside with foam.

 

[MEP001]

Hamilton has an ER60-XT that's a perfect fit to fill the hole of a a BC1400, but it doesn't hold a lot of quarters.

 

[sparkey]

I have the capital vending conversion kit, but you still need the control board in the BC-1400 to make it work.

 

[Main Street Carwash]

They have a kit with a new control board as well. It is of their own design.

 

[Main Street Carwash]

MEP001, I think that changer is a bit shorter than my BC1400

 

[MEP001]

The ER60-XC has an extended face that covers the opening.