How to Use money acceptor: Examples, Pinouts, and Specs

The Money Acceptor is a crucial component in vending machines, kiosks, and other automated systems that require the acceptance and validation of currency, such as coins or bills. This device ensures that only legitimate currency is accepted, providing a secure and efficient way to handle transactions.

Common applications and use cases include:

• Vending machines
• Parking meters
• Automated kiosks
• Arcade machines
• Public transportation ticketing systems

1. Power Supply: Connect the VCC pin to a 12V DC power supply and the GND pin to the ground.
2. Interface Connection:
   • For Serial Interface: Connect the TX pin to the RX pin of the host (e.g., Arduino UNO) and the RX pin to the TX pin of the host.
   • For Pulse Output Interface: Connect the COIN and BILL pins to the respective input pins of the host to receive pulse signals.
3. Inhibit Signal: If using the inhibit feature, connect the INHIBIT pin to a digital output pin of the host to control the acceptance of currency.

• Ensure the power supply is stable and within the specified voltage range to avoid damage.
• Use proper grounding techniques to prevent noise and interference.
• Regularly clean the acceptor to maintain accuracy in currency validation.
• Test the system thoroughly to ensure reliable operation in the intended environment.

Below is an example code to interface the Money Acceptor with an Arduino UNO using the pulse output interface.

// Define pin connections
const int coinPin = 2;  // Coin pulse output connected to digital pin 2
const int billPin = 3;  // Bill pulse output connected to digital pin 3
const int inhibitPin = 4;  // Inhibit signal connected to digital pin 4

// Variables to store pulse counts
volatile int coinCount = 0;
volatile int billCount = 0;

// Interrupt service routine for coin pulse
void coinISR() {
  coinCount++;
}

// Interrupt service routine for bill pulse
void billISR() {
  billCount++;
}

void setup() {
  // Initialize serial communication
  Serial.begin(9600);

  // Set pin modes
  pinMode(coinPin, INPUT);
  pinMode(billPin, INPUT);
  pinMode(inhibitPin, OUTPUT);

  // Attach interrupts to pulse pins
  attachInterrupt(digitalPinToInterrupt(coinPin), coinISR, RISING);
  attachInterrupt(digitalPinToInterrupt(billPin), billISR, RISING);

  // Enable currency acceptance
  digitalWrite(inhibitPin, HIGH);
}

void loop() {
  // Print pulse counts to serial monitor
  Serial.print("Coins: ");
  Serial.println(coinCount);
  Serial.print("Bills: ");
  Serial.println(billCount);

  // Add a delay to avoid flooding the serial monitor
  delay(1000);
}

1. Currency Not Accepted:

   • Ensure the power supply is stable and within the specified range.
   • Check the inhibit signal; it should be inactive (high) to accept currency.
   • Verify that the currency is clean and not damaged.

2. Incorrect Pulse Count:

   • Ensure proper grounding to avoid noise and interference.
   • Check the connections and ensure they are secure.
   • Verify that the interrupt service routines are correctly implemented.

3. Communication Issues (Serial Interface):

   • Ensure the TX and RX pins are correctly connected.
   • Verify the baud rate settings match between the Money Acceptor and the host.

• Power Supply Issues: Use a regulated power supply and check for voltage drops.
• Connection Problems: Double-check all connections and use secure, soldered joints if possible.
• Software Debugging: Use serial print statements to debug and verify the flow of the program.

By following this documentation, users should be able to effectively integrate and troubleshoot the Money Acceptor in their automated systems.