The Card Reader is correctly taking the money from Laundry Cards but does not start trigger payment on the machine so it can be started.
There are several cases and corresponding tests/actions to take depending on the type of machine, and the specific symptoms:
Case 1: This is a one-time, or occasional occurrence. The Card Reader generally works fine otherwise.
Case 1: This is a one-time, or occasional occurrence. The Card Reader generally works fine otherwise.
The most common cause of this type of issue is a problem with the Card Reader's wiring harness.
This is usually observed on machines where the Card Reader needs to be spliced into the machine's wiring harness (as opposed to having a card reader that has connectors that plug into the machine's control board).
If your Card Reader is installed by splicing wires into the machine, the first step is to doublecheck all spliced connections to ensure none of them are loose, or have a connection with resistance, as this can cause intermittent issues with the machine receiving the start pulse that the Card Reader is sending.
If the Card Reader's wiring harness uses connectors (and no spliced connections); confirm that all connectors are securely plugged into the machines connectors.
If you're still experience this intermittent issue, it is recommend to do a swap test to see if the issue follows the specific Card Reader, or stays with the machine/wiring harness.
Case 2: Problem with just one or a few readers only. These readers always take money, and never start machine (other readers on same type of machine work without issue)
Case 2: Problem with just one or a few readers only. These readers always take money, and never start machine (other readers on same type of machine work without issue)
First check the Card Reader's settings against any of the working Card Readers. If all readers are installed on the same type/model of machine, then all reader settings should be identical (aside from maybe the machine's vend prices).
Reboot the machine/reader and check that the self test messages are identical to a Card Reader installed on a working machine. If settings are 100% identical, then do a Swap Test to figure out if you're looking at a Card Reader issue vs a machine/wiring harness issue.
Case 3: New Installation and it's a problem with ALL readers for the same type of machine
Case 3: New Installation and it's a problem with ALL readers for the same type of machine
Check the Card Reader's START wires (the GREEN and WHITE wires) to ensure they are connected properly to the machine control in accordance with the Reader Installations guide for the specific machine you're working on.
Check the Card Reader's Control Type setting on the LaundroPortal and ensure it's using the correct card reader board for the specific type of machine it's controlling.
For example, it's possible that a reader meant for an old Dexter Dryer (which would use a "Generic Relay" card reader board, and reader Control Type "NO, DRY", is incorrectly installed on a Dexter C-series machine (which needs to use a "Generic Serial" card reader board, using Control Type "Dexter C-Series".
This would be an example of a Card Reader that will NOT work with the machine it's currently connected to:
Ensure machine is configured correctly to be able to interact with the Card Reader installed on it.
This is heavily dependent on the type of machine, so it's best to review the reader installation article for the specific machine; but in a general sense, there are 2 different communication types our Card Readers use to communicate with the machine's they're controlling:
Serial Communication:
The Card Reader is in direct communication with the machine, and in some cases, the machine needs to be manually set to Serial communication mode in order to communicate with an attached Card Reader
Pulse Communication:
These Card Readers do NOT communicate directly with the machine's control board; instead these readers are emulating a Coin Drop.
In these cases, the machine needs to be configured to start from only one pulse (1 "coin" being inserted) since in the vast majority of cases, our reader ONLY sends one pulse to trigger payment.
Note that by default coin machines need several pulses to start (as each pulse is programmed to representing only 25cents by default).
If you notice the machine's displayed vend price goes down by $0.25 for each tap of a card, the machine is NOT configured to start from 1 pulse, and you'll either need to adjust the machine's coin value setting so 1 pulse equals the full vend price of the machine; or adjust the machine's vend price to $0.25 so it starts from 1 pulse.