This article is useful if you are replacing any individual components inside the Value Add Center (VAC) kiosk; or if you're replacing the VAC Control Board itself.
If you're replacing a VAC control board, you will need the Activation Card, for the specific store location, in order to activate the new board to the store.
New VAC boards will display a "Not Activated" message on it's display, and will need to be activated to the specific location before operating correctly.
VAC4 (Black - 2nd Generation) Control Board Connections
The connections below are showing a touch screen equipped VAC, however the table lists connections for both touch and non-touch models (if they differ):
Figure 1: VAC4 board connections for VAC's with a touch screen and Asahi-Seiko Card Dispenser equipped
Connection Number / VAC Board Label | Connection Description |
1 - "AUX1" | This Ethernet Port is for PINpad terminal Ethernet connections. |
2 - "LAN" | This Ethernet Port is for the store's Main Internet Connection
This connects to your local wired internet (some VACs have a black ethernet extension cable attached to this connector for convenience) |
3 - "BA" | Bill Acceptor's MDB Connector
This provides power and data communication for an attached Bill Acceptor |
4 - "READER1" | The VAC's Main RFID/NFC Card Reader1 Board
This is for the RFID/NFC Card Reader Board that's mounted behind the VAC's card holder. This reader faces the front of the kiosk (behind blue plate) and reads laundry cards placed into the VAC's card holder |
5 - "READER2 DISPENSER" | The Card Dispenser's RFID/NFC Card Reader2 Board
This RFID/NFC Card Reader Board is mounted to the front of an attached Card Dispenser. This reader reads/writes to Laundry Cards that are vended from the Card Dispenser. |
6 - "HDMI" | HDMI Connection (for Touch Screen VACs Only)
For VAC's without a Touch Screen Monitor, they use connection 12 - LCD instead |
7 - "WNC" | The VAC's WNC (Wireless network controller) Connection
This is the controller that establishes the VAC's dedicated Zigbee Network for wireless Card Reader communication |
8 - "CARD DISPENSER" | Card Dispenser's Power/Data connection
|
9 | 24Vdc power for VAC Control Board
This will be a barrel plug for VAC Control Board power |
10 - "AUX3" | RS232 Serial Port connector for various serial communication devices
IF used, this port is typically only used for 1 of 2 things:
|
11 - "J18" | USB Ports for various USB communication devices
Each VAC board will have 2 to 4 USB Ports, and either port can be used for any USB communication devices
These ports are typically used for:
These ports should NOT be used to POWER any USB devices |
12 - "LCD" | LCD Display connector (for NON-Touch Screen VACs ONLY)
For VAC's with a Touch Screen Monitor, they use connection 6 -HDMI instead |
13 - "J2" | Alternate Power connection for KP-210 Receipt Printer
Hidden in the above picture, there is an optional power header that may be used for Receipt Printer Power, as opposed to using an external power supply that plugs into the VAC's power strip: |
14 - "NEW CARD", "ENTER", "SELECT" | Input Buttons (For Non-Touch Screen VACs ONLY) These VACs will have 1 to 3 buttons used to operate the kiosk, and these buttons plug into the following headers on the left side of the board:
|
VAC Control Board Replacement
It is recommended that you take a picture of how your current VAC Control Board is connected, before doing the replacement, just so you have a picture to reference.
The part number for a replacement VAC Control Board is: 02-03-01 and can be ordered through your distributor. Only 2nd generation VAC control boards are available to order.
There are 2 different types of VAC control boards:
Both VAC control board types have their mounting screws in the exact same position.
Note: If replacing a 1st generation "VAC3" Control Board, with a 2nd generation "VAC4" Control Board, you'll need to review the Upgrading a VAC3 Control Board to a VAC4 Control Board section of this article once the new board is installed
Step 1: Power OFF the VAC Kiosk
Remove power from the VAC and then unplug all connectors plugged into the original VAC Control Board.
Step 2: Unmount Old VAC Control Board
There are 4 Philips screws that need to be removed in order to unmount the original VAC control board:
Step 3: Install New Control Board
Install the replacement VAC Control Board using the same Philips screws, and reconnect all of the VAC control board connections in the exact same spots they were connected to on the original VAC Control board.
Note: if you've installed a VAC4 (2nd Generation) Control Board to replace a VAC3 (1st Generation) Control Board, review the Upgrading a VAC3 Control Board to a VAC4 Control Board section
Step 4: Activate the New Control Board
Power the VAC back ON and wait for the system to fully boot up. Once booted, the VAC will be in a deactivated state.
Use the Activation Card, for this specific store location, to activate the new VAC Control Board to this location:
The VAC will then activated itself to the store, and the Activation Card can be removed from the VAC's card holder
Note: but sure you are using the correct Activation Card!
Using a different store's Activation Card will activate the VAC to that location.
Step 5: Restore VAC Configuration Settings
You will need to log onto the LaundroPortal to configure the settings of the new VAC Control Board so it's using the same settings as what the original board was using.
See our Configuring Settings in the Value Add Center (VAC) Kiosk for more information on configuring VAC settings.
Note: If the new VAC Control Board is replacing a board that's been reporting as Offline for an extended period of time, it's likely that the new VAC board will automatically copy the settings that the original VAC control board was using.
However it is always strongly recommended that you double check all settings to confirm/correct the settings your new board is using.
Step 6: Contact our Support Team to configure internal settings
If your new VAC Control Board did NOT copy all the settings from your old VAC board, along with configuring the settings you're able to access from the LaundroPortal, there may be some additional internal VAC Control Board settings that need to be configured by our support team directly.
Once the new VAC Control Board has been installed and Activated, get in touch with our support team so we can ensure all internal VAC settings are correct for your store location.
Upgrading a VAC3 Control Board to a VAC4 Control Board
This section is only relevant if:
you've replaced a VAC3 Control Board with the newer VAC4 Control Board:
AND your VAC is equipped with a Touch Screen Monitor
VAC kiosks with touch screens, that use VAC3 (Green/Blue) control boards, also require a Network Switch (or TP-Link Router) and an external Monitor Controller device.
These two items are NO LONGER NEEDED when replacing the board with a VAC4 (Black) control board; as the touch monitor connections (HDMI and USB) will now connect DIRECTLY to the VAC4 board.
Removing Legacy Equipment after a VAC Control Board Upgrade
Step 1: Disconnect Legacy Hardware
Disconnect all connections from both the Network Switch and External Monitor controller:
If your VAC is equipped with a TP-Link Router (instead of a Network Switch) it the 2 components are located here:
Once all cables have been disconnected, both components can be entirely removed from the kiosk.
Step 2: New Touch Screen Monitor Connections
The HDMI cable coming from the monitor will now be plugged into the VAC Control board's HDMI port (as the new control board has the Monitor Controller built into it:
The USB cable from the Touch Monitor also plugs into the VAC4 Control Board directly (see above picture)
Step 3: PINpad terminal Ethernet Connection (if equipped)
The PINpad terminal's Ethernet cable will now also plug directly into the VAC Control Board.
Connect the ethernet cable from the PINpad terminal to the AUX1 ethernet port on the VAC4 board:
Step 4: VAC's Main Internet Connection
With the Network Switch/TP-Link Router completely removed, you are now able to plug the store's main internet ethernet connection, directly into the VAC control board's LAN port:
Ensure you've completed removed the associated power adapters for the External Monitor Controller, and Network Switch/TP-Link Router, as these are no longer needed.
If you have a 2nd VAC, which is still using these parts, it is recommended to keep these as spare parts for the other VAC kiosk incase they are needed as we no longer manufacturer these parts.
Note: Old TP-Link Routers specifically should be discarded.
They are specially configured for the equipment they were originally setup to control and usually will not work correctly when installed in another VAC (they also cannot be re-configured by our team remotely).