This article covers instructions for replacing the Asahi-Seiko Card Dispenser with a Syncotek model Card dispenser:
Required Parts
ASSY-CD-SK-AD1 (Assembled Syncotek card dispenser)
01-06-65 (Mounting base plate for Syncotek dispenser)
USB_CABLE_TYPEB (Only needed if the currently installed KP-210 printer is not already connected via a USB Type B cable - this is a standard USB printer cable which can be purchased from any electronics store)
The following parts are required IF the VAC does NOT have a KP-210 receipt printer installed:
03-01-77 - KP-210 printer kit - includes all necessary printer cables.
(only needed if the VAC currently uses a C56 printer)01-06-70 - Bracket needed when converting from a C56 to a KP-210 printer.
(Only needed if replacing a C56 printer)
Asahi-Seiko -> Syncotek Conversion
Step 1 - Disconnect the Asahi-Seiko Card Dispenser
Disconnect the card dispenser and it's NFC board's cables from the VAC control board.
This will be the 2 white connectors shown in the picture below (red boxes):
Step 2 - Unmount the Asahi-Seiko Card Dispenser
Completely remove Asahi-Seiko Card Dispenser from the VAC kiosk by removing the 4 nuts at the bottom of the mounting base, and removing the dispenser with it's mounting base:
The Card Dispenser will have a green NFC card reader board mounted of the front side of it.
In most cases, the new Card Dispenser will come with a new NFC card reader board, so disconnect the harness from this NFC board, as the harness will be reused to connect to the new NFC board:
Step 3 - Confirm the AUX3 Port is Unoccupied
If you're VAC has a KP-210 receipt printer installed, the receipt printer may already be connected to the via using a USB cable. If so, you can skip this step.
If using the older C56 printer, or if your KP-210 printer is connected via an RS232 serial cable;
disconnect the serial cable that connects the printer to the VAC Control boards serial AUX port.
The picture below shows the black serial cable, as well as the white card dispenser cable that was disconnected in step 1 (red boxes):
Step 4 - Install the Syncotek Card Dispenser
Using the supplied base for the new card dispenser, install the Syncotek card dispenser into the VAC kiosk making sure the bezel of the Syncotek card dispenser comes directly to the slot facing the front.
Some find it easier to install the base in the VAC, then install the card dispenser onto the base; but you can also mount the card dispenser to the base first, and then install the entire assembly into the VAC:
The Card Dispenser has slots that can be used to slide the dispenser forward in order to ensure the front bezel can be positioned in the VAC's new card slot.
Step 5 - Connect Card Dispenser Wiring to VAC Control Board
There are 2 Card Dispenser cables that connect to the VAC's control board.
One goes the AUX3 serial port, and the other to the CARD DISPENSER white connector along the edge:
Step 6 - Connect the Card Dispenser NFC Card Reader Board
The Card Dispenser will come with a new NFC Card Reader Board pre-mounted on the front of the dispenser.
Connect the NFC board from the card dispenser to the main board using the original NFC wiring harness the old Card Dispenser was using:
Step 7 - Install/Connect KP-210 Pinter via USB
If your VAC was already using a KP-210 printer, and was already connected to the VAC Control Board via a USB cable, you can skip this step.
If your KP-210 printer was connected via the RS-232 serial cable, remove that cable completely and use a USB Type B cable to connect the printer to any available USB port on the VAC control board:
You need to be using the KP-210 printer if using a Syncotek Card Dispenser; the older style black C56 printers cannot work together with a Syncotek card dispenser because both require a Serial port connection.
There is only 1 available serial port on the VAC control board - AUX3
The DEBUG port beside it CANNOT be used to communicate with any equipment that requires a serial RS-232 connection
If your VAC currently has a C56 printer installed, it will need to be removed and replaced with a KP-210 printer.
In order to install the KP-210 printer, it needs to be mounted to the new printer mounting bracket, which will then mount to the VAC in the same method as the older C56 printer:
Step 8 - Configure the VAC setting for the new Hardware
Log into the LaundroPortal, click on the location address to get to the main LaundroPortal page for the location;
then Click the wrench icon for the VAC with the new hardware, in order to adjust the following 2 settings to the following:
This will ensure the VAC is now trying to communicate with Syncotek dispenser via the AUX3 port, and trying to communicate with the KP-210 printer via the USB ports (it does not matter which USB port the printer has been connected to.
Testing the new Hardware:
Once the VAC has been configured for the new hardware, it is recommended to test everything.
You can test the card dispenser by triggering the VAC to dispense a card remotely, or by using a management card (on a VAC equipped with a touch screen):
You can test the receipt printer by triggering a test print via a Management Card (on touch screen models only); or by processing a credit/debit card transaction: