This article covers installation and troubleshooting of readers installed on Alliance equipment (Speed-Queen, Huebsch).
The content covers MDC, Quantum/Centurion, ACA, Titanium control class (see the MDC vs ACA control section at the bottom for more details).
Sample machine photos
This article is NOT for Quantum/Midas Touch models (Alliance machines equipped with a touch screen)
See our: Alliance: Quantum/Midas Touch article for installation instructions for these models
Required Parts
Card Reader Kit (CR-10-xxx-00 for Serial Control machines, or CR-10-xxx-12 for Pulse control machines (usually MDC dryers) - these will have Generic Serial card reader boards installed (part #: ASSY-02-02-10) :
Card Reader Wiring harness
ACA/Titanium model machines use Part #: 02-06-32C (which is part #: 02-06-31 with Part #: 02-06-85 pre-attached):
MDC model machines use Part #: 02-06-30:
Jumper Wire/Connector (generally used for MDC WASHER models only):
Card Reader Mounting hardware (heavily dependent on machine model)
Installation Steps
Step 1: Turn Machine Power Off
It is always recommended to power the machine off before install the card readers.
Step 2: Remove Coin Drop (for Card Only installations)
Skip this step if the machine is "card-ready", or if this is a new coin-op machine without a coin drop pre-installed.
Remove the coin-drop, and for small-chassis machines, also remove the coin-boxes.
For larger machines, it's recommended to leave the coin-boxes in places to avoid leaving a big hole.
The Card Reader's will mount to the section where the coin-drop has been removed/is normally installed.
Step 3: Number the Card Reader using the reader's DIP switches
Review our: Reader DIP Switch settings article for details on how to set the Card Reader's Machine Type, and Reader Number.
You need to do this BEFORE mounting the Card Readers onto the machines, as accessing the back of the card reader is required.
Step 4: Enable Serial communication mode on Washer/Dryer
Enabling serial communication mode is done differently depending on the type of control inside the Washer/Dryer.
Below is a table showing the different types on control, in some cases (MDC Dryers) the machine should NOT be put into Serial communication mode:
Control Board Type Inside Machine | How to set Washer/Dryer to Serial Mode |
MDC/Centurion (older models) | Card Only Installs: |
ACA | Set the Machine's #3 DIP Switch to the ON position (for both Washers and Dryers)
Do NOT adjust any of the other 7 machine DIP switches for Card Reader installation purposes. |
Titanium (aka Quantum Gold Pro small chassis). | Serial Communication mode is set through the machine's programming menu, NOT on the physical control board itself. |
Quantum/Midas Touch | Serial Communication is set through the machine's programming menu. Follow our: Alliance: Quantum/Midas Touch installation article for these machines |
NOTE for MDC DRYERS in Laundromats!!
If this is a laundromat installation (vs apartment laundry room install), readers intended for dryers are usually pre-configured to use PULSE communication; NOT SERIAL communication.
In this case, all MDC Dryers should NOT be set to Serial communication mode (do NOT install the Jumper).
Readers configured for Pulse mode will have the words "Pulse mode" in the packaging description. They will also have a suffix "-12" in the part #, e.g. CR-10-150-12.
Ensure you understand the types of readers you have. If you install readers, that are in Pulse mode, onto Washers (which you configured for Serial communication), things will not work!
Note for Washers and Dryers using Hybrid Coin+Card Payments
If you're installing a reader for Hybrid payments, and it's an MDC control machine (Washer OR Dryers);
the reader you receive will be set for PULSE communication, so do NOT installed the jumper on the Washers or Dryers
You need all MDC machines (Washers and Dryers) set for PULSE communication so that both the card reader and coin drop function correctly.
MDC/Centurion Control Boards - Enabling Serial Communication:
For Card Only Installations (click to expand)
For Card Only Installations (click to expand)
To set MDC/Centurion control board to Serial Communication mode
insert the provided Jumper on the machine's control board, and then power cycle the machine.
Below are a few examples of where this jumper header is located on various MDC control board configurations:
MDC or Centurion board - Enabling Serial communication is done by installing a jumper
In most cases, you should only be enabling Serial communication on MDC WASHERS, so do NOT install the Jumper on MDC control DRYERS.
The card reader for these Dryers is normally pre-configured for Pulse communication which allows for Top-off time to be added to the dryer without needing to press the start button every time (start button is only required for initially starting the machine).
For Hybrid Coin+Card Installations (click to expand)
For Hybrid Coin+Card Installations (click to expand)
You DO NOT install the Jumper for both Washers and Dryers
For Hybrid Coin+Card installs to work, MDC machines must remain in PULSE communication mode, as MDC control machines will automatically disable the machine's Coin Drop functionality if they are set to SERIAL communication mode (via installing the Jumper).
ACA Control Boards - Enabling Serial Communication:
For Card Only and Hybrid Coin+Card Installations (click to expand)
For Card Only and Hybrid Coin+Card Installations (click to expand)
For machines with ACA controls (Card Only and Hybrid Coin+Card Installs),
locate the DIP switches on the machine's control board (this is NOT the reader's dip switches):
Set the machine's Dip Switch #3 to ON
Do NOT adjust any of the other 7 machine DIP switches for Card Reader installation purposes.
All other machine Dip Switches should be left in their current configuration (unless you are adjusting them for other reasons).
Only Dip Switch #3 is related to the card reader's serial communication; we do not have any documentation on what the other Dip switches are for.
Below are a few examples of the machine's Dip Switch position on various ACA control boards:
ACA control board - Enabling Serial communication using DIP switch #3
Titanium/Quantum Gold Pro Control Boards - Enabling Serial Communication:
For Card Only and Hybrid Coin+Card Installations (click to expand)
For Card Only and Hybrid Coin+Card Installations (click to expand)
For new Alliance Quantum Gold Pro machines, with Titanium controls, there's no jumper header or DIP switches used to set serial communication mode.
On these machines, you'll need to set the machine to Card Mode, using the machine's programming menus (for both Card Only and Hybrid Coin + Card Installs).
Below are a few examples of these types of control boards:
Below is an excerpt from the Alliance Titanium Manual showing instructions on how to enable the "CArd" and "CArdEn" settings:
After enabling the above 2 settings, it usually takes about a minute before the machine starts communicating with the card reader.
If it's still not communicating after waiting 2 minutes, power cycle the machine.
If you're working on a Quantum Gold/Titanium control machine, and you do NOT have the 2 settings listed above; it's possible this machine uses a control board more similar to an ACA control board.
This will mean that there should be Dip Switches on the machine's control board.
If this is the case, you'll following the notes in this article for ACA control boards, and turn on Dip Switch #3 to put it into serial communication mode.
Note: Power Cycle the Machine after putting it into serial communication mode
regardless of the type of controls your machine is using, once you've set the machine to serial communication mode, it's usually necessary to power cycle the machine before it switches to using serial communication mode.
When power cycling, leave the machine powered OFF for approx. 60 seconds.
Step 5: Reader Signal Wire Connection
Connect the Card Reader's signal connector to the 7-pin header on the machine's control board.
For MDC, Quantum, or ACA controls, the 7-pin header is found on the machine's control:
For Titanium controls, Alliance uses a separate I/O board:
Step 6: Reader Power Wire Connection
In most cases, the Card Reader's power will be provided by the machine's 24V transformer (Option 1), and this is generally the recommended power connection to use. However, on ACA models, there is a second option for where you can get reader power from (Option 2).
Option 1: 24Vac Transformer (click to expand)
Option 1: 24Vac Transformer (click to expand)
There should be a 24Vac Transformer inside the machine with 2-pin plug.
Connect it to the mating 2-pin connector on the harness.
The 2-pin plug is different between ACA and MDC models:
ACA model connection:
MDC model connection:
For MDC machines specifically, if you find that the machine's provided 2 PIN connector does NOT supply reader power, review our troubleshooting table for details on why this may be the case.
Option 2: 12Vdc connector - ACA models only (click to expand)
Option 2: 12Vdc connector - ACA models only (click to expand)
On ACA model control boards, you can get reader power from the control board directly:
Note that in order to use this option for reader power, your reader wiring harness must have the small extension/adaptor connector:
There may already be a machine connector plugged in here, this is usually to a cable used to power a digital coin drop.
If there is something plugged in here, it can usually be unplugged, and the reader harnesses extension cable can be connected in it's place:
Step 7: Mount the Card Reader
For Coin-operated machines (Card only install):
Remove the Coin Drop and mount the reader in its place.
Use the provided washers/nuts (or mounting bolt) to secure the reader in place. The coin-box can stay in place. No drilling is required.
For Hybrid (Coin + Card) install:
Drill holes on the front panel and mount the reader on the front panel (for small-chassis rear-control machines the reader mounts on top of the meter case)
Step 8: Activate the Card Reader
Power ON the machine. This will provide power to the Card Reader, which will display a "Not Activated" message once it's finished booting up:
Place the Activation Card, for this specific location, on the Card Reader for a few seconds to activate it to the location.
Note: you MUST use the Activation Card for THIS SPECIFIC LOCATION,
or else the card reader will not appear on the LaundroPortal for this location.
This will activate the reader and programs the reader with the location's specific Support and Location IDs:
The Card Reader will then automatically connect to VAC01's wireless network and once connected, and will be visible on the LaundroPortal once it passes the Wireless Test and displays the message "Good Signal!":
Once a Serial Communication card reader is activated, it will take over machine prices.
In these cases, especially on Washers, you'll normally notice the machine's price change to a default price of $2, or $4.
This is a good sign that the Card Reader is communicating with the machine correctly, and the vend prices can then be updated via the LaundroPortal directly.
Setting Vend Prices
Pricing is controlled by the Card Reader and is configured through the LaundroPortal.
Dryer Pricing
For more details on setting vend pricing, review the Alliance section from our: Configuring Card Reader/Machine Vend Prices
Notes about Pulse vs Serial communication:
For Dryers in Pulse Mode
you need to set both the time and price on both the reader and the machine separately
For Dryers in Serial mode,
you just need to set the full-cycle dry time on the machine directly.
The cycle pricing and the top-off time can be set on the reader via the LaundroPortal
Washer Pricing
You can configure up to nine base cycle prices (using a combination of Temperature and Cycle settings) and up to two Modifier prices, which are extra adders that will add to the base cycle amount, typically from $0.25 to $1.00.
Below are some examples of buttons as they relate to the price settings on the web Portal. The base cycles are inside the red rectangle while the modifier section is inside the green rectangle.
Huebsch Galaxy control:
Speed-Queen control:
In the above example, the "Light" Modifier button has no corresponding setting in the Portal. It is assumed to be $0, which effectively means that there's no Modifier enabled.
Troubleshooting
Below are problems commonly encountered during installation of readers on Alliance serial machines. For more general reader troubleshooting, see the Reader Troubleshooting section of the Help center.
The most common issue installers face during installation is related to the serial or pulse communication with the machine. The reader and the machine need to be using the SAME communication scheme; if machine is set to serial, the reader should be using serial
Machine (Washer/Dryer) display | Reader display | Explanation and what to do |
Machine looks normal - displays price and/or time. | Shows No Comm with Machine
| Machine and reader are out of sync - the machine is set to Pulse but reader is trying to use Serial.
NOTE: In ACA controls, ensure ensure you have fully clicked-in DIP switch #3 into position on the machine, these switches can be stubborn. DIP Switch #3 may appear to be ON but is actually not! Also, you may need to power OFF the machine for a couple of minutes after changing the DIP switch position! The only exception is when you have a dryer with MDC control in a Laundromat setting. In this case, it is more convenient to use Pulse. So the Control Type of the reader should be set to [12] (Coin Dryer). |
Washer/Dryer showing an EC18 or EC19 error
| Reader display looks normal - shows the Place Card Above message and a vend price
| EC18/EC19 means the machine is configured for Serial communication mode, but is unable to communication with the attached reader. If the reader is not also indicating a no comm error, then the machine and reader are out of sync. The machine is set to Serial but reader is using Pulse communication In most cases it is better to use Serial. Change the reader Control Type to setting 00 (Alliance serial). The only exception is when you have a dryer with MDC control in a Laundromat setting. In this case, it is more convenient to use Pulse. So change DISABLE serial communications on the dryer |
Washer/Dryer showing EC19 | Shows No Comm with Machine | The machine and reader are both trying to use serial communication but are unable to establish communications. It's possible there could be a problem with hardware or a cable harness. Do a reader swap with a working set to see if the problem follows the reader or stays with the machine. |
Other potential common installation issues include:
Issue | Explanation and resolution |
Reader display "Unknown State" or "Machine Error" | This usually means there's some issue with the machine. Check the machine's display for any error codes. |
Dryer adding incorrect amount of time | For dryers in Pulse Mode, this is set on, and completely controlled by, the machine For dryers in Serial Mode, the initial time that is added when the dryer first starts (the full cycle) is set on, and completely controlled by, the machine. |
Prices not changing on machine | If the prices configured for the Card Reader, using the LaundroPortal, are not being reflected on the actual Card Reader or the Machine's Display, check the serial number of the machine. If the Serial # starts with 2000, 2001, 2002, or 2003 (as shown below), then these models DO NOT ALLOW the reader to control the pricing (Alliance disabled this during production models in Q1 2020); you'll need to configure pricing directly on the washer/dryer.
In some cases you may be able to restore this functionality by updating the firmware on the machine itself. |
No power going to Card Reader (MDC control board models specifically) | On some MDC models, if you trace the 2 wire connector, that we use for reader power, back to where it plugs into the machine's transformer, you may find it leads to a 4 PIN transformer connector, however if you disconnect that connector, you may find that NOT all 4 of it's PINs are actually populated on the transformer connector side:
In these cases, you will need to splice the reader power wires into the actual wires getting power from the machine's transformer |
After making a payment, machine displays Pull Card message (Titanium (aka Quantum Gold Pro) models) | If you're getting a Pull Card message after making a payment with a Laundry Card:
|
MDC vs ACA control
Older Alliance equipment uses MDC/Quantum control board. Newer equipment uses the ACA control board. Our reader is universal and supports both controls. The only differences are in the cable harness and in the method of setting the machine to serial communication mode.
You can easily identify ACA controls easily because are housed inside a black plastic enclosure like this (can differ in size):
MDC control boards have a header where a jumper can be installed to set the machine to Serial communication mode:
In terms of cabling,
the pin-outs on the cable harness is the same but the connector's form-factor is slightly different:
Titanium/Quantum Gold Pro Control Boards are completely different, and their control boards look like this:
