This installation guide covers installing Card Readers on all types of vending machines, including Vendrite machines.
The vending machine MUST support the MDB (Multi-Drop Bus) interface, which most machines do.
Note: our MDB Card Readers support up to the MDB Level 2 protocol! If your vending machines uses a higher MDB level protocol our reader may not function as expected.
One way to check for compatibility is to check the machine to see if it has a harness with a 6-pin MDB plug on it.
This will be a plug in a 2 by 3 pin formation, like either one of these:
MDB male
MDB female
However, even if you find the MDB plug on your machine it is strongly recommended to confirm if your specific Vending Machine supports MDB by speaking with you're vending machine supplier (as some machines may have the MDB connector, but not actually support MDB communication).
Required Parts
Card Reader Kit
The reader board type MUST be "MDB" - Part #: ASSY-02-02-09:
MDB Cable Harness
Wiring Harness Part #: 02-06-61
Installation Steps
Step 1: Turn Machine Power Off
It is always recommended to power the machine off before install the card readers.
Step 2: Number the reader using the DIP switch on the back of the reader
Switch #1 is ignored by Vending Machine readers (it's position doesn't matter, but we recommend leaving it in the DOWN/OFF position).
Use switches #2-#8 to set the reader's number in the same way numbering works on Washer/Dryer readers.
For example, with the dip switch configuration below, the reader will appear as number 1 (SOAP1):
If you have multiple vending machines, just continue to number them in increasing order:
If the location has more than 8 vending machine readers
see our article: Reader DIP Switch settings for additional reader numbers
Step 3: Connect the MDB harnesses
Connect the MDB connector from the reader's harness to mating MDB connector on the vending machine's cable harness.
The MDB connector is a 6-position connector that looks like this:
The Reader's wiring harness has an optional "Y" cable connection;
so if needed, you can daisy chain the card reader with other MDB attached equipment if there is not a free MDB connector to use for the card reader:
Step 4: Mount the Card Reader
The vending machine reader kits will include a couple mounting brackets, as optional parts, that can be used for some machines, but the mounting will differ depending on the specific machine.
Normally, no drilling will be required; but some machines may require custom mounting.
Step 5: Power on the Machine and Activate the reader
Power ON the machine, then Activate the card reader using the Activation Card for this specific 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, will be visible on the LaundroPortal where you can configure the reader's display (the Vend Prices are controlled by the machine directly)
Step 6: Configure Card Reader Display
By default, the reader will display "Soap Machine" on its LCD display, but this can be changed so the reader displays "Snack Machine", by using the LaundroPortal.
Click the Wrench icon of the reader, and change the reader's Control Type to Snack Vending:
On the LaundroPortal, all Vending machine readers will always display as a "SOAP" reader; this Control Type change only affects the messaging on the reader's display.
Setting Vend Prices
Vend prices for the various products are set on the vending machine itself;
the reader does NOT control any prices.
It will reflect the price that is programmed on the vending machine itself for the selected product.
Troubleshooting
Below are problems commonly encountered during installation of readers on these dryers.
For more general card reader troubleshooting, see the Card Reader Troubleshoot section of our Help Center.
Issue | Explanation and resolution |
Reader says No Comm with MDB machine | This error means there's no serial communication with the machine over the MDB interface. First try rebooting power to the machine, while the reader is installed. Some vending machines have multiple MDB connectors; try using one of the other 6-PIN MDB connectors, if the first one you tried did not work. Power cycle the machine after changing the MDB connector you are using to see if that clears the no comm error. If you are daisy chaining the reader into an existing MDB chain, try installing the reader at a different spot in that chain, then power cycle the machine to see if that clears this error. Some vending machines require the door of the machine to be fully closed before it will communicate with the card reader. Make sure the door is fully closed, and the door sensor is fully engaged; then power cycle the machine.
Confirm the vending machine supports the MDB Level 2 Protocol with your vending machine supplier, and confirm that's the level your machine is currently using. If you're still receiving the same error, contact Laundroworks Support for additional troubleshooting help |
Machine vends product, but a credit, for the initial purchase, remains on the machine | On some vending machines, if the door is not fully closed, or the door sensor cannot detect the door is closed, the machine may assume product wasn't vended correctly, and will keep a credit on the machine for the initial purchase amount. Check to make sure the door is fully closed, and the machine's door sensor is fully engaged so the machine can detect that the door is closed. |
Machine returns change (coins) during vend attempt | It is likely that the machine is receiving a false signal from the coin drop. |