This installation article is applicable to Maytag Dryers that use older Gen1 Pulse controls (which are still used in some newer models).
Typically these dryers have model numbers MLG3xPD and MLG4xPD.
Required Parts
Card Reader Kit
Card Reader Wiring Harness:
12V External Power Supply Adapter
Wire Splicers
Installation Summary
"Generic Serial" Card Reader board type must be used
Plug-in Card Reader wiring harness (for Pulse communication)
Card Reader wire splicing required for reader power
Machine Side settings: Configure the machine to start from 1 pulse
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 if present
For Card-Only installs, card Reader will be mounted in the area where the Coin Drop has been removed.
Step 3: Number the Card Reader using the reader's DIP switches:
In order to configure a Card Reader to report as a specific Washer or Dryer number, you need to set the reader's DIP Switches to specific positions. These DIP Switches ONLY affect what the reader will display as for it's machine type (Washer/Dryer) and it's machine number:
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: Card Reader Pulse/Start Connection
Locate the male spade connectors with labels ENABLE1 and ENABLE2 on the Dryer's control board.
Connect the Card Reader's signal wires as follows:
Note about these signal wire connections:
the Card Reader's WHITE Wire MUST go to "Enable 1"
the Card Reader's GREEN Wire MUST go to "Enable 2"
If the machine is not receiving a pulse signal from the Card Reader, it's likely these wires just need to be reversed
Step 5: Card Reader Power Connection
Connect the provided 12V power supply to an available outlet. Otherwise, splice the power supply to 110V/220Vac and connect the 12Vdc plug to the mating plug on the harness.
When connecting to the machine directly, you'll be cutting off the AC prong, and splicing these wires directly to the machine (we recommend consulting the manufacturer, or an electrician, to confirm this type of connection).
Step 6: Mounting the Card Reader
If you ordered Card-Only reader kits, follow this general guide.
If you ordered Hybrid (Coin + Card) reader kits, follow this general guide.
Step 7: Activate the Card Reader
Proceed to secure the reader into the place where the Coin drop was removed and 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 it's vend prices.
Setting Vend Pricing
Set the Card Reader's vend price via the LaundroPortal.
For additional information about machine vend pricing, review our Configuring Card Reader/Machine Vend Prices article.
The machine needs to be configured to start from 1 pulse (1 coin), as the card reader will only send 1 pulse to the machine to trigger payment.
In most cases, you'll want to either adjust the Coin Value 1 setting, so that 1 "coin" is worth the full price of the machine;
however you can also adjust the machine's vend price setting, so it's only looking for 1 coin in order to start:
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 |
Card Reader taking money but not starting the machine | Ensure you've connected the spade connectors accordingly:
The Card Reader will only sends ONE pulse to the machine, so if the Enable wires connections are correct, ensure that the machine is configured to start off of one pulse. If the machine is only deducting 25cents from its displayed vend price, when a Laundry Card is used, then the Card Reader is installed correctly, but the machine side settings need to be configured so it starts from 1 pulse (the machine is currently registering the pulse, but only as a 25cents payment instead of the entire vend price). Therefore, inside the MACHINE's configuration settings, you can either:
In either case, the one pulse from the reader would satisfy the machine's vend price and trigger the machine to start it's cycle. |
Dryer display not coming on | In some dryers like MLG45PDB we've noticed that if you unplug the coin drop, the dryer display turns off. In this case, you will want to keep the coin drop connect and tucked away somewhere inside the machine securely. |
The machine starts, but once the cycle is over the Card Reader continues to display "Busy" | The Card Reader's Cycle Time (mins) setting is out of sync with the machine actual cycle time of the machine:
Pulse communication Card Readers are NOT communicating with the machine directly, so the only way the Card Reader knows how long a wash cycle lasts for is based on the amount of time programmed into the Card Reader's Cycle Time (mins) setting.
Regardless of what's actually happening with the machine, once the reader takes a payment, it starts a timer based on this setting, and the reader will display "Busy" until it's internal time has expired. |
Card Reader reboots itself whenever it takes payment from a Laundry Card | Check the external power supply to ensure it's pulling power from a source that provides constant power at all times.
It may be the case that the power supply is connected to wires that only provide constant power when the machine is at idle, but during a cycle start, power may be interrupted temporarily causing the reader to reboot.
If you've confirmed that the reader receives constant power during the machines start up sequency, try doing a swap test to see if the power supply or card reader board has a hardware issue. |






