In almost every Hybrid (Coin + Card) installation, the Card Reader is mounted to the front of the machine by drilling custom mounting holes. Where the reader sits depends heavily on the machine’s make and model.
In Card-Only installations, the reader usually replaces the existing coin drop. Hybrid installations keep the coin drop in place, so you’ll need to examine the machine’s internal components to find a suitable location. This general guide will help you choose the best spot for the reader on any make, model, or machine type.
Step 1: Examine Your Reader Kit
Before you begin, confirm you ordered and received the Hybrid (Coin + Card) reader kit. Card-Only kits can be difficult to adapt for a Hybrid installation.
Hybrid reader kits typically include the following hardware, though you may not receive every part depending on your machine’s make and model:
Part #: 01-05-51 (Backplate; used for washers)
Part #: 01-05-55 (Machine plate; used for dryers)
Part #: 01-05-70 (Drilling template; optional)
Note: In some cases, you might receive different hardware than the parts shown above. This doesn’t necessarily mean you have the wrong reader kit. Check with your distributor to confirm the order was placed for a Hybrid (Coin + Card) installation, not a Card-Only installation. If you’re still having trouble mounting the reader and suspect the mounting hardware is incorrect, contact our support team.
Step 2: Inspect the Machine
Depending on the machine, you’ll typically drill into the front control panel. This is often near the existing coin drop, but any open space you deem suitable can work. Choose a spot that meets all of the following:
The reader’s harness can reach the machine’s control board and power connections without interference.
The holes drilled for mounting the reader’s backplate won’t damage or interfere with the machine’s existing wiring or components.
Nearby components won’t cause vibration or heat that could damage the reader’s board or harness over time.
The reader won’t interfere with neighboring machines, and neighboring machine doors can fully open without hitting Card Readers installed on other machines.
Here is a general overview of a typical washer and where you could potentially mount our reader:
Step 3: Mount and Test the Reader
Start by drilling into only one machine to confirm your placement works. Test the reader to make sure it starts the machine and that neither the machine’s components nor the reader’s components are affected by where you mounted it.
Once you’ve confirmed the placement is suitable, use it as a template for the remaining machines of the same make and model. As a precaution, double-check the criteria from Step 2 before drilling into each new machine!
Examples of Mounted Card Readers
Below are examples of where technicians have mounted readers in Hybrid (Coin + Card) installations. Use them as a reference only. Even if a machine looks similar, its model number and internal layout may differ, so always confirm a suitable location on the machine you’re working with.
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Removing Card Readers from Machines
Because Hybrid (Coin + Card) installations are custom, how you remove the Card Reader depends on the type of machine you have and where the Card Reader was installed.
Always power down and unplug the machine before opening any panel.
For dryers that use the dryer machine plate (01-05-55), the backplate stays attached to the machine, so you can remove the Card Reader entirely from the outside:
For washers, the backplate and reader enclosure come off together, so you’ll need to open the machine to reach the mounting hardware.
In general, there are three main styles of machines, which dictate where you’ll open the machine to access the Card Reader’s mounting hardware:
Single-pocket machines with a top service lid
These typically have a key to open the entire top lid of the machine:
Stack machines with a front panel in the middle of the machine
This is typical on stack dryers, but single-pocket machines can also have a panel that opens from the front. The panel may be a door that swings open, or the entire panel may pull out once unlocked:
The pictures above show Card-Only installations. They’re examples of how the panels on some machines open from the front.
Top-load machines with a top or front panel
These machines usually have either a door at the top (where the coin drop is) or a front panel that opens (where the selection buttons and display are):
The pictures above show Card-Only installations. They’re examples of how the top panel opens on top-load machines.
Once you have access, disconnect the Card Reader’s harness, remove the hardware securing the backplate, and pull the reader out from the front of the machine.
Need Assistance?
For help mounting your Card Reader or questions about your reader kit, contact the Laundroworks support team at support@laundroworks.com or call 888-629-8620.