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Dexter: Pulse dryers

K
Written by Kevin Bowman
Updated this week

This note covers reader installations on older Dexter coin-op dryers such as DDAD, DL2X, DDAB, DLC.
The reader uses pulse control to send a single pulse to the dryer control, using the coin-drop interface (connector P2).

Only one reader per stack is required.

Reader on DL2X dryer

Sample on DDAD dryer

Parts

  • Reader with back-plate

  • Cable harness

  • 12V Power supply

Installation

  1. Before proceeding, you should assign numbers to each of the machines.
    It is highly recommended that you place number labels on each dryer machine.

  2. Set the machine type and number using the DIP switch on the reader circuit board:


    See here for more details: Reader DIP Switch settings

  3. Turn machine power OFF!

  4. Open the service compartment or lid

  5. Remove the coin drop if present

  6. Connect the reader-side of the cable harness to the reader

  7. Connect the 2-wire signal connector to header P2 on the machine's control.
    The reader's cable harness should have wires going to the two right-most pins, controlling the Coin2 input on the machine (so if you're making any pulse/timing adjustments on the machine, ensure you're configuring Coin2)

  8. Connect the 2-wire power connector to the external power supply provided

  9. Connect the 120Vac side of the power supply, either to an available wall outlet, or splice the power supply directly to the machine, using an appropriate high-voltage connection inside the machine.

    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).

  10. Proceed to secure the reader to the machine using the provided nuts.
    For DL2X models, the reader typically goes over Coin-Drop area.
    For all other models, the reader typically goes into the Coin-Box vault (you may need to lower the reader plate to avoid overlapping the divider on the front of the dryer - do this by tucking the lower lip of the reader bracket between the reader plate and the machine)

  11. Activate the reader using the Activation card for this store location:

Pricing

Pricing of the card reader is set using the LaundroPortal (this will NOT adjust the price displayed on the machine's display).
The price you set the card reader to, will determine how much customers pay to start the machines.However, to make sure the machine starts from 1 tap of a laundry card, you need to adjust the machine's Coin Value setting so that it matches the machine's Vend Price setting.
The card reader only send 1 pulse (1 "coin") to pay for the machine, so the machine needs to know that the pulse from the reader is equal to the full vend price of the machine.
By default, the machine's coin value setting is usually set to $0.25; so if tapping a laundry card only takes $0.25 off the vend price being displayed on the machine; you need to adjust the machine's coin value setting so that 1 tap from the reader satisfies the full vend price of the machine.

Troubleshooting

Below are problems commonly encountered during installation of readers on these dryers. For more general reader troubleshooting, see Troubleshooting Readers

Issue

Explanation and resolution

Reader taking money BUT time not actually added

or

Reader takes full payment, but only $0.25 off the machine's displayed price

This usually means that the vend price or value of the pulse are not configured on the dryer in a way that will allow it to add time, or start the machine, with only a single pulse.

Notes

NOTE 1: The cable harness connects to Coin2 (or 2nd Coin switch) input on header P2, not the primary Coin input where the coin-drop normally connects. So ensure that on the dryer, you're configuring the pulse parameters for Coin2 (may also be called Right Coin Value)

Notes

NOTE 2: if this is a conversion from an EasyCard system, the default setting might treat one pulse as 25cents but the vend price to start the machine is set to $1. Therefore, one pulse from the reader will not start the machine. Configure accordingly.


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