Posted by Just Michael on 9, 2001 at 3:09 PM:
In Reply to: Newbie questions about coin doors posted by tektreve on 9, 2001 at 11:07 AM:
: I'm planning out my MAME project, and I'm starting to order all the parts that I'll need. I'm planning to add a working coin door to the project and have just a few simple questions that I figured some of you who installed these doors before could answer.
: (FYI, I'm not going to ask about how to hook up the coin switch or the lights...that's fairly obvious and even if it wasn't, it's been covered before.)
: 1. Coin Return...I'm trying to understand how the "Push to Reject" mechanism works. Specifially, if I understand it correctly, a coin is inserted, it is accepted by the coin mech, it triggers the coin switch, and then falls into the coin box. When the coin switch is closed, a signal goes to the interface (I going to use an I-Pac) and then to the system. So how would a return work? I'd imagine that the coin would have to be held in the mech to allow the user to press Reject, but then when does it get accepted? I'm just a little confused on how this would work without additional "communication" between the hardware/software and the coin mech. Any info would be appreciated.
The coin ejector button is for when a coin gets stuck in the mech. If the coin is the wrong size the mech will drop it into the "coin return" automatically. Since the coin switch is only activated after a coin is accepted by the mech and drops out the botton, there is nothing done when the coin is rejected. It isn't counted and doesn't trip any switch.
: 2. Hopefully, I'll be able to find a coin door with mechs on eBay at a good price. At worst, I'll probably buy one from Bob Roberts or Happs. Either way, I not 100% clear on all the parts I'll need. Please let me know if this is correct: The coin doors seem to include almost everything, but I do need to buy the coin mechs as well. If the coin door does not come with a coin box, I'll need this too. Lights and holders are separate. And the coin switch? Is this part of the door or the mech or is it another part to buy? Is there anything else sold separately? (I'd like to avoid buying 99% of the parts and then realize that I forgot to order a $2 part!)
Dual coin doors is definitely the way to go for a 2 player cab. What comes on with the coin door all depends upon what is on the coin door. Read the description of the auction carefully and if you have any questions, ask the seller. I have seen coin doors that were just the door. I have also seen one that was missing 1 coin switch (I bought it... :o)). They should at the very least come with the doors, coin mech holders, coin ejectors (the red plastic you push in). You can buy new switches and coin mechs easily. Having a coin bin is handy.
: 3. First I thought I'd save some money and just use a single entry coin door with one mech. Then I thought about setting up one coin slot for quarters and one for tokens, but after reviewing this board I see that there are games that work best with 2 coin mechs. So, I'm going to use a dual entry coin door with 2 mechs. Do I understand correctly that I could get a mech that will accept both quarters and tokens (such as the Happ Metal Coin Mech p/n 42-3070-00 or the Imonex mech from Happ p/n 42-2034-00)? Will these mechs accept quarters and tokens at the same time, or are they more like the 8/4 way joysticks that you have to setup in mode you want to use them when you install them?
Actually I would recommend the Imonex $.25, .882 & .900" Token Mech (part #42-6901-00) instead. It will accept tokens smaller than a quarter and will also accept them a bit larger (like the Chuck E Cheese tokens). You can find cheap used tokens on Ebay as well. I have a pair of these coin mechs and they work flawlessly. The Imonex mechs will accept either tokens or quarters (no changing stuff to get them to work).
: Thanks in advance for any advice you have...
I hope this helps.