How many times have you tried standing in front of a vending machine forcing it to accept your dollar bills? Perhaps a lot, and you are not alone. Don’t worry because your frustration is completely valid. If any store cashier will gladly accept the same dollar bill, why won’t the machine accept it?
Well, the answer lies in the bill acceptor mechanism of the vending machine. Unlike coins that are easy to differentiate because of their weight and size, dollar bills have to be read. An advanced piece of equipment must check the bill and assess two aspects:
- the bill’s authenticity; and
- the bill’s denomination.
Yes, those are only two things, but they’re quite a huge responsibility for such a tiny device.
The Invention of Bill Validators
According to records, the very first bill validators were invented in the 1960s. It was a division of the well-known chocolate brand Mars that created such a technology. They used a magnetic head to read the magnetic ink that was used in printing the currency.
Over time, advancements in technology have significantly improved these bill validators. Instead of using magnetic heads, photocells are embedded into the validators to detect the different shades of ink on a particular bill. As a result, validators can now detect the different denominations of the dollar bills and whether or not they’re fake.
However, as with other technologies, bill validators may experience wear and tear. They may accumulate dirt and grime, making it difficult for them to read the bill. This is when a vending machine bill acceptor repair is needed.
Why Are Dollar Bills Rejected?
Aside from damaged bill acceptors, there are various reasons why dollar bills are rejected by vending machines. Here are a few:
Dirty Money
When we say “dirty money,” we’re not implying illegal money. We’re literally describing the bill itself. As we all know, we use money for different things. Money can travel from one person to the other. And during its travel, it can pick up lots of grime from various sources. So, if you have a vending machine in your office that has not been cleaned for years, it is likely that dirt has already built up on the validator. Soon, the vending machine will reject your bills because the photocells cannot read them.
Damaged Belts
Dollar bill acceptors have plenty of tiny parts. And as time passes, the belts that hold the dollar bill and pull it to the storage may wear out. If that happens, the dollar bills you feed your vending machines may be rejected.
These belts function like your car’s belts. It’s just that they’re on a smaller scale.
Insufficient Change
If you are inserting a bill into a vending machine with not enough coins, then there is a chance that your money will be rejected.
How to Do a DIY Vending Machine Bill Acceptor Repair
Now that we know a bit about the history of bill acceptors and the common reasons why they reject bills, it’s time to learn how to fix them in case they act out. Here are the things you will need:
- flashlight
- cotton swabs
- cleaning card
- dollar bill
Step 1: Check the dollar bill slot.
First, you need to examine the dollar bill slot. For this, you might want to use a flashlight so you can see better. And then, look for any signs of debris or dirt. Check if there are items that are blocking the dollar bill slot. If you find any, remove them with your fingertips.
Step 2: Test it.
After removing any debris that may be stuck in the dollar bill slot, try to insert a dollar bill into the acceptor. If you can make a purchase without any problem, then the issue is resolved. Otherwise, proceed to the next step.
Step 3: Perform a deep clean.
This time, you may need to use a cotton swab. If an elongated cotton swab with a stick handle is not available, then use a generic cotton swab instead. These swabs will allow you to access the parts of the dollar acceptor that are too small and distant to reach by hand. Use the flashlight to illuminate the area and remove as much dirt as you can.
Step 4: Test it once more.
Test the dollar acceptor once more. If you can successfully make a purchase, then the problem is fixed.
Step 5: Use the cleaning card.
Most vending machines come with a cleaning card. Insert it into the dollar acceptor slot. Make sure that the side that has a black strip should go in first. Slowly push the card into the slot and wait for the bill acceptor to push it back. Repeat the process thrice to clean everything.
Step 6: Perform one last test.
Insert a dollar bill into the slot to see if the cleaning card has gotten rid of the problem. If the bill is accepted, then you have no more problem.
Step 7: Call the vending machine company.
If all else fails, call the vending machine manufacturer to check and fix your vending machine. Get in touch with the manufacturer’s service department and seek technical help. Make sure that you take note of your vending machine’s make and model so it will be easier for them to troubleshoot and resolve the problem.
It is advised to skip the first six steps and proceed to the last if you are not that familiar with your vending machine’s parts or if you are not the vending machine owner. This is to avoid making the problem worse.
Let TCN Vending Australia Handle the Vending Machine Bill Acceptor Repairs!
Don’t know where to start when it comes to fixing your vending machine? Aren’t you confident in doing the repairs? Allow our professional team to help.
TCN Vending Australia provides the best vending machines and vending machine bill acceptor repairs all over the country. Our products and services are reasonably and competitively priced, and our team is very friendly and professional. Should you need help with any of the vending machines you have purchased from us, do not hesitate to give us a call.