Universal Pulse Dryer [29] / Quarter Multi-Pulse [14] Control Types

Universal Pulse Dryer [29] / Quarter Multi-Pulse [14] Control Types

Overview

This article explains the use of our different Multi-Pulse Control Types ("Universal Pulse Dryer [29]" and "Quarter Multi-Pulse, No Busy [14]"):


With our default Control Types, our Card Readers normally only send 1 Pulse to the machines to trigger payment.
Card Reader's using one of these Control Types are able to be programmed to send multiple pulses to trigger payment on the machine.

In general, it is best to use a Control Type that only sends 1 single pulse, as this allows machines to start quickly and simplifies the reader settings that need to be used.
However, there are cases where a single pulse will not work on certain machines (usually because it's not possible to change the "Coin Value" setting on the machine; you're running a Hybrid Coin+Card configuration where the machine's "Coin Value" setting must be kept at $0.25 to allow for proper coin drop operation; or you're trying to enable Full Cycle with Top-Off payment price levels, on a pulse-controller Dryer.
Alert
We recommend that you contact our support team before attempting to implement either of these Control Types if they are not already being used. This control type can ONLY be used if your reader and machine are currently on some type of pulse communication mode of control.
Serially-connected readers/machines will NOT work (and generally this is not needed for serially-connected readers/machines as the benefits of multi-pulse control are already included in the serial integration)

Configuring a Multi-Pulse Control Type

Selecting the Correct Card Reader Control Type

You can adjust a Card Reader's Control Type setting by navigating to the specific Card Reader's settings page.
This is done by clicking the Wrench Icon for the specific reader, from the Machines list:



Before adjusting a card reader's Control Type,
note the Name of the currently Control Type it's using, as this will give an indication on the Pulse Type your machine requires (either Normally Open, or Normally Closed).
You will need to know the Pulse Type to use when setting up any Card Reader using a Multi-Pulse Control Type:

Notes
Note: if the current Control Type does not list if it's Normally Open, or Normally Closed, it's likely a Normally Open control type;
however you should contact our support team so we can verify this information for you

You will also need to confirm that your Card Reader is currently running a Firmware/Application Version that can run the newer Multi-Pulse Control Types.
In the Reader Settings menu scroll down to the Application Version, and ensure it's version 5.XXX or 45.XXX.
If the Application Version is older, the Card Reader will require a firmware update before it can use a Multi-Pulse Control Type:



The Multi-Pulse Control Type you will select will be determined by the type of machine the reader is controlling:

 - For Dryers; use "Universal Pulse Dryer [29]"
 - For Washers; use "Quarter Multi-Pulse, No Busy [14]"

Dryers - Configuring Control Type "Universal Pulse Dryer [29]"

To use this method, the Control Type needs to be set to Universal Pulse Dryer [29]

You should see the following set of Card Reader Dryer Price settings (actual values are just an example)


The general way that this control works is that when the dryer is not running, the Card Reader's display will show the Full Cycle Cost/Time. The reader will charge Laundry Cards/LaundryCat app accounts the Full Cycle Cost, send X number of pulses ("coins") to trigger payment on the machine, and start an internal timer equal to what's set under the Full Cycle Time (mins) setting.
While the Card Reader's internal timer is running, the Card Reader's display will change to show the Top Off Cost/Time, and when a Laundry Card/LaundryCat app account is applied to the reader in this state, the reader will charge the Top Off Cost, send only 1 pulse ("coin") to trigger additional payment on the machine, and increment it's internal timer by what's set under the  Top Off Time setting.

The Card Reader has no knowledge of the actual dry times programmed on the dryer's control itself; therefore it is up to you to configure the Card Reader's Full cycle Time and Top Off Time settings so that they are consistent with the actual dry times you have programmed inside the dryer. 

The above screenshot shows an example of a reader that has a Full-cycle with Top-Off configuration for a dryer programmed for $0.70/5mins (that is, the dryer control always adds 5mins of dry time for every pulse ("coin") it receives as payment).
The Card Reader simply sends 3 pulses ("coins") to start the dryer (while the reader's display shows the Full Cycle Cost/Time), then once the reader has send it's initial starting pulses, it switches to Top Off mode where it will only send one pulse at a time, for each additional payment that is made.
Note that if your Full Cycle Cost per unit time is not a simple integer multiple of Top-Off Cost cycle cost per unit time, you can customize the exact number of pulses the reader needs to send to the machine using the Number of Pulses for Full Cycle setting.

The Pulse Type setting depends on the actual dryer and the way the reader is wired in.
Please contact support if you're unsure, but generally speaking, if the original Control Type had "Normally Open" in the Control Type name, then, set the Pulse Type to "0"; If the original Control Type had "Normally Closed" in the name, set Pulse Type to "1".

Universal Pulse Dryer [29] - Setting Descriptions

Full Cycle Cost

This setting dictates how much customer's Laundry Cards/LaundryCat app accounts, will be charged when tapping for the Full Cycle start

Full Cycle Time (mins)

This setting is for simulation purposes, so the Card Reader knows how long it should remain in Top-Off Pricing mode, after the reader has sent the Start Pulse(s) to the machine. This setting will also display to the customers how much time the Dryer will add for the Full Cycle Cost (however, the actual time the Dryer will add is completely determined by the Dry Time settings programmed on the Dryer itself)

Top Off Cost

This setting dictates how much customer Laundry Card/LaundryCat app accounts, will be charged when tapping in order to add Top Off Time to a Dryer that's already running

Top Off Time

This setting is for simulation purposes, so the Card Reader knows how long it should remain in Top-Off Pricing mode. This setting will also display to the customers how much time the Dryer will add for the Top-Off Cost (however, the actual time the Dryer will add is completely determined by the Dry Time settings programmed on the Dryer itself)

Maximum Dry Time

This setting can be used to limit how much time customers are able to add when trying to add additional Top Off time.
If this setting is set to "0", customers can add "unlimited" amounts of top off time, and this is the recommend setting to use.
However, while the card reader won't limit customer's to a maximum amount of dry time, most machines will have a max limit that the machine will enforce.
If this setting is changed to "60", then the reader will limit customers to only being able to add up to 60 mins of Dry time (based on the Card Reader's internal timer)

Pulse Type

This setting is dictated by the machine, and how the Card Reader is wired into it in order to send Pulses to it. This setting should NOT be adjusted once the machine is operating correctly.
If the Machine requires a "Normally Open" pulse, this setting needs to be set to "0"
if the Machine requires a "Normally Closed" pulse, this setting needs to be set to "1"

Number of pulses for Full Cycle

This setting is used to program the Card Reader to send multiple pulses during a full cycle tap or a Laundry Card/Mobile App account.
If the Top Off Cost/Time is a perfect multiple of the Full Cycle Cost/Time, then this setting can be left at "0" as the card reader will do the math to determine the amount of pulses needed.
For Example, if the Top Off Cost/Time = $0.25 for 5 mins; and Full Cycle Cost/Time = $1.00 for 20 mins; the card reader will know it needs to send 4 pulses for the Full Cycle Start.

If you are using values that are not perfect multiples of each other, you'll want to manually tell the card reader how many pulses ("coins") it needs to send to satisfy the Full Cycle starting price the machine is programmed for.

Ground Pin1 (for Netmaster, Maytag dryers)

This is an auxiliary setting only needed in specific use cases.
In the vast majority of scenarios, this setting should always be left a "0", unless being used on select Maytag Pulse Dryers, or Alliance Netmaster Pulse Dryers. It's best to contact our support team for help determining if this setting is required in your setup.


Washers - Configuring Control Type "Quarter Multi-Pulse, No Busy [14]"

To use this method, the Control Type needs to be set to Quarter Multi-Pulse, No Busy [14]

You should see the following set of Card Reader Dryer Price settings (actual values are just an example)


The general way that this control works is that the Card Reader will charge Laundry Cards/LaundryCat app accounts the Cycle Price, send X Number of pulses to trigger payment on the machine. It will then start an internal timer equal to what's set under the Payment Block Time (Mins) setting.
While the Card Reader's internal timer is running, the Card Reader will NOT accept any more payment towards a new wash cycle.

The Card Reader has no knowledge of the actual wash cycle times programmed on the washer's control itself; therefore it is up to you to configure the Card Reader's Payment Block Time (Mins) settings so that it is consistent with the actual wash cycle times you have programmed on the washer itself.
Note: if you have multiple wash cycles that use different amounts of time, this setting should be set to the shortest wash cycle to ensure that the reader is ready to take payment whenever it's initial wash cycle has finished. 

The Pulse Type setting depends on the actual washer and the way the Card Reader is wired in.
Please contact support if you're unsure, but generally speaking, if the original Control Type had "Normally Open" in the Control Type name, then, set the Pulse Type to "0"; If the original Control Type had "Normally Closed" in the name, set Pulse Type to "1".

Quarter Multi-Pulse, No Busy [14] - Setting Descriptions

Cycle Price

This setting dictates how much customer Laundry Cards/LaundryCat app accounts, will be charged when tapping to start a wash cycle.

Payment Block Time (Mins)

This setting is for simulation purposes, so the Card Reader knows how long it NOT accept payment for a new wash cycle. This is to ensure the card reader doesn't deduct additional payment when the machine is not ready to receive payment for a new wash cycle. This setting is also used for cycle done notifications.
Note that the actual Wash cycle times are completely determined by the Cycle time settings programmed on the Washer itself

Pulse Type

This setting is dictated by the machine, and how the Card Reader is wired into it in order to send Pulses to it. This setting should NOT be adjusted once the machine is operating correctly.
If the Machine requires a "Normally Open" pulse, this setting needs to be set to "0"
if the Machine requires a "Normally Closed" pulse, this setting needs to be set to "1"

Number of pulses

This setting is used to program the Card Reader to send multiple pulses to start the machine's wash cycle.
For Example, if the vend price on the machine itself is set to $4.00, and the machine's "Coin Value" setting is set at $0.25 (which is typically the default setting), you would need to send 16 pulses ("coins") to the machine to satisfy the full vend price in order for the machine to start.
Notes
Note: this control type does NOT communicate with the machine's control board directly.
The Card Reader has no way of knowing what wash cycle option has been selected, and therefore ALL cycle options must be priced the same, since the reader will always send the same amount of pulses.

Use ground on Pin1 (GND)

This is an auxiliary setting only needed in specific use cases.
In the vast majority of scenarios, this setting should always be left a "0", unless being used on select Maytag Pulse Dryers, or Alliance Netmaster Pulse Dryers. It's best to contact our support team for help determining if this setting is required in your setup.

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