Vending machines (MDB)
This installation article covers installation on all types of vending machines, including Vendrite machines.
The vending machine MUST support the MDB (Multi-Drop Bus) interface, which most machines do.
One way to tell is to check the machine to see if it has a harness with a 6-pin plug on it (2 by 3 pin formation) like either one of these:
Required parts
- MDB Cable Harness - Wiring Harness Part #: 02-06-61
- MDB Card Reader - Reader Board Part #: ASSY-02-02-09
Note: this is a specialized reader that will say MDB on the sticker on the back of the reader board itself:
Installation Steps
Step 1: Turn Machine Power Off
Step 2: Number the reader using the DIP switch on the back of the reader
Switch #1 does not have any effect for vending machine readers
(it doesn't matter how you set this switch, but we recommend leaving it in the down/OFF position).
(it doesn't matter how you set this switch, but we recommend leaving it in the down/OFF position).
Use switches 2-7 to number the reader, the same way numbering works on Washer/Dryer readers.
For example, with the dip switch configuration below, the reader will appear as number 1 (SOAP1).
If you have multiple vending machines, just continue to number them in increasing order:
If the location has more than 5 vending machine readers
see our article: Reader DIP Switch settings for additional reader numbers
Step 3: Connect the MDB harnesses
Connect the MDB connector from the reader's harness to mating MDB connector on the vending machine's cable harness.
The MDB connector is a 6-position connector that looks like this:
The Reader's wiring harness is a "Y" cable, so if needed, you can daisy chain the card reader with other MDB attached equipment, if there is not a free MDB connector to use for the card reader.
Step 4: Mount the reader
The vending machine reader kits will include a couple mounting brackets, as optional parts, that can be used for some machines, but the mounting will differ depending on the specific machine.
Normally, no drilling will be required; but some machines may require custom mounting.
Step 5: Power on the machine and Activate the reader
Use the provided Activation card to activate the reader:
Step 6: Configure display
By default, the reader will display "Soap Machine" on its LCD display, but this can be changed so the reader displays "Snack Machine", by using the Laundro Portal.
Click the wrench icon of the reader, and change the reader's Control Type to Snack Vending:
On the Laundro Portal, all Vending machine readers will always display as a "SOAP" reader;
this Control Type change only affects the messaging on the reader's display.
Setting Vend Prices
Vend prices for the various products are set on the vending machine itself;
the reader does NOT control any prices.
It will reflect the price that is programmed on the vending machine itself for the selected product.
It will reflect the price that is programmed on the vending machine itself for the selected product.
Troubleshooting
Below are problems commonly encountered during installation of readers on these dryers. For more general reader troubleshooting, see Reader Support
| Issue | Explanation and resolution |
| Reader says No Comm with MDB machine | This error means there's no serial communication with the machine over the MDB interface. First try rebooting power to the machine, while the reader is installed. Some vending machines have multiple MDB connectors; try using one of the other 6-PIN MDB connectors, if the first one you tired did not work. Power cycle the machine after changing the MDB connector you are using to see if that clears the no comm error. If you are daisy chaining the reader into an existing MDB chain, try installing the reader at a different spot in that chain, then power cycle the machine to see if that clears this error. Some vending machines require the door of the machine to be fully closed before it will communicate with the card reader. Make sure the door is fully closed, and the door sensor is fully engaged; then power cycle the machine. If you're still receiving the same error, contact Laundroworks Support for additional troubleshooting help |
Machine vends product, but a credit, for the initial purchase, remains on the machine | On some vending machines, if the door is not fully closed, or the door sensor cannot detect the door is closed, the machine may assume product wasn't vended correctly, and will keep a credit on the machine for the initial purchase amount. Check to make sure the door is fully closed, and the machine's door sensor is fully engaged so the machine can detect that the door is closed. |
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