Pin Out

Introduction to Coin Acceptor Connector

A coin acceptor is one of the oldest forms of automatic payment collecting mechanism used in vending machines. The signaling interface is typically a simple pulse. It is triggered by the npn transistor from the coin acceptor. There is no industrial standard set on this pulse interface. However, due to their wide use in the industry, certain wiring and connector connections have become more common than others. Competition copying the same interface. And eventually, a pretty common pin-out standard emerged for the coin acceptor.

Please note that not all coin acceptor has the same connector type or the same pinout. It is recommended to always refer to your coin acceptor’s product document for accurate information.

Coin Acceptor Connector details

Socket on PCB board

JST XH Series (2.5mm pitch), 4 ways

• Top Entry type (buy part number: B4B-XH-AM)
• Side Entry type (buy part number: S4B-XH-A-1, S4B-XH-A)

Wiring Plug Connector

• JST XH Series (2.5mm pitch), 4 ways(part number: XHP-4)
• JST Insert pins –
  • for 30AWG to 26AWG (part number: SXH-002T-P0.6)
  • for 28AWG to 22AWG (part number: SXH-001T-P0.6)
  • for 26AWG to 22AWG (part number: SXH-001T-P0.6N)

Alternative connectors available

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Tools Accessories

• Crimper tool

Coin Acceptor Pin Documentation

The following describes the 4 pins commonly found on a pulse-based coin acceptor device.

Coin acceptor devices do not use much power. Usually, the power is tapped directly from the VMC (Vending Main Controller) board.

The pulse out can vary from device to device. Generally, the pulse width can be about 25 to 100ms. An analog coin accepts emits each pulse for each coin that is inserted through the slot. For the newer electronic version of the coin acceptor, each coin denominator can generate a different number of pulses. The VMC will then be able to count the pulses and determine the amount of coins that is collected from your vending customer.

This pulse line should be pulled to Vcc (which is 12V) by the VMC board. The coin acceptor contains a npn transistor which pull this line to the ground. So this pulse-out signal is typically an active low signal.

The last pin is the Inhibit function. Sometimes this 4th pin is known as the Counter pin in many of the documentation online. It is normally not in use, as the pulse output would be enough to know how much value in the coin is collected. For this inhibit pin, it is a signal sent from the VMC to the coin acceptor to tell the coin acceptor not to accept any more coins. It is typically active low as well. Send a low signal will activate the inhibit function.

Coin Acceptor Interface Circuit & Signal

The interface to a coin accept is simple. Inside the coin acceptor’s pulse-out pin is a npn transistor. This npn transistor acts like a physical switch. When a coin is detected, this npn transistor is going to short the Pulse OUT line to the ground. When this happens, the VMC will be able to read the pulse line changing state. This pulse output is an active low pulse.

Introduction to VCCS

This is Coca-Cola’s standard interface used in Japan and other Asian Pacific Rim countries. It’s like a connection that helps Coca-Cola machines accept coins, cashless payments, and bills. There’s one plug that provides power and communication signals.

VCCS is a protocol communication standard used widely in Japan’s vending machine industry. Similar to MDB, the communication standard helps establish a common protocol to inter-link numerous devices used in a vending system. It is a very common protocol used on vending machines made in Japan.

Japan is famous for her wide range of vending machines on the street. You can easily find machines within a 100m radius in Japan’s cities.

Besides VCCS, there are also many other standards used in the vending machine industry across the world.

• MDB (Multi-Drop Bus) vending protocol.
• DEX (Data Exchange)
• CCTalk (Coin Communication Protocol)
• MEI Protocol A (Executive Protocol)
• BDV (BDV001)
• EVA-DTS
• MEI Micromech
• Simplex III/L+
• Simplex0
• Simple Pulse from coin/notes acceptor

Protocol Converter

There are so many vending protocols and they can be overwhelming for integration work. This is especially true with VCCS protocol, there is hardly any documentation available from the internet. A converter is going to make integration work simpler.

To make things similar, there are also converters on the market that help convert vending machine protocol. It is like a translator that helps machines talking in various languages to understand each other and work together in harmony.

1. MDB to VCCS converter.
   For MDB to VCCS converter, you can contact PIC-CONTROL Pte. Ltd. in Singapore.
2. MDB to Pulse converter.
   Click here for the product page PIC-031 MDB Pulse Converter.
3. MDB-RS232 (MDB over Serial), is sort of a converter that converts RS232 to MDB.
   Is available from “www.rs232-mdb.com“

VCCS Connector details

Peripheral Connector

Discconectable Crimp style connectors.

JST XL Connector (5.0mm pitch), 8 ways (part number: S08P-XL-HDS)

Master (VMC) Connector

• JST XL Connector (5.0mm pitch), 8 ways (part number: XLP-08V)
• JST Insert pins –
  • for 26AWG to 20AWG (part number: SXF-01T-P0.7)
  • for 20AWG to 16AWG (part number: SXF-41T-P0.7)

Alternative connectors available

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Tools Accessories

• JST (JAPAN SOLDERLESS TERMINALS) WC-240 Crimp Tool, Ratchet
• Extraction tool for JST insert pins.

VCCS Communication Protocol Documentation References

VCCS consist of 7 wires

(2x data, 1x synchronization, 1x common signal, 1x 24V power, 1x common Gnd, 8V)

• 24V power
• Common ground
• Data Transmit
• Data Receive
• 1x Synchronization line
• 1x Common signal line
• 8V

Serial Communication Configuration:
8 data bits, 4800 bits/sec, 0-24 volt signalling

References relating to VCCS Vending Machine Communication Protocol

• JP3843212B2 – Vending machine dual bus configuration
• US5959869A – Vending Machine Controller and System
• Overview of Vending Machine Interfaces