Connect a Coin Acceptor to Your Propeller Project

Want to make an arcade game or vending machine?  Maybe you want to charge customers to use your awesome invention – but how?  Look no further! Coin acceptors have become inexpensive enough for anyone to purchase, so this tutorial is designed to show you how to connect one to your Propeller-powered BlocklyProp project.

Hardware Required

• (1) – Coin Acceptor (this project specifically uses this one from Amazon)

  • If you choose a different coin acceptor, you may need to make modifications to the instructions. Consult your device’s manual.

• (1) – 12 VDC power supply (#750-00003)

• (1) – 10 k-Ohm resistor (brown-black-orange) (part of #751-00011)

• 3-pin cable:

  • (1) – 3-pin cable (#800-00160)  OR

  • (3) – female to female jumper wires (#800-00062)

• Propeller development board:

  • (1) – Propeller Activity Board or Activity Board WX (#32912)  OR

  • (1) – Propeller FLiP (#32123) plus:

    • (1) – 3-pin breadboard header (#451-00303)

    • misc male/male jumper wires (#800-00016)

    • Note: The header, breadboard, wires and FLiP can be purchased separately or you can get them (and more) together in the Propeller FLiP Try-it Kit (#32023).

• Misc coins to program the coin acceptor with (20 of each type of coin is best)

NOTE: The 12V supply can be connected to the (→5-9VIN pin) on the FLiP – however be aware that because the input voltage is above 9 volts, if the FLiP module’s power connections are shorted, the FLiP will get VERY HOT.