Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Bill acceptor software revisions can be identified by a couple different methods. All bill acceptors manufactured by Standard Change-Makers use a memory chip located on the main control board in the acceptor. Simply remove the metal cover and locate the memory chip on the control board (left hand side when the bill acceptance port is pointing away from you), which is easily identified by the software revision label adhered to it.

A much simpler way is to use the keyboard or hand-held data terminal to identify the software revision. By pressing 1, then 0, and then 0 again on the keyboard keypad, the display will show the software version.

If your machine has a hand held menu driven data terminal, you will find the software version by pressing F2 (Diagnostics), then F3 (Version), then F1 (Changer). After viewing the program version, you can put the machine back into service by pressing F5 three times.

Please note – it is important to identify if there is an “I” or a “P” at the end of the software version number. This identifies if it is an “I”ntel or “P”entium chipset.

There are several different series of bill acceptors sold by Standard Change-Makers. One of the original acceptors, the Model 25A, was sold in our changers for many years. This acceptor had a tray that money fit into. The customer would “push” the tray in to activate the change machine. This acceptor was discontinued in 1989, although we still provide some repair service for it. This acceptor will not be able to accept the new U.S. currency when released.

The System 200 or System 200A series acceptors have been sold in model SC5 and SC5T change machines. This acceptor series has the stacker and an “end feed” type bill acceptor together as one unit. The System 200 has a flat, gray power cord with a red stripe on one side of the cord. The 200A has a black power cord consisting of a group of colored wires banded together. Simple switch settings select the bills to be accepted.

The System 500 series note acceptor was sold in change machines from 1987 to 1994. This “end feed” bill acceptor was fully programmable, through a keyboard, to accept up to four different denominations of coins and bills. The power supply is a black 3x4x8 inch box, with an illuminated red switch. System 500 is printed on the black end cap of the acceptor.

The System 500-E series note acceptor replaced the System 500 note acceptor in 1995. This note acceptor is similar to the System 500 acceptor, but has a gold colored 8x10x2 inch power box. The end cap of this acceptor has a blue sticker on it that reads “System 500E”.

The System 600-FST series note acceptor was introduced in 1998 to replace the System 500-E acceptor. This bill acceptor uses a more advanced CPU board and sensor technology. It uses the hand-held Data Terminal for its programming, diagnostic and audit function feedback. The acceptor end cap will have a red sticker that reads “System 600FST”.

The System 600-EF series note acceptor was introduced in 2008 to replace the System 600-FST acceptor. This bill acceptor uses a more advanced CPU board and better sensor technology. It also uses the hand-held Data Terminal for its programming, diagnostic and audit function feedback and a 40-watt power supply. The acceptor end cap will have a white sticker with a U.S. flag (or Canadian or Mexican flag for those countries) that reads “System 600EF”.

There are a few things an owner can do to keep his/ or her System 600 change machine working at the optimum level. The first is setting up a regular maintenance program, which includes cleaning and calibrating the bill acceptor. Depending on usage, the bill acceptor track assemblies should be wiped clean of dust and debris every three to four months. A second step would be to initiate the Automatic Calibration Routine (See the “CALIBRATION” section on the Service page).

If you’re still experiencing poor acceptance after cleaning and calibration, the power supply may be the problem. SC machines with hand held programmers will have an error history log (see owner manual for instructions) which you can review. “Watch-dog” or “Pwr Fault” errors would indicate a power related problem, which can cause poor acceptance. Also, check the security settings on the acceptor. OEM acceptors have a HIGH/LOW setting, while the 500/500-E or 600-FST/600-EF bill acceptors will have settings from 0-9. Again, see your owner’s manual for information on adjusting these settings.

Since there are several types of note acceptors that Standard has developed, you must first know what acceptor you own. You can find that information on the serial tag located on your note acceptor. Once you have that information, you may retrieve the complete calibration instructions by selecting your note acceptor model in the “CALIBRATION” section of our Service page.

All System 200, 200A, 500, 500-E, 600-FST and 600-EF bill acceptors use the same calibration card. These cards are date coded so that we can control the quality of paper stock used. Calibration cards should be kept in a clean and dry place for safekeeping.

Never use a dirty calibration card to calibrate your note acceptor.

You should first start by examining the drive roller assemblies. These drive rollers can be accessed by lifting up the toggle handle and opening up the upper track. Typically these rollers need to be replaced anywhere from 5 to 7 years depending on usage. However, they should be cleaned once a year by using a damp clean cloth to remove the ink and dirt build-up.

The top rollers can be scraped clean with a flat piece of metal such as a small standard screwdriver.

Next, you should clean your track cells on the track assembly. Located on the lower track of all System 200, 200A, 500, or 500-E acceptors, you will find 4 or 5 of these track cells depending on the age of your equipment. These should be carefully brushed or blown clean every 3 or 4 months depending on usage. The glass-covered sensor located in the middle of the lower track assembly should be wiped clean with a clean damp cloth.

The upper track dome (located over the top of the reference clip) should be brushed or blown clean every 3 or 4 months. If you do not have the enhanced CPU board, your unit utilizes a reference clip which may need to be replaced if discolored.

System 600-FST and System 600-EF acceptors use 4 track cells, which are located on the upper track assembly. These should be brushed or blown clean every 3 or 4 months depending on usage. The System 600 acceptor models have glass covered sensors on both the upper and lower track assemblies. These also should be wiped clean with a clean damp cloth every 3 or 4 months depending on usage.

An Out of Service condition with an “ERROR A”, and when you reset the machine – a coin drops — is often related to a hopper drive board failure. Upon reset, the hopper drive board incorrectly activates the hopper motor causing coins to be dispensed. The note acceptor identifies this as an incorrect dispense and turns off the hopper motor power source and displays an Error message on the keyboard indicating which hopper has failed (in this case Hopper A). This hopper drive board can be purchased from Standard Change-Makers and can be easily installed on location.

The TAMPER ERROR indicates that an attempt to remove the bill through the bill path backwards has occurred. This can indicate either a custtomer inadvertently trying to pull their bill out, or a more serious stringing attempt. Check your audits and verify that the DOLLARS IN count match what the audit says you should have in your stacker.

A bill acceptor that requires maintenance can also cause the TAMPER error. First, follow the instructions under the topic “How should I clean my Bill Acceptor?” on this page.

If you still have problems, check your acceptance rate. A poor acceptance rate leads to multiple bill rejections, which may in turn cause bill jams resulting in a Tamper error. Follow the instructions under the topic “How do I calibrate my Bill Acceptor?” to increase your bill acceptance rate

We are sorry, but the System 500 and System 600 Separating Stackers are no longer available. Due to the age of the technology, we are no longer able to secure many of the components used to manufacture these devices. Our Service Dept. is limited on what can be repaired and replaced. We suggest talking to a Service Technician before you send a Stacker device back to the factory for repair.

System 600 Bill Stackers are simple, motorized devices that simply pushes the bill into the bill box. In the case of a two or three box stacker, we add the movement of side-to-side for separation of bills. It is the side to side movement that requires a little cleaning to avoid stacker “down-time”.

Every six months remove the bill stacker from its mount and clean. Remove all dust, dirt and bill debris using canned air (no lubricant is required). On two and three box stackers, remove the stacker bill box by removing the six phillips head screws that secure it to the stacker housing. Using a clean rag, clean the two “guide bars” that allow the stacker to move the bills to the second or third compartment.

Alignment Guides will help guide you through realignment if stacker bill jams become frequent issues. These guides can be found in the System 600 General Maintenance Guide. 

For any additional questions, please refer to the System 600 Owner’s Manual (found in our “Manuals” section) or contact our Service Dept.

Sorry – the System 600-EF is no longer available. Our Service Dept. has an upgrade kit available that will allow you to replace your older System 500, 500-E, System 600-FST or 600-EF bill acceptor unit with the newer, faster CPi (Mars) T6 Talos bill validator. It’s called the SC-Conversion Kit!

The kit includes everything you need to swap out the bill acceptors, including Installation Instructions. Contact our Service Dept. for more information and pricing.