Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

System 500 & System 600 Bill Acceptor Questions

NOTE: System 500 and System 600 Bill Acceptors are considered obsolete, although many remain in service today. Standard Change-Makers can still provide limited support for these acceptors; however, units with board-level failures can no longer be repaired because the electronic components and technology are outdated and no longer available. If you are having issues with one of these validators, please consider the SC-Conversion Kit as a possible solution.

How do I find the software version on my Standard bill acceptor?

The easiest way to find the software version on a Standard Change-Makers’ System 500 or 600 bill acceptor is through the keypad or hand-held data terminal. On a keypad, press 1-0-0, and the software version will appear on the display. With a hand-held data terminal, press F2 (Diagnostics), F3 (Version), then F1 (Changer). Press F5 three times when finished to return the machine to service.

You can also find the version printed on the memory chip inside the acceptor. Be sure to note whether the version ends in “I” or “P,” which identifies the Intel or Pentium chipset.

How can I tell which Standard bill acceptor I have?

Look for the model identification on the bill acceptor itself.

Older Model 25A acceptors used a push-in bill tray.
System 200/200A acceptors were commonly used in SC5 and SC5T machines.
System 500 acceptors have “System 500” printed on the black end cap, while System 500-E acceptors have a blue “System 500E” label.
System 600-FST acceptors have a red “System 600FST” label, and System 600-EF acceptors have a white label with a U.S., Canadian, or Mexican flag marked “System 600EF.”

Why is my System 500/600 bill acceptor rejecting so many bills?

Poor bill acceptance is often caused by dirt, calibration, security settings, or a power problem. Clean the bill path, rollers, and sensors regularly (with a clean dry cloth) and run the Automatic Calibration Routine.

If acceptance is still poor, check the machine’s error history for “Watch-dog” or “Pwr Fault” errors that could indicate a power problem. You should also check the bill acceptor’s security settings.

OEM acceptors (Coinco, Pyramid or CPi/Mars) generally have HIGH/LOW settings. The System 500/500-E and 600-FST/600-EF acceptors use settings from 0–9.

How do I calibrate my Standard bill acceptor?

First, identify your bill acceptor model from the serial tag, then follow the calibration instructions for that specific acceptor in our Calibration section.

System 200, 200A, 500, 500-E, 600-FST, and 600-EF acceptors all use the same date-coded calibration card. Keep your calibration card clean and dry, and never calibrate a bill acceptor with a dirty calibration card!

How do I clean my Standard bill acceptor?

Start by inspecting and cleaning the drive rollers with a clean, damp cloth to remove ink and dirt buildup.

Depending on usage, drive rollers typically need replacement every 5–7 years.

Track cells and glass-covered sensors should be carefully brushed, blown clean, or wiped with a clean damp cloth every 3–4 months.

System 600-FST and 600-EF acceptors have sensors on both the upper and lower track assemblies, so both areas should be cleaned regularly.

Why does my change machine show “ERROR A” and go out of service?

If your machine displays “ERROR A” and a coin drops when you reset the machine, the problem is often a hopper drive board failure. The board may incorrectly activate the hopper motor during reset, causing the bill acceptor to detect an improper dispense.

It then shuts off hopper power and identifies the affected hopper—in this case: Hopper A. A replacement hopper drive board is available from Standard Change-Makers’ Parts Dept. and can normally be installed on location.

Why does my change machine show a “TAMPER ERROR”?

A TAMPER ERROR means the bill acceptor detected an attempt to move a bill backward through the bill path.

This can happen when a customer tries to pull a bill back out, during a stringing attempt, or because the acceptor needs maintenance.

Check your audits to make sure the DOLLARS IN count matches the money in the stacker, then clean the bill acceptor and check its acceptance rate.

Frequent bill rejections or jams can also trigger a Tamper Error, so calibration may be necessary.

What maintenance does my System 500 or System 600 bill stacker need?

Clean the bill stacker approximately every six months by removing it from its mount and blowing out dust, dirt and bill debris with canned air; no lubricant is required. On two- and three-box separating stackers, clean the guide bars that allow the stacker to move between compartments. Frequent bill jams may indicate that the stacker needs realignment.

Please note that System 500 and System 600 Separating Stackers are no longer available, and replacement parts are very limited, so contact Standard’s Service Department before sending an older stacker in for repair.

Can I replace my old System 500 or System 600 bill acceptor with a newer bill validator?

Yes. The System 600-EF is no longer available, but Standard offers the SC-Conversion Kit for replacing older System 500, 500-E, 600-FST, and 600-EF acceptors with a newer OEM bill validator, such as the CPi (Mars) Talos.

The kit includes the components and instructions needed to make the conversion while allowing you to continue using your existing SC Series coin hoppers.

What is the SC-Conversion Kit, and do I need one for my older change machine?

The SC-Conversion Kit allows owners of older Standard change machines using System 500, 500-E, 600-FST, or 600-EF technology to upgrade to a newer OEM bill validator without replacing the entire change machine.

The kit includes the SC-Conversion Controller with an LCD display and connections for a bill acceptor, coin acceptor and up to four coin hoppers. It provides programming, diagnostics, and auditing similar to the older keypad or data terminal while allowing you to continue using your existing SC Series coin hoppers.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Separating Stackers cannot be used with the SC-Conversion Kit.

Modular Series Change Machine Questions

Which bill acceptors are used in Standard MC, BX and BCX change machines?

Standard has used several OEM bill acceptors in its Modular Series over the years.

Current U.S. MC Series machines are equipped with the Coinco Vantage bill acceptor, while all BX and BCX Bill Exchangers use CPi (Mars) Talos Series acceptors. Older machines may also contain Pyramid APEX 5400 & 7400 Series, Coinco Vantage, MEI AE2600 Series, Coinco Mag50, Coinco BillPro Series, or CashCode SM or ST Series acceptors.

Because these validators are manufactured by outside bill acceptor manufacturers, Standard does not control their internal software or firmware.

Why did my change machine shut down after accepting several bills?

Your machine may have activated the Fast Vend Shut-Off security feature.

Fast Vend allows you to limit how many bills of a particular denomination can be accepted within a specified period. For example, the default setting for $20 bills is five bills within 15 minutes. If that limit is reached, the machine temporarily shuts down to help reduce potential losses from counterfeit bills or stringing attempts.

The number of bills and time period can be adjusted to better match your business traffic.

What does the EF+ Module do on my Standard change machine?

The EF+ Expanded Function Module adds programming, diagnostics, auditing, and remote notification capabilities to Modular Series change machines.

Its LCD display provides access to configuration settings, stored diagnostic information, and audit reports. When connected to your network through the Ethernet port, the EF+ can send alerts for certain out-of-service or alarm conditions, send scheduled audit reports, and notify you when a hopper reaches a programmed low-coin level.

The EF+ Module is also required when communicating with SCM Connect – Remote Access Portal. SCM Connect allows owners to see real-time status, event reports, usage, and audit reporting. It also allows owners to reset the machine from anywhere using a phone, tablet, or computer, and remotely dispense coins.

What does “Make Best Change” mean on my Standard change machine?

“Make Best Change” is the software function that determines how the machine completes a vend using the available coin denominations.

For example, if a machine has both $1 coins and quarters dispensers, it can be programmed to dispense a certain number of $1 coins first and then use quarters to complete the remaining value. If one hopper becomes empty or unavailable, Make Best Change can use the other available denomination to complete the vend whenever possible. This helps keep the machine operating even when one dispensing source is unavailable.

Why is my Out-Of-Service (OOS) light on Solid, and the machine will not take a bill?

When the machine is Out-of-Service (OOS), we disable the bill acceptor so that it will not accept any more bills.

The first thing to look for is a flash code error on the coin/token hoppers. You can refer to the FLASH CODE error table found on a white sticker inside every Standard Change-Makers machine. The table is also found in the Modular Series Owner’s Manual (Section 6.2) for more troubleshooting help.

Why is my Out-of-Service (OOS) light Blinking, and the machine will not take a bill?

A flashing Out-of-Service (OOS) light indicates a hopper sold-out condition.

Add enough coins/tokens to cover the metal low-level sensor(s) above the black funnel inside the hopper (K5000 versions), or the circular metal sensor on the black funnel (Classic MC hoppers). If this is a bill dispensing machine, fill the cassette up more than half-full, and press the red Reset button on the bill dispenser relay control module.

Why isn’t my change machine dispensing coins?

If your change machine accepts a bill but does not dispense coins, there are several possible causes.

The first thing to check is the Hopper Error Flash Code. This code is indicated by the number of flashes from the yellow LED on the Hopper Control Board. The flash code helps identify where to begin troubleshooting and can indicate whether the problem involves the bill acceptor, a communication cable, power to the hopper, the Hopper Control Board, or a mechanical issue within the hopper.

Why is my OEM bill acceptor rejecting so many bills?

Dirty sensors can cause bill rejection. Clean the bill path and clean the sensors and belts with a Q-tip, or clean, soft cloth.

Also, check with the bill acceptor manual for manufacturer-specific error codes and troubleshooting information. Worn bills can also cause rejections as part of the validation algorithm.

Is there a service/support manual that explains error codes?

Yes. Go to the SUPPORT tab on our website and select OWNER’S MANUALS from the pull-down menu. Under Modular (MC Series) Manuals, select the MC SERIES PARTS AND SERVICE MANUAL.

This manual explains the Hopper Flash Codes and EF+ Module Error Codes, what each code means, and the troubleshooting steps to help identify the source of the problem. It is a good place to start before contacting Service and is also a helpful reference to have available while speaking with a Service Technician.

What should I check before calling for Service?

Before calling for service, check the Error Code on the Hopper Control Board in simple-function machines or the error shown on the EF+ Module LCD display.

These codes provide the starting point for troubleshooting and help the Service Technician identify the likely source of the problem. Whenever possible, contact Service while you are at the machine so the technician can ask questions about what you see, guide you through troubleshooting steps, and more quickly determine the cause of the issue.