Bill Acceptor Setup Guide for Claw Machines & Arcade Equipment

Bill Acceptor Setup Guide

This guide covers how to install, wire, and program a bill (banknote) acceptor on your claw crane machine or arcade equipment. Bill acceptors allow players to insert paper currency instead of coins, increasing convenience and revenue potential.

Note: Bill acceptors are available as an optional add-on for Hiclawcrane machines. Some models include a bill acceptor slot pre-wired from the factory — check your machine’s specification sheet to confirm.

What You Need

  • Bill acceptor unit (compatible with your machine’s control board)
  • Flathead and Phillips screwdrivers
  • Wire connectors
  • Sample banknotes for calibration

Step 1: Mount the Bill Acceptor

  1. Locate the bill acceptor opening on the front panel of your machine
  2. Insert the bill acceptor unit from inside the cabinet, aligning the bill entry slot with the panel opening
  3. Secure with the provided mounting bracket and screws
  4. Attach the cash box or bill stacker to the rear of the acceptor unit

Step 2: Wiring the Bill Acceptor

Most bill acceptors use a standard interface. Common wiring:

  • Red wire: +12V DC power
  • Black wire: Ground (GND)
  • Signal wires: Pulse output to control board (one pulse per credit)
  1. Connect power wires to the 12V supply on the control board or power supply
  2. Connect the signal/pulse wire to the bill input terminal on the PCB (labeled BILL or BN)
  3. If your bill acceptor uses a serial interface (RS-232 or MDB), connect according to the acceptor’s manual
  4. Verify all connections before powering on

Important: Always power off the machine before making wiring changes. Incorrect wiring may damage the bill acceptor or control board.

Step 3: Configure Currency Settings

Most programmable bill acceptors require configuration for your local currency:

  1. Power on the machine
  2. Access the bill acceptor’s DIP switch settings (located on the unit’s circuit board)
  3. Set the DIP switches according to the currency table in your bill acceptor’s manual (e.g., USD, GBP, EUR)
  4. Save settings and power cycle the machine

For software-configurable acceptors, use the operator menu on the control board to select accepted denominations.

Step 4: Set Credits per Bill

Configure how many credits each bill denomination grants:

  • Access the operator menu via the service button inside the cabinet
  • Navigate to Bill Settings or Credit Settings
  • Set credits per denomination (e.g., $1 = 1 play, $5 = 6 plays, $10 = 14 plays)
  • Save and exit

Step 5: Test the Bill Acceptor

  1. Insert a clean, uncreased banknote to verify acceptance
  2. Check that the correct number of credits registers on the display
  3. Test rejection of damaged or foreign currency
  4. Verify the bill stacker is collecting notes correctly

Troubleshooting

  • Bills consistently rejected: Clean the acceptor’s sensors with a soft cloth. Ensure notes are clean and uncreased.
  • No power to acceptor: Check 12V supply connection and fuse.
  • Credits not registering: Verify signal wire connection to the correct PCB terminal.
  • Bill stacker full: Empty the cash box regularly to prevent jams.
  • Acceptor accepting foreign currency: Reconfigure DIP switches or software settings for your local currency only.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which currencies does the bill acceptor support?

Hiclawcrane-compatible bill acceptors support most major currencies including USD, GBP, EUR, AUD, and many others. Currency support depends on the specific acceptor model — check the product specification for your unit.

Can the bill acceptor work alongside a coin acceptor?

Yes — most Hiclawcrane control boards support both a coin acceptor and a bill acceptor simultaneously. Both can be connected and configured independently.

How often should I empty the bill stacker?

For high-traffic locations, empty the bill stacker daily or when it reaches 80% capacity. A full stacker can cause jams and rejected bills.