Rowe BC-3500 User manual

Rowe BC3500 Control Board Update Kit
These instructions cover the installation procedures required to install the new control board assembly and Mars bill
validator in a Rowe BC3500 dollar bill changer. Installation, programming procedures and troubleshooting
information is included. The information contained in this manual is intended for experienced personnel familiar
with the operation of these components.
All of our kits are designed to be easy to install. The installation procedures should be reviewed prior to installing a
kit. The listing below is a recommendation of tools that will be required for the various kits.
Tools required
Long handle ¼” nut driver
Long handle 5/16” nut driver
Long handle 11/32” nut driver
Small tip straight blade screwdriver
Pliers
Kit Components
The kit contains the following parts:
Control board assembly on a sheet metal plate – harnesses attached
Metal slide plate with narrow slot and flange to secure a standard compact mask
Installation Instructions titled Rowe BC3500 Control Board Update Kit
Four of 11/32” keps nuts
Additional Required Items Not Included With Kit
Working Mars validator – Model AE2411/AE2451, VN2511, or AE2611
Dollar bills to test the validator and verify operation of the kit
For Technical Assistance Please Call Capital Vending, Inc. @
1-800-814-7756 9AM-4:30PM EST
www.capitalvending.com

Changer Control Board Update Installation Overview
The Rowe dollar bill changer control board update kits are designed for simple installation and programming. It is
not necessary to cut any wiring, as all harnessing will plug into the changers existing harnesses and assemblies.
This kit replaces the changers existing control board, power supply, and BA50 transport. The count sensors,
hoppers, and hopper motors are reused.
The board is capable of processing $1, $2, $5, $10, and $20 bills. The validator determines the bill denominations
actually accepted.
It is important to follow these procedures for a trouble free installation:
1. Review the Theory of operation.
2. Review the Programming Instructions and Troubleshooting Tips.
3. Begin the conversion.
Theory of Operation for Changer Control Board Update
It is assumed that the hoppers are filled, the dip switches are set correctly, and the validator is accepting bills
properly.
Dollar Acceptance
Upon accepting a bill, the validator pulses the board once per dollar value. ($5 equals five pulses, $20 equals twenty
pulses) Once the board receives pulses, relay K1 opens preventing additional bills and coins from being accepted.
The progress/empty bulb on the changer’s door will light to signal change making is underway. The payout begins
with the right hopper, then the center, and finally the left hopper. The amount of coins dispensed for each dollar
value pulse received is determined by the dip switches in banks R, C, and L. As each hopper is energized, an LED
on the control board lights to verify proper operation. Coins are paid out directly from the hoppers, thus the
escrow buckets are not needed. Once the payout sequence is complete, the meter will register one pulse for each
dollar value received. Relay K1 will be energized enabling the acceptance of bills and coins.
Shut Down Modes
The control board shuts down when a malfunction is detected or when a hopper is low. The cause of the
malfunction is indicated by the status LED on the board. Once the problem has been corrected, pressing the reset
button restores the board to normal operation. The status LED codes are listed in the troubleshooting section of
these instructions.
Low Coin Levels
Coins are paid out directly from the hoppers; eliminating the need for the escrow buckets. A “low coins screw”
can be installed as a part of the update. It is used to disable the validator when the coin level in a hopper is low.
The part is generally not required as the bill box of the MEI validator will be filled before the hoppers empty. This
assumes hoppers are filled to near capacity.
.

Programming Instructions for Control Board Update
Power to the board must be off anytime the dip switches are changed or the new settings will not be registered.
Programming Dollar Payout and Dollar Coin Payout
The board is capable of making change for up to a $100 dollar bill. The dollar bill validator determines the notes
accepted. Upon acceptance of a good note, the validator pulses the board once for each dollar value accepted. A
$1 dollar bill will pulse the board once. A ten-dollar bill pulse the board 10 times. Once the board receives these
pulses, it will begin making change.
Program the board by selecting the number of coins you wish to dispense from each hopper for each dollar pulse.
The amount of coins to be dispensed from each hopper is programmed by setting the switches on the six small dip
switch banks. The upper banks labeled DIP L, DIP C and DIP R are used to program the amount of coins to be
dispensed when a $1 bill is inserted. If a $2 bill is inserted twice the amount of coins is dispensed.
The lower three sets of 5-position dip switch bands are used to determine the amount of quarters to be dispensed
when a $5 bill is inserted. When a $10 is inserted twice the amount programmed is dispensed. A $20 bill will
dispense four times the amount.
When the board arrives it will be set to dispense four coins per dollar value inserted. It will also be in “hopper
swapper mode; switch #10 ON in bank.
Programming Instructions for Control Board Update
Coin Payout and Permitted Overpay
Dip switch bank #1 is used to program the payout for a non-dollar value coin and permitted overpay. Switches 1-5
designate the amount of coins that must be inserted before coin(s) from the left hopper are dispensed. Dip
switches 6-8 designate the amount of coins that will be dispensed. Dip switches 11 and 12 control the permitted
overpay feature. This feature would be used to reduce possible service calls if the clutch mechanism of a hopper
motor was failing. If the motor was not stopping immediately upon feeding coins and occasionally overpaid a coin
this feature would be used until the motor was replaced. With both switches 11 and 12 “On”, up to three coins can
be overpaid before the board shuts down. ON
1. 1 coin to start
2. 2 coins to start
3. 4 coins to start
4. 8 coins to start
5. 16 coins to start
6. 1 coin dispensed
7. 2 coins dispensed
8. 4 coins dispensed
9. Future option – custom programming available
10. Future option – custom programming available
11. 1 coin overpaid total for shutdown
12. 2 coins overpaid total for shutdown
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___
___
___
___
___
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
}
Coins In
}
Coins Out
}
Future Use
}
Slippage

Switch values are multiplicative. Typically, switches 1, 6 and 8 are on to dispense 5 nickels for a quarter.
Bonus Feature
Dip switch bank #2 controls the bonus coin payout typically used by game rooms to give bonus tokens for larger
notes. These switches are multiplicative representing the amount of bonus coins given when the switches are in the
“On” position. Switches 1 and 2 are for $2.00 bills – 3, 4, and 5 are for $5.00 bills – 6, 7, and 8 are for $10.00 bills –
and 9, 10, 11 and 12 for $20.00 bills.
Switch values are multiplicative. The switches should all be “Off” for normal, non-token currency change making
operation.
Troubleshooting Tips for Control Board
Status LED
The board’s status LED is used to indicate common failures. When the board is operating properly, the status LED
will be lit steadily. In addition to the LED flashing to indicate a problem, the empty indicator bulb on the exterior
of the changer will also flash the same codes. Once the board detects a problem, the failure must be corrected, and
then the reset button pressed.
1 blink – Hopper is empty
2 blinks – Time-out feature; the maximum allowed time of twenty seconds between coin counts was exceeded
3 blinks – coin(s) over paid
4 blinks – a bulb used in the count circuitry is burned out or was covered too long
+5V LED
The supply of +5vdc is confirmed by the red LED labeled +5v.
Reset Button
The reset button must be pressed any time the changer has shut down. On three hopper models, a reset button is
located on the service panel as well as the control board.
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___
___
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___
1. 1 bonus coin
2. 2 bonus coins
3. 1 bonus coin
4. 2 bonus coins
5. 4 bonus coins
6. 1 bonus coin
7. 2 bonus coins
8. 4 bonus coins
9. 1 bonus coin
10. 2 bonus coins
11. 4 bonus coins
12. 8 bonus coins
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
}
$2.00 Bonus
}
$5.00 Bonus
}
$20.00 Bonus
}
$10.00 Bonus

Test Buttons
The board’s test buttons are used to simulate the payouts for dollar and coin acceptance. When a test button is
depressed, the board pays out according to the dip switch settings. To simulate the payout for a $10 dollar bill, test
button “$” would be pressed ten times in rapid succession. To simulate the payout for the coin value test button
“coin” is pressed. On three hopper models, the test buttons are located on the service panel as well as the control
board. If the “$” test button is pressed for an impossible value, such as 9 or 11, no payout will be made. The reset
button must be pressed before attempting additional tests.
Time Out Protection
The board has a built in “Time-out” feature that shuts the board down in the event that a coin count is not sensed
for twenty seconds. This feature offers extra protection against jackpotting.
Troubleshooting Tips for Switching Power Supply
The LED on the switching power supply indicates AC power is supplied and that the unit’s internal fuse is good.
The +5vdc supplies power for the board’s logic, incandescent count sensor bulbs and empty lamp. The +12vdc
powers the optional alarm and supplies power if a 12 vdc validator is installed.
BC3500 Control Board Installation Instructions
The following instructions are for the conversion of a Rowe BC3500 changer with known good hopper motors,
count sensors, and red LED emitters. The meter in the Power Control Center Assembly is also reused.
1. Remove the three hoppers from changer.
2. Depress the bucket test switches so the coins in the Coin Dispenser Assembly are released from the escrow
buckets.
3. Unplug power cord from the wall outlet.
4. Remove the bill transport by unplugging the connector on the right hand side and sliding it forward and out of
the tracks.
5. Remove the bill boxes from the stacker assembly.
6. Remove the stacker assembly by unscrewing the two ¼” screws. It may be necessary to hold the nuts under the
assembly with a pair of pliers. Unscrew the two ¼” screws that secure the bottom of the stacker assembly to
the cabinet. Disconnect the harness from the upper rear right hand side and pull the stacker assembly forward
out of the changer. Replace the two screws and nuts on the track rails.
7. Unscrew the two 3/8” bolts that secure the Coin Dispenser Assembly (6-50275-10) and tilt unit forward. Slide
assembly to the left and forward so it is no longer resting on the side pivot rods. Reach to the back of the
assembly and unplug the wiring harness.
8. Remove the Coin Dispenser Assembly and set the unit on a workbench for modification of the bucket
assembly.

Coin Dispenser Assembly Bucket Modifications
Modification Overview
Modification of the assembly involves removing the bucket solenoid. Because the upgrade kit does not hold any
coins in escrow, the flap connected to the bucket solenoid is removed.
Flap Removal Instructions
There are three black rods on the bucket assembly. Remove the e-clip on either side of the assembly from each of
the two rods that have e-clips on the outside of the assembly. Push the rods in the direction of the remaining e-clip.
The springs and spacers will fall out. The two shafts, springs, and spacers are no longer needed.
In order to remove the plunger arm and flap assembly, the lower rear black shaft needs to be removed temporarily.
Remove one of the e-clips (inside of assembly), and slide the black rod in the direction of the e-clip that was not
removed. The flap/plunger arm will fall out. Slide the rod back into place and secure the e-clip.
The modification is complete.
Rowe BC3500 Control Board Installation Instructions
BC3500 – Removal of the Changer’s Original Wiring Harnesses
1. Open the lower compartment of the changer.
2. The control board is located at the upper left-hand side of the lower compartment. Unplug all five of the wiring
harness bundles from the board and let them dangle.
3. Remove the Control Board Assembly by unscrewing the two 5/16” hex screws from the left side of the metal
plate that secures the control board assembly to the changer. The new Control Board Assembly is secured
identically in a later step.
4. Unplug all four of the connectors from the back of the Power Control Center Assembly (65042606).
5. Slide the two terminals off of the “Out of Service” bulb. Feed the harness towards the main power junction
box.
6. Unplug the 9-position connector from the Coin Acceptor Assembly.
7. Feed all of the harnesses in the upper compartment towards the rectangular harness junction box.
8. Remove the cover of the power junction box; four ¼” hex screws.
9. Remove the three 5/16” hex bolts used to mount the harness box to the rear wall of the changer.
10. Remove the harness junction box and all of the harnessing from the changer.
Mount the new Control Board Assembly
1. The new Control Board Assembly is mounted using the same two holes on the left hand side of the cabinet
originally used by the metal board mounting panel. Use two of the 5/16” screws originally used to secure the
metal board panel. The wiring harnesses connected to the Control Board Assembly should remain attached.
Mount the Mars Validator to the Slide Plate
1. The Mars validator you will be installing must have a compact mask and operate on 120vac, thus models
VN2511, AE2411, and AE2611 can be used. Remove the compact mask from the validator.

2. Secure the validator to the metal slide plate. The four 11-32 nuts are supplied in the Mars validator
shipping box. The {Note - the 12” harness that is attached to the Mars validator in the factory box in not
required with this kit.}
Routing of New Wiring Harnesses and Reassembly
Route and connect the wiring harnesses from the new Control Board Assembly as follows:
1. The harness from board Conn 9 BCHARNBC3500CA connects to the Coin Acceptor Assembly. Route the
harness up through the hole into the main cabinet, along the bottom, and then through the right partition wall.
Plug the harness into the connector of the Coin Acceptor Assembly.
2. The harness from board header Conn 1 connects to the bill validator. Route the harness identically to that of
the Coin Acceptor Assembly. Slide the new validator assembly into place and connect the harness. The
assembly slides down the tracks that originally held the BA50 transport. Ample harness slack must be available
as the validator assembly is slid forward to release the bill box.
3. The harness from board headers Conn 5 and Conn 7, BCHARNBC3500PCCA connects to the Power Control
Center Assembly; it is used for the reset and test payout buttons. Route the harness up through the hole into
the main cabinet and connect the harness to the 15 and 6 position harness connector of the Power Control
Center Assembly. The 12-position connector on the far right is not used.
4. The harness from board header Conn 4 connects to the “Out of Service” lamp. Route the harness identically to
the harness that was removed in step #5 above.
5. The main power harness for the new Control Board Assembly, BCHARNBC3500POWER connects to the
harness from the power input box. Route the harness through the hole into the main cabinet. Plug the new
harness into the three terminal connector.
6. The header Conn 8 will have a bypass connector attached to it. In a later step, a “Low Coins Screw” may be
installed. Route the harness through the hole and then along the lower left wall towards the front of the
changer. The harness runs between the Service Panel and the left wall of the changer. The two terminals will
alter be connected to the hoppers.
7. Using the tie straps and mounts, neatly bundle all of the loose harnessing.
8. The harness from the board header Conn 3, BCHARNBC3500CDA connects to the Coin Dispenser Assembly.
Route the harness to the upper compartment of the changer. Install the Coin Dispenser Assembly. Connect
the harness to the printed circuit board to the Coin Dispenser Assembly. Tilt the assembly back and secure it to
the cabinet mounting braces using two 3/8” bolts.
9. See attached revisions sheet for updates and installing the optional low coins screw.
Final Preparations
At this point, all of the procedures that are unique to the changer model have been completed.
1. Plug power cord into the outlet.
2. Turn the power switch on the control board to the “ON” position.
3. Power is now restored to the changer. Confirm that all of the 3 LEDs behind the hoppers are lit. At this time,
the empty bulb on the door of the changer and the diagnostic LED on the control board will be blinking.
4. Fill all of the hoppers so they are 1/3 of the way full.
5. Press the reset button on the control board. The status LED on the control board will now be lit steadily.
6. Press the “$” input button once; four coins should be dispensed.
7. If the changer model has a coin acceptor, press the “coins” test button once. A single coin should be dispensed
from the left hopper.
8. Insert a $1 bill into the bill acceptor to confirm proper operation. Continue testing with all the denominations
the validator is programmed to accept.
9. If the changer has a coin acceptor, test with coins.

10. If everything is working perfectly, unplug/turn off changer and program to your specific requirements.
11. You are finished.
Service Notes
Pressing the “$” button emulates pulses from the validator. It can be pressed once, twice, 5, 10, 20, 50 or 100
times. The button must be pressed in quick succession. If the button is pressed five times and the payout is
correct, but a $5 bill does not work, the problem is with the validator.

Image 1
Image 3
Image 2
BC 1200/1400 Coin Payout Modification
Image 4
Image 5
Image 6

Image 1
Image 3
Image 2
Rowe BCxx00 Transport Modification

Left
Center
Right
Dip 1
Dip 2
1 = 1
2 = 2
3 = 4
4 = 8
1 = 1
2 = 2
3 = 4
4 = 8
5 = 16
1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 5
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
4
4
4
$1 = 4 Quarters right hopper
$5 = 4 Quarters right hopper
4$ Coins center hopper
= 2x
= 4x
Left hopper not used
= 4 Quarters
Dollar Coin & Quarter

Left
Center
Right
Dip 1
Dip 2
1 = 1
2 = 2
3 = 4
4 = 8
1 = 1
2 = 2
3 = 4
4 = 8
5 = 16
1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 5
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
4
20
Left & Center Hopper not used
$ = 4 Quarters from
right hopper
$ = 20 Quarters from
right hopper
$1 = 2x
$2 = 4x

Left
Center
Right
Dip 1
Dip 2
1 = 1
2 = 2
3 = 4
4 = 8
1 = 1
2 = 2
3 = 4
4 = 8
5 = 16
1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 5
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
2 coins from
each hopper
Left Hopper not used
= 2 Quarters left hopper
2 Quarters right hopper
= 10 Quarters left hopper
10 Quarters right hopper
= 2x payout
= 4x payout
10 coins from
each hopper

Left
Center
Right
Dip 1
Dip 2
1 = 1
2= 2
3 = 4
4 = 8
1 = 1
2 = 2
3 = 4
4 = 8
5 = 16
1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 5
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
4 Coins - Quarters or Tokens
20 Coins - Quarters or Tokens
Hopper
Swapper Mode
Hopper Swapper mode
-reset after filling
All hoppers filled with quarters
When right hopper empties,
advance to center hopper.
When center hopper empties,
advance to left hopper.

Left
Center
Right
Dip 1
Dip 2
1 = 1
2 = 2
3 = 4
4 = 8
1 = 1
2 = 2
3 = 4
4 = 8
5 = 16
1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 5
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
1
1
2
7
7
6
1 coin
accepted
1 coin dispensed
Quarter Token
Standard Setup - Quarters
All 3 Hoppers run at same time
Coin Acceptor takes one coin
and dispenses one coin.

Bullet Bulb for Rowe Changers
This custom part replaces the 755 incandescent count emitter bulb in Rowe dollar bill
changers. This part is installed in the coin dispenser assembly that is located behind the
hoppers. This new part offers the advantage of a considerably longer life and will not fail due
to vibrations. This is very important as Rowe changers shut down when the count emitter bulb
fails. This item easily pays for it self by eliminating service calls and unnecessary downtime.
The “Bullet Bulb” can be installed in a bill changer that originally used an incandescent lamp
BC2RC, SCC3, BC9, C10, BC11, BC115, BC12, BC12R, BC20, BC25, BC25MC, and BC35.
Part# NRBULLETBULB
For Rowe changer models BC100, BC150, BC200, BC1200, BC1400, BC2800, and BC3500.
Part # NRBULBxx00
Installation: On location installation time of 5 minutes or less.
Tools Required: Regular screwdriver, 3/8” socket or pliers to remove the 2bolts securing the
coin dispenser assembly.