What kind of alarm for a washer coin mechanism?

[John Latter]

Hi,

I work in a family-run launderette and would appreciate any advice about what kind of alarms would be best for the washer & dryer coin mechanisms.

I'ld like to build the system/units myself but would also like info on any commercially available solutions.

Thanks,

[Dave Jones]

[John Latter]

Good question Dave - I should have been clearer!

I want to prevent unauthorised access to the coin mechanism (illegal key/attempts to force it open) rather than detect dud coins etc..

[nthng2snet]

I am assuming that your laundrette is unattended and therfor you need some detterent for attempted theft during the daytime from the coinboxes. I have a little experience in this and the simplest and most cost effective way is a bar accross the coinboxes. Its not asthetically pleasing , but effective, simple and faily economical. There are other individual coinbox security systems , yo might find some more information from NALI.Also try JLA. Ther was one guy who ran a laundrette called Wishy ( maybe Wishee) Washee developed a single point payment system. He was based iin Highgate N.London.

[Rob Morley]

I'd have thought the easiest approach would be to use tokens in the machines, and have one high security token vending machine firmly attached to a wall. Then you could use vibration sensors in the cabinet to detect attack, and several locks also with sensors.

[Marcus Fox]

First of all, as you're asking about alarm systems, I'm going to assume that there isn't going to be anyone there who will be able to see anyone breaking into the machines. I'd have thought the most effective deterrent would be at least two CCTV cameras covering each other and the machines in question. If you set it up to record digitally to DVD or a hard drive, you can record uninterrupted for a long time. It will also help prevent other sorts of damage and deter undesirables using the place to hang out.

Marcus

[John Latter]

Thanks Marcus, Rob & nthng2snet - you've given me some ideas & I'll try and find out about NALI & JLA (whoever they are!) on google.

Regards,

[nthng2snet]

NALI is the National Association of the Launderette Industry

JLA are machine and parts suppliers They might be able to point you inthe right direction.

[John Latter]

Thankyou nthng2snet :)

Jorolat

[Andrew Mawson]

to homeostasis) linking Stationary-Phase Mutations to the Baldwin Effect.

One system I saw illustrated at a NALI meeting was a simple hasp and cheap padlock, so arranged that when the lock was removed and the hasp swung out of the way, a back mounted microswitch was released sounding a VERY loud alarm in the shop. (The switches were all wired to one sounder)

The idea was that the locks were considered expendable, and any tealeaf worth his salt would just put a bar in the lock loop and break it easily without doing expensive damage to the panel work of the driers. The hasp covered up the normal lock on the coin vault which was the real security.

AWEM

(runner of 3 Launderettes !)

[John Latter]

Hi Andrew,

You've given me some food for thought - I had been thinking of either reed relays or microswitches at the back of the coin tube & hadn't considered a front 'deterrent' (one problem would be that the coin cylinders are pretty much flush to the front of the machines - still worth considering though!).

Regards,

[Andrew Mawson]

sounding

John,

It works better if they are flush ! The staple is mounted above the coin vault, the hasp below it, both on the machine panels rather than the box, so when locked the hasp crosses the box vertically. Microswitch is in a hole drilled into the hasp next to the hinge. When you unlock to empty, having switched off the alarm (!!!), the hasp hinges down out of the way below rather than flapping down from above and getting in the way. For IPSO & Primus machine though you have to go horizontally or 45 degrees to avoid the coin mech.

AWEM

ps I know your name from somewhere ???

[John Latter]

Hi Andrew,

Thanks very much for the explanation, I've got a much clearer idea of what you mean now (or rather, how it is done).

I'm only a duty slave in the launderette (ie I work part time) so I'll put your idea forward as an option. My boss, however, has pretty much recovered from a stroke but is still a bit unstable on her legs - she may not like the idea of having to undo two locks per machine.

I'm not back at work til thursday and at the moment I'm considering reed relays or microswitches at the back of the coin cylinders (gotta see how practical that is yet) connected to a 'slave' alarm panel which is in turn connected to the master alarm. The idea is we could have dryers on one zone (of the slave panel), ipsos on another, etc., etc..

I don't think I recognize your name, I grew up in Dover, was in the Royal Signals, worked for EMI in Hayes, and then came back to Dover where (sadly) I still am!

Thanks for your help :)