Hamilton credit card acceptor problem – Again

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My Hamilton credit card acceptor (ACW entry unit) quit working again and I had to call Hamilton service at 1-800-837-5561.  They are really good at trouble shooting the problem but I did not like the fact it was broken.  I had to call my friend again, Randy Nix of Eagle Car Wash, to see if the acceptor is under warranty.

Hamilton credit card acceptor problem

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I just realized that my credit card acceptor has not been working for around a week so I checked it out with a voltmeter.  The meter was telling me that the credit card reader was dead.  So I called Hamilton to help me troubleshoot the problem.  First problem was they could not dial into my entry system (acw-5).  So I tried to post a report by hitting F2, F2, Y on the handheld.  That is why the handheld (first picture) had the “LAST POST **ERRORR**” message, this means that the entry unit can not dial out.  The problem ended up being a punch down that broke (second picture).

Then I called Hamilton back again and they trouble shot the credit card acceptor again and declared it dead.  It is still under warranty so Randy Nix at Eagle Car Wash fixed me up and they are going to send me a replacement.  I really appreciate Randy; he is a great Hamilton Distributor and guy.  He even calls back and handles problems for you!

Hamilton credit card acceptor problem – Update

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To get the Hamilton credit card acceptor out of the unit there are 4 bolts that hold it into the acw-5.  Unbolt them and the credit card acceptor comes right out.  Then remove 2 screws and the acceptor comes off the holder.  I then mounted the new acceptor and reversed the process, tested my credit card and everything worked great!  Now I can accept credit cards with my acw-5.

Hamilton credit card download procedure

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Hamilton credit card download procedure is lots of fun and you get to use the $411 handheld.  But Hamilton charges you $100 everytime you change your credit card information.

Basically, a Hamilton tech dials into your entry unit and you mash buttons on your handheld.  It counts to 5, dials back to Hamilton?  Then they restart the credit card computer.  Your name comes up on the handheld and you are done.  Now you check the credit card reader.

Hamilton credit card acceptor problem

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So after the download procedure I noticed that my credit card acceptor was not working.  It seems very easy to trouble shoot on the acw-5.  There are 2 plugs (second picture) on the back of the reader the second plug (red and black wire) should be 5 V DC.  While the top plug (yellow and brown) should be 5 or 8 V DC, of course it was ZERO V DC.  So I need to purchase a new credit card acceptor because Hamilton does not repair the acceptors anymore.  They cost $320 from Hamilton, but I called my buddy Randy Nix at Eagle Car Wash and he treated me right.