Making an Arcade Change Machine

Hey folks – Chris here (@craynerd on YouTube)! I’ve just uploaded two new videos all about a fun little project I’ve been working on – an Arduino-based change machine using a commercial coin acceptor. If you’re into DIY electronics, Arduino, or just like watching coins get sorted and spat out in a satisfyingly nerdy way, you’ll enjoy this.

This all started when I got my hands on a proper programmable coin acceptor – the kind you find in vending machines or arcade cabinets. I wanted to see if I could wire it up to an Arduino and make my own change dispenser. Turns out – you can, and it’s a lot of fun to do!

Arduino Change Machine – Code & Electronics

In the first video, I walk through the electronics build: how the whole thing fits together, the wiring, how I connected the solenoids to dispense coins, and how the Arduino controls everything.

You’ll also get a good look at the Arduino code that makes it all work. It tracks coin input, decides what change to give back, and triggers the right solenoids to dispense the right coins. I go over all the logic behind the change calculation – so whether you’re just curious or want to build your own, this video has you covered.

Here is what  this video covers:

• Arduino change machine

• Coin dispenser with Arduino

• Arduino coin acceptor code

• Homemade change machine project

• DIY Arduino coin sorter

The second video dives deep into the coin acceptor itself. These commercial units are programmable – meaning you can teach them which coins to recognise, and which pulse signals to send to your microcontroller.

I’ll show you:

• How to program your own coin types

• What all the DIP switches do

• How the pulse system works (yes, it’s basically counting blinks!)

• How to calibrate and wire it up to your Arduino

If you’ve ever wanted to work with a multi-coin acceptor in your own Arduino project – whether it’s for a vending machine, token dispenser, or something else – this is the video for you.

This video covers:

• Programming a coin acceptor

• Arduino coin acceptor tutorial

• How to use a programmable coin acceptor

• Coin acceptor DIP switches explained

• Connecting a commercial coin acceptor to Arduino