A reliable car wash change machine is an invaluable piece of equipment for many operators – particularly in the self-serve market. There’s a lot of talk about going cashless in the industry, and while that is absolutely a worthwhile conversation to have, cash is still very important for car washes. That means car wash facilities need change machines and bill breakers so customers can get the correct bills and coins they need. If your business strategy still involves cash, there are some top brands you should be familiar with to choose the right units for your car wash.
Why is it Important to Buy a High-Quality Change Machines?
It’s always tempting to take a gamble on cheap equipment when facing the initial price tag of quality products. Especially in the car wash environment, this is almost never a smart decision in the long term. This is a very relevant point when it comes to change machines. There are a number of important aspects that top change machine brands offer that you won’t find on second-rate machines.
Heavy Duty Cabinets
Top change machine manufacturers house their units in tough heavy gauge steel cabinets. These cabinets offer an increased level of security from theft and durability in cases of vandalism. Plus, they protect the inner components from the elements and the harsh car wash environment.
Resilient Locks
Quality change machines feature locks that offer another important layer of security and effectively restrict access from thieves. Inferior machines may not even have locks. If they do, they’re likely made with poor quality materials. That means they can be easily broken and damaged, leading to the change machine being quickly compromised.
Reliable Validators
The best change machines have bill validators that facilitate smooth transactions and rarely fail. This is crucial for car washes, especially ones that aren’t constantly attended like many self-serves. They offer virtually foolproof measures against challenges like counterfeit bill acceptance and stringing.
Denomination Options
Top change machine manufacturers understand that car washes may have needs beyond what standard, base model machines can offer. By offering different denomination options and change making solutions, you can get exactly what you need for the payment needs at your car wash. Plus, top manufacturers will be able to offer support and guidance that you won’t get if you buy from a no-name brand. In the event that you need to accept different bills, a quality machine can often be adapted or updated, so you don’t have to deal with the cost and hassle of buying a completely new one.
Replacement Parts
Similarly, top brands usually offer OEM parts to service and repair their machines. Built in a more modular fashion than inferior products, you’ll get many more years of service from a quality machine that can be quickly back to full functionality with simple replacement of wear parts. These parts are readily available form reliable suppliers like Kleen-Rite. Plus, the manufacturer will provide support that you simply won’t get if you go with a generic, off-brand change machine.
Important Change Machine Specifications
Bill Changer vs Bill Breaker
A bill changer accepts bills and distributes coins. A bill breaker accepts large bills and distributes smaller bills.
Denomination and Currency
Pay attention to the denominations that the included bill validator accepts. For most owners, you want an ample number of options so customers can exchange pretty much any bill they have. Of course, you may want to limit the types of bills you have to deal with for banking purposes. Also, you may not want the largest denomination bills stored in your machine and vulnerable to theft. You’ll also need to take note of what bills, coins, or tokens are disbursed so your customer gets what they need to operate your equipment. Of course, you want to make sure your machine deals with the currency you need for your location.
Hoppers
These hold the coins that are eventually disbursed. When looking at specs, observe both the capacity of each hopper and the number of hoppers included with the machine. If you frequently check your machine, or are a fairly low volume facility, you may not need large hoppers or multiple hoppers. Conversely, if you are extremely high volume and/or don’t have time to check machines regularly, large capacity hoppers and even multiple hoppers may be the optimal choice for you.
Stackers
These hold the bills that are inserted into your machine. When stackers are full, the machine will no longer be able to make change. Similar to hoppers, it’s important to have the appropriate stacker capacity and number of stackers.
Rear Load vs Front Load
This is a pretty simple concept, but something you absolutely need to be aware of. Rear vs front determines where you access the unit for repairs as well as removing large bills and restocking smaller bills and coins. If your machine is in front of or installed inside a solid wall, you’ll probably want a front load model so you can access it without having to pull it off, or out of, the wall. Rear loads can be used if the machine is on a pedestal or other spot where the back can be easily accessed. Many owners choose a rear load machine and install it in a hole in the wall that leads to an equipment room or closet. This restricts unwanted thieve and vandal access from the front while still being easily accessed by you or your employees.
Top Car Wash Change Machine Brands
So, that leads us to the brands that Kleen-Rite trusts and recommends to our customers. We have worked with these manufacturers for decades and have complete trust in the change machines they offer. For each brand, we’ve listed some of their most popular models for car washes, but we encourage you to browse all of their options to find what works for you.
- American Changer – AC1001, AC1005, AC2005, AC2221, AC2225
- Rowe – BC-1400, BC-1600, BC-2800, BC-3200
- Standard Change-Makers – MC100, MC300, MC400, MC500, BX1010, BX1020, BX1030, BX1040
- Triad – TC400, TC500
- Hamilton – ER-60, DRS, RNS, 1200, 2000V, 3600
Kleen-Rite is your reliable supplier for the absolute best change machines available for car washes. Plus, we carry a vast selection of replacement parts to service your machines!
