WashCard Equipment Inspection
As a first step, unpack all WashCard equipment and visually inspect to ensure there are no damaged or missing components. Each shipping carton will arrive with an attached list of contents.
If there are any questions or concerns regarding the equipment, please contact WashCard Technical Support immediately at: 888-439-5740 x:200.
Location Criteria for Backroom Equipment
The next major task will be choosing a location for the WashCard Site Management Center and the UPS Battery Backup unit. The eventual position of these devices should take into consideration the following:
- Elevated and protected area to avoid damage in case of pipe or hose failures
- At least 10 feet from high voltage motors, power supplies and other similar equipment
- Locked area to avoid undesirable, potentially damaging Site Management Center access
- Close proximity to 120 VAC wall outlet
- Close proximity to the high speed internet connection on location
Detailed Power Requirements for WashCard Hardware
WashCard Terminal Controller - AC or DC Option
- 24 Volts AC - Pulled directly from equipment timer
- 24 Volts DC - Customer supplied power supply or transformer
WashCard Site Management Center
- 120 volts AC - Standard Outlet Protected by Battery Backup UPS
WashCard Card Dispensing and Recharging Station (Optional)
- 120 volts AC - Standard Outlet
Required Cable Specification
IMPORTANT: The network cable used for the WashCard device network, and how that cable is run, are the most critical decisions made during the initial stages of installation. DO NOT USE CAT5 CABLE. The WashCard device network communicates using the 485 specification. The cable required for this communication is: 22 AWG, 4 wire, twisted pair, shielded cable. If you cannot find a local source for this cable, contact the sales department at WashCard Systems. They can provide a quote and the required length (to the nearest 500 ft) can be drop shipped to your location. Cable matching the specification below must be pulled to each device controller before reliable function of the WashCard System can be guaranteed.
Figure 1: Network Cable Details
*A – Capacitance between conductors
*B – Capacitance between one conductor and other conductors connected to shield
Color Code Chart
Network Cable Run Criteria
- Do not share high voltage conduit
- Cross High Voltage Cabling at 90 degrees
- At least 6 feet between high voltage and network cable on parallel runs
Cable Run Options
One Final Option: Combination Runs
You do not need to commit to a particular wiring style. Many wash locations have a combination of home runs and daisychain runs throughout a location.
Recessed Wall Mount
Many installers bolt the terminal box enclosure directly to the side of the meter box and have both flush mounted in the wall.
Equipment Mounted
For cases in which cutting into the wall is not possible or too costly, the terminal box enclosure can be mounted to the side of an existing meter box.
Separated Wall Mount
At some locations, the meter box is recessed in the wall and due to financial or logistical circumstances the WashCard terminal box enclosure cannot be flush mounted. Anchor the terminal box enclosure to the wall and run a 1/2 inch conduit between the two boxes for 24 volt power and timer control wiring. The network cabling can be routed to the WashCard terminal box via any protected route available. Most often this is through the flush mounted meter box and down the conduit with the power and timer control wiring.
Vacuum Mounting Options
Mounting the WashCard terminal box enclosure to a vacuum unit is very straight forward. For round vacuum units, the enclosure is most often mounted to the side of the coin box. For square-sided vacuum units, the enclosure is generally bolted to the side of the vacuum and the hose-hanger is then directly mounted to the WashCard enclosure. This keeps the vacuum hose clear of the credit card reader and LCD display.
WashCard Device Controllers
WashCard Device Controllers may be installed in WashCard stainless steel boxes or directly in meter box face plates by a Certified Integrated Partner. Regardless of which box type is at your location the magnetic stripe card reader, display, heater plate and stop button (if equipped) will be pre-wired into the Device Controller as pictured in Figure 4. This leaves only minimal wiring requirements for the on-site installer:
- 24v Power to the Device Controller - 2 Conductor 22AWG
- Coin or Latch Cable From the Device Controller to the Meter Box Timer - 2 Conductor 22AWG
- Network Cable to the Device Controller from the Site Management Center - See cable specification in Figure 1
WashCard Site Mangement Center
Installation Summary
Questions not withstanding, the following steps should be completed before calling WashCard Technical Support for assistance with final programming of the Device Controllers and final configuration of the Site Management Center at your location:
- Device Controller, reader, heater plate, display and stop button (if equipped) installed at each bay, vacuum, vendor, etc.
- 24v power connected to each Device Controller
- Device Controller output relay connected to the timer at each bay, vacuum, etc
Uncommon equipment will require a call to the manufacturer of the timer to determine integration options for external card payment systems
- Network cable pulled via either home run or daisy chain from each Device Controller back to the Site Management Center
The network cables should be connected to the Device Controller only
The network cables should NOT be connected to the Site Management Center at this time
- Site Management Center powered up and connected to the internet