How to Tell if a Vending Machine Is MDB-Enabled? Installation Guide
MDB-powered vending machines are among the most popular and desirable types of vending machines and for good reason. For one, they’re extremely easy to fix and replace.
They’re also the least expensive reader that uses credit cards.
The easiest way to tell if a vending machine is MDB is through the peripheral’s pin plug. If the peripheral (bill acceptor, card reader, coin mech, etc.) is connected with a six-pin plug, it’s MDB-enabled. If it’s connected with a nine-pin plug or more, it isn’t.
In this article, we’ll show you how to tell if a vending machine is MDB, along with the benefits of an MDB-powered vending machine.
RELATED READ: How to Open a Vending Machine Without a Key: A Step-by-Step Guide
What Is an MDB In a Vending Machine?
The Multi-Drop Bus (MDB), sometimes called Internal Communication Protocol (ICP), is a US-European connection technology used within the vending machine industry. It powers coin validators, banknote readers, and the like.
Currently, MDB is the open standard of the American National Automatic Merchandising Association (NAMA) and is supported by the European Vending Machine Manufacturers Association, alongside the European Vending Association (EVA).
The MDB protocol for vending machines dates back to at least the early 1990s and is still being used to this day. It’s actually extremely common due to the protocol standardization across multiple Vending machine manufacturers.
So while there have been newer technologies with other interfaces, a lot of vending machines still use the old but trusty MDB.
How to Tell if a Vending Machine Is MDB-Enabled?
The easiest way to tell if a vending machine is MDB enabled is by looking at the pin connector of the machine’s peripherals; i.e., bill acceptor, card reader, or coin mech.
If the peripheral’s control board is white, made of plastic, and comes with a six-pin plug, it’s MDB compatible. If the machine’s control board has nine or more pins and is made of different colors or construction, it isn’t MDB enabled.
Vending machines manufactured within the last decade are equipped with MDB technology. If you’ve purchased a refurbished vending machine from the year 2015 and below, it’s very likely it’s MDB enabled.
What are the Benefits of an MDB-Powered Vending Machine?
One of the first questions a buyer has when purchasing a vending machine is, “is it MDB-enabled?”
MDB is popular for a reason: it’s universal, easy to fix, and easy to replace. It also gives the vending machine the same type of “plug-and-play” capability as a keyboard or a computer.
Here are some of the biggest benefits of having an MDB-enabled machine:
- No technical ability is needed to replace broken parts, saving them the time and money required to hire a professional.
- Easy-to-source replacement parts
- Allow you to upgrade to new vending machine technologies such as sensors, remote monitoring, and CC/debit scanning.
- Simple and straightforward plug-and-play mechanism; no overly complicated wiring or circuit board.
- Works well with most machines
- Cheaper than newer peripheral boards such as VE Discover and inOne
Can You Install an MDB-Compatible Control Board to a Non-MDB Machine?
The best thing about MDB control boards is that they can be exchanged with other board types with little to no compatibility or harness issues.
Therefore, you can convert your non-MDB machine to an MDB machine by installing an after-market kit or an MDB conversion kit.
This kit will let you plug in a new coin mech/bill validator/card reader that can be read as easily and promptly as the machine’s existing logic control board.
Just make sure the wiring harness has the same voltage requirements to prevent electrical issues. You can easily test the voltage with a multimeter, which can be bought in any electrical store.
Can You Install an MDB Control Board in a “Single Price” Vending Machine With No Control Board?
Yes, it’s possible to convert a single-price vending machine with no control board to a multi-priced MDB machine. But in most cases, doing so isn’t cost-effective.
Single-price machines aren’t equipped with the technology required for MDB control boards. If you want to install an MDB mechanism in a non-MDB-compatible machine, you’ll have to change nearly everything inside it. You’ll also have to hire a professional as it isn’t going to be a plug-and-play job like multi-price machines.
Alongside the MDB protocol-enabled control board, the tech will have to install specific wiring harnesses inside the machine to power the MDB board. Such a job takes hours, if not days. It also takes a lot of money—it may sometimes even exceed the cost of the single-price vending machine.
Instead of turning a single-price machine into a multi-price MDB-enabled machine, it might be more cost-effective to buy a second-hand MDB-enabled machine.
How Much Does an MDB Converter Kit Cost?
MDB converter kits cost significantly less than “modern” MDB kits such as VE and inOne. In fact, it’s the least expensive kit that allows vending machines to take a credit card reader.
That said, MDB converter kits are still quite costly. They cost anywhere between $150 to $250 a piece, which can definitely add up if you have multiple vending machines to replace. You’ll also have to hire an experienced technician to install the device for you if you can’t do it yourself.
Still, MDB converter kits are way more cost-effective than purchasing a brand new vending machine—unless you’re lucky enough to find a fully functioning one for less than $150.
Plus, you can save a bit of cash by purchasing a refurbished MDB coin mechanism/bill reader from eBay and second-hand stores for less than $100.
Conclusion
MDB-controlled vending machines have a single six-pin plug on their bill acceptors, coin mechs, or CC/debit card readers. Vending machines with nine or more pin plugs aren’t MDB-enabled.
If you want to replace your current control board with an MDB control board, you can do so by purchasing an MDB converter kit online or in a specialized store.
MDB converters follow a plug-and-play mechanism so you can easily install the device yourself without the need for professional help.
