During Phase Three of training the CrowBox dispenses individual training coins from the coin magazine, which is the square stovepipe that sticks up from the top of the CrowBox. The operator (you!) must keep this magazine stocked with a supply of coins.
The CrowBox is designed to accept a very wide variety of deposited coins but there are some specific requirements for the training coins that you will load into the coin magazine. This page will help you figure out which coin(s) from your local currency you should use as training coins.
If you wish, you can read more about Phase Three of training here.
Before we get into recommending specific coins, let's talk in general about the size of coin that should properly load into and feed out of the coin magazine.
Chose a coin with a diameter between 22mm and 25mm
The coin magazine can accept coins with a maximum diameter of 25.75mm (1.01 inches). Coins larger than this won't fit into the coin magazine at all,
Coins with a diameter of less than 22mm will shift around inside the magazine and can go on to cause feed problems or jams.
Chose a coin with a thickness between 1.5mm and 2.5mm
The coin magazine's dispensing slot is 2.54 millimeters (.1 inches) tall. To feed properly, a coin should be between 1.5mm and 2.5mm thick. (0.59 to 0.9 inches)
If training coins are thinner than 1.5mm, it's possible for the machine to accidentally dispense more than one coin at a time. It's also possible that coins that are too thin may cause coin jams.
Coins thicker than 2.5mm will not dispense at all, and will definitely cause jams.
Chose a metal coin that conducts electricity.
Training coins must conduct electricity to be detected by the CrowBox's coin sensor! Any metal coin should be conductive enough to work properly with the sensor.
Any metal coin that fits the coin magazine parameters described above should feed properly. The weight of the coin should not matter.
IMPORTANT NOTE: The coins in this section have not yet been tested in a CrowBox! According to the specifications listed on Wikipedia, these coins should work properly. If you have the opportunity to test the coins listed here please let us know how they work by posting on the CrowBox Google group. Thanks!
The ten-cent coin should work as a CrowBox training coin.
Wikipedia: Australian Ten-Cent Coin
IMPORTANT NOTE: The coins in this section have not yet been tested in a CrowBox! According to the specifications listed on Wikipedia, these coins should work properly. If you have the opportunity to test the coins listed here please let us know how they work by posting on the CrowBox Google group. Thanks!
Wikipedia: 50 Euro Cent
Users who have tried Euro coins in the Crowbox report that the 50 Euro Cent coin works very well with the Crowbox.
Wikipedia: 20 Euro Cent
Users have reported less success with the 20 Euro Cent coin, reporting occassional problems with these coins feeding properly from the coin magazine. The 50 Euro Cent coin is recommended over the 20 Euro Cent coin.
IMPORTANT NOTE: The coins in this section have not yet been tested in a CrowBox! According to the specifications listed on Wikipedia, these coins should work properly. If you have the opportunity to test the coins listed here please let us know how they work by posting on the CrowBox Google group. Thanks!
The five and ten shekel coins should work as training coins but since these coins have relatively high worth, you may not want to use them as training coins since some will probably be lost during the training process.
We are looking into a way to get the half-shekel coin to work as a training coin.
Wikipedia: Israeli New Shekel
IMPORTANT NOTE: The coins in this section have not yet been tested in a CrowBox! According to the specifications listed on Wikipedia, these coins should work properly. If you have the opportunity to test the coins listed here please let us know how they work by posting on the CrowBox Google group. Thanks!
The Ten Pence (10p) coin should work as a CrowBox training coin.
Wikipedia: Ten Pence
The US Quarter has been extensively tested in the CrowBox and works very well.
Wikipedia: US Quarter