Mars/MEI bill validators have a very useful naming construct to ensure you get the right unit for your machine. They typical look like this: VN2512 U5
The first two letters are the type of validator use:
VN – vending
AE – amusement
The first number simply stands for the 2000 series validator.
The second number tells you both Validator type and the currency accepted:
4 – Amusement – Accepts $1 - $5
5 – Vending – Accepts $1 - $5
6 – Amusement – Accepts $1 - $20
7 – Vending – Accepts $1 - $20
8 – Amusement – Accepts $1 - $100
The third number tells you the type of mask that is fitted onto the validator:
0 – VFM style, also called a Snack mask
1 – Compact bezel
2 – Flat bezel
3 – Downstacker bezel
4 – Armored bezel
5 – Fitted bezel
6 – Side swipe credit card bezel, not for API
8 – Compact downstack bezel
9 – Front swipe credit card bezel
The fourth number tells you the voltage
1 – 110 volts
2 – 24 volts
The next letter tells you the configuration of the bill magazine
U – Upstack
D – Downstack
The number after the U or D is the capacity of the bill magazine
2 – 200
3 – 300
5 – 500
7 – 700
10 – 1000
The last letter (not always shown on the sticker) is the communication style of the unit and tells you the style of harness needed
E – Electric pulse
M - MDB
So for example, if you have a VN 2512 U5, you would have a 24 volt vending style validator that accepts $1-$5 bills with a compact mask and a 500 bill capacity upstacking magazine. Simple, right?!
One last thing to mention is the term Flash Port and Non-Flash Port. These terms are used for the 2400 and 2500 series units and reference the unit's ability to be reprogrammed to accept newly designed bills, in this case the 2008 release of the new $5 bill. Non-Flash Port models are unable to be easily updated to accept these bills, so these units are effectively only able to accept $1 bills. Flash Port models were capable of updating and can accept both $1 and $5.
We’re always here to help so feel free to reach out with any questions so we can ensure you get the right validator for your machine!