Fitting a dual coin meter

McGettigan · Feb 15, 2020

Hi I am new to this forum and just have a quick question. I have a domestic washing machine and a domestic separate tumble dryer both new in a new rewired house. The house has been converted into a hmo and now want to install a coin metered machine to the machines. There is a company that does a dual one (they wont provide any electrical wiring advice), I was taking a spur from an existing ring main (32A) protected by an RCD at the board. My question is, whats the best way to do this? Is it possible? Will it trip if both washer and dryer on at the same time? Any advice would be great as I have asked a few electricians and all answers different. Thanks

Pete999 · Feb 15, 2020

McGettigan said:
Hi I am new to this forum and just have a quick question. I have a domestic washing machine and a domestic separate tumble dryer both new in a new rewired house. The house has been converted into a hmo and now want to install a coin metered machine to the machines. There is a company that does a dual one (they wont provide any electrical wiring advice), I was taking a spur from an existing ring main (32A) protected by an RCD at the board. My question is, whats the best way to do this? Is it possible? Will it trip if both washer and dryer on at the same time? Any advice would be great as I have asked a few electricians and all answers different. Thanks

The 13 Amp fuse in the Fused spur may blow when both machines are running at the same time.

freddo · Feb 16, 2020

Pete999 said:
The 13 Amp fuse in the Fused spur may blow when both machines are running at the same time.

It probably won't blow but the fuse will get very hot and burn out the fuse holder.

Pete999 · Feb 16, 2020

freddo said:
It probably won't blow but the fuse will get very hot and burn out the fuse holder.

So in a word " Dangerous" I did say "May blow" freddo!

ferg · Feb 16, 2020

Aside from the safety issues that could be overcome with proper design and installation, a coin meter would only work on KWH usage so would either cut out part way through a cycle or leave an excess in the meter for the next user.

Probably not great for the machines or the tenants.

freddo · Feb 16, 2020

We fitted coin operated machines in a small block of flats, the coin meter was linked to the door interlocks of a standard washing machine and tumble dryer, but I forget the mode of operation.

McGettigan · Feb 19, 2020

Pete999 said:
The 13 Amp fuse in the Fused spur may blow when both machines are running at the same time.

Hi thanks for the reply. Another company have now suggested a switched 5A fused spur for single coin machines. so one for the washing machine and one for the tumble dryer. Ive attached the instruction's. That's what I read it as. The spurs will be from an existing 32A ring main as I said. Protected by RCD. Think these will be ok? Again thanks for all of your responses.

ruston · Feb 19, 2020

If it is a busy house , eg ,students you will be sick of having to come and empty that meter. You may have to defeat the enterprising types of it bypassing it too.
You may be better to fit purpose made commercial coin operated machines.