How To: Install a CCI Access Point for Wireless LaundryCard

1 Overview
2 Requirements
- 2.1 Tools
3 Preparation
4 CAP Mounting and Installation
- 4.1 Adding a CAP in Wifi Setup
- 4.2 Mounting the CAP
- 4.3 Connecting the CAP
  - 4.3.1 Using the PoE Injector
  - 4.3.2 Using the C-0527 Wireless Control Head
- 4.4 Connecting Multiple CAPs
5 Support-Specific Notes
6 Related

Overview

This guide will provide detailed instructions on how to physically install a C-4491 CCI Access Point, or “CAP”, in a LaundryCard location, whether for new or existing setups where any number of Wireless LaundryCard readers will be used.

This covers the physical portion of installing a CAP. For configuring the CAP in the LaundryCard software, please view the following document: https://cardconceptsinc.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/LCV9/pages/7113820.

Requirements

Legacy Firewalls (hEX Lite and older devices) are not compatible with Wireless LaundryCard.

C-4311-V2 Mikrotik hAP ax³ LaundryCard Router Firewall (LCRF) for X-Changer use.
C-4491 Mikrotik cAP XL Wireless Access Point preconfigured by CCI.
- CAPs are interchangeable between LaundryCard and FasCard, sharing the same base configuration until connected to either an X-Changer or a SAT and auto-configure for the correct mode.
- The C-4491 comes with a passive Power over Ethernet (PoE) injector.
C-0181 100' Cat5e Cable
- 100' is the suggested maximum cable length for SAT and CAP use. Latency/bandwidth issues may become a factor if connecting cable is over 100'.
(Optional) Magnetic Mounts for the CAP.

Tools

Phillips Screwdriver
(Optional) Power Drill or Impact Driver
(Optional) Any additional mounting hardware at the discretion of the installer.

Preparation

When setting up a system, there are numerous tasks that need to be carried out during this process. While these tasks can be performed at any stage of the setup, we recommend preparing the system ahead of time, if possible.

Confirm the X-Changers have the latest LCRF installed and have full access to the internet.
- You can test this by opening the Microsoft Edge browser and attempting to access any website.
Ensure that the X-Changers have the latest LaundryCard version (LaundryCard v9.2.3 or newer) installed.
Add all CAPs in https://cardconceptsinc.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/LCV9/pages/7113820 that will be mounted and installed.
Ensure that ALL wireless-specific equipment types have been added and assigned their corresponding machine numbers to their respective wireless readers.

CAP Mounting and Installation

DO NOT DISCONNECT POWER OR INTERNET FROM THE CAP FOR AT LEAST 15~ MINUTES ONCE POWERED AND CONNECTED TO THE INTERNET. The CAP will initiate its configuration download the moment the device is powered and internet is available and cannot be interrupted.

Adding a CAP in Wifi Setup

If not set up already, the CAP information to the X-Changers needs to be added in Wifi Setup. This is required so when the CAP is fully installed and powered the X-Changer will recognize and configure the CAP for broadcast.

Mounting the CAP

When installing a LCRFs and CAP(s) at a location keep in mind that nearly every building, facility, layout, store configuration, etc. may be dramatically different from one another. The following is our recommended set of steps compatible for the greater majority of locations. Any changes made in-person are at the discretion of the installer and/or any authorized personnel on-site.

Identify and locate any ideal mounting areas where the CAP can optimally perform the following:
1. Broadcast a wireless signal in an open area with little-to-no interference.
2. Reach a wide range of readers in the same open area. Ceilings/tiles, centered bulkheads or pillars are good mounting examples.
  1. As CAPs can be mounted in various locations, it is recommended to choose a space where as many wireless readers will receive the CAP’s broadcast as possible.
When the right place is chosen, carefully feed any necessary cabling (e.g. a 100' 22-24AWG Cat5e/Cat6 ethernet cable) that will connect to the 'PoE out' port of the PoE adapter and the 'ETH 1 PoE in' port in the CAP, securing any cabling so as to not have hanging or draping cables.
1. If a new CAP Install Kit was provided, the appropriate cables and PoE adapter should be included and utilized.
Mount and wire the included mounting plate to the selected location in one of the following methods*, using the C-0181 100' Cat5e ethernet cable to connect to the Ether 1 PoE port in the CAP:

If the C-5712 Magnetic Mounting Strap Assembly comes preassembled, you can skip the first two (2) assembly steps of these instructions.

Using the Mikrotik CAP mounting plate, screw the plate onto the mounting strap using two (2) C-1078 mounting screws.
Turning the strap and mounting plate over, secure the three (3) C-5707 magnets down onto the opposite side of the strap using three (3) C-1076 screws.
With the Mikrotik CAP mounting plate side of the strap face down, place the strap and plate onto the mountable side of the CAP and slide to click into place.
Connect the appropriate ETH1 cable to the CAP and set onto the chosen metal mounting surface, ensuring the necessary cabling to connect to the CAP is accessible (e.g. tiled ceiling with metal tile grid, metal bulkhead, etc.).
^{(CAP placement using C-5712 magnetic mounting solution. EXAMPLE)}

Connecting the CAP

When connecting the CAP for Power and Data, CCI provides two available options:

The Mikrotik Power over Ethernet (PoE) Injector, offering passive PoE using an ethernet port on the network switch and a separate power cable.
The C-0527 Wireless Control Head, providing power and data using one or two ethernet ports on the network switch and a direct PoE out line to the CAP units.
- New wireless systems will come with a C-0527 Wireless Control Head installed and mounted in the X-Changer by default.
- The Wireless Control Head option allows for two CAPs per POE section to be daisy chained using both ETH1 and ETH2 ports on the CAP.

^{(Location of ETH 1 (PoE in) port underneath the CAP, for reference.)}

Using the PoE Injector

Connect the C-0181 100' Cat5e ethernet cable out from the ETH 1 port on the CAP into the 'PoE out' port of included PoE adapter.

^{(Gigabit PoE adapter included with every cAP XL)}

Connect the ethernet cable from the data end of the PoE adapter into any numbered port in either X-Changer’s Network Switch.
^{(PoE connections reference)}
Connect the power barrel connecter to the included PoE power adapter.
Plug in the power adapter. The light on the PoE adapter will illuminate when the adapter is on. Once plugged in and powered, do not unplug power or data from the CAP.

Using the C-0527 Wireless Control Head

^{(C-0527 Wireless Control Head, full view of front panel.)}

^{(C-0527 Wireless Control Head Connections Reference)}

Connect an ethernet cable from any port on the X-Changer Network Switch into the POE # In port chosen (between POE 1 In and POE 2 In).
Connect the C-0181 100' Cat5e ethernet cable out from the ETH 1 port on the CAP into the POE # Out port chosen, staying in the same cluster with the cable plugged into its adjacent POE In port.

Connecting Multiple CAPs

When a location uses more than one CAP, two ways that multiple CAPs can be connected in a LaundryCard System:

Connect one CAP per POE In/Out port series on a Wireless Control Head.
Connect one CAP to a single POE In/Out port series, then connect a second CAP to the first CAP in a daisy-chain.

Once the appropriate CAP(s) are added, mounted and powered on/connected, you can check whether CAP(s) are online from the Wireless Card Reader/Line Status section of the Store Status page.

On first power-on, with all connections confirmed, the CAP may take up to 15 minutes to setup and configure and cannot be interrupted.