Dexter C-Series Washers - Reader Firmware & 2.2 Compatibility

Summary

As with all Multi Level Vend equipment, machine firmware is at the heart of what allows a feature-rich control panel to serve all the functions and nuances that a washer or dryer offers. Any changes and updates that a manufacturer may decide to implement onto newer equipment may also provide existing purchased equipment same or similar feature sets and, in some cases, enhancements to machine operation. Whether a change is impacting or not, systems like LaundryCard and FasCard take any newer updates into account and adapt to reach a well functioning point of compatibility and support.

Checking Dexter Machine Firmware

When first powering a Dexter machine, a series of version numbers will cycle on the control panel display. These numbers reflect Master (M), Secondary/Slave (S), and Communication (C) versions. 

Applying Updated Reader Firmware

When updating an existing Dexter equipment type, once machine firmware has been confirmed, the equipment setup requirements would also need to be met for 2.2 to have been officially applied.

This can be achieved either by adding new equipment types while using the same settings between previous and current setups, or applying the following to existing equipment types.

LaundryCard Equipment Setup

1. Using a Manager's Card or accessing Manager's Options remotely, navigate to System Setup → Equipment Setup.

2. Select the Dexter C-Series Washer equipment type in question.

3. Select the Setup button to the right of the Cycle Time (sec): entry field.

4. Depending on the Machine Firmware Level:

   • If Machine Firmware Level 1.4 through 1.7 is the current setting, select the 1.4-1.7 to 1.8 Upgrade dropdown choice and select the Save button on the top-right of the page.

     Open

     

     1. A Password Confirmation popup will appear, which CCI Technical Support would be able to assist.

        Open

        

   • Once 'Compatible with Machine Firmware Level 1.8' is the current setting, click the One Way Upgrade to Machine Firmware 2.2 Support checkbox and select the Save button on the top-right of the page.
     

5. Confirm the following two sections now display:

   1. "Compatible with Machine Firmware Level 2.2" should now be visible near the top of the page.

   2. "Bleach Prompt" checkbox should now be visible in the Plus Cycle Options section.

6. Select the Back button to navigate to the previous page.

7. In the Reader Firmware field, update the firmware file name to 8V010v1.21.01.dat and select the Save button on the top-right of the page.

   1. If a file error appears, a Manual Firmware File Sync will need to be performed and the setting saved again.

8. Restart WCRD.

FasCard Admin Site - Equipment Setup

Utilizing Dexter Firmware Level 2.2 compatibility can be achieved in one of two ways: updating an existing equipment type, or adding and reassigning a new equipment type.

Update Equipment Type - One-Way Upgrade to 2.2

1. Select the saved, exiting Dexter equipment type.

   1. Clone, rename, and saved the cloned firmware, if preferred, to maintain a copy of the old settings.

2. Click the Firmware dropdown and select 1.15.13 from the list of firmware versions.
   
   

3. Click Save.

4. Once saved, click the Firmware dropdown once more and select the latest listed firmware version available.
   
   

5. Click Save.

Add New Equipment Type - 2.2 Default

1. Select the existing equipment type and notate all settings, cycle times, and modifier choices.

2. Click on the Pricing link to the right of the firmware selection and notate the pricing table.

3. Change the Pricing dropdown to Features and notate the features table (if any).

4. Create a new Dexter C-Series Washer Extractor equipment type with an appropriate name to match.

5. Apply all of the same appropriate settings, pricing, and features tables, and save per page.

6. Click the Machines tab and select the appropriate machine numbers.

7. Reassign equipment types based on the newly created Dexter equipment names.

8. Click Save per updated machine number.

Two key differences are visible to confirm the equipment page has successfully updated:

• The Machine Firmware Level dropdown is no longer visible, confirming that 2.2-only compatibility is active.

• A 'Bleach Prompt' checkbox is now visible.

Additional supported features with updated Dexter reader firmware to coincide with Dexter Machine Firmware 2.2 protocol include:

• $0.00 (free) cycle support.

• C-Series Dual Washer Support for rare machine types (e.g. dual stack washer with two C-Series washer control boards).

• Clearing of escrow when 30 minute machine idle timeout is reached without any interactivity or starting of a machine.

• Improvements to detection when near the end of a full cycle (i.e. Final Rinse Spin) to report when a washer's cycle is "Almost Done..." on the reader.

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