Dollar-bill operated timer?

[Scale Hogger]

I'm working on a public model RR display. I'm looking for an adjustable timer that is activated by the insertion of a $1 dollar bill, which turns on 110-volt power to a standard power pack for X minutes.

I may not know what to call the item. I know they exist.

 Anybody know where to find such? Will appreciate any clues. I have contacted a major electrical supply company and have done a Google search.

[loathar]

http://www.thomasnet.com/products/timers-coin-operated-machine-85620805-1.html

Here's a list of coin operated timer manufacturers. I'd bet some of them make dollar bill versions too.

[BlueHillsCPR]

I can't find any bill operated timers...not sure if they exist as a standalone product or not.  You may have to use a bill validator and use it to trigger an electronic timer...?

 

[Scale Hogger]

Fantastic help! Way above and beyond. Many thanks!

[lvanhen]

You may be better off using a coin operated unit.  The bill reading electronics are going to be a lot more $ than coin operated.

[Courage8]

This is a shot in the dark, but you need to contact vending machine manufacturers or servicers.  The machine you need is probably a common component of commercial laundry machines, for example - the dollar bill reader and the timer may be seperate components (soda vending machines would have the dollar bill reader but not the timer, for example, but commercial laundry dryers would have both).  Good luck!

[MisterBeasley]

Consider the pricing of your "product."  My guess is, you'd make more money running the trains for a quarter than for a dollar.  Not X minutes, but maybe X/2 minutes.  Not everyone is going to pull out their wallet for this, but if you're just reaching for spare change, that's a different story.