Which American Changer Is Right for You: AC1000 vs AC2000 vs AC2221

From the E&D Trading technical team: this guide covers Which American Changer Is Right for You: AC1000 vs AC2000 vs AC2221. E&D Trading has supplied bill acceptors and parts to the amusement and vending industry for 30 years — call 877-922-6707 if you need help choosing the right part.

American Changer builds its bill changers in families. Once you understand how the model numbers are organized, picking the right machine gets much easier. This guide compares three of the most requested starting points. The AC1000 series has a single hopper. The AC2000 series adds a second hopper. The AC2221 is a rear-load machine with two hoppers and two validators. All specs below come from our current product listings.

Quick comparison

Model	Loading	Validators	Hoppers	Stacker	Coin capacity (per listing)
AC1000	Front	None (no validator)	1	–	2,700 quarters/tokens or 1,800 $1 coins (optional)
AC1001	Front	1 ($1–$20)	1	500 notes	2,700 quarters/tokens or 1,800 $1 coins (optional)
AC2000	Front	None (no validator)	2	–	2,600 quarters/tokens per hopper (5,200 total) or 2,200 $1 coins per hopper
AC2001	Front	1 ($1–$20)	2	1,000 notes	2,600 per hopper (5,200 total) or 2,200 $1 coins per hopper
AC2221	Rear	2 ($1–$20)	2	1,000 notes	2,600 quarters per hopper (5,200 total) or 2,200 $1 coins per hopper

AC1000 series: one hopper, small footprint

The AC1000 family is the single-hopper front-load line. The cabinet measures 8½ in wide, 26 in high and 13 in deep, narrow enough for a gap between washers or beside a counter. The base AC1000 is listed with no validator. That suits operators who want to install their own bill acceptor. The AC1001 adds a validator for $1, $5, $10 and $20 bills with a 500-note stacker. The AC1002 is a high-security version in a 10.5 in wide cabinet. If you service from behind a wall, the AC1005 is the rear-load option.

Choose the AC1000 series if you dispense one coin or token type, your volume is moderate and wall space is tight.

AC2000 series: two hoppers, double the coins

The AC2000 family keeps front loading but adds a second hopper. You can dispense one or two denominations, for example quarters and tokens, or simply carry twice as many quarters. Each hopper holds 2,600 quarters or tokens (5,200 total) or 2,200 $1 coins. The cabinet is 13½ in wide and weighs 91 lb.

Like the AC1000, the base AC2000 is listed with no validator. The AC2001 adds a validator and a 1,000-note stacker. The AC2002 adds a high-security cabinet, dual validators and a 1,700-note stacker. The AC2005 is the rear-load version.

Choose the AC2000 series if you run out of coins on a single-hopper changer, or you want to sell tokens and give change from one machine.

AC2221: rear load, dual validators

The AC2221 combines a dual cabinet, two hoppers and two validators in a rear-load design. Customers see only a 21 in by 30 in stainless steel faceplate, and you fill and empty the machine from a secure room behind the wall. Both validators accept $1 to $20 bills into a 1,000-note stacker. Each hopper holds 2,600 quarters (5,200 total) or 2,200 $1 coins. The cabinet is 17¼ in wide, 26 in high and 13 in deep and weighs 116 lb.

Choose the AC2221 if you have a back room or equipment corridor, want to keep cash out of the customer area, and want a second validator so customers can still get change when one validator is busy or out of service. For even more coin capacity, see the AC2225. Each of its hoppers holds 5,600 quarters.

Three questions to settle before you order

1. Front or rear load? Rear-load machines need a wall opening sized for the faceplate. Front-load machines just need floor or wall space in the customer area.
2. How many coin types? One denomination points to the AC1000 series. Two denominations, or more capacity, point to the AC2000 series or the AC2221.
3. Validator included or not? The AC1000 and AC2000 are listed without a validator. Pick a model with a validator (AC1001, AC2001, AC2221 and others) unless you plan to supply your own.

Compare every model, including floor models, bill breakers and token dispensers, on our American Changer change machines page. Browse add-ons in American Changer options & accessories. BillAcceptors.us is an authorized American Changer distributor, and change machines ship with free freight to US addresses. Not sure which model fits your site? Call us at 877-922-6707.

Need help? Call E&D Trading at 877-922-6707 or email orders@endtrading.com. Most parts mentioned here ship from our Hollywood, FL warehouse.