Bay Timer Basic User Manual
Revision dated May 21, 2026
This manual covers installation reference, day-to-day operation, setup mode, configuration, troubleshooting, and service notes for the Bay Timer Basic timer. It is intended for owners, installers, technicians, and site operators who need to wire, configure, maintain, or service the timer in the field.
Chapter List
1. Introduction
The Bay Timer Basic is a bay timer designed for self-service wash and similar timed-load applications. It supports coin input, bill input, card-triggered operation, a timed load output, a horn output, and a built-in setup interface that can be reached from a phone, tablet, or laptop.
Configuration is handled through the onboard setup web server. When setup mode is enabled, the timer
creates its own access point so the installer or operator can connect directly and browse to
192.168.4.1.
2. Safety and Handling
- Disconnect power before wiring or moving conductors on the terminal strip.
- Only qualified personnel should install or service the timer.
- Verify site voltage, polarity, and mating equipment requirements before applying power.
- Protect the enclosure and the setup-button access hole from water intrusion, debris, and physical damage.
- Do not hold the setup button longer than necessary unless a factory reset is intended.
- Use only approved firmware files when performing updates.
3. Product Overview
Primary Functions
- Controls a 24V timed load output for a bay or similar device.
- Accepts coin, bill, and card-related input signals.
- Displays status, time, amount, and customer-facing messages on the front display.
- Provides horn warning and optional horn pulse feedback.
Setup and Service
- Built-in local setup web page served by the timer itself.
- On-device virtual preview of display behavior.
- Input simulation, LED test, horn test, timed-load test, and firmware update tools.
- Optional power-loss recovery and magnetic tamper detection.
4. Terminal Pinout and Hardware Reference
The Bay Timer Basic uses a single 8-pin screw terminal plug labeled 1 through 8.
| Pin | Label | Function | Typical Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 24V HOT | 24V hot feed/reference | Supply reference for connected field equipment as required by the site wiring plan. |
| 2 | 24V COM | 24V common | Common return/reference for the 24V field wiring. |
| 3 | 24V HOT TIMED LOAD | Switched timed-load output | Provides 24V hot when the timer is actively running the bay load. |
| 4 | 12V HORN + | Horn positive | Positive connection for the horn or audible notifier. |
| 5 | 12V HORN - | Horn negative | Negative connection for the horn or audible notifier. |
| 6 | 24V BILL INPUT | Bill signal input | Accepts bill pulse input used to add value/time. |
| 7 | 24V HOT COIN INPUT | Coin signal input | Accepts coin pulse input used to add value/time. |
| 8 | 24V COM CARD INPUT | Card-related input | Used with compatible card or transaction control signals according to the site wiring plan. |
Setup Button Access Hole
In addition to the terminal strip, the unit includes a small access hole for the setup button. This button is used to enter local setup mode and, if held long enough, to perform a factory reset. When setup mode is active, the display shows a single red pixel at the bottom center as an indicator.
5. How the Bay Timer Basic Operates
Count-Down Style Operation
In count-down operation, the timer collects value from coin pulses, bill pulses, and any compatible pulse-based transaction input. Once the configured start threshold is met, the timed-load output turns on and the display counts down the purchased time.
- The display can show remaining amount, remaining time, or alternate between both.
- An optional count-down message can appear at intervals while time is being used.
- If enabled, the horn can sound near the end of the cycle based on the warning-time setting.
- If restart is enabled, the customer may add more money within the restart window after time expires.
Count-Up / Card-Based Operation
In count-up operation, the timed load turns on while the transaction is active and the timer calculates the charge based on elapsed run time. A minimum card charge can be enforced. The display and message settings for verifying, approved, declined, and finished states can all be customized.
Timed Load Output
When the timer is actively running a bay, terminal pin 3 provides the timed 24V hot output. When the transaction is complete, the output turns off unless the timer is still inside an allowed restart window.
6. Entering User Setup Mode
Normal Entry
- Power the timer and wait at least 5 seconds after boot.
- Press the setup button through the access hole.
- A single red pixel at the bottom center of the display indicates that setup mode is active.
- The timer creates a Wi-Fi network named
POGO-Wash-XXXX, whereXXXXis based on the timer serial number. - Connect to that Wi-Fi network.
- Open a browser and go to
http://192.168.4.1.
On many phones and tablets, the captive portal may open automatically. If it does not, manually browse to
192.168.4.1.
Setup Session Timeout
If the setup server remains idle for about 5 minutes and there is no active transaction, the timer reboots and exits setup mode. Re-enter setup if more changes are needed.
Setup Button Timing
- Button input is ignored during the first 5 seconds after power-up.
- A normal press enters setup mode.
- Holding the button longer than 5 seconds begins the factory-reset hold sequence.
- Holding the button for 10 seconds performs a factory reset and reboots the timer.
7. Web Setup Menu Guide
7.1 Pricing and Payment
- Coin Value: Dollar value assigned to one coin pulse.
- Bill Value: Dollar value assigned to one bill pulse.
- Card Value: Dollar value used by compatible card pulse logic.
- Cost to Start: Minimum amount required before a count-down transaction starts.
- Minimum Card Charge: Minimum amount charged for a count-up card transaction.
7.2 Run Time Per Pulse
- Seconds Per Coin Pulse: Time added by one coin pulse.
- Seconds Per Bill Pulse: Time added by one bill pulse.
- Seconds Per Count-Up Pulse: Time-to-value scaling used for count-up charging calculations.
7.3 Restart and Recovery
- Allow Restart: Lets the customer add value after a count-down cycle expires.
- Seconds to Restart: Length of the restart window.
- Power Loss Detection: Saves count-down progress so the timer can recover after a power interruption.
- Magnetic Tamper Detection: When enabled, the timer can flag magnetic tampering.
7.4 General Display
- Display Brightness: Overall LED brightness.
- Display Color: Main text color.
- Colon and Decimal Color: Accent color used in time and money displays.
- Scroll Speed: How fast scrolling messages and transitions move.
7.5 Greeting Display
- Controls the appearance of the timer while idle.
- Supports static/animated price display and scrolling custom greeting text.
- Multiple greeting colors can be configured.
7.6 Partial Payment Display
- Inserted: Shows money inserted so far before start.
- Remaining: Shows how much more is needed before start.
- Partial Payment Color: Sets the display color used for partial-payment amount and prompt messages.
7.7 Count-Up Display
- Choose to display amount spent, time elapsed, or both.
- Count-Up Display Color: Sets the color used while the timer is actively showing count-up amount, time, and count-up scrolling message transitions.
- Set the repeating count-up message and how often it appears.
- Configure verifying-card and declined-card messages and colors.
7.8 Count-Down Display
- Choose to display amount remaining, time remaining, or both.
- Count-Down Display Color: Sets the color used while the timer is actively showing count-down amount, time, and count-down scrolling message transitions.
- Set the repeating count-down message and how often it appears.
7.9 Finished Messages
- Set separate end-of-transaction messages and colors for count-up and count-down operation.
7.10 Horn
- Horn Type: Pulse, constant, or off.
- Horn Warning Time: Remaining-time threshold before the horn is triggered.
- Horn Length: Duration of the warning horn.
- Horn On Pulse: Optional short horn confirmation when a coin pulse is received.
8. Installation and Startup Checklist
- Mount the timer securely in its intended enclosure or control location.
- Complete field wiring using the 8-pin terminal strip and site-approved wiring practices.
- Apply power and confirm the timer boots normally.
- Press the setup button and connect to the setup Wi-Fi network.
- Open
192.168.4.1and load the setup page. - Program pricing, run-time values, restart behavior, display settings, and horn settings.
- Use the virtual display preview to confirm customer-facing messaging.
- Use service tools to test LED output, horn output, timed load, and simulated inputs if needed.
- Save settings and reboot if required.
- Run a live test with the actual coin, bill, and card equipment before returning the bay to service.
9. Service Tools and Firmware Update
Built-In Service Tools
The setup page includes tools intended mainly for installers and technicians:
- Virtual Timer Display: Preview display behavior without needing a live transaction.
- LED Test: Verifies LED output and color behavior.
- Horn Test: Verifies the horn output.
- Timed Load Test: Confirms the switched load output can be driven.
- Input Simulation: Simulates coin, bill, and card input behavior for bench testing.
- Debug Tools: Reads internal debug output and device status data.
Firmware Update
- Enter setup mode and connect to the timer.
- Open the firmware update page in the setup interface.
- Select the approved firmware file supplied for the Bay Timer Basic.
- Start the upload and wait for completion.
- Allow the timer to reboot and apply the update.
10. Factory Reset
A factory reset restores timer settings to default values and reboots the unit.
- Wait until the timer has been powered for at least 5 seconds.
- Press and hold the setup button through the access hole.
- Continue holding after the reset countdown begins.
- At approximately 10 seconds of hold time, the timer performs the reset automatically.
- Re-enter setup mode and reconfigure the timer after reboot.
11. Troubleshooting
| Symptom | Likely Cause | Recommended Action |
|---|---|---|
| Setup page will not open | Not connected to the timer hotspot, setup timed out, or button pressed too early after boot | Wait 5 seconds after power-up, press the setup button again, confirm the red setup indicator pixel is lit at the bottom center of the display, connect to POGO-Wash-XXXX, and browse to 192.168.4.1. |
| Timed load never turns on | Start threshold not met, incorrect pulse/value settings, or load wiring issue | Verify pricing, seconds-per-pulse settings, and field wiring to pin 3. |
| Horn does not sound | Horn disabled, horn warning not reached, or horn wiring incorrect | Check horn type, warning time, horn length, and wiring on pins 4 and 5. |
| Timer exits setup unexpectedly | Setup idle timeout | Reconnect and re-enter setup. The timer reboots after about 5 minutes of inactivity when no transaction is active. |
| Timer resets settings unexpectedly | Setup button held too long | Review setup-button handling and avoid holding the button during normal entry unless reset is intended. |
| "Tampering Detected" message appears | Magnetic tamper input was triggered | Inspect the magnetic sensor area and surrounding hardware for interference or deliberate tampering. |
| Time is not restored after power loss | Power-loss recovery disabled or no recoverable transaction data saved | Enable power-loss detection in setup and confirm settings were saved. |
12. Support Notes
Record the timer serial number, site location, firmware version, and custom pricing/runtime settings during commissioning. This makes future support and replacement work much easier.
- Manufacturer: POGO Engineering LLC
- Model: Bay Timer Basic
- Local setup address:
192.168.4.1 - Setup hotspot prefix:
POGO-Wash-
Keep a copy of this manual with the site records, service paperwork, or inside the control-panel document packet.