Abstract: A data collection unit used with bulk vending machines by means of creating, monitoring, storing, and transmitting, in digital format, the frequency of the switching of electrical switches though the ratcheting mechanism of a bulk vending machine. The device provides more accurate counts of mechanism rotations which permit the determination of accurate coin collection, vending material distributed, and frequency of use. The data collected is stored and available for secure download and transmission without the necessity of intervening elements which can create deliberate or accidental data reporting errors. The device accurately counts the rotations of the coin mechanism in a bulk vending machine and stores the data in a secure manner so that the number of rotations and the corresponding coin collection counts cannot be easily manipulated.