Cav. 96Cvend light comes on without placing money in the machine.

[retrobob]

The large red circular vend light arbitrarily comes on and remains on without placing money in the machine.   Is this a common problem?  What causes this?  How can I fix it?   Thanks for the help!

[johnieG]

The "Have a Coke" light is controlled by the carrier switch, which is normally OFF when the vending solenoid is idle ( it hasn't been set/latched yet by the coinmech ) so either the carrier switch isn't working right, or there is a problem the linkage that toggles the carrier switch. all of which are at the bottom of the stack..

[retrobob]

The "Have a Coke" light is controlled by the carrier switch, which is normally OFF when the vending solenoid is idle ( it hasn't been set/latched yet by the coinmech ) so either the carrier switch isn't working right, or there is a problem the linkage that toggles the carrier switch. all of which are at the bottom of the stack..

John,

Thanks for your info.  However, (if you will please excuse me here), I am a complete novice at this sort of thing.  I can do most of the cosmetic stuff but am pretty dense when it comes to electrical things.  Is there an actual "switch" that has to be activated?  When you speak of the " bottom of the stack", what specifically are you talking about?  I can get the light to go off by pulling a bottle out of the machine without putting any change in it.  However, it seems that if I bump the machine, the light comes back on.  It does not do this all the time.  I suspect a connection problem someplace.  Any more information will be appreciated.  If you will pm me you phone number, I will give you a call at your convenience.  Once again, thanks for your help. 

[loman4ec]

The "Stack" means the bottle stack. This is where you pull the bottles out. down there is a solenoid and a micro switch. When the solenoid is engaged it allows a bottle to be puled out and at that time it also hits the switch to let the user know that it is ready to have a bottle pulled out. that is the switch that is having the problem. It may be bad or may need adjusted or cleaned.

[retrobob]

The "Stack" means the bottle stack. This is where you pull the bottles out. down there is a solenoid and a micro switch. When the solenoid is engaged it allows a bottle to be puled out and at that time it also hits the switch to let the user know that it is ready to have a bottle pulled out. that is the switch that is having the problem. It may be bad or may need adjusted or cleaned.

I will take another look.  Actually, I did see the solenoid.  I believe there are two wires connected to it?  How does one go about cleaning and adjusting.  Thanks for the help?

[loman4ec]

I am pretty sure the switch is the same for all cavalier slant shelf machines. SOmeone here may have an extra for you. if I had a spare stack I would give you one but I don't at this moment. At the rate I have been acquiring machines it won't be long though. Someone here will be able to help. JohnieG is the electrical guru so he may know where to get a replacement and what to ask for. I would guess Granger would have them.

[retrobob]

I am pretty sure the switch is the same for all cavalier slant shelf machines. SOmeone here may have an extra for you. if I had a spare stack I would give you one but I don't at this moment. At the rate I have been acquiring machines it won't be long though. Someone here will be able to help. JohnieG is the electrical guru so he may know where to get a replacement and what to ask for. I would guess Granger would have them.

Thanks again for your help.  I will see if I can remedy the problem.

[tkaz]

I'm not sure if most Cavalier machines are the same, I would assume they are close.  Most of my experience is with square-tops, but here's the switch they use:

http://www.sodajerkworks.com/xcart/customer/product.php?productid=165&cat=11&page=1

As for troubleshooting, check to make sure the spring holding the piece that engages the vend switch is still there.  When the solenoid pulls back after the vending circuit is disengaged, the spring pulls back the flap that turns the switch on, but it is also the part that prevents the stack from vending another drink.  If the spring is broken, which is somewhat common, it may cause the conditions you describe.  There are some photos of a Cavalier USS machine here, maybe it can help you out:

http://soda-machines.com/discussions/index.php/topic,10490.20.html

[retrobob]

I'm not sure if most Cavalier machines are the same, I would assume they are close.  Most of my experience is with square-tops, but here's the switch they use:

http://www.sodajerkworks.com/xcart/customer/product.php?productid=165&cat=11&page=1

As for troubleshooting, check to make sure the spring holding the piece that engages the vend switch is still there.  When the solenoid pulls back after the vending circuit is disengaged, the spring pulls back the flap that turns the switch on, but it is also the part that prevents the stack from vending another drink.  If the spring is broken, which is somewhat common, it may cause the conditions you describe.  There are some photos of a Cavalier USS machine here, maybe it can help you out:

http://soda-machines.com/discussions/index.php/topic,10490.20.html

Great help, once again.  Now I have some idea what to look for.  Thanks again!