Need help getting a (vintage?) coca-cola machine working!

[Jwest7788]

Hey all. New here. Looking for any help I can get towards getting this machine vending!

Picked it up as trade for a broken, rusty, dirt bike. Am totally happy with it regardless of value.

The seller identified it as a "cs-96d"
My research found the "CSS-96" which shows the same model in these photos:
http://soda-machines.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=285&I...

The machine is a functioning fridge, but does not dispense any soda.

The coin mech seems functional (it's newer than the rest of the machine, says 1978 on it.
Spits quarters to the return when the machine is off, accepts the quarters to the catch when plugged in. (Dozens and dozens, just never let's the bottles out. )

I am unsure of the condition of most of this, or how jimmy rigged it all is.

I'll attach whatever images etc I can below, but here are my questions:

There are two wires to the left of the coin mech that come down from the female portion of the jones plug (speaking like a pro. Haha). Any idea what they are for, or meant to be connected to? Right now they end with two couplers, but don't reach anything....

On the inside of the machine (refrigerated portion behind the door) is what appears to be a solenoid and a switch that I assume turns off the solenoid after a pop is taken. How do I test the solenoid a functionality?

Also the machine runs off a house outlet, is this standard? What's the voltage of this bad boy?

Oh to restore or leave as is? I'm pretty good with metal, paint, plastic, and glass, but this is my first venture into the vending world!)

Anyone know a resource to get the a replacement metal moulding?
Am missing the left hand side, and a square one around the coke logo...

Thanks all!

Written in my cell, but a Post with pics, and a video of the (solenoid? + Switch..):
https://plus.google.com/103237332554732591344/posts/SykroE4cQw6

Will add photos here directly tomorrow morning.

[tkaz]

Welcome to the forum!  Best place you can find for answers, lots of experience here.  Nice machine, everything looks to be in place, minus the couple issues you outlined. 

Quick question on the coin mechanism...did you try running dimes and nickels through it and see if it vends?  There are some microswitches with wires that trip, one for each coin type, and they can get out of adjustment.  Just curious, it's a good place to start.

Another thing to look at is wiring up a free-vend switch to verify, here's a how-to: http://soda-machines.com/discussions/index.php/topic,871.0.html

Yes, these run off 120V, they tend to pull some amps as the compressors get older, but may trip if you put on a GFI outlet.

[Jwest7788]

Thanks tkaz.

Did run a bunch of coins through, seems to be working as expected:
Separates nickels to their tube holders, quarters and dimes to the cash catch (and kicks the odd one out to the return as expected)

The electro magnets click when I plug the machine in, not totally sure their point but all seems as
Expected.

Though, no matter how much cash I out in it keeps taking more coins, never let's pop out.
When the proper cash amount in inserted, should it start rejecting coins or...?

Is the solenoid the same voltage?
--> 120V directly to the solenoid prongs feels like a bad way to test...

Thanks for your quick reply!
Am really excited to work with this machine.

[MoonDawg]

        Welcome Josh!   

       You can give that coil 110 volts momentarily to verify it is working, but I believe your Coinco is not recognizing coins.
Replace it as they are cheap, or go freevend as stated earlier.

        We have some unwritten rules here at SMC. We do not paint nice original machines......and yours is as nice as they get.
Use a rubbing compound on the red paint. The white Coke sign can be converted to a glass light-up sign and that's what your extra 2 wires
are for. Keep your cost down on this tall machine and use your body and paint skills on the next one comming your way. It may be next week or next month, but more machines will be following you home! 

[Jwest7788]

Thanks, Will look into paint restoration / polishing. Will be good experience for me regardless.

Think buying a fresh coke decal for the top is an acceptable medium between restoring, and not doing anything permanent? haha
Think the rusty sign can be polished or anything without the need to paint it?


Is the light supposed to blink when coins are inserted?
--> Seems it's a little on the blitz, blinks sometimes, turns off completely others. Can't find any material explaining the expected functionality, so am a little lost in that regard.
-----> I have a circuit tester and multimeter, just not sure where to begin...

I can tell this is a great community, thanks for your help!

Few questions I still have:

Anyone know a resource to get the a replacement metal moulding?
I Am missing the left hand side one (goes the whole height of the machine), and a square one around the coke logo...

When the proper cash amount in inserted, should it start rejecting coins?

Will test that solenoid later today and get back to all.

[tkaz]

I would try wiring up the free vend switch to test before dropping the $$ on a new coin changer.  You should be able to make it for under $5 and it will tell you if the solenoid is good. 

In addition, hook up your circuit tester or multimeter to the two solenoid terminal and see if it gets 120V after coins are run through the changer.  If you have a continuity test on the meter, touch the two terminals and see if there is continuity.  That should tell you if it's bad. 

No need to drop a bunch of money without doing a couple of quick tests.

[Rebel]

Thanks, Will look into paint restoration / polishing. Will be good experience for me regardless.

Think buying a fresh coke decal for the top is an acceptable medium between restoring, and not doing anything permanent? haha
Think the rusty sign can be polished or anything without the need to paint it?


Is the light supposed to blink when coins are inserted?
--> Seems it's a little on the blitz, blinks sometimes, turns off completely others. Can't find any material explaining the expected functionality, so am a little lost in that regard.
-----> I have a circuit tester and multimeter, just not sure where to begin...

I can tell this is a great community, thanks for your help!

Few questions I still have:

Anyone know a resource to get the a replacement metal moulding?
I Am missing the left hand side one (goes the whole height of the machine), and a square one around the coke logo...

When the proper cash amount in inserted, should it start rejecting coins?

Will test that solenoid later today and get back to all.

Think the rusty sign can be polished or anything without the need to paint it?

New to this hobby but have a lot of years in building cars and custom metal work and think your display is beyond any polishing due to the rust spots which as you can see, have come through the paints, which means there is no paint left in those spots. I'll leave it up to the pros here on what's best to replace or maybe best to repaint. These guys will have an answer. By the way,,good clean machine. Good luck and have fun. I am.

[MoonDawg]

        Ok, let's put this into perspective for our newbies who have not made the mistakes we have.

        This tall C-96 is worth about $300.00.  Paint it and make it pretty and it's will sell for...........................about $300.00

        A cavalier 64 is worth about $300.00.  Paint it and make it pretty and it will sell for ...........................about $1000.00

[Rebel]

        Ok, let's put this into perspective for our newbies who have not made the mistakes we have.

        This tall C-96 is worth about $300.00.  Paint it and make it pretty and it's will sell for...........................about $300.00

        A cavalier 64 is worth about $300.00.  Paint it and make it pretty and it will sell for ...........................about $1000.00

but not much he can do with the display.

[tkaz]

Here's a start on the sign...there's some way's to wire up fluorescent lights you can get at Home Depot or Lowes to work as a backlight for these.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/COCA-COLA-DRINK-MACH-BY-CAVALIER-CSS-12-96-SIGN-WITH-FRAME-/270913017237?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3f13ac9595

[MoonDawg]

         This frame should be able to be cut down.

       http://www.ebay.com/itm/COCA-COLA-COKE-MACHINE-BACK-LIT-SIGN-POSSIBLY-A-VENDO-GREAT-CONDITION-/380730191817?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item58a549afc9

       I am currently converting a V-56 steel sign to a lightup. Used a jigsaw with a guide to cut the center out. Will paint and plexiglass next.

[Jwest7788]

Very cool, Thanks All! Great resources, If taking value out of the equation, any reason not to restore this thing? Calgary, AB, Canada, gets mighty cold in the winter, am looking for a project, but if there is a reason not to, will definitely respect the industry.



In regard to diagnosing this bad boy, I believe the solenoid is my issue, but haven't worked up the confidence to connect voltage directly to it, instead, rigged up a wire to function as a free vend by connecting the plugs 1&3 (closed the circuit temporarily), but nothing happened... This should signal the vend solenoid, correct?

On a side note,
Had a hell of a time figuring out which plugs to work on, as the diagram in the sticky has a different layout for the polarity index pin, but the numbers on the plug line up...:




Carrying right along,

Had the coin mech apart yesterday to, learn how it works, and to see if I could spot anything out of place, Noticed a part of the board.. "One of these things is not like the other ones"


If I've read the manual correctly, It's the "Zener Diode (Power Supply)"
I checked for resistance, as expected for a diode, lots one way, little to none the other. Any thoughts on this burning, as the diode appears functional? (I'm unsure what readings in particular I should be expected, maybe it's semi functional?)


The pricing switches (black and white) have three positions, Low, middle, high. I assume they should be set to either low or high, correct? (they were set to low and middle when I first got this thing open.)
The $.05 wire was bent, and not being actuated as expected, bent back into position now. Tested, No "change". 

One of the coin wire switches seems to operate opposite the other two, Is "normally open, momentary closed" instead of "normally closed, momentary open". (I might have those backwards, will test again shortly)
--> Is this normal? --> the switches appear to be wired the same...



Thanks for taking the time to try and wrap your head around this! I'm sure these newb troubleshooting threads come at you all the time, I'm thankful to have continued support!

[tkaz]

Here's a great thread on the diode replacement, sounds like they were experiencing the same issues as you: http://soda-machines.com/discussions/index.php/topic,17824.0/all.html

[MoonDawg]

        You live in Calgary, that's my home town! 

       That changes everything. Since I have family there I often check Craigslist ads and Alberta has none. Vancouver seems abundant though.

       So obviously if you have one of the only machines in town, your value goes way up. Go ahead and paint it, you'll enjoy the results.

[Rebel]

Is this your size ...............http://www.ebay.com/itm/COCA-COLA-COKE-MACHINE-BACK-LIT-SIGN-POSSIBLY-A-VENDO-GREAT-CONDITION-/380730191817?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item58a549afc9

[Jwest7788]

Awesome stuff,
Tkaz, That's super helpful, they have definitely the same (or super similar) issue. Though I have no idea where to get the replacement parts, will work towards the fix shown (fingers crossed!)

Moondawg, Awesome!
Yeah, I was super pumped to come into ownership of this machine, I don't know, or haven't even header of any locals with one. (though I'm sure they're around!)

Rebel, Will confirm measurements shortly!
--> Won't be home till sunday, but will keep all posted as this project moves forward! Hopefully in the end some of this can help the next guy too!

JW

[Jwest7788]

Oh, Moondawg.

Here's a helpful tip too!

In my neck of the woods kijiji.ca has much much more popularity than craigslist.
You may have better luck on kijiji when hunting for goods in calgary

JW

[Jwest7788]

An update for everyone.

Finally got a switch to use as free vend while I await the diode and capacitor that need replacing.

I believe I was correct that a new solenoid is in order. Upon hitting the button, my solenoid made some less than appealing noises, puked out black smoke, then lit on fire.

Fortunately the fire immediately went out and I had the foresight to plug in the shop vac (hepa filter) for just such an occasion.

Anyone know where to get one of these solenoids in Canada?

[MoonDawg]

I believe I was correct that a new solenoid is in order. Upon hitting the button, my solenoid made some less than appealing noises, puked out black smoke, then lit on fire.

      LOL 

      P.M. me your address and I'll send you one.

[Jwest7788]

Sent. - Thanks!

I'm not going to lie, it was the most anti-climatic button push I've come across in, literally, years.


Decided to move forward and make this thing bright and shiny. Will be sure to post lots of pics along the journey.

[Jwest7788]

Is this your size ...............http://www.ebay.com/itm/COCA-COLA-COKE-MACHINE-BACK-LIT-SIGN-POSSIBLY-A-VENDO-GREAT-CONDITION-/380730191817?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item58a549afc9

Nope, Mine is 14"X15"

Bought some polish today to see how the paint will brighten up before making the dive to start sanding and painting etc.

After photos soon.

[Jwest7788]

Got the missing electrical component from newark in the mail today. Any way to test the coin mech without the missing solenoid?

JW

[MoonDawg]

      Hook the 2 wires that go to the solonoid to a 110v light bulb.

[Jwest7788]

Right, stupid question, haha.

Cool, will have an update for all shortly!

JW

[Jwest7788]

Solenoid Arrived (Thanks again MoonDawg)
--> Thing took forever, haha.


Upon pulling out the vend mechanism (that right?) I realized that the whole back corner of the machine is covered in what appears to be decade old, crystallized cola.
--> Either cola, or some weird mixture of sugar, motor oil, super glue, and the black stuff from spiderman3 (http://goo.gl/Ay0Nrg)

Working on cleaning this thing up and getting the solenoid in shortly.

Found a little spring which appears to have connected to the mechanics near the solenoid at one point, anyone know where this little guy goes? (Not one of the long springs, quiet little)

[MoonDawg]

       4 weeks to get a package from California to Alberta?       I think the U.S. Postal service needs an overhaul.

[Pixel]

I'd be the last person to claim the Post Office is the best run concern in the world, but could there have been a hold up in Canadian customs?

[Jwest7788]

Hello All,

Sorry for the delay!

Have finally gotten most of the dried cola out of this thing, man is that stuff awful to remove.

Still cannot figure out what the little spring I found goes to, will work on getting some pics of my suspicions.


My larger problem at the moment is that the coin mech seems to be toast. I got a couple replacement parts as per the earlier mentioned thread, but upon testing it seemed to just blow a capacitor again, lights went a little crazy on the machine etc. So, New coin mech in my future.


Question, will any coin mech with a Jones Plug work?
--> I've love some help identifying a coin mech that will work in this machine and accept larger currency. (In particular I want to fill this machine with beer, so ~ $2 to vend would be ideal to cover my own drinking costs, haha.

Thanks for your help everyone!

[johnieG]

any 120 volt mech should work with your machine, as you mentioned with the matching "Jones" style plug, if you are popping the electrolytic (filter) capacitor one of three things are the cause, wrong voltage,( wrong working voltage on your zener diode, it should be 12-volts) wrong polarity, too much A.C. ripple from a bad diode in the bridge-rectifier circuit. ( the four diodes that are to the lower left of your filter-cap)
unsolder one lead from each diode & lift it's "tail" in the air, now ohm-meter across the individual diodes & confirm that they only conduct current in one direction, use the diode scale on your meter, remember that with standard diodes, current flows against the arrow, or in english, from the banded end to the opposite end.

[Jwest7788]

Hey all, See the attached, anyone spot anything out of place?

I'm still trying to figure out where this spring goes, it was sitting on the bottum of the inside of the machine when i got it..

Thanks!

[tkaz]

There should be one linked to the bar that is attached to the solenoid to pull it back (or forward) after the solenoid has de-energized.  The photo below is from a USS machine, but same principal.  The solenoid is backwards on the USS from the CSS.  On the USS, when the solenoid energizes, it pulls in, moving the bar to the left in the photo, pushing the vending cam/flap so the machine can vend.  When it de-energizes, it needs the help to pull the bar back to the right, hence the spring.

Also looks like you are missing the microswitch.  That switch 'tells' the coin mech the position of the vending cam, providing power to the CREMs to reject coins if the machine is in a vend-state. 

[tkaz]

Also, there is a small spring that goes to the center of the vend cam/flap and connects to the small hole just above it in your photo.  You can just about see it in the second photo I posted.

[Jwest7788]

Hey, I'm back after time away this winter.


Like a fool though I took the machine apart months ago, cleaned up all the black coca-cola gunk, and didn't put it together after (thinking foolishly) that I would still remember where they belong!


I got the machine put back together, but am left with 2 pieces with no home. Feeling pretty silly, I always do this with my motorcycles etc, but parts breakdowns are clearly more available for them.


Picture attached.


Side Note, got the vend mech all working (not actually functional in the machine, but clean enough to operate once I figure out:) It seems that this solenoid would pull, but in order to operate the gates it would need to push. Is this solenoid usually on, off upon payment, using a spring to allow vend when the solenoid is off?
--> This makes sense, but it seems that the spring pulls the gate too far.
Edit*: Wait, Can this solenoid push? Seems to me that they normally pull only.


Will take more pics tonight for this awesome forum's input.

JW

[Jwest7788]

Found the flat plate.

I remember now, it was never installed. But see in the below pic it covers the solenoid etc.

Now just need to figure out the bracket and spring. Once I better understand the 'solenoid functionality' I believe the spring will find it's home quickly.