Lacrosse soda machine

[jasmine64]

I just purchased a lacrosse machine and need some info on it. model # LC546. It is a 6 bottle machine. Need lots of work and I really need to id the coin mech.

[jasmine64]

Lacrosse front pic.

[jasmine64]

I also need to know if there are manuals out there and wiring diagrams.

Every thing except the cord is intact with this machine. Even the drip pan and door glass! Coin return lever is hard to press.

Where can I get gaskets to seal the doors after cleaning the machine. I plan on taking my time with this one cleaning it up.

I want to get it running before going into having it stripped, dents filled in and painted this summer.

Who has paint codes for Pepsi and replacement decals?

[Kevin C]

Hello

Welcome.  If you stick around I am sure you will get some good information here. I would suggest taking a picture of the entire coin mechinism so the experts here can get a look at it & also post any numbers.  Plus try to make your pictures a little larger like 400 pixels by 300 pixels.

I was in you same position back in late October & now I have three machines.

Kevin

[jasmine64]

Thanks Kevin. I have plans to go over the entire machine and document all parts that I can in the next several days. Would like to document it with before and after pics. I'll remember to post larger pics next time.

[jasmine64]

This is the pics I took this morning. Can anyone tell me what kind of coin mech this is it has no id marks of manufacturer. a few numbers but other than that nothing.

[jasmine64]

I have a couple more pics to post. Comments on this coin mech is appreciated.

[jasmine64]

This is an all metal coin mech and weighs almost 5 lbs.

How do i clean it? It has lots of "gunk" in it and a nickel is stuck along the path of entry at the top.

[Kevin C]

Hello

I would think that thing could be a good fishing weight. How many prongs were on the cord?  Show a picture of the coin changer in the machine. I think on of the standard coinco's should work.

I just purchased three of them on e-bay for $51.

Kevin

[KreKol]

I put a Mars 6200 in my La Crosse.  It is a good replacement for the older coincos (9800s).  The only problem I have run into is the coin shoot is a little short and coins can sometimes miss the changer and land in the bottle cap catcher.  Nothing a short piece of metal will fix.

[jasmine64]

The machine and the coin mech are both small. The machine is 48"tall.

in the picture to the right on the door is the coin slot. it matches up with the coin mech so I would need something small enought to match the coin slot.

[jasmine64]

posted the wrong pic. here's the right one.

[MoonDawg]

Krecal, did your LaCross have a coin mech like this one?  I don't understand how a Coinco would mount.

[johnieG]

The only thing that bothers me is that I don't see the wire harness that connects the coinmech to the machines electrical "jones" socket ( the mech looks like an early Coin Acceptors model to me, they are now called Coinco) & it looks like a single price/exact change only  "shorty" is the machine labled for 10-cents I'm assuming?
a full length coinco could be adapted, by removing the "coin reject" channel on the left/bottom  & the "accepted coins" chute extension to the right. the mounting holes should line up , or at least would be a big deal (to me anyway) to be placed in to right spots to support the larger S75-9800 series changer/coinmech ( I've done it before)

to clean it simple unclip it from the main body of the mech. by lifting the clips in the upper corners & tilt it down towards you then once it's at about a 45 degree angle pull the "Slug-rejector" out of the main body, then you can boil it in a big pot of water ( no kidding!) with a tiny touch of dishsoap to clean out all the gunk.... see the attached photo with the circles & arrows.

[jasmine64]

What era does a 10 cent machine come from?

Thanks for the info. I have yet to check out the wiring. I unclipped only 2 wires from underneath the mech. See pic.

When did they stop making the coin mech I have? Maybe that could give me an idea how old the machine is.

It is a 10 cent machine. That is one of the reasons I bought it.

I plan on taking more pics and maybe someone can tell me where to get wiring for this machine. How to place the shelves back in properly. (they were just stacked inside). Color codes to paint it.

[jasmine64]

The coin mech is a National rejector 8000-27, St Louis MO.

[jasmine64]

This is how it was clipped into the wiring.

[jasmine64]

Johnnie,
Wont the heat from boiling the mech demagnatize the magnet in the coin mech?

[johnieG]

Quote (jasmine64 @ Feb. 03 2005,6:11)

Johnnie, Wont the heat from boiling the mech demagnatize the magnet in the coin mech?

Nope. anyway on this mech. all the magnets are used for is to reject Canadian coins & steel-slugs. it's safe to boil the all-metal slug-rejectors,in fact it's recomended by Coinco's manual with these types.

DO NOT emerse the lower half in water!!! only the "Slug-Rejector"

[johnieG]

Quote (jasmine64 @ Feb. 03 2005,5:18)

What era does a 10 cent machine come from? Thanks for the info. I have yet to check out the wiring. I unclipped only 2 wires from underneath the mech. See pic. When did they stop making the coin mech I have? Maybe that could give me an idea how old the machine is. It is a 10 cent machine. That is one of the reasons I bought it. I plan on taking more pics and maybe someone can tell me where to get wiring for this machine. How to place the shelves back in properly. (they were just stacked inside). Color codes to paint it.

it's a "square-corner" machine, so it's from the early '60's
(Yes, soda-pop was still a dime!   ) it's just got a "single price" coinmech, ( it won't make change, or accept a quarter, just nickles & dimes) here's how to remount the shelfs below.

[jasmine64]

Will CLR clean up the shelves? What else can be used? Plan on starting the clean up this weekend.

[johnieG]

Me thinks yon shelves are a jubble  '>

Remember, when transporting machines on their backs, always remove the shelves. they can fall & bang around & even damage the evaporator coils or the refrigerant lines.

The shelves are gray with age, and this is normal for galvanizing (zinc plating) take then out & use a steel wool pad with hot soapy water in the laundry tub & they'll be fine for use, if you insist on get them shiny-new then you can use CLR & RUBBER-GLOVES/LONGSLEEVES & lightly srub them with the steel wool, if you rub too hard, well you'll remove all of the galvanizing & yea they'll be shiny, for about a week untill they start to rust. so go easy.

some people have the shelves powder-coated, others clean & paint them with Hammer-tone paint, but if you are just getting the machine cleaned up for your use, & not "restoring it" then soap & water+elbow grease will do fine.   :'>  well that's my suggestion.

[Bob K]

I've always done just what johnieg suggested - steel wool and a good cleaner.  For my machines, I've never been a fan of going crazy powder coating the interior machine components - but then again I don't resell.  I just like the honest clean factory look for myself.  A fairly worn look inside the machine is fine with me, as long as things are tidied up and the refrig components are cleaned, degreased, etc..  I think of these machines as old soldiers - I don't want to dress them up too pretty  :'> .

Bob

[jasmine64]

I'll keep the cleaning of the shelves to just getting the grime off, Not planning on scrubbing until they shine.

Has anyone seen wiring done like this before? Goes off into 5 directions.

 My machine really needs rewiring, it's brittle as a dry twig.

[This is the main wiring junction block, it's cast-plastic & can't be opened]...JohnieG

[jasmine64]

Plugs like this.

[this is the compressor's plug {the big one} the little round one is for the evaporator fan motor.]...JohnieG

[jasmine64]

Goes up under the door to the coin mech and this little box. What does the little box run?

[jasmine64]

around to door, better pic.

[One pair feed's the vending relay, & the other pair goes back to the vending soleniod, from the relay]...JohnieG

[jasmine64]

little box next to coin mech.

[This is the vending relay, it controls the vending soleniod, it gets power from the door harness, gives it to the coinmech switch, which controls/triggers the vending relay..which triggers the vending soleniod.]...JohnieG

Johnnie,
I have an electrician coming out next week to take a look at both of my machines, need to know if possibly this Pepsi machine can be wired up to take a coinco coin mech someway.

Thought about cutting the chutes down to fit.

What would you do?

[johnieG]

perhaps this basic wiring diagram may assist you....it doesn't show the evaporator fan motor,or the compressor fan motor for clarity..

[johnieG]

Quote (jasmine64 @ Feb. 04 2005,7:00)

I'll keep the cleaning of the shelves to just getting the grime off, Not planning on scrubbing until they shine. Has anyone seen wiring done like this before? Goes off into 5 directions.  My machine really needs rewiring, it's brittle as a dry twig.

this is your main wiring juntion block, it's sealed cast-plastic & can't be opened.

[jasmine64]

There is a wiring sticker on the machine but it is missing the top half.

Does anyone happen to have a simular one?

How would it be rewired today? The same manner or use something else? Trying to get a fix on how and which direction to move in with a partial restore of a full restore.

[loman4ec]

You can order a basic wiring harness from funtronics. It will be designed for a Vendo but it will work just fine. It is just the junction block and the immediate wires hooked to it and it is up to you to run the machine specific wires. I did it on a Vendo 56 that had no wiring diagram a few months ago and it wasn't too bad.

[jasmine64]

I have a funtronics book here somewhere, I'll give them a call and see
what we can come up with.  

Going to start cleaning it today.

[Kevin C]

Hello

If you some basic electrical understanding changing to the new wiring harness can be a real rewarding part of your fun working on the machine.  Prior to cutting any wires look closely at each so you can identfy the hot & neutral. The neutral wire normally has a ridge running down the outside of the rubber black insulation. When you make connections make sure you use the electrical butt connectors that are crimped & then the male/female sections slide together for the connection. Dont do the twist & electrical tape method. You can buy the butt connectors at Lowe's or H D.  It appears you will need a new pigtail for the compress plug in but still no problem.

I would remove the existing electrical hub & open it up to see the connections inside & this will help a lot. Prior to cutting a wire clearly tag & mark so there is no confusion when making the new connections. When test running to check hook the machine up to an extention cord so you can moniter the results & quickly disconnect. On your first test dont have every part hooked up. Start with jus the compresor & fans, then if all is well add the coin changer, then the vend solenoid etc. This will allow you to identfy any problem area as they arise.

Just some ideas

Kevin

[jasmine64]

Ok, Spent alot of time vaccuming out the machine
found several acorns. So that brings me up to 6 acorns
and a nickel that is still in the coin mech. (will work on that later).

There is still a lot of grime in the bottom around the compressor,
just wondering on how to get at it without removing everything.

The drip pan is in ok condition. Main worry is resealing the door on
the machine. Looks pretty bad condition right now.

So point me in the right direction on what to buy to do that.

One more thing if the vending relay doesn't work are they hard to find?
What about replacing it?

Don't ya just love a novice? Got to learn somewhere.

[jasmine64]

What type bulb fits???

[jasmine64]

This is the socket.

[johnieG]

it's 10-15 watt 115 volt double contact ( DC) bayonet-base  bulb (twist-to-lock) simular to a sewing machine or vacuum cleaner lamp, lowes or home depot usually have them, don't use a high watt bulb, (not a 25 watt) they look like a tail light bulb out of a car , only for 115 volts (not 12 volt)

[jasmine64]

Question about the rack.

If there are going to be any problems with the rack it's self. Where do they originate and what's the best way to prevent & fix them.

I have some small patches of rust too, what do I do about them.

[jasmine64]

pic2 of rack

[jasmine64]

Couldnt find the bulb at my lowe's.
I have an email to www.topbulb.com maybe they have it.

[jasmine64]

Thinking about letting my Lacrosse go on ebay anyone up for the challenge
of rewiring the machine?

it would have to be a pickup only auction.