Stopped Vending

[JDAugie]

Okay. I tested it with the unit unplugged and I had continuity, a closed circuit between 1 and 6.  I plugged it in and pressed the "free vend" switch and it engaged the solenoid and opened the circuit.  I turned the cam and released a bottle and the circuit closed and I once again had continuity.

[tkaz]

Sounds like everything in the machine is fine, when you plug the coin mechanism in with the machine powered on, do you hear the CREMs pull in?  Did you ever run through the calibration from the Mars manual link on the first page?

[JDAugie]

What are the CREMS? I haven't done the calibration yet. I was more concerned with the apparent short to the case.

[tkaz]

Coin Reject ElectroMagnets, they are behind the slug rejector in the coin mechanism, a set of 'fingers' that push out when the machine is in a vend cycle and cause coins to reject, so you can't add extra money.  When you plug in the mech with the machine powered, you'd hear a clicking, which is the CREMs pulling back.

[JDAugie]

Ok, with the machine powered, I plugged in the Coin unit.  No clicks or buzzes, unless they are very quiet and I can't hear them over the compressor running.

[ajf5577]

Ok, with the machine powered, I plugged in the Coin unit.  No clicks or buzzes, unless they are very quiet and I can't hear them over the compressor running.

You'll hear them, or better yet, you can see them activate if you remove the rejector from the mech and then plug it in. It's the one or two metal bars with fingers protruding into the rejector.

Oops, I see that was mentioned above. Likewise, if the magnets are energized, these can be humming, and can be pulled out from the electromagnets. If the magnets aren't energized, it may actually be the coin mech. These used to go bad frequently on the route. If you can arrange to borrow a verified working coin mech, try plugging that in and see what happens.

[JDAugie]

I tried the other coin unit that I got on Ebay.  I heard no clicking either.  This one is missing the front panel.    Does anyone know if the ballasts for the fluorescent bulbs are like transformers, with a primary and secondary?

[tkaz]

And you tested that mech with the nickel coin tubes filled up past the switch?  How about the dimes?

[Creighton]

Myself would solve one problem at a time. Pictures/photos etc... may very well speed up both issues solution.
Creighton

[JDAugie]

Hi again all,  Creighton, I do agree with you that focussing on the problems individually might help.  I started this thread with the vend issue so I've been trying to work the suggestions that have come in on that.  In the process, I discovered the "short" issue and due to the safety concerns, thought that I should address that, as a priority, though continuing to follow up on any, much appreciated suggestions that are coming through about the vend issue.  So, I have added the coins as tkaz suggested. 20 Nickles and 20 dimes, though not through the "learning" process.  Still getting no clicks from the CREMs.  I,ve attached some pics of the coin unit.