Cavalier cs-55e

[collecture]

Although I am mainly a RT man, I have always thought the Cav 55 was a cool little machine. What is a good value for one that is complete, runs and in good original shape?

[MCarter]

I think between 450 - 800 is fair. But i think the two drink type is a lot more.

[collecture]

It is the dual selection type with no rust (inside all it's life), vends and cools great. Seller says the vending lock doesn't work and I don't know enough about these machines to know exactly what he is talking about there (coin door or main door lock?). Wants $500 and I would have shipping of $300+.

[loman4ec]

That is a fair price for the machine. I have a ton of parts for the machine if you needed anything. I am going to be gone for a while so I won't be much help right now but I will be back in a month or so. The coin door locks are just regular locks. the inside main door does not lock it just uses a C64 door handle. i have several spares if you needed one but again it would be a while before I could get one to you.

[collecture]

Josh,

Quote

That is a fair price for the machine.

$500? or $800? is fair?

[MCarter]

500 - 800 is a fair price. If you don't want it let me know iam interested. Where is it located?

[loman4ec]

If I had the money I would buy it for $800. The two selection 55's are hard to find. I would love to have one.

[collecture]

Well, I finally worked out a deal with the owner of the machine - $485.00. It is in Forrest City, NC - about 50 miles from Charlotte, NC. Now I need to get it to AZ. NAVL quoted me nearly $400 to ship. Are these machines really 368 pounds? That seems really heavy for its' size. Is there anybody on the board who lives near Charlotte? Maybe we could work out a deal to get it to Forward Air? I saw that they have a terminal there. Even if it saves me $50. The guy said he could strap it to a pallet for the cost of a pallet. Are any freight shippers cheaper if it is palletized?

[loman4ec]

Forward air requires it to be on a pallet and some dock require it to be crated. However I suggest that you seriously consider NAVL. Even if it is an extra $100 it is really worth it. First thing is it does not need to be on a pallet. They pick it up and wrap it themselves. They then bring it to you and it is guarenteed to be in the same condition as when it left. They take it off the truck and bring it to you. It really is a great service. Think of the hassle that is saved. First the seller has to pallet it and possibly crate it. Then he has to get it to his closest international airport and drop it off. Then some young punk in a fork lift moves it around several times not really caring what happens to it. Then once it gets to your terminal you have to go get it at your airport and hope that it made it there Ok and even if it didn't make it to you in good shape you will be lucky to get anything out of them. If this was a common C64 that you paid $200 for I would say use forward air. But for something like a C2-55 I highly suggest spending the few extra bucks and sending it the safe way. Also yes the machine is that heavy. They don't look like much but they are really heavy.

[collecture]

Thanks Josh,
Maybe you are right! I have used NAVL twice before and things have arrived in good shape. As previously mentioned in one of the topics, I think they crank their strap too tight around the coin door and the two machines I have had shipped have dents in the main door at 45 degree angles from the coin door hinge side out. The dents are not really noticable unless you catch it in the right light, so I can't prove that it was done by NAVL. The sellers may have never noticed them.

With the C2-55, I don't have that to worry about. I hope it is in as good a shape as described to me. Will post pics once I get it (probably about 2 weeks). I am hoping it has the "Can Kit" that Jim refers to in the machines section. If not, that's OK too. Also, it looks like it was just the coin door lock that was missing - I did not see it in the pic. Does the marquee light up in these machines?

[loman4ec]

The "can kit" is just a set of shimms to allow for the different width of the cans. You can easily make them. You just need to play with it a little and figure out what works. Good luck and make sure you post pics when you get it. I have always wanted a C2-55.

[BrianB]

Sounds like you have a good deal going, Collecture. I'd snap that up in a heartbeat.

You will also need to make a new set of bottle spacers for the vending mechanism to vend the new Coca-Cola glass bottles. These are the type with the red label, not the embossed kind.
The new bottles with the red label are about a 1/2 smaller in diameter than the embossed bottles that Coke just transitioned from and will bind in the vending stack. After making the spacers, I've had no problems whatsoever. Let me know if you have any questions or need any help with anything on your 55.

[collecture]

Thanks everyone! That is the beauty of this site. One can come here with a question on basically anything and someone can help. I really had no idea what the value of a C55 was, so I am putting my trust in all of you. So far, it sounds like I got a fair deal, but we'll see what the actual condition is soon.

[cvb141]

That sounds like the machine I was bidding on in Matthews NC right out of Charlotte when the bidding ended early. Looks like a good one.
Jerry

[MoonDawg]

Quote (collecture @ April 13 2006,8:57)

The guy said he could strap it to a pallet for the cost of a pallet. Are any freight shippers cheaper if it is palletized?

A standard pallet is 48" long. I've had sellers lay a machine on it's back and strap it down.  The section overhanging is going to get damaged.    Longer pallets are available, but harder to find.

[collecture]

Quote

That sounds like the machine I was bidding on in Matthews NC right out of Charlotte when the bidding ended early. Looks like a good one.

I don't know Jerry. I bought some 110 bottle stack parts and other 110 pieces (kickplate, bottle door, etc.) from a guy in Claremont, NC. He told me of a C55 - took pics on his cellphone for me and I have been working through him. Sounds coincidental though - maybe so?

MoonDawg,
I am just going to NAVL it here.

[Bob K]

The two selection 55's are the bomb - here's mine:



Can't wait to see yours!!  

[collecture]

I got my Cav 55 today!  '>
Looks in pretty good shape - some deep scratches on the sides, but not through the metal and no big dents. I took the stack out and the liner is in great shape with no rust on the bottom. It cools, but unsure how well yet. It is running as we speak and appears to cool well with the T-stat set on number 4. Strange setup having to remove the left spacer to adjust the temp. Gonna test the vending next.

Missing a few things:
1. A selection light housing
2. Lock
3. Locking bar
Josh - do you have any of these items? The lock and locking bar are available from Fun-Tronics and the housing looks like a simple fabrication - mirror image of the one I do have.

Also - the spacer at the back has a notch at the top for the cans setting, but there is no bottom notch. What was on the bottom to keep it in a uniform setting?

The door liner is also busted out at the bottom. Is this being reproduced? If not, it looks like it would be easy to fabricate. Can you buy sheets of the door liner black  plastic?

[petey64]

i really love the look of those c55's but i cannot seem to find one here on the left coast, i would drive quite a distance to get one.

[collecture]

Quote

i really love the look of those c55's but i cannot seem to find one here on the left coast.

I had this one shipped from NC. It is one of the few square corner machines that I really like and would own (to keep).

Well, I just checked out the vending and it seemed to work fine and it quietly cooled to about 28 degrees in about 30 minutes. I am sure a good cleaning and lubing wouldn't hurt. I tried to get the compressor assembly out, but a few of the bolts were really stubborn so I blew it off for today. There is just a little section of rust on it underneath the condensation pan on one side.

So far, very happy! '>

[loman4ec]

That is a great looking machine. I really want a two selection 55. I don't think I can help you on parts. If I do have them I am 9600 miles away and everything is in storage. Great find though.

[sodaworks]

Nice machine!!

[Bob K]

LOVE IT!!

[collecture]

Doesn't anyone know about the can spacer???
Attached are pics of what I am talking about. The first is the top and the second pic is the bottom.

Also, what would be the best way to clean the reverse painted marquee?

[BrianB]

From the pictures you show (2nd pic), it looks like the side spacers are missing (at least on the side the picture shows) The back spacer (has the tab on top) looks to be currently adjusted for 12 oz bottles. To vend properly, you need to have the proper amount of side spacers and the back spacer. When the back spacer is adjusted correctly you should have 1/4 in. of free play between the bottle cap/can rim and the back spacer itself.

 Does your bottle door liner have the bottle loading instructions still?

I had to fabricate new side spacers for my machine and had to modify them (add more material) when Coke decided to change the size of their glass bottle.

I do have copies of the Dupont Dulux sticker and the "For service on this vender" Stickers if you plan on restoring this machine completely. Let me know if you need any help or have any questions.

[collecture]

All of the decals are still intact and legible. I know the side spacers are missing and Josh mentioned that they are not hard to fabricate; however, there has to be some sort of support for the back spacer in the can setting. Right now there is nothing to support the bottom of the back spacer in a can setting. I will be getting a manual soon, so maybe it will have some additional info.

[collecture]

I figure the spacers mount where the red arrow points below - correct?

What is the hole (purple arrow) for? There is one on each wall of both columns.

The light blue line represents where something should be to support the back spacer. If that is the case though, then the side spacers would not be in a position to have any effect on cans

[BrianB]

Ok, check it out, The tab located on the upper left hand side of the back spacer needs to have the screw loosened and swung down out of the way and then the back spacer can be lifted from the bottom and pulled forward to adjust the lateral space between the front of the vending mech to the back.

Moving the back spacer can be a little tricky the first time. The top tabs have to go in first followed by the lower tabs.

The vertical tab on your back spacer is not sitting in the proper spot. It needs to come forward into one the vertical slots as I have pointed out in the picture with the red arrows.

You won't find any information in the manual pertaining to cans. Since the diameter of a 12 oz metal can is approx. the same as most 12 oz. bottles, the side spacer setting should be the same (none used for 12 oz) and then set the back spacer to within 1/4 in of the top of the can. make sure to stack the cans properly like the instructions illustrate.

The mark indicated by the light blue line is a "bottle rub" mark indicating the most used position of the back spacer.

The hole indicated by the purple arrow is a vent hole.

Oh yeah, the Main Door Liner is not currently reproduced. My liner on my first 55 was pretty trashed but I was able to save it and it turned out pretty good.

[collecture]

Brian,
I understand the adjustments of the back spacer and it is hard to tell from my picture, but it is in the 12 oz. notch. The tab will not rotate into the notch if the spacer is not down all the way. What I do not understand is that the top notches have a can notch whereas the bottom do not.
If you look at the picture below, the red arrow points to the can notch on the top spacer and the blue arrows point to the bottle notches. On the bottom, there is no can notch. What was there to hold the back spacer "up"?

As far as the door liner, it does not look molded in any way to me. Couldn't a 1/8 inch sheet of ABS plastic be cut easy enough. If not, I have remnants of my original 81A door liner and I thought I might be able to simply cut a piece out of it to fit the bottom part under the chute.

[collecture]

Brian,
I checked my door liner again after looking at your picture. My door liner is simply a flat piece of plastic and yours looks like it has a hump going around the perimeter similar to the Vendo 80 & 81's. It looks to me like you must have a single selection 55 and I have the dual selection type.

Bob K,
Is the door liner on your 2-selection flat like mine?

It is really a shame that the Cav55's look the way they do. It is an awesome looking machine, but the most convenient way for most people to transport them is lying down on their side in the back of a truck; therefore, the sides are always scratched up.

[collecture]

I got the refrigeration assembly out last night and it all looks in great shape including the wiring. Had a wiring harness on it that I have not seen before. It had leads hard wired into it leading to the compressor, T-stat, door and evap fan, but what was unusual was that there was a 4 inch 3-prong line cord with an extension cord plugged into it. There was also a 2-prong outlet on top of it for plugging in testing equipment etc. Most of the harnesses I have seen before have the compressor plugged into it (not hard wired) and the line cord is 8 feet long.

[collecture]

I got the light working (new ballast and starter). The light would not keep lit before, so I figured it was just a bad bulb. I thought I would just replace the ballast and starter anyway, so I did that first and tried it again - bingo. It doesn't mean that I won't have to confront the bulb issue later when the tube does finally burn out though.

As far as the spacer issue. Upon closer examination of the loading instructions, it appears that I am missing the 'Formed Side Spacers' as referred to in the picture below. Can someone give me the measurements and a picture of the spacers? Do they just hang on the tabs with two holes near the bottom notches?
All help is greatly appreciated!

[petey64]

just when i mentioned that i couldn't find one of these, low and behold one pops up, i am going to take a serious charge at this one and it looks like a sell off is in order to get it.


In SoCal

[Creighton]

Ltransam has these to share. My first foray into converting PDF to JPEG but let's hope for the best :-)
Creighton

[Creighton]

Oops, I'll need to work on the image size. Long day will try tomorrow.
Creighton

[Bob K]

Pete - go for it!! '>   They are great little machines!

Bob

[Bob K]

Pete - did you get it?  Did you join the "55" club?? '>

Bob

[petey64]

YESSSSSSSS, i got that buggar, gonna pick it up on saturday of course i had to negotiate with upper management "my wife" so in keeping with the agreed upon contract my VF-56  is on the market as of last night