Possible to retro-fit a Vendo 220 w/ a heater?

I just purchased a Vendo V220 5-button Pepsi machine and am planning to place it outdoors.  As I am in Colorado, I am worried about the soda freezing during the winter.  Is it possible to install a heater into a machine like this?  If so, how does it work, what are they called, how much do they cost, etc?

Thanks!

[johnieG]

There are heating kits for modern vending machines available from Vendo, etc. but remember that your evap' fans produce between 6-12 watts of heat themselves, & in the colder months, this is enough to keep the soda's from freezing, more importantly is keeping the compressors oil warmed enough so that if it does kick on, it won't be thick ( the oil) that  it'll cause the compressor to blow.  these are called case heaters & wrap around the compressors case itself, & come with it's own thermostat that applies heat below 30 degrees or so.   try looking on line at
http://www.veii.com/pages/main.asp

On the older Vendo machines, will the compressor even run if it is below freezing? If not, would it be logical to say that if the compressor is not running it should not matter if the oil thickens up?  Is there a special oil that can be put into the compressor for colder months similar how you would adjust the oil you put into a car during the colder months?

Would it be a good idea to wrap the compressor with an insulating blanket of some sort if I do not have one of the fancy heating units?

[johnieG]

The compressors on refrigeration machines today are all sealed units, (sorry no dip stick to check the level  :'>  )
 you can't add oil at will, the coldest average temperature range that most machines will run within is ( I'm estimating here) would be between 10-32 Degree's F) I'm sure perhaps Eric from Global might be able to enlighten us on this topic , '>

Todays common (& classic) soda machine  compressors aren't really designed to run in  below 0-degree weather though I assume that they wouldn't have to at those temperatures, the biggest concern would be keeping the sodas at a "toasty" 32 degrees inside the cabinet. although why you'd want a cold soda in below 0 degree weather might raise some questions, Hmmm maybe a nice hot Vernors ginger ale sounds better in cold temps to me!  '>

the problem I'd see with insulating the compressor is that like most humans, we'd probably forget about it come summer & you'd have a french-fried motor!  '>