Mars coin mech troubles !

Ok.. does anyone have the manual or access to the manual for a MMS ( mars ) coin mech model MS1000 - 6 coin validator.. and change hopper, model 1500 ( series )

If you have one, or are knowledgeable on these mechs... please contact me - I am having some REAL trouble getting this mech to drop the relay and go into a vend mode..

I dont really want to buy another relay until I have sussed out if its the mech or my programming ( or lack of ) that is to fault.. PLEASE HELP !

- Chris.
tes@southwest.com.au
 '>

[johnieG]

Here's a link to Mar's webpage, they are pretty good about tech support on there older models.

http://www.meiglobal.com/

I have emailed them, I did before - they just referred me to a service agent here in Australia...

When I contacted the service agent, they didnt want to know - it was " Too old " and " Probably not fixable ".

I did see the diagram in this forum about bypassing the mech by putting a jump wire from pin 1 to pin 3 on the main wiring link on the plug where the coin mech and hopper plugs in.

I get a relay click when jumping, but no vend.. I am hoping its just a bad setting and maybe easily fixable.. what would I be looking for in ohms measurement on the coil to determine if my relay is bad..

If anyone is wondering - my machine is a Dixie narco - late 80's model.. I think its a 320m 8 selector - from memory ( at work atm ).

If anyone has one of these  - I need help reconstructing the internal door where the coin mech and hopper and return chute go - I have a blowout of the door.. but its not much help.. ( very hard to read, and never seen an internal before.. )

anyone able to help with a photo ?

- Chris.
www.myarcadegames.com
chris@myarcadegames.com
 '>

[johnieG]

Hmm, seem mars isn't  very helpful in this instance, in regards to the free-play switch you also need to hookup pin 1 to 7 on a Dixie-narco this will enable the vend relay first, then when you press the switch (between pins 1 & 3 ) it will credit the vend mech & allow a vend cycle when you press your flavor button(s)

Your a life saver !

I want to go home right now and try it out !

I will let you know how I go..

How did you know about that trick ?

- Chris.
www.myarcadegames.com

FANTASTIC !

I tried it and it all works...

I didnt have a press button as described - so i tried a leaf switch.. worked great !

problem 1.

I wired the switch up - and basically bypassed the switching mechanism by wiring in the n.c. side.. so the coil is continually energized.. ( no need to press the button - you just press a flavour card and it vends ! )

I realize you would do it on the N.O. side - but once I had fitted the switch... I wasnt so sure about pulling it all out again and re-doing it..

Will this cause a fault if I leave it on - possible early life failure of relay or a fire risk ?

- Chris.

[Jim]

Quote (Eukanuba @ May 12 2003,6:20)

problem 1. I wired the switch up - and basically bypassed the switching mechanism by wiring in the n.c. side.. so the coil is continually energized.. ( no need to press the button - you just press a flavour card and it vends ! ) I realize you would do it on the N.O. side - but once I had fitted the switch... I wasnt so sure about pulling it all out again and re-doing it.. Will this cause a fault if I leave it on - possible early life failure of relay or a fire risk ? - Chris.

Chris,

This will definately cause the energized relay to burn-out prematurely. You might want to reconsider and go with a momentary push button switch located somewhere on the machine to avoid the relay being energized all the time...

[johnieG]

Jim is correct, the relay is only rated for intermitant duty only, you'll burn it out at the very least, go and get the correct normally-open momentary push button switch!  

Yeah I will.. just wanted to see if the relay is capable of extended periods of energization...

Would it be possible to link a button in even with the coin mech attached ? ( i.e. splice in on the same lines as the mech and jump ? or would this make the coin mech and hopper go thermonuclear on me ? )

- Chris.
www.myarcadegames.com

[johnieG]

Yes you can wire the switch in along with the coin mech.
free drinks for you, others pay :'>  I've done this at my  home as my 5 year old & his friends would drink me to the poor house! '>

thats my thoughts also - while I dont have kids ( YET ) I dont want moochers mooching my soda's ! '>

How do I test my mech, now I know the vend mech and relay etc are all working.. I think it is just the mech and hopper..
Is there like a common way to check and calibrate these old coin mechs ?

- Chris.
Perth, Western Australia. '>

another question that just came to mind is that the wiring pins ( diagrams ) seem to be the same for all machines.. is this true ?

Could I milk a mech from a new machine and put it on my old machine ?
( mech and hopper )

- Chris.
Perth, Western Australia

[johnieG]

Yes, another mech will work if it's rated for the same working voltage, ( I assume you're 115-120 Volts @ 50/60 cycles down under?) the main male plug ( refered to as a "jones" plug) on "most" 115VAC mechs are the same, when all else fails read the label instructions on the mech.  '>
A FEW earlier mech's where low voltage & had a standard line voltage jone plug, so you can picture what happened next
so do read the label on the unit before you slap one in.
In general.  most electric mech's (single price)from the 60's thru the 70's/80's in "square-corner" machines were still 115VAC, then they started using lower voltage units. hope it helps & post a picture of that puppy we Luv pictures!...JohnieG  

Quote (johnieG @ May 15 2003,4:59)

Yes, another mech will work if it's rated for the same working voltage, ( I assume you're 115-120 Volts @ 50/60 cycles down under?) the main male plug ( refered to as a "jones" plug) on "most" 115VAC mechs are the same, when all else fails read the label instructions on the mech.  '> A FEW earlier mech's where low voltage & had a standard line voltage jone plug, so you can picture what happened next so do read the label on the unit before you slap one in. In general.  most electric mech's (single price)from the 60's thru the 70's/80's in "square-corner" machines were still 115VAC, then they started using lower voltage units. hope it helps & post a picture of that puppy we Luv pictures!...JohnieG

there's a pic of my machine up on the front page of my site..

www.myarcadegames.com

I've got a couple of internal pics I will have to put up.. I am trying to rebuild the inside near the coin door.. any help is appreciated.. ( Photo's of your machine internals is a huge help.. )

My machine is 115v - but down here we run 220/240vac - but it has a stepdown transformer inside.. obviously a north american machine converted to local conditions..

- Chris.