Why the heck water fountains on old coke machines?

I just bought an old roundtop V83 on eBay and it still has the original water fountain attached to it.



I have seen many of the old 1950's Coke machines with these "bubblers" on them and I have always wondered:

Why the hack did Coca-Cola put water fountains on the sides of some of their beverage machines when it seems so obvious to me that it would cut down on sales of the Cokes???

I just don't get it. That's like trying to sell hamburgers for a profit, while handing out free unlimited hotdogs! '>

Please explain this one to me.

But I do think it is neat how they were made to run the waterline through the refrigerated area of the Coke machine to cool the water.

[Creighton]

Good for you!
Your first all mechinical box correct?
No idea why they put the bubblers on. Only theory I can come up with is, places where the machine would be, wanted cold water as well. As a kid the gas stations and such always had something. Bet you paid extra to have one installed. Everybody would see the Coke brand.
You gonna leave it on? Pictures of the new baby?
Creighton

Photos of the machine can be found here:
http://soda-machines.com/cgi-loc....;t=2058

I won't be picking it up for a week or so.

[Kevin C]

Hello

Maybe the coke cost to much or no change.

Kevin  

I'm actually considering removing the water fountain from the V-83, cleaning it up very thoroughly and then installing it on my V-216MD that is near our kitchen so that my boys and I would have a functioning drinking fountain in our house. How cool would that be?!!!!

[loman4ec]

That would be cool but I think I would replace the tubing inside the machine if you were going to use it. Also how would you run the water line to it?

Yeah, I would totally replace the tubing.

We actually have a waterline in that exact spot because we used to have a refrigerator (with built-in water & ice machine) in that exact spot. Nice coincidence, eh?

[Bob K]

Sometimes things just work out, don't they? '>

[sodaworks]

Kito,
 I recently installed a drinking fountain on a client's V39. I used a 25' roll of 1/4" copper tubbing. I cut out a cardboard template to set  bending perimeters. I used a small tubing bender to get the desired shape that I needed. I then soldered the lines together to keep it straight and uniform. I also used a flaring tool for the fittings. It turned out great.

Thanks for the helpful info SW.

[sodaworks]

Anytime Kito,
  I may also have some pictures. I'll have to check.