Square top vendo thinks it's ouu

Our old early 80's Vendo square top machine (cans only, two product doors at the bottom center) has two of the vertical product holders that think they're out of cans when they're not.  I can open the box, push the reset buttons, and in a few moments the "out" lights pop back on, even though the column is full of cans.   The cans are properly loaded, and I'm stumped.  If it matters, it's the two columns on the far right that won't behave.)

I'd really like to correct this.  Last year we put a refurb compressor
unit in it from Global Compressors; I found GC in this forum, and couldn't be more pleased with the compressor, the delivery, and the advice.  It's a great working machine, except for these two silly buttons...............     '>

Many thanks.................

Is it missing switches that should be pressed down by the cans so that it knows the cans are there?
My old machine has those.

The switches are there.  (I'm assuming you mean the reset switches that you push after the cans run out and the box is refilled?)  This just started all at once, both columns went haywire at the same time. The other three columns work fine.  They've always worked fine in the past until THIS unfortunate event. (sigh)
 '>

I wanted to incude a photo of our old vendo machine:

Yeah, it looks rough, but it keeps 'em cold.

[joesquid]

Wow!  Sounds like an interesting problem.  I have a Cavalier C6-390-228 that had a similar problem but only with one vending shaft.  In the mid 70 Cavaliers (and possibly later) there's an overload circuit in each vending motor that breaks the power circuit to prevent the motor from burning up if the vending arms jam up.  When the motor quits for that reason, it causes the "sold out" indicator for that particular vending shaft to illuminate.  For that problem, you have to de-energize the machine, clear the jam, let the motor cool a few minutes then re-energize the machine.  That generally gives the overload time to reset.  With two of your units going bad simultaneuosly, I don't think this may be a similar problem.  I just wanted to point out that the "sold out" indicator has other uses than just teliing you you're empty.
Hope this helps!

Problem solved..................   Took the inside cover off the bottom of the can columns, and an arm had slipped out of place, binding up the dispensing mechanisms on both columns.   Putting the arm back in place and figuring out how the cam was timed made it all work again.   '>

Thanks for all the help and counsel!

Glad you're here AllenMcB.
Stay for awhile.
Looks like a well loved machine!

Well, interesting story about this old machine.  Pepsi brought it to us about 15 years ago, and that was the last time we saw Pepsi, except for the occasional call to their office seeking maintenance.  About five years ago they got to where they didn't want to check the machine any more, and when the compressor died last year, they told us they no longer worked on any machine over eight years old.  When we asked if they wanted to come pick it up, they sais "No, but you can have the machine."  What a great gift, huh?  A dead 25 year old drink box.

So, I found Global Comoressor, and in a few days, it was working again.  Replacing the compressor rig was way more simple than I had imagined, especially with the free advice from Eric at GC.  Anyway, I'm glad the box still lives.  Over the years, customers have put pictures of their cars on the drink box, and it's now a sort of photo museum of who's come through the doors. (Sort of.)  

In any case, we've repaired it twice now with counsel from this forum, and I'm glad y'all are here.

And we're glad that you are here.
Allen, when you ordered the compressor rig, was shipping expensive? I've always been tempted, but figured the shipping would be steep.

[MoonDawg]

Kito, that's why you are picking up all the $50.00 soda machines you can find. The compressors can usually be transplanted.  Think RECYCLE  
        '>

[loman4ec]

Thats right I have three spares right now. I have found that almost all small Vendo cooling systems are the same, but sometimes the lines are on the wrong side so with some CAREFULL bending you can get them to fit. I also just put a cooling system from a Cavalier 64 into a newer Vendo push button machine for my brother-in-law and it works great.

Quote (Markito @ Feb. 26 2005,1:51)

Allen, when you ordered the compressor rig, was shipping expensive? I've always been tempted, but figured the shipping would be steep.

No, not that I recall.  It came via UPS, well packed in a foam filled box.  I can't speak for any other company, but the whole rig, already charged, with shipping, was like $315.  I think maybe (I'm guessing, it's been 9 months) $35 of it was shipping.  I figured it like this: The box was free, the fix was $315, the total cost of the box: $315.  Cheap enough. Biggest positive in the deal was Eric's help and counsel, which was priceless. He talked me through the install, held my hand over the phone (figuratively speaking, of course), and a day or so later, all was done, cooling at the right temp, and just ducky.

I had to return the dead unit to him as a core, and he had enclosed a return shipping document to get that done. IOW, he paid the freight both ways.  Can't ask for more than that in my book.

[Creighton]

Yep,
Eric is outstanding. I didn't have a compressor assem. to start with. Answered questions he must have heard a 1000 times so even I could understand. Located a donor assem. and performed a killer restoration. $35/40 or so for the shipping sounds right.
Creighton

Sounds really fair.
I may be calling him in the near future.
Thanks guys.