SMC Discussion Areas

I have been trying to get the light behind the coca cola sign on my v63 to work..I had to replace the switch, got a new bulb and starter..Then I plugged it in pushed the switch and the bulb blew..Got another bulb, checked everything and tried again..This time the bulb would pulse bright and dim. It did not flicker it would just have a slow pulse the all of the sudden smoke rolled out just above the coin bezel..I hit the switch to turn it off and tried to find where the smoke came from..No burnt wires but the little black box I guess it is the ballast was very very hot...From this, anyone got and ideas what the problem might be..

       Bad ballast!

Where can I pick up a new one at??

I think I picked up one at Menard's.

Make sure you get the correct size, when I checked Menards and HD the ballasts in stock were all too large.  I ended up buying one on ebay the part number was LC-4-9-C.

        Regular hardware stores and big box stores only like to stock large equipment
for buildings. Look up "Specalty Lighting" stores in your phone book, they carry all
sizes, take your old one with you.
        Since they only cost about $5.00 you should pick up an extra for your next
machine, saves a lot of money by not blowing out brand new bulbs  :darn:
        BTW.....another machine will find you real soon!  :biggrin:

Ace Hardware has them  and anything else you might need to get it going .

Thanks for the help..I'll try it again tomorrow..Results to follow..... :hopefull:

My Home Depot has them... I've also seen them in Lowes...

Unless your really into originality its better to buy a whole new light from a hardware store and use it. They are safer and can be switched. when I restore a square top I always but a new under the counter light from home depot and take it apart and mount the insides into the machine. Its much more efficient, easier to find replacement bulbs and have a switch in line that I mount under the sign.

Here are pics from two different V56's I did this to. It works great. an look at the wiring it shows that I mounted the switch under the sign so open the coin door and up at the top is an on-off switch.

Finally found a correct ballast at Home Depot...I put in new on/off switch, new starter and bulb and cleaned it up a bit..Now it shines like the sun..

Nice feeling? Anytime I replace a bulb on a newly aquired machine I always replace the ballast 1st. A Bulb is $13 and the Ballast is $4.

        Not to hijack this post, but speaking of light fixtures.................
        Just finished a C-64 for a customer yesterday that didn't have the light-up option,
so I made one using Josh's suggestions.

Then out of the blue got a call from a guy who has a restored C-72 but want's his
C-64 redone. It also was the non-lighted version so I sent him these pictures. He didn't,
hesitate and is bringing his machine in for the same restoration Saturday.  :biggrin:

        The light on these machines just makes all the difference in the world  :happydrinkers:

The light kit  with a different look

Where do you get these Pat?

Home Depot , And look for the for the half off table some time you will
find one or two there :smile:

Glen,

Did you use a picture frame for the sign frame? Thats what I do. It works great. It makes converting a machine to lightup really easy. you did a very nice job on that 64. Looks great!

 I'll be honest this was a Josh Lomans Idea and I just ran with it.
I saw this on one of Josh's machines ,I think it was a Cav 64 that he did.

  By the way Glen nice job :smile:.

       I cut down a larger frame then polished the aluminum trim. Because of that
lighted sign it attracted another customer to go all out and do his machine just like
it. I used a light fixture exactly like in Pat's picture above.
       So now I am going to have to come up with another frame which I don't have.
       Josh can you tell us more about the picture frame idea you came up with?

       

Any frame shop has aluminum frames that they custom cut. They look a lot like the original and they are not too expensive. Here are frames on two Vendo 56's that I did. I have never done this for a Cavalier but the frame would be just as good. I just use rubber gasket on all sides from any hardware store.

Here is a close up.

I've been wondering how to get my sign restored..All in all it's in good shape. The only thing is that the Coca-Cola lettering is cracking..Could this be screen printed??

            By replacing the plexiglass and adding new decals, you will be way ahead

The first sign in my pics with the green lettering is screen printed and sold by Funtronics. They sell one for the V56, 63, Cav64. They are really nice except for legal reasons they are dated really small in the corner.