New Member With A Vendo 63

[vendo63]

I am the proud owner of a 1962 Vendo H63B coke machine. I drove all the way from Norfolk,Va to purchase the machine in Chicago and was told that it was in a supermarket (long closed) back in the '60s. The original paint looks good considering its age. I purchased the service manual and cleaned/lubed the coin mechanism. The machine gets the bottles of imported Mexican Coca- Cola ice cold and the coin mechanism works fine. Here is my question. I generally use the machine from Friday afternoon until Monday morning when I start the work week. Is it better to leave the machine running constantly like a refrigerator or unplug it like I am doing? Would it it preserve the refrigeration components like the compressor etc to unplug the machine as I am doing? I am assuming the machines were left on constantly in grocery stores back in the day. I just want the machine components to last as long as possible. Thanks for any advice.

[Slapshot42]

Welcome Noob!

At this point it's entirely up to you as far as preference.  Many members don't even plug there machines they just enjoy them as a piece of their collection.

If you want to take the conservative approach and preserve it's longevity unplugging is fine after use ....

[Creighton]

I'd leave it full of product and running 24/7. Reason being the stress on the compressor running to bring back to cold every 7 days worse than just holding the current temp. Only time unplug mine is will be gone for a few days.

Interested to read what others think.
Creighton

[dr galaga]

I agree about leaving it on 24/7.

[vendo63]

I'm not sure about leaving it running all the time. It seems to me that when I turn the machine off on sunday night and leave it off until friday afternoon that every part in the machine is resting. The compressor is at rest, the fluorescent light isn't being used. It just seems like if the parts aren't having to work then the machine will operate for a longer time than if it is run 24/7.

[pinballdude]

But when you plug it in, does it take til Sunday for the bottles to get Ice Cold? LOL

[vendo63]

30/45 minutes. Then they are ice cold.

[MoonDawg]

       So then........................ what was your question?

[vendo63]

Just wanted to get both sides of the let it run 24/7 or shut it down when not in use question. Each side has valid points. Trying to get some input before I make a definate decision.

[vendo63]

I think I will try leaving the machine on for 2 weeks 24/7 and then shutting it off for 2 weeks. Is there any way to shut off the flourescent light so that while the machine is running the light can be off?