Popcorn sez vending issues

[johnieG]

Heya, I’m helping Pat Pixley rewire a “popcorn sez” Vending machine & he’s run into a snag with the coinmech, the vending motor’s running continuously, (or at least not shutting off) it seems to be a bad switch to me, ( according to my ohmmeter) does anyone have switch assembly they can part with? ( sell that is)  

[BrianS]

Have you tried taking the switch mechanism apart and checking inside?  I had to take mine apart and replace the shaft after it twisted off when i replaced the coin catching arm.  The only thing inside is a ceramic piece with contact points on it.  The ceramic piece rotates on the shaft when the arm catches the coin and closes the circuit. The shutoff bar releases the coin and resets the catching arm back to the start position.  When my switch broke, I found the company that manufactured the switch back in the '50s and they are actually still in business. Not surprising, they no longer make it and have not for decades.  Also, did not have any NOS sitting around on a shelf.  There is only one moving part so you may be able to bring the switch back to life.  If you try to take the coin catching arm off, be careful.  Removing the nut is how I ended up twisting my shaft off.

[johnieG]

I suppose that's always an option, I was just looking to replace it if possible , plus it seems to be missing a small return spring-wire that applies a small amount of pressure to hold the coin in place until the little vending arm opens the retainer/finger & drops the dime at the end of the vend-cycle.

I found a Remnant of a spring-wire under the screw shown in the picture, can any one confirm that it's supposed to be where the yellow line is drawn?

thanks.

[johnieG]

Update, I'm still looking for a coin micro-switch for The Pop-Corn Sez vendor,  in the meanwhile I've installed a manual vending push button to enable the machine to manually vend in lieu of it being coin operated.

meanwhile after double checking and testing the electrical's  I found out that the hopper warmer ( electric heater element) isn't in the realm of the living anymore ( open-circuit) so it will be in the market for one of those too,    pity since I've already installed an optional heater on/off ( bypass) switch as well. to allow the machine to be left on for display without running the heater and aslo running up the electric bill.

[BrianS]

I believe Shane (Georgescustompaint) has a heater left over from a previous restoration. 

[johnieG]

thanks, I'll give him a call...

[BrianS]

You still looking for this switch?  I might have a lead on one