Cavalier 51

[90grad]

Brian,

Thanks for the picture and info.  One question (a rather dumb one) for all...

I will be using an appliance dolly to get the machine on/off my truck.  I plan on leaving it on the dolly to haul it.  I will be setting it down.  I know I have to leave it sit up for a while before plugging it in (I did this with my VMC).  My question is, should I put the dolly on the side of the machine so as not to squash the stuff in back or the coin door?

[Jim]

Wayne,

This is more a matter of preference and gaining access to where the machine will be located... However, in your case, you do not want to possibly damage the coils along the back or the sheet metal cover for that matter.

Depending whether you have to pass through a doorway, I would recommend using the side provided the feet(if the legs are still present) can safely remain on the hand-truck/dolly. For a stable ride, remove the leg levelers on the side you are going to use(if present) so better contact with the hand-truck/dolly can be maintained. Then use a tie strap to secure the machine to the hand-truck/dolly. Just a note of caution; the machine can still tip over while strapped to the hand-truck/dolly so be careful while making direction changes!

If no doorways present a problem, then you could place the hand-truck/dolly on the front; just place some padding to help with keeping any damage to a minimum.

I'm not sure what type of hand-truck/dolly you have but mine is made from tubular steel and accepts air conditioning pipe insulation quite well. It's usually black and has a 3/4" - 1" hole. I had to slice mine but some types have a slice already to aid in placing the insulation over the refrigerant lines on residential air conditioning.

[sodaworks]

I too have my hand truck covered with pipe wrap insulation. I works great, customers always comment about going the extra mile to handle machines with care. '>

[90grad]

The dolly is made of tubular steel with a strpa for appliances.  Doorways are no problem.  Thanks for the advice!

[BryanH]

Quote (Jim @ Aug. 19 2005,10:27)

I'm not sure what type of hand-truck/dolly you have but mine is made from tubular steel and accepts air conditioning pipe insulation quite well. It's usually black and has a 3/4" - 1" hole. I had to slice mine but some types have a slice already to aid in placing the insulation over the refrigerant lines on residential air conditioning.

Another great tip.... Thanks Jim!

[BrianB]

Wayne,

Strap the appliance dolly to the non-hinge side. Your Cav 51 is like mine and has the big cover on the back "protecting" the main condensor coil from damage, but, will not facilitate transporting it via dolly.

I got lucky in the fact that my machine had casters. You should have no problem transporting it!!

[90grad]

All,

I picked up the 51 on Saturday.  The machine looked better than the photos.  My guess is it was an inside machine most of its life.  With the expection of one small spot of surface rust in the tank (that will basically wipe away with little effort), the inside looks brand new.  I have some questions, and of course photos.  Here are the questions:

1. It requires 15 cents to vend.  The slug rejector has a two paths, one for a dime and one for a nickel.  The dime path works fine, but the nickel path kicks them out.  I have boiled the rejector and am getting ready to give it another good cleaning to see if it will accept the nickels.  When I take the slug rejector off and look at the crank assembly, I can see the two slots for the coins.  Putting a dime and nickel in there at the same time allows it to turn.  My question is:  Is there any way to make it just a dime, or nickel, machine?  Do you have to take out something in the cranks assembly?  I can take more photos tonight.

2. I plugged it in at the guy's house and it started to cool.  I didn't see any frost on the coil for about 20 minutes.  Is this too long?  When I got it home and let it sit for a day, I set the thermostat on 2 (it has 4 settings, 4 being coldest) and let it sit.  After 1 hour and 40 minutes, the compressor had kicked off and the interior was 38 degrees.  After I opened the door, the compressor kicked back on, so I figured I was in business.  But again, was this too long a time?  I know a guy who has some R-12.

3. The hole for the condensation drain has a hinged cover on it.  The cover is in the compressor area.  Should this stay open all the time with a hose/jar hooked to it?  My other machine just has a hose connected to the drain tube.  I was wondering why the hinged cover.

So, here are some photos.  Overall, I am quite pleased with the machine (my first roundtop).  It will need:

1. New wiring harness
2. Paint on the compressor, and overall eventually
3. Gasket for bottle door
4. Springs for bottle door
5. A good cleaning of the machine and slug rejector

But, I think it's great.

[90grad]

Here is the inside:

[90grad]

Here is the coin mech:

[90grad]

Sorry, forgot the attachment: