Vendo v192-6 won't vend

I'm a relative newby and just picked up an "as-is" Vendo V192-6 machine through eBay for the kids to use in the garage this summer.  I'm having difficulty getting the unit to vend.  

The unit cools well and does not appear to have any physical damage other than a relay reset switch that the previous owner seems to have completely bypassed.

I've stocked the unit with cans and the "out of stock" lights turned themselves off with each row that I populated.  The coin mechanism was set to 50 cents and properly rejected my change when I exceeded the amount.  Unfortunately, when I press the "vend" button, nothing happens?  If need be, I would be willing to set the coke machine on "free vend" and bypass the coin mechanism altogether.

Does anyone have any ideas on troubleshooting?  Additionally, are the vend motors on older machines AC or DC?

[johnieG]

Hi & welcome, here's a picture from an earlier posting on another machine, you can use the search feature to see the related postings & discussion forums on the key word "free play" this one came out of the coin mechanism forum, this member had a simular problem with a defective vend-relay. hope it helps!

I appreciate the fast reply.  I used your diagram and some parts from Radio Shack to bypass the coin mechanism and it seemed to work (there was a type of clicking sound when I pushed the button).  Unfortunately, the machine still refuses to vend, though this will make troubleshooting much easier.  Thanks!

[johnieG]

Well it sounds like your machines vend-relay is kicking in, but its not allowing a vend cycle. is their a wiring diagram on the inside of the door in/around the coin mech area? assuming the
racks have enough cans to release the "empty" switches, then it's either a stuck contact in the relay, or a loose or broken wire, is there seperate vend motors for each rack, or a single motor? '>

I seem to have the same problem with my Vendo V220/125, it has seperate motors for each slot. Does anyone know what the voltage going to the mototrs is supposed to be? The diagram doesn't say.

[johnieG]

I believe they are 110Volts are they the type that have the electric "open frame" motor on back with a gear reduction box & some switches up front?, if so you can usaly just replace the motor by removeing the old one off of the gear box, Grainger has universal replacements in their catalog.

Yeah, I figured out right after I posted my question that they would have to be 110V, (there is no rectifier) thank you very much for the tip, I will check that out. Now I think the problem is just with me, though. I don't think I'm loading the machine correctly.(it works sometimes) If anyone could help me I'd appreciate it, if not oh well, back to the tinkering :'>

Well, what da ya know...  I now own this machine. Funny finding out new information the same day you figure it out yourself!  I have posted about this machine before.  Until today, I did not know the model #.  I previously called it a V25tc.  What a newbie!?!  Anyway, the vend relay does work.  The free play switch is gone.  I currently have one of the vend motors out.  They all look grimey.  How can I test the motors.  What is a "stuck contact in the relay" (see Apr 23 above).  

Here she is again...nice.

[BrianB]

I reference to your prior email, Ponch, a stuck contact in a relay can be caused by a few different things. Relays have a few different failure modes, here they are:
          Failure Mode                  Failure Cause                    
1. Contacts Failed Shorted      Contacts Welded
2. Contacts Fail Open             Contacts Dirty
3. Coil Fails Open                   Open Circuit Coil



So, plainly speaking, Relays either mechanically fail and cannot be repaired or in the "Contacts Fail Open" failure mode where it is likely the contacts are dirty, sometimes all it takes is a few light flick of the finger to loosen them. Unfortunately, most relays that are used in an industrial/outdoor enviroment such as soda pop machines use hermetically sealed relays that aren't meant to be cracked open and checked to provide a visual go/no go. Luckily most, if not all of these relays are available at electronic supply shops (Typically not Radio Shack) as long as they have the same base and pin configuration and are rated for the same voltage/current and provide the same function. So, if your relay is failed, all you need to do is take it in to your local electrical supply shop or if worse comes to worse and you can't find anything local, post a picture of the relay and the spec's off of the relay.

In fact, I recently purchased a replacement relay for my Cavalier 55D that met the functional criteria (didn't look the same but works fine) All I had to make sure of was that it shared the same keyed octal base (8-pin connector) and was a 115VAC 60Hz Double Pole/Double Throw relay. It functions the same but doesn't look very vintage! But functionality comes first!

By the way, Welcom to the boards Ponch! Feel free to ask any questions that you might have!

Well, I put together a free vend switch for under 5 bucks.  Radio Smack wanted $14!  However, when used, a simple click is heard.  This is the credit relay?  When coin mech is used, a hard click is heard and then a release.  Neither vend a soda, but thats O.K.  I am now wondering if these machines can be wired more direct.  Like selection switch to vend solenoid.  No more sold out lights/switches, or cancel switches.  I could care less about the coin mech... I just wanna drink cold Blue.  Any sugest.?