My $100 nightmare

SilverDuck

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As in the other thread, I bought that Dixie Narco Ocean Spray machine for $100. Seller said it gets really cold, but the coin mech works sometimes, but mostly not. I get it home, stand it up overnight, and plug it in the next evening.

It won't vend. Coin mech looks good, sounds good, spits out coins, but won't tell machine to vend. The vend motors work if tripped by hand. The vend motors look really nice and clean. I have a new coin mech en route from eBay for $40 shipped. It's a Mars TRC-6800H. If this does not fix it, I'll try for a vend relay.

Next problem. It does not get cold. Everything sounds right, the compressor kicks on/off pending thermostat position, but it just don't get cold. I know nothing about refrigeration. There is a "radiator" below, and another one above. The lower one is down on the very bottom of the machine, the upper one is right under the can chute. On the upper "radiator", the tube going into it gets all iced up. The fans all run, and everything looks and sounds right. Any clue if this can be fixed in my garage, or should I just buy a new "compressor deck"?

Should I try to repair, or sell it? Is it worth $100? I'd like to repair it, but not if it's going to cost an arm and a leg.

Thank you all VERY, VERY MUCH!
 
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The machine.

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The vend motors

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The innards. What are the correct names for the lower "radiator" and upper? I know one is an evaporator, but which? And what is the other called?

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That tube in the rear, now green, gets covered in ice and 'snow' when the machine is plugged in.
 
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What is that oval-cylinder looking thing called? Should it be getting warm or cold? It just kinda stays room temp.
 
The upper fan is running? Seems that if that tube gets iced up, something should be getting cold.

The tube gets icey, but the fins stay room temp. How long should it take for the machine to get cold enough to make the cans cool to the touch? It's been plugged in 12 hours, and the cans are the same temp as the ones outside of the machine.
 
Could possibly be moisture in the system making an ice chunk, clogging the tube or a simple re-charge. I'm not a refrigeration expert by any means though. Best bet might be to call around for a refrigeration guy in your area that would be willing to take a look at it. Unfortunately, I beleive that machine uses R-12 which is expensive although I beleive they make a modern substitute for it (with mixed reviews).
 
Would it be cheaper to replace the refrigeration unit? Vending World sells the compressor deck for $200. Isn't that all of the refrigeration components?
 
Does it come charged? Is it a straightforeward replacement? Is it brand new?I have never replaced one. You're right, 200 for a brand new, ready to go unit seems reasonable. You probably wouldn't have to worry about it for a while. Check and see how much shipping is too, HEAVY. Please keep me posted on this machine, you have peaked my curiousty for sure with the various problems. Good luck!! :)
 
I was so happy when I found a 'working' soda machine for $100.

Now I'm going to have an old, working soda machine for $500...
 
I still might see if you can get a refrigeration guy local. Get an estimate over the phone if you can. See how much to evacuate and recharge or just recharge. Cheaper is always better.:) Unfortunately if vending was that easy and cheap to get into, everyone would do it. I feel for you, been there, done that as they say.
 
soda-machines.com is not accepting new members. I registered for it, and it came back with a message that said I would be contacted by an admin when my registration is complete. I emailed the admins several times, no reply.

I will try ColaMachines. Wish me luck.
 
soda-machines.com is not accepting new members. I registered for it, and it came back with a message that said I would be contacted by an admin when my registration is complete. I emailed the admins several times, no reply.

I will try ColaMachines. Wish me luck.

Soda machines.com had to register me manually. They will get back to you. A better site than cola machines in my opinion. See you there.
 
Our very own forum member here, BubbaK, is also an admin at soda machines.com

When I had problems with my registration there, he fixed me right up.

Why don't you PM him and ask for help?
 
Refer tech came out, pumped in some dye and some 416? refrigerant. The thing gets cold. For now.
 
did he clean the coils? that would help too..

lower radiartor is the condensor, this is where compressed refrigerant gets slightly cooled off and also condensed into liquid, hence the name condensor.

The one in the machine that makes cold air, thats the evaporator.
There is a orifice in the tubes just before the evaporator. Refrigeran tgoes through, the prezzurized luquid refrigerants' pressure drops, it evaporates, causing the evaporator to get cold...(thats how you get rhe cold air..)

then it makes its way back to the compressor, to start the journey all over again..

at least your beer will be cold now lol...
 
if its freezing up you have air getting in or your compresser needs to be serviced could be a bad cap tube also. fill it with change then try to put money in it
 
if its freezing up you have air getting in or your compresser needs to be serviced could be a bad cap tube also. fill it with change then try to put money in it

It was almost totally out of refrigerant. He put the gauges on and said it was at 1 lb or 1 psi or 1 something. He did some test to make sure the compressor was strong enough, and he said it passed. He told me he could drain the system, fill it with Nitrogen, and try to find a leak, but it would cost $119 for the test, or he could just inject some die and some 416? refrigerant for $45. I took the $45 deal. If/when it fails again, I am replacing the compressor deck with a refurb from Vending World for $229 + s/h.

As for the coin changer, it's out of the machine and on the bench. Ebay (sold as used, tested working) changer should be here tomorrow. If it still fails, I'll try a vend relay.
 
Put the eBay coin changer in, and it accepts dollars, gives correct change, and vends a soda...but it WILL NOT ACCEPT QUARTERS!!!

They go right through the machine into the change refund slot. It will not hold them in the changer or the cash box.


It vends on dollars, nickels, and dimes, but quarters go straight into the refund hopper.


What gives????
 
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