Having fixed the compressor, I'm on to the next problem...
On our Dixie Narco 368/216-8 (built circa 1986 according to the serial number), the #2 button will not activate the motor for that column. This is one of the double-wide columns. The other seven buttons all dispense just dandy.
The paddle switch that detects whether there is product in the column works correctly and turns on the light on the front of the machine when the column is empty. For testing purposes, I have a friend hold the paddle down or load cans in that column to deactivate the light.
I tried connecting the wires for the #2 button to the #1 switch to see if perhaps the switch was bad. No joy. I also tried simply disconnecting and reconnecting the wires on both the switch and motor in case of a bad or dirty connection. Also no joy. There is no click or hum in the machine to indicate it is even trying to vend.
The #2 motor will run if the microswitch on the cam is lifted, and will go through a vend cycle and stop itself again properly.
What's next? Can I use a multi tester to check the wiring? Where should I start?
Thanks again!
Park
Park Hunter,
Sorry it took me a while to get back to you I had to in to the hospital for a short spell.
There is no simple way to solve this problem. I understand were talking about single price soda machine. So there can be several problems.
1. Vend motor bad or switch to motor, but you checked motor manually and it is working and so is it's switch.
2. Sold out switch bad, but you checked it and it appears to be working.
3. Selection switch bad, but if that number 1 switch was good and it wouldn't work the number 2 circuit then it's probably good.
4. The only thing left unfortunately is the wiring and connectors in that circuit. TWO things are possible here 1. there is short in one of the wires or at the connector. They have to be followed from connection to connection and tested with multi-tester.(Tip: on dixie-narco's the white wires are numbered, so if it says '24' on one end it says '24' on the other end.) 2. Some previous owner might have connected the wrong wire to the wrong switch. The only way to check this is to look at the circuit diagram on the inner door and find which wire numbers go to which switch and verify that they are correct.
I would check for a shorted connection first. But if they are hooked up wrong the most common is at the selection switch, they get knocked off when people put in new selection labels. The others are in wiring harnesses and would be pretty dificult to screw up.
Hope this helps, I feel for you.
daryl
Daryl:
Your advice is worth the wait. I hope you are feeling better!
Knowing that the wires are numbered and the ends are supposed to match should make this easier. I can use my multi tester to check for continuity and shorts. I'll post again after I've investigated and let folks know what I figure out.
Blessings,
Park
Park Hunter
Park Hunter,
I was talking to one of the 'old salts' I know, he suggested you replace all 3 microswitches (2 on the motor and one on the sold out switch) with new ones. He makes a point that there are 2 switches on the motor and 1 could be bad and the motors will still cycle when one was pressed but not work with the selection switch. Anyways it's easier to replace them first and microswitches are cheap.
Thought I would mention it, maybe it will help.
daryl