My new toy.

[shardian]

As some of you knew, I have had a pop machine waiting on me for a few weeks. well, I picked it up today!
It is dirty as hell, probably has a few issues, but hey it was FREE!
Everything is in-tact, which is a very good thing. I was told that the AC unit may not be functioning properly, ( a new compressor was included in the deal also) but after inspection several things were unplugged inside the machine. Hopefully after going thru the wiring/fuses, everything will be 100%. Hey, I even scored $5 in change in  the deal.
Without further adeu, the pictures:

[Ken Layton]

Here's a great place to help you out:

http://soda-machines.com/cgi-local/discussions/ikonboard.cgi

[shardian]

Yes, I had already signed up there. They aren't too keen on the square top machines over there though. There is nothing on there specific to my machine. Definitely a good reference for general soda repair/resto info though. On a different soda site I was able to find a pic of a fully restored machine identical to mine, although theirs is labeled as a cvb-141.(Picture below)

What I really need is a manual for mine. Would you have a source for that Ken? It is a Choice Vend CVC-224.

[leapinlew]

Cool.

Question...
Whats it cost to run one of those things? Electric costs where I used to live were outrageous (truly truly truly outrageous).

[shardian]

It probably costs around $100-$120 to run it all year. I plan on only running it occasionally, so running cost won't be too bad.

If the AC doesn't work, it will probably just be for looks. I can't afford to send off the AC unit for refurbishment. That costs major $$$, but it looks awesome and can survive a direct atomic bomb once the guy is done.

[leapinlew]

Cool. You know... they may make an emulator that allows you to dispense coke instead of pepsi. 

[bfauska]

Cool. You know... they may make an emulator that allows you to dispense coke instead of pepsi. 

 

I want to get a fountain soda dispenser for my game room someday, and I guess if all I can find is pepsi I'll definately have to get that emu installed, pepsi iz teh gross.

[Hoopz]

Cool.

Question...
Whats it cost to run one of those things? Electric costs where I used to live were outrageous (truly truly truly outrageous).

I have one that's about 45 years old that was also free.  Mine runs 24/7 and  costs less than $20 a month to run.  I also posted on soda-machines.com and found them very helpful.

One difference is mine takes bottles so its loaded with beer! 

Nice score Shardian. 

[Angry_Radish]

Indeed, geat score!
I had an opportunity to get one of the chest style pepsi machines, passed it up, and still regret doing that...

[JackTucky]

I had a later year coke machine and it took about $30 to $40 to run.  It was in my garage.  It was awful.  I sold it for $50.

=J

[Ken Layton]

From the manuals section at www.colamachines.com

Note: If you don't see your manual in our online store please use the "contact us" link to send an email.

[Malenko]

Cool.

Question...
Whats it cost to run one of those things? Electric costs where I used to live were outrageous (truly truly truly outrageous).

please dear god tell me I'm not the only guy who picked up on the "Jem and the Holograms" reference

[NightGod]

I've been seriously considering buying a pop machine for my house, but I'm running into the problem of not having a place to put it without making things seem overcrowded. I'll figure out something eventually...

[Crowquill]

It looks like it'll be a nice-looking machine once it's cleaned up. I think that's part of the reason the square tops are less popular--they have a lot less character. At least your machine predates the black-and-woodgrain era.

I think a vending machine is probably one thing I probably will never have. Partially because of space (I could fit another upright cab in it's place) and also the additional operating cost.

No, you're not alone. I was reminded of Jem last week when I heard a cover of the theme song by Freezepop (a band mostly known from the Guitar Hero games).

[divemaster127]

nice looking machine, I bet it weighs a ton
dm

[shardian]

nice looking machine, I bet it weighs a ton
dm

It lists as 550lbs. I was able to shimmy it around pretty easy. Tipping it onto the dolly wasn't too bad either. I haven't weighed for sure, but I don't think it weighs 550 empty. It isn't anywhere near as big as the newer machines.

[ChadTower]

I didn't see the reference but I had a thing for Jem when I was like 10.

[ClubNinja]

I had a thing for Jem when I was like 10.

I still do.

[ChadTower]

And She-Ra.

I asked my kids the other day if they knew who He-Man is... neither one did but they both knew She-Ra.  Smart boys.

[leapinlew]

And She-Ra.

I asked my kids the other day if they knew who He-Man is... neither one did but they both knew She-Ra.  Smart boys.

Not that smart, since He-Man is her brother.

I'm pretty sure He-Man isn't going to tolerate mini-Chads making googly eyes at his sister.

[ChadTower]

 

They live in alternate dimensions.  He'd never know!

[TheOtherBob]

please dear god tell me I'm not the only guy who picked up on the "Jem and the Holograms" reference

Nah.... thought the same thing myself as I grabbed my ear and started talking to my computer.... "It's Showtime...."

[leapinlew]

please dear god tell me I'm not the only guy who picked up on the "Jem and the Holograms" reference

Nah.... thought the same thing myself as I grabbed my ear and started talking to my computer.... "It's Showtime...."

 

[NightGod]

And She-Ra.

I asked my kids the other day if they knew who He-Man is... neither one did but they both knew She-Ra.  Smart boys.

Reminds me of when I was talking about Jessica Alba with my ex and my son asked me "who are you guys talking about?" and I replied "Only the hottest woman on the planet" and he said "Oh, the Invisible Woman from the Fantastic Four movie?"

Not bad for a 10 yr old, not bad at all.

[SavannahLion]

Cool.

Question...
Whats it cost to run one of those things? Electric costs where I used to live were outrageous (truly truly truly outrageous).

please dear god tell me I'm not the only guy who picked up on the "Jem and the Holograms" reference

Woah... I've forgotten all about that show.

[Neilyboy]

damn that pepsi machine is nice!! I need to pick up one of those guys sometime.

Neil

[shardian]

damn that pepsi machine is nice!! I need to pick up one of those guys sometime.

Neil

Thanks.

My coworkers think I'm a nut for wanting a pop machine. They just don't get it.

[shardian]

I am thinking about trying oven cleaner on this thing. The dirt and grime is on there pretty dang good. The paint is enamel, so i am thinking that oven cleaner won't hurt it, but I think I'll experiment with a small spot on the inside to see. It is my hope that I can clean the machine real good, then wet sand with some very light sanding paper followed by clear coat. I'd rather not paint the machine if I can get away with it.

[WunderCade]

Nice machine. Are you gonna MAME it?

 

[More Cowbell]

Very nice! We've been looking for a Pepsi machine like that on Craigslist for a while and still no luck. As a loyal Pepsico employee I say stock it full of delicious, refreshing Pepsi and Mountain Dew. 

[shardian]

I probably have some work ahead of me on this one. Things were unplugged inside when I did my once over when I got it. That raised some questions. Well I decided to go ahead and reconnect everything and plug it in just to see what would happen now that the compressor has sat for a few days. The breaker to the outlet was promptly kicked. Looks like my multimeter will be getting a good workout.

I wish I could find a manual for this thing. Someone somewhere HAS to have one, right?

[leapinlew]

I wish I could find a manual for this thing. Someone somewhere HAS to have one, right?

http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=68605.msg699274#msg699274

[shardian]

I wish I could find a manual for this thing. Someone somewhere HAS to have one, right?

http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=68605.msg699274#msg699274

They Don't have one online, and I have put in a question to them asking if they either have it offline or can point me to where it may be - they haven't gotten back to me. Note that is why Ken put the bold part on his post.

[SavannahLion]

damn that pepsi machine is nice!! I need to pick up one of those guys sometime.

Neil

Thanks.

My coworkers think I'm a nut for wanting a pop machine. They just don't get it.

Yeah, my GF is the same way. She just doesn't get it sometimes. Waiting in line at midnight to be the first to see the latest movie. Building arcade machines. Buying a soda vending machine. Watching cheesy 80's flicks at 2AM with popcorn and soda.

It's weird really. She's more of a child of the 80's than I am and she's never seen Goonies. Go figure.

[leapinlew]

damn that pepsi machine is nice!! I need to pick up one of those guys sometime.

Neil

Thanks.

My coworkers think I'm a nut for wanting a pop machine. They just don't get it.

Yeah, my GF is the same way. She just doesn't get it sometimes. Waiting in line at midnight to be the first to see the latest movie. Building arcade machines. Buying a soda vending machine. Watching cheesy 80's flicks at 2AM with popcorn and soda.

It's weird really. She's more of a child of the 80's than I am and she's never seen Goonies. Go figure.

break up with her. It'll never work.

If someone can't understand wanting a dedicated fridge that costs more to run than the soda being stored in it, building from scratch a piece of antiquated technology, and watching out dated movies at odd hours - there must be something wrong with them.

[shardian]

If someone can't understand wanting a dedicated fridge that costs more to run than the soda being stored in it, building from scratch a piece of antiquated technology

SHHHHHH!!! We never tell the wimmins about the associated costs of RUNNING our toys. All they take the time to do is hear the up-front costs. Upkeep, electricity, spare parts,etc - that's "our little secret".

[ChadTower]

The quickest way to shut them up about that, BTW, is "it costs a lot less than the repairs to your car every time you drive into a stationary object".

[cdbrown]

Or it's alot cheaper than your last haircut or all the clothes you buy!  That'll shut them up**


**Don't use this unless you really want the silent treatment

[shardian]

Or it's alot cheaper than your last haircut or all the clothes you buy!  That'll shut them up**


**Don't use this unless you really want the silent treatment

I have learned that it is a bad strategy to point fingers in the wife's direction. It is surprising what all they know you do that you think they don't know(or at least they don't pay attention to), and they can recall that info on a moments notice.

[ChadTower]

At least don't point to personal grooming stuff.  I mean damn, do you want her to start being all slobby and hairy?  You have to point to the stupid things.  Like driving into poles and costing four figure bodyshop jobs.

[shardian]

At least don't point to personal grooming stuff.  I mean damn, do you want her to start being all slobby and hairy?  You have to point to the stupid things.  Like driving into poles and costing four figure bodyshop jobs.

I don't have any of those to point at luckily.

[ChadTower]

I have multiple instances to point at plus the Thunderbird she totalled entirely while I was unemployed.

[shardian]

Two words for you: BUS PASS 

[ChadTower]

Seriously.  She has paid pretty dearly for the Thunderbird, though, her injuries were bad and she will have arthritis in her hip and back forever.  So I just point to the other stuff like driving into the control box at the car wash.  We could have bought a nice DMD pin for that money.

[shardian]

dang this thing has been cluttering my garage for a long time now! I have been clearing out the garage, and last night I decided to try plugging this in again. I unplugged the compressor, and plugged the cord in. Nothing.

I then plugged the compressor back in and fired her up. It did something! The circulating fan was running in the back. I hit the coin dispense switch, and it spun. Extra sweet! The coin mech was all screwed up, but after tinkering/disassembling it, I got access to the nickel switch. 10 credits later, 3 out of 5 buttons dispensed pop (if pop would have been in there).

The bad: Compressor never kicked on (no surprise), coin mech needs disassembled and rebuilt, no lights came on, several selections did not vend, but that may be due to the fact there is no product in the machine. In theory, non of the selections should have dispensed I would think. I let the machine run for about 20 minutes. I fiddled with the cooling control to either fire up the compressor or kick the breaker, and the machine tripped off. It didn't kick my breaker or anything, but the machine now won't fire up. I guess there is a fuse or breaker somewhere on it I need to find.

 Either way, there are lots of issues with the machine. I would say I was ripped off by getting it, but it was free. I was just an easy mark to unload it on I guess.


I am going to list this for sale cheap (now that is pseudo works) and try to get rid of it in the next few weeks.

[Level42]

What a waste . You could have put an arcade machine where that thing is going to be.





Looks great, I'd have one if I had the space. I hope you'll restore it like that one on the picture, looks very nice. I actually think it's a nice thing to see a more "modern" (rectangular) looking one. "Everybody" has those Coca Cola red one's with rounds all over.....this is more special

[shardian]

What a waste . You could have put an arcade machine where that thing is going to be.





Looks great, I'd have one if I had the space. I hope you'll restore it like that one on the picture, looks very nice. I actually think it's a nice thing to see a more "modern" (rectangular) looking one. "Everybody" has those Coca Cola red one's with rounds all over.....this is more special

Well it's days are hopefully numbered. I might tinker with it a bit more, but without complete technical manuals I don't think I'll get it back to 100% myself. I listed it on craigslist just now.

[shardian]

HAd a guy who was gonna come buy this today, so I spent some time tinkering with it to make sure it worked. I figured out alot of how it works - which is pretty neat. The coin mech is temperamental with nickels.

THe guy ended up canceling after he analyzed his garage for space. That sucks, but I do feel more confident now that I could restore this thing...but it just doesn't fit into my plans anymore I think.