Leaderboard

I basically circumvented ordering directly from Pepsi. I use a different distributor. From what I understand though, both Coke and Pepsi tend to focus on trying to force you (the operator) to buy more SKUs of product by offering rebates if you do. For example, if you buy at least 40 cases of Starry, maybe you'll get $3 rebate per case of regular soda products like pepsi/dew. It does help the bottom line but the issue is that the prices may still be higher than going through someone else (maybe) and they pretty much twist your arm to buy even MORE varieties of products in the future or kind of threaten to put you to a lower tier which means higher prices. And if you have equipment with them, they really give it to you. I have a great relationship with KDP so I am almost exclusively 7up items on the non-cola flavors. I get a great price on their items and they happily send me machines because I keep buying. No pushing me on varieties. My rep does send me new things and I try things out from time to time but I already carry maybe 30 different SKUs from them.

Health lock errors are usually tied to the door switch. It should reset and wait to see if your machine temp drops below 40 F within 30 minutes. If not, it will lock out again. If you have persistent errors that don't clear on their own, you may need to go into the diagnostics or errors menu and clear using the programming keys. When particular selections show "unavailable", if not tied to the temp error, it often means those selections have "blocks" programmed against them such as for a school. You might be best served by doing a RAM clear and start from scratch.

I have a older royal machine (GII I believe, with the shorter front columns- I know its a dinosaur but Im trying to make it work) with a older board, it doesn't report cash sales through the card reader and I am wondering if there is an updated eprom that would allow it to. Here are some photos of the board and the eprom for reference. Thank you all for your help! Images for reference- https://ibb.co/HzYD0Yv https://ibb.co/KFJ4phN https://ibb.co/mJs8mCn

No, you just have a used soda machine.

It’s a limitation of the eprom/board. this machine is a tough one…. I have one that reports and one that doesn’t. it may be a simple eprom update, but maybe a complete board. post a picture of your board here or pm me for my email to send it to. I can flash you the latest eprom if you have a compatible board. But I fear an inone kit may be in your future.

simple way is this- Monsters.

Then there is a broken wire that opens when it flexes.

Let's see.... let me find a machine designed for 12 oz cans and 20 oz soda bottles and then see what oddball, non-conventional products I can cram into it.....

The condenser is plugged into the side of the power distribution box. With the machine powered down, remove the air dam (metal plate surrounding the condenser coil). This will expose the side of the power distribution box and the plug for the deck. It looks like a plug for any standard lamp or box fan. This will disconnect the deck from the power source.

Many machines use a relay to control the LED power. If you hear a click then I would expect that the relay is being engaged but the power the relay is meant to supply to the LEDs is not there due to an open fuse, disconnected or cut wire, etc. If you're comfortable with a volt meter, I would start by checking for power at the LED and work backwards.

Go with the 24VAC VN2502 and the proper harness to interface to the board. In the future, you can convert it to MDB with just a harness change. A 110VAC is already obsolete

Ok so I got a hold of Pepsi and they told me the machine should not have been sold to me but since it's older they are totally fine with it. They are even going to come to my house and program a key fob for me for $75. I can't beat that. I'm assuming they will open it and take the money in it which I am fine with since they decided not to press any charges. Really nice guy said he converted one to a gun safe as well, told me the compressor is worth a couple hundred bucks on eBay so that may be something I do if I do choose to convert it.

It sounds like it's been outside for a few years. Your main power harness is probably brittle as well.

The harness is old and the wires seem hard or brittle. I will put a new harness from board to the coin and bill mechs.

Sounds like the harness is intermittent.

Yup, you might need to replace the entire power harness, which is still available.

Oh shoot, I indeed have the machine with the 12 large buttons. Hopefully Pepsi will call me again with some more info. Thanks for the reply.

That is a great bulk set up for that spot. In my opinion, going head to head, cranes will regularly out gross bulk racks just because they take bills, the game play is more exciting and the chance of winning a big prize is often too hard to pass up. Since you have operated cranes in the past, you know it is a completely different animal than bulk vending. Cranes can make great money but require a lot more attention and capital to operate. Generally, if you are going to delve into that business, it's not a bad idea buy several of them and put together a small route. That way you can buy more mixes and rotate items from location to location. If I were going to add one there, I would swap out the sticker machine for the mini crane (if it will fit) and leave the rack. You would also need to bolt it to the wall or floor. I guess my ultimate advice would be to ask yourself where you want to be in vending 5 years from now. Is this something you really want to expand on or is it just a side gig for the foreseeable future? Bulk vending is a lot less demanding than a claw machine route but claw machines have a better future than bulk. If it is a just going to be a side gig, I would stick with bulk for the time being.

lol She takes a lickin, and keeps on tickin! (now that I am bragging about her, she will probably keel over dead) :'(