Vendo Model 600 -(570)

[Randy 805]

Hey guys, I've been having a reoccuring problem with one of my Vendo units, model 600 (570). Every time I go to the location the machine is powered off, when I go to the power strip and hit the reset button on the GFCI it powers back on and runs for 10 minutes or so then powers off again, if I keep hitting the reset button on the GFCI cord unit the machine will come back on again for a few seconds then power off...any suggestions? I've asked a few people and they suggested replacing the GFCI which I did but I'm now experiencing the same problems. I few weeks ago I walked up to the machine (it was powered ON at the time), opened it and all the sodas were warm but a day later the problem went away, now I'm gettig the intermittent power down...the only thing I can thin is that there may be a short somewhere in or around the compressor unit or something along those lines. Anybody have any similar experiences?

[snack dude]

Sounds like to me the compressor is tripping the GFCI when it is trying to kick on.

Have you tried just plugging it straight into the wall without the GFCI?

After that I would unplug the compressor and see if it will trip the GFCI without the compressor.

After that I would plug the compressor straight into the GFCI and see if it runs.

Good Luck

[Randy 805]

Sounds like to me the compressor is tripping the GFCI when it is trying to kick on.

Have you tried just plugging it straight into the wall without the GFCI?

After that I would unplug the compressor and see if it will trip the GFCI without the compressor.

After that I would plug the compressor straight into the GFCI and see if it runs.

Good Luck

Thanks for the suggestions, I've already removed the new GFCI I had installed to replace the possible old "broken" unit, I replaced it with a high quality 3 prong plug, plugged it in yesterday but I didn't have time to stick around and see if it clicked off, I will go back this morning to check things out, if it is off I may try your suggestion of unplugging the compressor for a bit to see if that helps, then I will at least know where the problem is.

On a side note, is there any danger of running machines without the GFCI plug on the cord? I already have all my machines installed with new high quality power strips / grounded surge protectors.

[AZVendor]

Randy, regardless what anyone may say, you should never have a soda machine or any other refrigerated machine plugged into a power strip. This creates a pinch point for the line current and reduces the current available to the compressor. If you have line noise or voltage spikes, that would be a different story, but then, and only then, a quality surge suppressor rated in joules, not a "power strip", with the shortest cord possible could be used. The cord from the surge suppressor should have 12 gauge wire in it. You may use all the power strips you want on a snack machine, just not on any refrigerated machines.

It sounds like you also have a GFCI device built into your machine cord, but I'm not sure as you stated " I go to the power strip and hit the reset button on the GFCI it powers back on" . GFCI's built into the power cord of newer or factory-refurbished machines are notoriously weak and of crappy construction. I have had to remove several from the power cords because they fail. Now yours probably didn't fail as you were able to to reset it, this is just a warning that corded GFCI's can go bad and not be able to be reset. Another thing to remember, the more a safety device trips, the weaker it gets.

I agree with snackdude that your compressor is probably the culprit. The tripping of the GFCI/power strip whichever it is, probably happens when the compressor is starting. You need to check some things before knowing what's happening:

1. The machine needs a clean condenser in front of the compressor, not clogged with dirt. Look inside the fins.

2. The machine must be 3 - 6 inches away from the wall for good air flow.

3. With the compressor and condensing fan running, a piece of paper should be pulled firmly against the condensor to verify good fan RPMs. If pulled weakly, you may have a bad fan motor causing the compressor to overheat.

4. Wait for the compressor to turn on from being off, listening for how hard it may be for the compressor to start. You will hear the fan start immediately but does the compressor also start immediately? Is there a hum before it starts, or is there a click, a pause, then another click indicating the compressor tries to start but doesn't?

5. A compressor will pull upwards of 14 amps when starting. Any difficulty it shows when starting causes the current draw to go higher, tripping any safety devices. If you already have proper airflow, the hard starting will only get worse, like the day when you came in with the machine on and found it warm. The correct fix in the end is a new compressor. On the other hand, if you find an airflow restriction and correct it, you may have solved the problem.

You could also possibly have a problem with another 110V circuit in the machine, though it's a slim chance and it may be intermittent. The other 110V circuits are the lights, motors on a Univendor 2 like yours, and the coin mech/ validator if they are 110V models. Check out the things on my list and I think you will find the culprit.

[Randy 805]

Thanks guys for the help and suggestions, turn out it was a short in the internals of the compressor unit, my tech was able to instal a new compressor, weld it up and charge it, looks like it's working fine now, thanks for all your help!