AngryChris Posted October 7, 2013 Share Posted October 7, 2013 I have some older equipment in many locations with bulbs that go out constantly (because well.... I have several of them). I am considering many options to streamline things. For example, I am thinking about using an LED kit from VE that contains 3 LED lights. The kit costs $80 by itself. I could just replace the bulb and starter for cheap but I would only want to do that with a filter for the light so my AP's don't jackpot. I don't know how much the filter costs but I would imagine that it would be far more economical to simply replace my existing F-light with a new F-light and add in a filter. It seems like the kits cost more upfront but are cheaper in the long run as they can be used in other equipment as well. This doesn't even consider the idea that a new lighting kit may light the machine much better than before. What do you guys think? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris in bc Posted October 8, 2013 Share Posted October 8, 2013 I have the LED lite kits from Vendors Exchange-great! Easy to do kits, make the snack machine bright and attracts all kinds of customers-especially the girls! The lite kits have "strips" of LED lights on the top, sides and they use super sticky tape to affix the light to the machine! I would highly recommend you get them as opposed to the bug fat bulbs! No more fatties! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TKK Posted October 9, 2013 Share Posted October 9, 2013 Do you guys just tap into the ground and power wire before the starters? I wouldnt want to run it through the machine w an extension chord as I usually use one plug for the snack and one for drinks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TKK Posted October 9, 2013 Share Posted October 9, 2013 Cajun knows how to do these led upgrades for 25 a machine Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AngryChris Posted October 10, 2013 Author Share Posted October 10, 2013 Do you guys just tap into the ground and power wire before the starters? I wouldnt want to run it through the machine w an extension chord as I usually use one plug for the snack and one for drinks I'm not sure what you are referring to. To my knowledge, these kits simply replace the standard fluorescent lights that come with most vending machines. It plugs right into the light harness to my knowledge. I'm not going to mess with any of that under-cabinet nonsense. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Amigo Posted October 15, 2013 Share Posted October 15, 2013 You can get both kinds. They have led bulbs that just replace fluorescent s and they have the 3 strip kits that use 12 or 24 volts to run them. In that case you need a transformer or pull power from inside the machine somewhere. When you get the 48" replacements they can be tricky to setup but they sure are nice. I just converted a GPL 429 today with 2 led strips that run on 24DC volts. I just mounted a power supply in the bottom of the machine and tapped into the line cord for AC power. Quite a simple setup. But do note that the fluorescent replacements do not work with electronic ballasts (HO or Rapid Start) without doing some rewiring. Amigo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mission vending Posted October 15, 2013 Share Posted October 15, 2013 You can get both kinds. They have led bulbs that just replace fluorescent s and they have the 3 strip kits that use 12 or 24 volts to run them. In that case you need a transformer or pull power from inside the machine somewhere. When you get the 48" replacements they can be tricky to setup but they sure are nice. I just converted a GPL 429 today with 2 led strips that run on 24DC volts. I just mounted a power supply in the bottom of the machine and tapped into the line cord for AC power. Quite a simple setup. But do note that the fluorescent replacements do not work with electronic ballasts (HO or Rapid Start) without doing some rewiring. Amigo Sounds like you know what you are talking about, seeing as you are still new around here would you be willing to tell us a little about your vending history? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vendors Tech Posted October 16, 2013 Share Posted October 16, 2013 The kits are very easy to install. There is a kit that has adapter harnesses to plug into the power supply of most any National or AP machine, and if you get that kit, and none of the harnesses work if you have lets say a USI, then you can cut the connector off the power harness coming from the converter box, and hard wire it directly into 110 volts, and it will work fine. We are distributor for the VE kits, and our prices are the same as VE's, and the "Universal" kit as I like to call it can be made to work in any machine out there. The only thing you would run into that might be a problem there is the length of the strips. In the universal kit, there are 3 strips, and you can use as few as one in your machine if you don't want all 3. They have quick disconnects, and they can be easily removed. Also, I usually sell and use the magnetic strips, those are really cool. They can be moved all over the place, replaced, etc very easily. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Amigo Posted October 16, 2013 Share Posted October 16, 2013 Sure thing. I have always been interested in Electrical and Mechanical things. As my wife says I am very stubborn when something breaks...I will not let the machine win unless the cost is too much. As far as vending goes, I have been in the buisness since 1972. I started with everything being electrical/mechanical to being computer operated. I am a certified refrigeration specialist along with doing an electrical apprenticeship right out of high school. My wife would get a laugh in the early days when I couldn't get a machine working and it never left my mind, so when I went to sleep and in the middle of the night I would sit up in bed and she would say, "You just fixed that machine?" Usually that was the case. I had a very good mentor in the early days that taught me that sometimes the problem lies in parts that have already been ruled out and there comes a time you just have to walk away for a time and come back later with a fresh eye. I am eligible to retire but I am just not ready for that yet. I have relied on factory tech support and distributor tech support a lot and have taken every school I could find on new equipment and I make sure I have all the manuals for every machine we operate. I do not have all the answers to machines, that is why I was doing a search and found this site. I am always looking for knowledge to fix rather than replace. It is easier sometimes to repair in house but getting the machine back home sometime can be such a pain. I have also learned that sometimes if you want to continue to use old equipment that you have to update the electronics, coinage, and install new parts. Sometimes it is hard to discard what looks to be a good part but what is worn out can't be seen and a $40 part is cheaper than continued service calls. On one of the other forums about Royal RVV, people are having problems with product picking and I did also. After not getting the answers I wanted from Tech support, I purchased and changed the DMC board. My problems went away. But there are still problems that will happen with these machines that I have not had and hopefully I can learn from someone else. The schools have somewhat dried up and we have to learn from each other. For the last 30 years we have operated Rowe candy and sandwich machines and now that they are out of business and parts are starting to unavailable we are converting to AP candy and Crane food machines. That has been a little bit of learning curve but so far everything seems to be working well. Our philosophy was to try and stay with the same brands to keep the knowledge and parts limited. That way if one our route people call we can troubleshoot over the phone. I also do not mind spending two to three hours on location working on a machine if that means I won't be back the next day. I learned that if a customer calls and I show up and it works fine that the customer is wrong. Something is wrong and you just have to think it through and find the problem. The customer usually has better things to do than call with problems. I have wondered all over the place, but that's a little about me. I enjoy what I do and love to help others when I can. And, hopefully I will be able to continue for awhile. This seems to be a great place. Amigo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mission vending Posted October 16, 2013 Share Posted October 16, 2013 Sounds like you have a wealth of knowledge and experience. Thanks for being willing to share. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AZVendor Posted October 16, 2013 Share Posted October 16, 2013 Amigo, you are just like me including your operating so much Rowe equipment. I did the same in my operation and it made it very easy to walk my route drivers through any problem on the phone. It's people like you and I who are hands-on and want to know what makes every machine tick that find the longevity in this business. My having the ability to repair each machine myself is what gave me the knowledge to run the service operation I have now. I too, find it a shame that the distributor service schools are gone, but you have to have distributors to begin with and then the factories to support them. My opinion is now that Crane wants to own all the manufacturers they're too busy to worry about distributors and service schools because they're not bothering to support the shrinking distributor base. Realistically there isn't enough demand for new machines anymore and it's only going to get smaller due to the growth of micro markets. I hate to say it, but perhaps Crane foresaw this shift in the industry and realized it couldn't sustain itself with the status quo and made moves to consolidate it. I hate to give Crane any credit at all, but this is kind of looking like they knew what they were doing, even though the result is a disaster for repair techs due to obsoleted machines and far too many non-existent parts. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snack dude Posted October 19, 2013 Share Posted October 19, 2013 all kinds of customers-especially the girls! The lite kits have "strips" I thought we were headed somewhere totally different from the original subject for a second, My Bad Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mission vending Posted October 19, 2013 Share Posted October 19, 2013 I hate to give Crane any credit at all, but this is kind of looking like they knew what they were doing, even though the result is a disaster for repair techs due to obsoleted machines and far too many non-existent parts. Planned obsolescence, happens everywhere. Car manufacturers keep new parts for their models for 7years (probably only this long because the feds require it), then they let inventories run down or dump them. Soon parts are only available used and become harder and harder to find thus creating a need for new machines. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AngryChris Posted October 19, 2013 Author Share Posted October 19, 2013 The downside if producing an amazingly reliable product: no one has a need to buy a new product. Sent from my ADR6300 using Tapatalk 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beach Bum Vending Posted October 19, 2013 Share Posted October 19, 2013 The led lights are the way to go all new model machines coming stock with them. Last longer and save on power and in MHO i think they look better. Most kits are an easy install. Good Luck Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Travis7s Posted October 24, 2013 Share Posted October 24, 2013 I see these multi-color LED strips for sale all over. If I find some extra time I'm going to attempt a circuit that will flash pretty colors as an attract mode, and switch to all white (to light up the products) when someone is standing in front of the machine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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