figment Posted December 15, 2015 Share Posted December 15, 2015 Over the weekend, I purchased a Dixie Narco DN 501E Coca Cola vending machine at an auction for a mere $20. I got the machine home and discovered to my surprise that it is still fairly functional, however, my knowledge on vending machines amount to about the same as what was in the change box inside the machine (it was empty) so first, let me apologize in advance if my questions make you roll your eyes. The first issue I'd like to resolve is that my selection buttons stick... a lot. It has the round white buttons next to the flavor card windows (I've seen pictures online ofsome 501E's that the flavor card window itself it the button?), the buttons seem to be going in past the plastic that covers the flavor cards, then the buttons wiggle around a little and get wedged under the plastic. To get them unstuck, I have to open the door, swing the changer out of the way, and press on the side of the selection switch, which seems to make it "pop" back into place. Am I missing a part or could something be bent? My second question.... a couple of the columns seem to be stuck, I can't get them to spin when I go into test and activate that particular column, I do think I can hear the motors buzz though... is there a way to disconnect the motor so I can spin the part at the bottom of the column freely to see if maybe it's jammed or something? Last question... I think the machine was set up to vend both bottles and cans... there doesn't look like there is anything but a piece of black plastic (it looks like maybe something someone cut themselves) in the bottom of the first, wider, column, then the spacer in the back of the next two columns are farther to the back of the machine than the rest of the columns. I'm guessing the ones that were set up for bottles are for 20 oz bottles? What parts would I need to get to be able to use 16.9 oz bottles? I hope I've included enough info about the machine for you guys to be able to help me out, but if you need to know something more, please let me know. I really appreciate any help anyone could give me, I bought the machine as sort of a restore project (she's beat up a little) but I didn't realize at the time of purchase how little I knew, lol. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AZVendor Posted December 15, 2015 Share Posted December 15, 2015 The selection button panel mounts to the inside of the lexan flavor strip panel with 4 nuts top to bottom. You either have loose nuts or the switch panel is mis-aligned. That or the switch panel has broken loose from the lexan panel. Any of these can cause the buttons to stick, as well as very dirty or worn buttons. The two columns that buzz are either jammed or have bad motors. You'll need to check for remnants of bottles or cans stuck around the rotors in those narrow columns. If nothing is stuck then you should pull the motors loose from the rotor and see if that frees up the rotor. You could also have bad motors. The wide column uses black plastic shims with specific ones for cans and bottles. The narrow columns use metal shims on the right sides of each column for cans and bottles. If some columns are adjusted deeper then they probably had 20 oz bottles in them. Cans are only three deep and will have a shorter depth set in their columns. You can email me at rbepic4gatgmaildotcom for any parts you need. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
figment Posted December 16, 2015 Author Share Posted December 16, 2015 Thanks for the info AZVendor. I looked a little closer and it appears that the white part the holds the buttons has broken in the middle so I'm guessing that's my issue with the buttons. I haven't had a chance to take one of the motors off on one of the columns that won't move but hopefully I'll have some time tomorrow, I'll let you know! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AZVendor Posted December 16, 2015 Share Posted December 16, 2015 Don't try to remove the selection switch assembly without being aware that the buttons are under spring pressure and will fall out causing lost springs and other parts. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
figment Posted December 16, 2015 Author Share Posted December 16, 2015 Thanks, I probably won't try to remove it until this weekend as it looks like I'll have to remove the part that feeds coins from the coin slot to the actual coin mech. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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