Pbuckler Posted August 8, 2010 Share Posted August 8, 2010 On an old National 145 (Snacktron) machine I have a Maka NB-1KB-400 bill validator. It's having a hard time pulling the bills up into the validator. I'm wondering if I should just replace this unit or repair it. I know I could get it apart and cleaned. But I'm not sure if doing this to such an old unit is really worth it. If I do replace it with a newer unit would I need a conversion kit? What would I need? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mission vending Posted August 8, 2010 Share Posted August 8, 2010 If its having a hard time puling them in the first thing to do is to get a DBV cleaning card which will clean the sensors and belts. If you still have the problem after that if you are mechanically inclined its not too difficult to pull unit out and install new belts. That ought to solve the problem. No need to replace it if it works. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pbuckler Posted August 8, 2010 Author Share Posted August 8, 2010 Good call. The reason I am considering getting a new unit is the cost of the cleaning card, belts, etc. Where is a good place to get a card and new belts for a Maka unit? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G-Vending Posted August 8, 2010 Share Posted August 8, 2010 techinvend on this board sells them he should chime in on this if not send him a pm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
antoniocinisi Posted August 8, 2010 Share Posted August 8, 2010 here lately it seems that dbv are going for cheap on ebay.try to find one that will fit your machine,if you cant inexpensively repair what you have.if you end up buying a dbv buy a mars, they are the most reliable,and simply the best. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RJT Posted August 8, 2010 Share Posted August 8, 2010 Maka are known to have issues with the belts. Most people would say replace it with a Mars but I just rebuild mine because 98% of the time it is just the belts. The two short belts are fairly easy but the two long belts are a little tough. It can be done but takes a little patience. Here are the belt kits as cheap as you will find them. http://echangemaker.com/store/cart.php?m=product_detail&p=7067 Just so you know I do not work for them or get any "kickback" from them. I just have used them in the past and had good service with them as a company. You can get the cleaning cards off Ebay or the company I listed sells them also. I suggest you just buy 25 cards or so and have them on hand. http://cgi.ebay.com/25-Dollar-Bill-Validator-Acceptor-Cleaning-Cards-NIB-/260351892645?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0 Backing of now!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Poplady1 Posted August 8, 2010 Share Posted August 8, 2010 On those cleaning cards, we always used ours 2 or 3 times before tossing them. After you use them to clean your validator put it back into a good baggie. Then when you need one again you just pull it out and add a good video cleaner from Radio Shack. Keep reusing until they are just too dirty to use. Blue Moose Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
antoniocinisi Posted August 9, 2010 Share Posted August 9, 2010 thanks for the little trick pop lady!I would use a cleaning card on a few machines and then just throw away,didnt think of moisten it up.even if I had I wouldnt have known with what.it will be an even longer while now before I have to buy these expensive cards. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IVEND11 Posted August 9, 2010 Share Posted August 9, 2010 My 2cents replace it they quit making then like 15 years ago it worth the money to upgrade. Less calls for bill jams. We took over a company about 3 years ago and first thing we did was take every metal mars and maka off every machine. It took about 2 weeks for people to start putting bills in the machines because they were so picky on what bills they would take that customers just quit trying to put bills in them Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Technivend Posted August 9, 2010 Share Posted August 9, 2010 We still repair a lot of the older MAKA vals. They are workhorses!! You either have the belts slipping or a bent mouthpiece. I wouldn't put a lot of money into upgrading. The only thing that I know that will even fit in the MAKA's place is a Coinco BA30BAB (which is not a common val) and a mounting kit. A properly repaired MAKA will still get you years of use. I agree that the val is old but so is the machine. The MAKA is/was always a better validator then the Mars VFM series but people seem to accept the VFM easier. Clean the belts-use a cleaning card or a simple green. Better is to replace the belts (at least the lower ones) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ANDERSONVENDING Posted August 9, 2010 Share Posted August 9, 2010 D&S VENDING carries a conversion kit to change it to a Mars 2500.I upgraded my 472 and haven't had a problem since. http://www.dsvendinginc.com/Home/tabid/38/Default.aspx heres their link.You'll have to call them I don't remember the part number or price. John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pbuckler Posted August 9, 2010 Author Share Posted August 9, 2010 Thanks to everyone for their info! I looked into the site RJT recommended and found both sets of belts cheaper than anywhere I could find and cleaning cards cheaper than anywhere, even eBay. So for about $20 I'll try and repair it. Thanks again, especially RJT. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RJT Posted August 9, 2010 Share Posted August 9, 2010 NP Backing off now.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now