12 replies to this topic

[bcron]

I have an AP Snackshop 113 which isn't recognizing the last tray. Talked to my local repair/sales people who suggested a broken wire in the back of the tray or something caught in the plug in the back where the tray seats. Couldn't find any broken connections and I don't see anything lodged in the electrical plug. All of the motors in the tray test fine, any other suggestions as to why it's not being recognized?

[H4UV]

Check the connections on the control board. I know that on the LCM series snack machines, if you attempt to make a selection during a time when a row is not completely plugged in, then the machine believes that row does not exist, and will not recognize it again until you not only plug the row back in completely, but also power the machine down, and then power it back up. Then it should recognize the tray.

[bcron]

Good idea. I never thought about trying to "reboot" the machine. It works a lot on pop machine issues I get but I never even considered trying it on this. Thanks!

[bcron]

Gave that a try and it still doesn't recognize the tray...any other thoughts before I call in the big guns?

[H4UV]

I'd say the board is having trouble. If you are positive the harnessing is good, then board is your next stop no matter what. It would help if you could remember if this was a problem that happened suddenly, or was happening for a while and you didn't know about it.

[bcron]

I believe it was happening for a while. I began noticing that items from that tray weren't selling and they're usually pretty popular items.

[H4UV]

I'd say try the board. Vendor's Exchange repairs them for $49.99. They do a good job. I've sent boards to them before.

[bcron]

What kind of turn-around time are we looking at? Obviously the entire machine will be OOS for the time being. Second question, this is a cooled machine. I run it in the summer since it's in an un-cooled area, if I pull the board, the cooling unit will still operate won't it so I won't have to empty the perishables?

[Technivend]

Before you condemn the board you can easily check the complete tray for errors. Simply take out the bottom tray and switch it with the top tray. Reset the machine and test it to see if it follows the tray (ie: the bottom tray works but the top doesn't). This will allow you to eliminate half of the circuit you will need to trouble shoot. If it follows the tray, the tray is the problem. If it doesn't it is from the connector back (including the board)

[bcron]

Good idea, that should be a good start. Thanks.

[H4UV]

Good idea. I thought you had already tried that, according to what you said on your first post. I would swap out connector blocks in the back as well. If the problem follows the tray, start swapping out pin connectors and harnessing from known working trays. If all that tests good, I would try the board.

[gormandist]

Call Vendors Exchange and ask for an advanced replacement. It's a pricier option but when the refurb arrives you can plug it in, test it out and send the bad board back. In an AP 113 I've replaced the male portion of the plug on the back of the tray, its a pain in the ass. Also check to make sure the shelves line up from left to right, you may have never noticed it but the one side may be set lower than the other. I fixed a National last week with the same problem.

[bcron]

I ended up having my local repair company come out...turned out it was user error...the tray's prices somehow got unprogrammed although I tried reprogramming them while trying to fix the situation. They reprogrammed the prices and voila...fixed.