I had my bill validator repaired for $40.00. Since then my soda sales are up about 25% even after I raised the price from .50 to .75 per 12oz can.
My explanation for price increase was I purchased this account with an old machine that is due for replacement next major failure and that I am willing to keep the machine running in top condition unlike the previous operator ie. bill validator now works.

Ok I had a new thermostat installed (and now I know where and how to do it, it was easy).
The cans are now MUCH colder. As in make your fingers ache if you hold the can in one position to long lol.
I defrosted and wiped out as much moisture as I could. Before the thermostat install the defrost lasted 3 days. After the thermostat install it ran 5 days with no ice build up.

I will next try out the seal test using wd-40 as described.

Thanks again for your helpfull suggestions. I appreciate it.

Thank you very much. I will go try these suggestions out and figure out where the problem is.



A few issues that the machine had or still has:
1. The cooling system ices up and the fan starts tapping against it making a noise. Sodas are cold all the time even with ice.
2. I would like to raise the price to .75 per can but cant figure out how.
3. The lights do not work after replacing the flourescent bulbs behind the Coke front plastic panel.

I probably can replace the ballast and fixture to make the lights work.
I probably can figure out how to raise the price.
-------------
1. The #1 reason for icing is an air leak. It is pulling in moisture laden air which freezes.
a. DEFROST MACHINE COMPLETELY. Using rags, get as much remaining water out.
b. Open the door and insulator door. Spray WD40 on the insulator door gasket that touches the main body when closed. SLOWLY close both doors. Lock door. Open doors. Look for dry spot(s) on main body. This will show you if/where there is an air leak.
c. Check to make sure the can shute door is selling and not warped.
d. Check to make sure there is no open areas in the area where the reefer tubes come into the cold compartment from the reefer deck. all must be sealed.
e. make sure your condesation tube is looped and unblocked inside. make sure any condensation in the cold compartment gets to the tube drain area of the cold compartment floor.

2. Price changing. The Mars 6800H is easy to set.
a. unplug changer from machine
b. there are two "banks" of toggle switches on the inside of the mech. One bank is for options, the other for pricing. look at the pricing bank of switches .
Going left to right the toggles are: $5c, 10c, 20c, 40c, 80c, ...... ON IS UP
c. .75c = switches 1,2,3 & 4 UP, all others down.
d. plug the mech back into the machine. If you do not do #a. changes will not take effect.

3. Lights, Unless this is for home use and you want the "gee - neato" affect of the lights, don't run them. Locations usually want to save money. It is a good selling point to get locations to tell them you don't run lights to save money.
a. the light ballasts go out on these. They can be purchased at a good electrics store. Match the ballast exactly .

I hope this helps,
Matt
www.chicompany.net
[/quote]

Sounds like a good idea. Can you tell me where the thermostat is located and how to adjust it? I imagine its just a screw driver adjustment right?

Thank you for all the advice and concern. I am very worried myself. I know its not mainstream and that its "outside" the box and I have been kicking this around alot. And your right I figured it would take 2 years to pay off the machine not counting shrinkage and mainenance which I have to consider but the maint. is an unknown because the machines are so new. And the idea behind the machines was to service them often but fast and have a large number of accounts so I would have to take economy of scale into account and have many machines to make money.
I have called one existing customer and the manager of the bank said she and her employee's love the machine. But one reference is not enough and I would like to talk to someone who owns one first.


So I have not bought one because I am agonizing over the things you all mentioned.