More Mechanical Problems with the Soda Machines

I really enjoy working with the soda machines. I took a personality type test last week and found out that I scored really high in technical areas. So these mechanical problems are right up my alley. I like figuring out how the machines work and function and how to fix them when they break down. I just don't want anyone thinking that I am complaining or thinking that all there is in the soda vending business is problems.

The more a soda machine gets used, the more likely you are to run into some mechanical problems. So the number of problems I am having lately is actually a good sign because it means that the sales are up in many of my machines.

This time I am having trouble with a cradle that holds the sodas. I had a can jam in the column and now every third soda gets hung up. The cradle is twisted. This cradle twisted once before and my husband just twisted it back. This time I think it is time to replace it. I am waiting for a new cradle so that I can fix the problem. Right now a person has a 33% chance of getting a soda, 33% chance of losing their money, or a 33% chance of getting two sodas from that selection. I have a sign on the machine explaining the problem and when I expect a solution.

The same machine also had a coin jam. This one was really different. Usually when I fill the machine, I test coins and dollar bills to make sure everything is working. When I tested it, it worked fine. I was called back to the machine a few hours later because someone had lost their money. I check the shoot and put money through it and everything seemed to be working. This morning, I went by to get some part numbers off of the machine and someone was there saying they lost money again. I refunded their money and started checking. The first 3 times I put coins in, it worked fine. Then it started acting funny. I finally took the coin mechanism out and check. It had a Canadian nickel and four pennies stuck in the coin mechanism. I have never had a coin jam before where I could sometimes get the coins to work. Now I will know to always take the extra time to check the whole coin mechanism when someone complains of a jam, even if I can get it to work with coins.

As a personal note, my pregnancy is going well. Baby Dustin is growing on target. My doctor is very happy with our progress. I will be hiring someone to help with the other three kids for the remainder of the pregnancy, just to make sure that we stay healthy. I have someone who has been helping me with the lifting and loading the sodas. She will take over the route until after Dustin is born. I hope to use the down time to learn even more about the soda vending business and to write some articles about what I learn.