Hiring a Technician - Spare Parts
When equipment needs repairs or preventive maintenance, having an experienced vending technician available to perform the work is essential. Maintaining a relationship with an experienced vending technician has many benefits. On-location repairs are much faster than requesting by email. This relationship should be established as soon as you buy the machine, rather than when it breaks or needs parts.
If your location is remote or has restricted access, it is essential to stock all spare electronic parts – even if your equipment is brand new. You should also have the proper tools and basic test equipment. This will allow you to work by video conference with your technician to troubleshoot your equipment to reduce downtime. If you are unsure what to stock, your technician can help you and even source the parts.
If you are operating a machine from a new vending company, the ideal place to network and find a technician is through your state vending associations/trade organization or NAMA. If you need help contacting your state association, contact nama.org.
If your business (laundromat, hotel, dealership, etc.) operates vending machines, then finding a local vending machine company is a good option because they will not see you as a direct competitor. Some local companies will dispatch one of their technicians to assist with repairs and ordering parts if they are not too busy.
If you are in a remote location or you need tech support while at the machine, clarify the company you work with will offer video call support via FaceTime or WhatsApp.
If you want to view our technicial support services, click HERE.
Other Benefits
When your machines need parts, having the technician order and install them will save you time. Many parts look similar but the technician will able to get the proper parts from the start.
In the event you decide to make upgrades to the machine, such as adding a card reader, LED lighting, or an aftermarket board, the technician you work with will be familiar with the machines and know exactly what is required.
Installing a Credit Card Reader
One of the best reasons to work with an experienced local technician when installing a card reader is they will have parts on hand to exchange and install into your machine to help speed up the process. If an electronic item is causing an issue, your machine can be up and running quickly by swapping in a replacement component. If you rely on the support staff of the card reader manufacturer, it is important to understand they are very limited in their ability to troubleshoot some issues since they are not at the machine. This is especially true if the card reader has a history of working and no changes to the attributes were made.
Examples of repairs/adjustments that would be difficult without being at the machine or if support is unfamiliar with the options/configuration of a specific machine model:
Rowe 4900 with aftermarket module kit – The door switch was failing, so the machine would go randomly into programming mode and disable all payment devices. Replacing the switch resolved the issue.
Dixie Narco S2 with 580.10 eprom - Machine worked with brand A telemeter. The operator decided to change to brand B. The installer did not remove the brand A telemeter that was first in line on the MDB line. Brand B was second in line on the MDB line. Removing the brand A telemeter (power must be off) resolved the issue.
AP LCM with software version 67061-9 - The original style control board was only partially updated to work with MDB; however, the axial capacitor had not been replaced with the larger radial version, so there was insufficient current. Installing the larger capacitor solved the issue.
GPL 171 with software version 170.04 - The board was not programmed for a card reader.
Fast Corp 631 - The time-out attribute was too short, so the vend would time out on some selections when the stock was low, as a longer travel time was required to retrieve the ice cream.
AMS Sensit 1 Food - The machine was connected to a fifty-foot extension cord. Each time the refrigeration system turned on, the card reader would re-initialize. The machine was moved closer to an outlet.
Automatic Products 112 - Software version 31058Y – Issue - no Dex files. Cold solders on pins for header P10. After reflowing the pins, DEX files could be accessed.
Betson Big Choice Crane - This amusement game is unable to store credits, and the card reader was connected without regard to the inhibit line. The card reader would function fine for $1 per game play but for higher values, it would always cheat customers out of additional credits.