Mars 2600 Validator

[washregal]

Having some issues again - seems like it happens when it gets cold --

I have two mars 2600 validators at a location - SS... Vending tokens.

My one unit kicks out on me when only one bill is inserted.. It vends properly then kicks off.

Any suggestions on this?

 

[Jeff_L]

Any flashes after it "kicks off"? If I remember right, when I put my MARS in my Hamilton changers I had to install a jumper wire in the connector. If that's the same for you, maybe it came loose? If not, then disregard. Your symptom is similair to the one I had prior to the jumper wire.

 

[Randy]

What kind of changer are you using the Mars validator in? Are you getting any error codes on the validator? How cold is it there? We had issues when it was 7 deg. here last week. We ended up having to leave the back of the changer open so it could get some heat from the equipment room, this helped. I have a customer who had to put a light bulb inside the changer to keep it warm.

 

[rph9168]

In our area the light bulb trick seems to work well but we almost never get below 20.

 

[Buzzie8]

I had the same problem last week on a 2600 that I used in a Hamilton changer conversion. Worked great all year until the temp fell below 20 degrees. After about an hour of troubleshooting I think I found the problem. The wiring harness connections were loose. I pulled them apart a few times and pushed them together and haven't had a problem yet. I think the cold weather causes the metal connections to loosen a bit. I plan on cleaning the connections with some connector cleaner next week.

 

[pitzerwm]

What about adding a little heat in the box?

 

[Reds]

My SS boxes with Mars validators have a heat pad in them and work fine even below zero. But my WS2's with Mars start acting a little funny when the temp gets near zero. I plan on adding a heat pad inside the WS2. Last year I had a Mars in a WS2 that would not work in the early morning for about a week - temps at or below zero every night and would not work until the sun shined on it. The Mars in the SS bays, with no sun hitting them, worked fine during that time.