Paraplate Timer - Going nutty

[Earl Weiss]

Switched out a Blue Paraplate timer giving short time a week or so ago.

Now, another one is not shutting off. Swap it out andthis one starts with 2 coins though it's set for a 3 coin start (switches #1&2 ON) Gives correct time! (16+64 sec per quarter x 3 =240 secs = 4 mins. ) BUT starts after 2 quarters and gives 4 minutes. Install another . Same problem. get aggravated and leave it like that.

Go to my other location. vac Out of order. Find a nickel causing a jam. Unjam and test. Starts after 3 Quarters BUT THIS IS SET FOR A $1.00 start (Switch #3 on).

Both have mechanical mechs, but different types.

Is there an issue with Paraplates? . Noticed one back plate seemed pretty hot after a couple of cycles.

 

[Whale of a Wash]

If using the mechanical did the wires get switched and now its on NC or normally closed instead of NO on switch.
That will make it start on the wrong coin
I Used to think the paraplate was junk until i ran them off 24V with a mercury relay and an IDX 800. It cost some $$ to convert everything when i went to tokens but they are so trouble free now. I used to get canadian quarter jams almost everyday, Now just rejected. The paraplated run cool now and havent lost a one, They do not handle the extra current when a motor is going bad ,very well and seem to fry.

 

[Earl Weiss]

If using the mechanical did the wires get switched and now its on NC or normally closed instead of NO on switch.

<<<

Thought of that. Not the case.



I Used to think the paraplate was junk until i ran them off 24V with a mercury relay and an IDX 800. It cost some $$ to convert everything when i went to tokens but they are so trouble free now. I used to get canadian quarter jams almost everyday, Now just rejected. The paraplated run cool now and havent lost a one, They do not handle the extra current when a motor is going bad ,very well and seem to fry.

<<

Ditto. Have some really old paraplates. The brown ones withl largescrews still in use this way.

 

[Randy]

We’ve been using the 24 volt Mercury relays for over 20 years and have yet to lose a timer since installing them. The Mercury relay takes the motor load off the timer. The only power the timer is supplying is the 24 volts to the coil on the relay, I don’t recall how many milliamps the coil draws but it’s almost nothing. If a motor should short out the timer isolated from the motor by the Mercury relay.

I've got some Paraplate Tmers that are 20 years old.

 

[Greg Pack]

I used to regular install inline fuses on my old mechanical vacuums. That way, when a shorted motor consumed too much current it wouldn't take out the SCR in the timer. But I think the mercury relay is a better solution.

 

[mjwalsh]

Switched out a Blue Paraplate timer giving short time a week or so ago.

Now, another one is not shutting off. Swap it out andthis one starts with 2 coins though it's set for a 3 coin start (switches #1&2 ON) Gives correct time! (16+64 sec per quarter x 3 =240 secs = 4 mins. ) BUT starts after 2 quarters and gives 4 minutes. Install another . Same problem. get aggravated and leave it like that.

Go to my other location. vac Out of order. Find a nickel causing a jam. Unjam and test. Starts after 3 Quarters BUT THIS IS SET FOR A $1.00 start (Switch #3 on).

Both have mechanical mechs, but different types.

Is there an issue with Paraplates? . Noticed one back plate seemed pretty hot after a couple of cycles.

Earl,

We adapted our front plates on our Doyle Vacs to use Dixmor --- eliminated the intermittent troubles like you described. We found that the Infinitec from KleenRite sometimes developed an intermittent "not shutting off" until using a breaker reset. This problem would develop even with us using the mercury relays --- although much less often.

MJ