My friends received a free soda vending machine manufactured by Dixie-Narco for their workshop (if you’re picturing a soda machine right now, it’s probably manufactured by Dixie-Narco). They wanted it put into free mode so they didn’t have to constantly pump quarters into it. I searched the the internet and found many many people adding momentary push buttons to simulate a coin deposit. I also found $50 one-off relays and even people selling $30 jones plugs to do it. I then found one post describing the right way to do it (cache):
Instead of jumpering pins and adding a button to the jones plug you can just swap a couple wires in the clear-cased vending relay and be done. No additional parts needed and no need to push extra buttons to get your soda.
First, unplug your machine. Following the illustration in the post you use a paper clip to eject wire 71 from the socket and tape it so it doesn’t short. You then eject wire 10 and insert it into the slot that wire 71 was in. Plug the relay in and it will now immediately vend soda when you push your selection.
I’m reposting this in hopes that people will find it and start converting their machines the easy way. The original poster says this is the manufacturer recommended way for converting to free vend.
RobotSkirts 
Just tried this on my older pepsi machine, took only a few minute to do.
works very well,
thanks
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Took less then 5 minutes to do. Works like a charm!! This by FAR is the best fix for free vending!! Thank you very much for a KICK A$$ post!!!
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Just did this and it worked GREAT! But wondering if this will shorten the life of the vend relay??
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Shawn, I woud only be concerned about it shortening the life if the coil was constantly energized but I don’t believe this wire swap does that.
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Thanks for the free vend tip, worked great, no more keeping nickels in the coin return. this will make my wife happy, and a happy wife makes for a happy man.
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Worked great. Thanks!
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i am having a issue getting this to work please contact me
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Where is the clear plug located?
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I tried to do this on my dixie narco 276 but I dont have any wires in the 71 or 10 position. Any ideas?
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@Vince, You’ve taken a photo of the socket side of the plug but the illustration in the post is of the back side of the socket. It’s a mirror image. Looking at the screw tabs might make it clearer.
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I was sceptical at first but decided to give it a shot, since my coin op wasn’t reading The money I put in anyway, and to my surprise it works. The only hard part was figuring out how The connectors locked into place so I could unlock them. I was surprised that I only found videos on adding a switch. I found this thread by accident doing more research on my machine.
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Just tried it on mine and the wire would not eject, the wire pulled apart. Now what do I do?
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The individual connectors are .250 quick disconnects like this http://www.digikey.com/product-search/en?keywords=A36375-ND
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Oh this is by far the best. Easiest and cheapest way. Thanks for the easy to follow and detailed post
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No wire in 10 and 71. Alternate plan? Thanks
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The number on the wire should not really matter. I have seen 70 instead of 71 on some harnesses. Just follow the diagram posted by Elliot at the beginning of this post / article. I don’t know how to post pictures, but I have some that would definitely help many!?
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@Maestro, I think you’re having the same problem as Vince above ^
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Hi, I just did the swap all lights came on and it would vend for free. Worked like it should for about 5 drinks than just quit any help would be nice thanks again.
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Hi I have been using this right a long and has worked fine crime July till now than just stopped lighting up and vending for free any help would be thankful I also fr places that clear relay and still nothing
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Amazing !!! my machine stopped working with coins and I have spent the last 2 hours trying to figure it out .. Then I look online and everyone talks about shorting the Jones switch .. Then I just happen to open this page and BAM perfection!! It was so easy to do and it works perfectly THANK YOU !!!!!!!
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I tried this and my machine continuously vends will not stop after one push of the button?
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Hi, I have a machine that I bought used that are missing parts that the relay is missing and it can be left free without the relay? Someone knows please if you can help me greetings to all
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Yes, it should! You might have to switch wire #10 between top and/or bottom slot.
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Pablo, it will not work without a Relay. You will have to buy one. The relay is what sends the power to the motors.
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Would have never figured this out on my own. Thanks for the quick fix. Works like a champ.
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I have a coke machine an the numbers inside say v-312 so I’m guessing it’s a vendo machine an not a Dixie narco but I’m not sure. My clear box / plug looks similar to yours in the picture above but mine doesent have a number 71 wire it has a wire right above it I’m so frustrated can someone please help me finally figure out this free vend setup I’ll give you all or any extra info needed an pictures what ever you need . Please an thank you
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Can someone please help me fix my coke machine meaning answer a few questions I live in the country an the service tech’s want 400$ just to come out to look at my machine not including fixing it
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Will this work on a vendo Machine?
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I’m having trouble disconnecting the wires…what’s the trick? Thanks
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There’s a little notch in the top of of each connector slot. If you put something small and stiff like a paper clip wire or eyeglass screwdriver in that notch, you can press down the metal tab that’s holding the connector in and slide the connector out the back.
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Just did this on my machine, works like a charm!
Is this putting any extra wear on any of the internals though? If I leave it plugged in all the time in my shop?
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No, I believe it’s bypassing the coil so it doesn’t consume any extra energy
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Hi Eliot. I have a Dixie Narco model DCR 110/100-5. Tried your work around but couldn’t get it to work. No clear plastic relay. Any other fixes that might work?
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Sorry, I’ve only encountered this specific machine and it’s been years.
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Mel, the newer relays are usually clear, but I have worked on some machines where it was all black. Look around the machine. It should have one if it’s a single price machine.
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