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Best way to patch/cover timer window in vacuums?

slash007

Well-known member
Inevitably someone will fill one of my vac coin mechs with nickels and pennies then punch it when it gets stopped up. Seems they always punch the timer area and I've had vacs with brand new decals get a hole right in the clear window for the timer. I have been just putting clear packing tape over the window, but before long I have to replace it and it looks bad under it. Anyone try anything else that would work better and last longer?
 
What kind of vacuums/timers? Coleman? I've always used Dixmor timers with a clear Lexan to protect it, no clear window in the decal, just cut out. Damage due to punching has been a non-issue. If yours are Coleman you may have to have something custom-cut to size and drill holes for it to mount between the bracket and the door inside. I've ordered stuff from tapplastics.com, just be sure to call in your order. The online ordering doesn't work well and your order will likely be wrong. Once you have something to protect the timer, just cut out the clear window and be done with it.

FWIW, I've also had lots of trouble lately with people filling the reject chute with pennies, nickels and dimes. My first thought was to use an extension behind the cup and cut them so it will still catch quarters, but smaller coins will fall through on the ground. There used to be a coin acceptor that had a catcher made of wire that did the same thing. Then I saw the extensions are like $16 each, so I'm thinking instead I'll just remove the cups altogether and let idiots pick up their change off the ground.
 
Colemans had come with these but they got cloudy so I went to home depot and bought some lexan and cut same size as faxe of timer. USe a bit of tape at either side and tape to timer. If they wck it timer gets shoved in but doesn't break.
 
They are JC timers. I do have the newer plastic inserts from JC, but after the plastic lexan breaks, there is still a small gap around the plastic insert and I worried about water getting in. That was my main reason for putting tape.
 
I've never had an issue with water getting under the Lexan. Some does, but it's not enough to get anything wet.
 
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