Well, Diary, this is a random one. Those that follow us on TikTok may have seen the frequent attempts at fixing the vending machine lately. Honestly, It’s been exhausting.
I’m not a technician. I’m not an electrician. I’m just a girl with a dream, and sometimes it feels like the universe is testing just how much I want it. Having a vending machine has been problem after problem. It’s been 3:00 AM journeys to the mall, calling and texting manufacturers in Beijing while they’re starting their morning, only for them to be just as stumped.
The most recent issue was the machine powering down after a few uses. I went to test it and noticed that every time the push-door slammed shut, the whole thing would turn off. Maybe it was hitting a loose wire, or maybe it was the machine’s way of "protecting itself."
I knew two things: not to play with high-voltage cables, and that there is no way to control how hard a customer slams a door. Finding a specialist electrician on short notice is nearly impossible, so a decision was made to pivot. My thought? Reduce the impact.
I found some foam lining. It's the kind used for bed toppers or sofa fillings. I also grabbed a tube of Gorilla Glue. I had two items and a dream.
Upon arrival to Birmingham, I realized the glue had crystallized and was useless. Instead of giving up, the next best course of action was to look at every impact point where the door hit the frame and wrap the foam around those points manually. Who knew you could create a shock absorber out of a material typically used as bed stuffing?
So far, so good. Time will tell if it’s a permanent fix, but for now, it’s doing the job.
Besties, take it from me: You don’t have to solve every problem the "traditional" way. You don’t need a specialized degree for every hiccup. Sometimes, you just need to be resourceful. There is no need to be a master of the craft, just focus on finding the solution.
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