Dry mounting press switch smoking

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piper

CGF II, Certified Grumble Framer Level 2
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Aug 4, 2007
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I turned on my press the other day and within 1 minute there was smoke coming from the switch. I bought the press used 15 years ago and have never had a problem except in 2009. I replaced the on off switch. It seems to be the same problem. I'm pretty sure I posted here about it in 2009 but can't find that post. I'm just wondering if anyone has had this problem and if they had to replace it again in a short amount of time. Maybe I need a new press?
 
Are you sure it is not a Boeing 787 Dreamliner !!! Arty, choke.
 
Could be an heating element that has failed (or failing) and is drawing too much current. The switch is a weak spot even if it's not actually faulty.

Similar thing happened recently with my water heater. :help:
 
The cost of replacing all the wiring is minimal compared to buying a new press. If the press is mechanically sound, I'd just rewire it.

Always unplug your press overnight... Or when not being used. Do not rely on the internal switch of the press alone.
 
I have had to replace the switch/thermostat unit on my press twice over the years.It's a really easy repair, and quite inexpensive. Of course, that presumes it's a fried switch and nothing more severe.
 
I've replaced mine. It just takes a couple of minutes. I can't remember where I got it but it was either through LJ or just at the hardware store.
 
Dave said:
Always unplug your press overnight... Or when not being used. Do not rely on the internal switch of the press alone.
Click to expand...

I would second this advice. I experienced an unfortunate incident with my press a few months ago (it turned itself on overnight and the whole shop was 90 degrees when I got there that morning) and now, even though it is heating and keeping temperature just fine, I keep it unplugged unless I am using it.

I am taking no chances, and I use it so little nowadays it is not worth rewiring, IMHO.

(And for this post the Grumble allowed me to make paragraphs - what the heck is going on?)
 
I would have to take a bunch of stored stuff out from under the bench to reach the wall plug every time.
:kaffeetrinker_2: Rick
 
Rick Granick said:
I would have to take a bunch of stored stuff out from under the bench to reach the wall plug every time.
:kaffeetrinker_2: Rick
Click to expand...

Is it not on its own circuit breaker?
 
Mine is plugged into a heavy duty power strip which I just have to fish out from under a shelf. The outlet itself is totally buried and the circuit box is in the dark scary basement which I can only access by going out the back door, down the alley (which I have been begging the landlord to clean up for months now) and then struggling with the recalcitrant door lock to get back into the building and then down the creaky splintered stairway and hope the other tenants have not stolen all the light bulbs. Then I have to pick my way through the upstairs tenant's massive mountains of laundry and over into the darkest corner to find the circuit box. We call it Freddy's Basement. *shudder*
 
Pat Murphey said:
Cycling a circuit breaker as an on/off switch daily is not a good idea..
Click to expand...

Why's that? In our mini-maill, built in '92, every one of the stores was wired so the breakers turned off different circuits, including the lights. I'm in three of these, and I've been doing it to 15 breakers for 14 years. We've had electricians in for various jobs, and they've never said anything.

I've heard an electrician say that never turning off a breaker is a bad idea.
 
tedh said:
Why's that? In our mini-maill, built in '92, every one of the stores was wired so the breakers turned off different circuits, including the lights. I'm in three of these, and I've been doing it to 15 breakers for 14 years. We've had electricians in for various jobs, and they've never said anything.

I've heard an electrician say that never turning off a breaker is a bad idea.
Click to expand...

Breakers designed for switch use are marked SWD, otherwise they are subject to failure if used continuously as switches. Not saying they will fail but they are not designed for the purpose.
 
Just checked: ours are indeed marked SWD.


Nice to know.
 
Our heat press is 27 years old, I replace the switch about every other year now and the thermostat the other year. Get both from United.
 
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