Running repairs to broken wax injector

[Bigwol]

My wax injector blew up on Friday. It just went off, and refused to heat up the wax.

So I dismantled it to look for the problem.



I bought it as a UK spec wax injector from a guy in the states on eBay and I've used it for about a year with no problems until now. - The problem turned out to be the heater (the slim cylinder with two white wires which looks a bit like a detonator).

The spec is clearly UK 240V



But the cartridge heater has at some time been 'upgraded' to the US 120V version, which - not unreasonably, gave up when used at the higher voltage of 240V here in the UK. - it would have been nice of the seller to mention it!

Ho - Hum . . Caveat emptor and all that - Still - could be worse, I've found a 240V replacement made by the original equipment manufacturer Hotwatt from is stocked by RS components at a very reasonable 17 quid, so I should have it back together by next weekend.

[MuranoSilver]

Handy with a screwdriver as well as a jewellers torch I see
nic xx

[ben b]

are you any good at fixing microwelds?

[bustagasket]

wow what a clever old stick, i wouldnt have had a clue what the thing was, - with those two white wires hanging out all it looks like to me is a shiny tampon!!! (apologies for being coarse)

[Sunnybank]

Hope you don't end up with two screws left on the bench when you've finished reassembling.

That's my trick

[Bigwol]

wow what a clever old stick, i wouldnt have had a clue what the thing was, - with those two white wires hanging out all it looks like to me is a shiny tampon!!! (apologies for being coarse)

Shiny gently vibrating tampon like objects - "quel plaisir" . . !

[Hart-Star]

I just love taking things to pieces myself, so it is fun to see someone doing the same even if we can't see the evidence of all the solid wax you presumably had to dig out to get to the bits. It's even better when I don't have to suffer the ignominy of it not working again when reassembled.

Keep the photos coming

[Bigwol]

I just love taking things to pieces myself, so it is fun to see someone doing the same even if we can't see the evidence of all the solid wax you presumably had to dig out to get to the bits. It's even better when I don't have to suffer the ignominy of it not working again when reassembled.

Keep the photos coming

I didn't have to dig anything out - the solid wax is still in there, I just unscrewed the injector nozzle and thermometer from the wax reservoir leaving the wax where it is - as you said it's solid so it's not going anywhere!

[WitchfordSilver]

are you any good at fixing microwelds?

What type of microweld is it.

[Bigwol]

The new element arrived from RS Components, the original temperature controller is fine, and cleaned up OK It's a B200 Bilbee item.
I made new heavy duty copper crimp tags to ensure good electrical connections.
Because the mains lead was elderly I replaced all mains cable with UK spec leads - (the originals were US spec.) and added a new cord grip.
(Anyway - Green, White and Black wires in a plug just don't seem natural!)



That's better! - proper English wiring.



To thermally bond the temperature controller to the heated reservoir I used PC Heatsink compound - it's rated to 200 deg C.



Everything back in the case. - neat, tidy and safe.