Worried About my Bernina

[Sandra]

I love my faithful old Bernina 1001. I've had it about 20 years, (I think), from new, and it's worked very hard for me.

A couple of times recently, I thought something smelled a bit 'hot' while I was working. The window was open and I assumed it was a funny smell wafting in from outdoors.
Today I used it just for a couple of minutes and could smell that hot smell again...sniffed closer to the machine and realised it was coming from the little bulb. Reached in and I've (lightly) burned my fingers...I can still feel a bit of a tingle now.

I feel worried and a bit sad. What do you suggest? Is it likely to be really bad? Electrics problem? Am I going to have a small house fire going if I'm not careful?
It's unplugged from the wall at the moment.

It had a pedal problem last year, and it had stopped working the year before that, so had to go to be fixed. I think it's dying. 

Sandra.
xxx

[Sheilago]

Don’t know anything about Berninas, but maybe it’s just the bulb that is a problem. It will probably be an old filament type bulb and sometimes you do get a burning smell when those bulbs go. Why not just put the machine in for a service to be on the safe side?

[StitchinTime]

I do hope this is fixable for you, @Sandra. I’ve had a quick look at the manual for this machine and it appears that there is the option to turn on the machine without the light being turned on. If you use this setting, do you still get the hot smell?

If it is only the bulb, you might be able to get an LED replacement.

[Sandra]

Yes. A quarter turn gets the machine working, and another quarter turn gets the light on too.

I don't think I've noticed the smell without the light being on, but I've only realised today what the problem is, so I'll remove the bulb in the morning and investigate further.
I didn't notice any heat coming from anywhere else on the machine, just a very hot bulb.

Sandra.
xxx

[BrendaP]

Try changing the bulb for an LED one.  They don't get hot.

[Sandra]

Thank you. I'll look for one right now.

Sandra
xxx

[BrendaP]

Swapping the conventional incandescent bulb for a modern LED is almost standard practice with vintage machines where the bulbs are easily touched when using the machine.

small bayonet cap
small screw cap

[Sandra]

Thanks Brenda...I've ordered one. 
It's supposed to give a fabulous, bright light. I'm looking forward to using it.

I just hope I've got nothing to worry about with the bulb suddenly getting so very hot in such a short space of time. Hope there's no other problem causing it.

Sandra.
xxx

[b15erk]

Fingers crossed for you Sandra!

Jessie

[Nevis5]

Oh my fingers are crossed for you, too, @Sandra !  I can't imagine life without my Bernina xx

[Sandra]

I used it yesterday without a bulb in it, and it's working absolutely fine...no funny hot smells, and no other problems to report. 

I'm awaiting the new bulb.

Sandra.
xxx

[Celia]

That’s really good to hear, I have an old Bernini 1530 and think I might like a new light on that.

[wrenkins]

I find if it's a motor burnout out the smell is almost garlicky!  Hopefully the new bulb will sort it out easy peasy.

[jintie]

Before you insert the new bulb, unplug the machine, then gently use a soft brush to clean up beyond the socket. Could be full of dust.

[Sandra]

New bulb has arrived and it's in the machine.    Not done any work yet because oldies arrived before I could test it. It looks a lovely bright light.

Hope it's sorted the problem for the bargain price of £6.99. I was worried I'd have to look for another sewing machine. 

Sandra.
xxx