The Sewing Place
Machine Talk => Sewing Machines => Topic started by: Sandra on June 30, 2019, 20:57:45 PM
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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
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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?
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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.
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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
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Try changing the bulb for an LED one. They don't get hot.
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Thank you. I'll look for one right now.
Sandra
xxx
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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 (https://smile.amazon.co.uk/Dimmable-Bayonet-Sewing-Machine-Appliance/dp/B07JJSTWBP/ref=sr_1_2_sspa?keywords=led+sewing+machine+bulb&qid=1561967982&s=gateway&sr=8-2-spons&psc=1)
small screw cap (https://smile.amazon.co.uk/220V-240V-Halogen-Equivalent-Connect-Appliance/dp/B07D35QDSG/ref=sr_1_5?keywords=led+sewing+machine+bulb&qid=1561968167&s=gateway&sr=8-5)
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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
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Fingers crossed for you Sandra!
Jessie
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Oh my fingers are crossed for you, too, @Sandra ! I can't imagine life without my Bernina xx
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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
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That’s really good to hear, I have an old Bernini 1530 and think I might like a new light on that.
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I find if it's a motor burnout out the smell is almost garlicky! :x Hopefully the new bulb will sort it out easy peasy.
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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.
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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. :S :o
Sandra.
xxx
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Glad you have got this sorted, @Sandra. I might be tempted by one of those bulbs for the vintage Bernina I've inherited. It's a Minimatic 707 so I think the bulb fitting will be the same as yours. Did you need to use a bulb remover to replace the bulb or did you manage it with fingers alone?
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I managed to get mine in just using my fingers @StitchinTime . It's quite a tight squeeze to change the bulb on this but as the new bulb's rubbery, I was able to get a pretty good grip.
Well, I've been using it since the oldies went home, and it's OK...so far, so good and no funny smells...but I'm seeing things -< when I'm sewing with it. It's sort of little shadows? shining around the foot.
Don't know how to explain it, but when I asked my daughter to look and tell me if she saw anything odd, she said she saw 'lines'.
It's a bit distracting. Hope I get used to it.
Sandra.
xxx
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Hope it's sorted the problem for the bargain price of £6.99.
Oh no, they heard you @Sandra, they've put the price up to £7.99 but that's for a pair so still good value. I'll get them for my two 1130s...but then my 1020 might get jealous.
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@Marniesews I got mine on Ebay from coulsew for £6.99, and yes, that was for a pair.
Sandra.
xxx
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Hmm, now I'm tempted to treat my 1260 to some new lights..... :devil:
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@Sandra the lines and shadows could be from your fingerprints when you held the bulb. An LED is almost a point source of light and can produce all sorts of effects like that. Try cleaning the end of the bulb glass with a drop of Dettox on a cotton bud or similar. If you use anything at all inflammable, be sure to let it evaporate completely before you switch on again! Best to hold the bulb in a tissue or something when you put it in, to avoid any prints.
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Ah...thank you @toileandtrouble I'll try cleaning it and see if it helps.
Sandra.
xxx
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@Sandra I mentioned this to my DH & he'd ordered it from coulsew before I knew it. It came today but we only got one for £6.99 - he didn't realise you'd got a pair for that. Never mind, hopefully it will last for years.
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@Marniesews Now, funnily enough, I hadn't realised I'd be getting two for that price.
So the big question is...have you been diddled, or have I benefited from someone's mistake? I never went back to check. Just assumed I hadn't read it properly when I ordered. -<
Sandra.
xxx
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@
So the big question is...have you been diddled, or have I benefited from someone's mistake?
When we checked it's only the Amazon ad that mentions a pair but either way, it's fine. We'll both have more light, so that's a win for us... and if you can't get rid of the lines on the one you're using, you still have a spare to replace it with while I've already told my DH to hold it with a tissue as @toileandtrouble suggested.
:D
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The burnt smell from bulb happened to me, too with the Bernina 830. New bulb solved it.
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I have that 1015 manual lightbulb inserter, and have used it. To remove the dud bulb, use it to push up and twist gently.
Then you use it again, to push the new lightbulb up into the narrow space without breaking the glass.