Fix your coffee machine

[Irving]

I've been buying Mr. Coffee machines for years. They are cheap, and mostly reliable, but they don't last forever. The model I currently have has the auto shut-off feature where it turns off after two hours. It turns on, but doesn't get hot. I watched a Youtube video of a guy repairing a similar machine and thought I'd try myself.

Current machine.


I used a multi-meter to test continuity on each of the accessible components until I found the one that doesn't work. I'm indicating the suspect fuse with the screw driver in the following photo. I looked up that particular fuse, and while there are plenty available, they're all in China, with at least a month shipping time. I don't want to wait a month for coffee.


Fortunately, I've got not one, but two spare assemblies from other coffee machines I've had in the past and thrown away for one reason or another. I know that the heating element on each of these spares works, and the fuses and thermostats are the same. The only difference is the auto turn off feature, which consists of the blue wire and the circuit board in my current machine.


Here is a close-up of my machine. The bad fuse is in the back and to the left, it joins with the blue wire on the very left. The problem is that these are not soldered connections, they are welded. From my limited research, I'm to understand that they are welded because this is a heating element, so the risk of melting the solder off the connections needed to be addressed.


Here you can see some sort of brass coupler that is just pressed together. Since this project isn't worth trying to pay someone to make these tiny welds, I need a solution that will allow me to mechanically attach these components. Where should I go to purchase such connections? I called CPI earlier looking for the fuse, but they couldn't help me. Should I bring in one of these assemblies and explain what I'm looking for? Is there some sort of small electronics starter kit I can order off of Amazon? I'm familiar with spade, ring, forked, barrel, etc connectors from working on vehicles, but those variety kits don't have what I need. May I get suggestions on what to purchase so that I can complete this project and have coffee again?

[fportmen45]

A new one for $20-$30? Taken up a meth habit lately?

[Irving]

It bothers me to just throw stuff away when it can be fixed, especially when I have an unreasonable amount of time on my hands. I think I'm going do something with a standard spade connector.

[fportmen45]

It bothers me to just throw stuff away when it can be fixed, especially when I have an unreasonable amount of time on my hands. I think I'm going do something with a standard spade connector.

I understand, but isn't your time worth more than that?

[newracer]

Mechanically connect it with a crimp.

[SideShow Bob]

Talk to one of the electricians on the board and ask them if they can spare a "Buchanan" crimp or two, one small & one large, or a couple each. The crimping tool for them will be useless for this application, due to the inline spice. But you may be able to bend the leads to be side by side, then the tool will work.
The crimps sell in packages of 100 ct. for each size, so that would be too expensive for this repair.

Edit, Newracer posted a picture of the Buchanan crimps.

[Great-Kazoo]

Alligator clips, electrical tape and a good home owners policy



I'll give you credit for not accepting things as they are, and the will to see if you can DIY.

[fitz19d]

The DIY is cool, but I'd be somewhat concerned with something as much of a fire hazard as coffee pots. I mean the base construction is so shoddy to begin with...

[Irving]

I understand, but isn't your time worth more than that?

If I were busy, absolutely. I'm not busy now, and the learning experience alone is at least as valuable as my time.

[Irving]

Mechanically connect it with a crimp.

Thanks.

Talk to one of the electricians on the board and ask them if they can spare a "Buchanan" crimp or two, one small & one large, or a couple each. The crimping tool for them will be useless for this application, due to the inline spice. But you may be able to bend the leads to be side by side, then the tool will work.
The crimps sell in packages of 100 ct. for each size, so that would be too expensive for this repair.

Edit, Newracer posted a picture of the Buchanan crimps.

Would the purchase of a bag be useful for building an inventory of available parts for later projects?

The DIY is cool, but I'd be somewhat concerned with something as much of a fire hazard as coffee pots. I mean the base construction is so shoddy to begin with...

I'm not familiar enough with this stuff to have considered that. Addressing that question now and I'm not concerned since I'm replacing everything with factory identical parts.