Bodum coffee grinder 120volt

TOP_CAT

I have been givern a USA 120volt Bodum coffee grinder .
So plugged it in via a 220v to 120volt step down transformer and surprise surprise its not working !

Im not electrically trained but wanted to confirm the grinder is 100% kaput  ....or possibly could be made to work ?

I have nothing to loose opening it up in hope of a easy fix ..or not .....as its highly likely someone has plugged it into 220-240uk voltage and thats likely the issue.

If the 220-240uk voltage has been used on this 120volt appliance... my question is the 120volt grinder doomed way past any DIY repair ? (as i already have a step down transformer )

Its not so easy to take apart.
 I think it needs extra long TORX tipped keys as mine are a cm or two short of success so Im stumped until I get longer ones .

Some hope exists !
Watching the one and only Bodum coffee grinder disasembly on youtube the american found internal simple wire connections needed re-soldering ?

So thats my only slim chance of hope that this machine has a similar issue rather than I find it has been plugged into uk 220-240volt and has been blown .
My manual hand coffee grinder is fine but this Bodum is in great shape besides not working so does anyone have any experience of blown 120volt appliance repair ?

flaneurs_lobster

Burr coffee grinder - good - well worth pursuing - will produce well-ground coffee

Blade coffee grinder - not good - worth pursuing as electrical project - will overheat and chop beans - manual grinder better

TOP_CAT

I only have hope that the intact (very good condition) 120volt Bodum grinder can be fixed as I will certainly use it .
Im baby stepping here as my torx tools are too short for a look inside.

So wanted some direction if the outcome is that the 120 volt device has had 220-240 volts run through it .....then is it doomed ?

coffeehound

Did anything happen when you connected 120 volts, or was it completely dead?  Although the frequency would still be wrong, you might expect it to at least jump or buzz; maybe even rotate, but more slowly than intended.

TOP_CAT

When I plugged it into the step down convertor ...no movement or sound nothing at all !

coffeehound

You are probably right that someone has already connected it to 240 volts and burnt it out.  Unfortunately it is probably not worth trying to repair, but it might just be of use to someone on ebay looking to replace burrs or a cracked case

TOP_CAT

Yes my thoughts were similar ,its likely but they could still be wrong views .
Its hope really as I need a grinder.
I want to open it up for a look inside just in case as the one youtube clip stated wires were connected by only a few strands so were resolded ..
My question was if 230v has been put through the 120V grinder and the circuit board burnt out a copper line ...it may be able to be resoldered but I know thats wishful thinking .
Perhaps people have repaired usa 230v damaged items......I just dont know 

cx6

If you put 240v through the motor windings then double the current would flow as it started up and yes, the heat might well melt the motor windings. IF it is fused inside then the fuse would have blown protecting the motor.

It could be something as simple as a faulty safety lid switch - the switch needs to close ie the lid needs to be closed.

Jenni_D

Is there a Rating plate on the device? If yes, what exactly does it say? (Often times a device will be dual voltage, compatible with 100-250V 50/60Hz - some are auto-detect, some are manually switched).

Did it have a UK plug on it? Or does it come with a kettle lead? (If the latter then that would explain how it could have been connected to 230V; if the former and it is a fixed lead, the US plug would have had to be removed which should have been a big clue to the previous owner).

matelodave

If its a bog standard electric motor then it will usually be wound for the appropriate voltage so unless it's electronically controlled (ie variable speed or inverter driven) or the windings can be reconfigured 120/240 and its' been run on 240 when set to 120 then it's probably kaput.

Burnt electric motors and transformers have a characteristic pong so have a sniff around the motor vent slot to check whether it smells like burning varnish or carbon (from the brushes).

TOP_CAT

The bodum coffee grinder